Karen Olivo

KO (born August 7, 1976), formerly known as Karen Olivo, is an American stage and television actor, theater educator, and singer. In 2008, KO originated the role of Vanessa in In the Heights on Broadway. The following year, they won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for their performance as Anita in a revival of West Side Story. KO is the first and only actor to win a Tony Award for a performance in West Side Story. From 2016 to 2017, KO portrayed the role of Angelica Schuyler in the Chicago production of Hamilton. In 2019, KO originated the leading role of Satine in the Broadway adaptation of Moulin Rouge! and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Since 2022, when they stepped back from acting, KO is an associate professor, and head of music theatre, at Northwestern University.

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