Sutton Foster

Sutton Lenore Foster was born on March 18, 1975, in Statesboro, Georgia, and raised in Troy, Michigan. Her early career included being a contestant on the reality competition show “Star Search” at age 15 and auditioning for The Mickey Mouse Club. She left Troy High School to join the national tour of “The Will Rogers Follies” and later attended Carnegie Mellon University for one year before committing to a full-time theatrical career. Foster’s career progression highlights her dedication to musical theater, beginning with roles in touring productions and expanding to lead roles on Broadway.

Foster achieved her breakthrough on Broadway with her role as Millie Dillmount in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” earning her first Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical in 2002. She continued to build a distinguished career on stage, starring in notable productions such as “Little Women,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Young Frankenstein,” and “Shrek the Musical.” Her performance as Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes” in 2011 garnered her a second Tony Award, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in musical theater. In 2021, she reprised this role in a London production, receiving an Olivier Award nomination.

Beyond Broadway, Foster has made significant contributions to television. She played the lead role in the ABC Family comedy-drama “Bunheads” from 2012 to 2013 and starred as Liza Miller in the TV Land comedy-drama “Younger” from 2015 to 2021. She has also appeared in various other television series and released solo albums, showcasing her versatility as a performer. In 2012 and 2019, she received honorary doctorates from Ball State University and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, respectively, for her extensive contributions to the arts and education. Currently, she continues to perform on Broadway and serves as an instructor of theatre at Ball State University.