Hello Beautiful People,
ALI STROKER. Learn that name now. Her zest for life is palpable. Her talent and outlook will inspire the darkest of souls. She is a rock star, literally and figuratively – and I was beyond honored that she took the time to chat with me for our Actors and Actresses Q&A series here at thewriteteachers.com. 
Ali Stroker is a groundbreaking performer with an inspiring story. In 2009, Ali became the first actress in a wheelchair to earn a degree from the NYU Tisch Drama Department. This year, the GLEE and GLEE PROJECT star made history as the first actress in a wheelchair to appear on a Broadway stage, where she is currently originating the role of Anna in Deaf West’s 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. Her performance in the role of Olive in The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee earned Ali a Barrymore Award nomination, and exceptional acclaim when reprised at the Papermill Playhouse, thirty minutes from her hometown of Ridgewood, New Jersey. In addition to her work on and off-Broadway, Ali has enjoyed solo performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and New York’s Town Hall, as well as concert appearances at Lincoln Center. An ardent humanitarian and advocate, Stroker is a co-chair of WOMEN WHO CARE, which supports United Cerebral Palsy of NYC. BE MORE HEROIC, an anti-bullying campaign which tours the country connecting with thousands of students each year counts Ali as a founding member. Her devotion to educating and inspiring others has taken Ali to South Africa with ARTS InsideOut, where she holds theater workshops and classes for women and children affected by HIV and AIDS. Ali’s remarkable ability to improve the lives of other people through the arts, whether they be disabled or not, is captured in her principle of “Making Your Limitations Your Opportunities”.
MM: First things first, did you always know that you wanted to be a performer?
AS: Yes, I’ve known since I was seven that I wanted to be performer, I’ve been dreaming of Broadway since I saw Beauty and The Beast in second or third grade.
MM: Speaking of Broadway, what has the whole Spring Awakening process been like thus far?
AS: This process and production has completely changed my life. I’ve made my Broadway debut; I’ve had the opportunity to learn American Sign Language and work with deaf actors. They’ve become like family to me—they help me embrace my community and take my limitations and turn them into opportunities.
MM: Just for fun, if you were stranded on a desert island, what TV shows and/or movies would you want to have available to you?
AS: I would want to have Almost Famous, Sex and The City, Glee, and this new TV show that my friend wrote called Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, HGTV and The Food Network.
MM: Just for fun, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
AS: Humans of New York, Weird NJ.
MM: What character in musical theatre do you think your personality is most like and least like?
AS: I’d say I’m most like Glinda, least like Ursula.
MM: What do you hope people leave with when they see Spring Awakening?
AS: I hope they feel inspired to communicate and speak their truth.
MM: What reasons would you give to a school board or politician for preserving arts education programming in schools?
AS: The arts helped me find a purpose in the life I was granted. I was injured when I was two years old, became paralyzed and was in a wheelchair. When I found music and theatre, I found a way to express myself and escape. I found my voice and found that I could make an impact through the arts. It’s everything to me! I would not be where I am without the arts today, had I not had exposure to them.
MM: What’s once piece of advice that you’d want to give to aspiring actors and singers?
AS: I would remind people that the things that you don’t like about yourself are the things that make you special. Embrace the things that make you different, because that’s what makes you stand out. Be a good person. Be a good human being and good things will come to you.
Being in the arts, no matter what, you’re collaborating with people. Who you are as a human being matters.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
AS: My family! First and foremost – my mom and dad. They’ve each given me so many tools for success and exposed me to so many different opportunities. My parents are the most positive and effective role models. I wouldn’t be here if not for them. My brother and sister – they’re two of my best friends, and we’re a team. My brother was also injured in the car accident, so we’ve been navigating this world together. My sister is my best sidekick and pal since she was born.
Thank you, Ali!
Write Teacher(s) Readers, be sure to connect with Ali on Twitter (@ALISTROKER), and Instagram (@alistroker) – and don’t miss Ali in Spring Awakening on Broadway – there’s only 52 performances left! Tickets and additional information are available here.
Live, Love, Learn,