Adrienne Warren may be commanding audiences as Mamie Till Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, in Women of the Movement, but it's definitely not her first leading role. While you've seen her here and there in popular TV shows like Quantico, Blue Bloods, or Orange Is the New Black, her most notable roles have been on the stage. The Tony Award-winning actress has been in a handful of shows, both touring and on Broadway, and has impressed audiences for years. Theatregoers aren't surprised to see her boldly playing this impactful role in Women of the Movement, which takes place in the 1950s, as her ability to tell a story through acting has been apparent for years. As you watch Women of the Movement, which premiered Jan. 6, catch up on Warren's other notable roles from years past.
Adrienne Warren's Best Roles
Adrienne Warren Was a Tony Award Winner Before Starring in Women of the Movement
Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls
Adrienne Warren starred in the touring production of Dreamgirls in 2009 and 2010. She played the role of Lorrell Robinson, one of the background singers in the Dreams, based on the real-life singing group the Supremes.
Adrienne Warren as Danielle in Bring It On
Adrienne Warren originated the role of Danielle in the Broadway production of Bring It On in 2012 after being a part of the national tour. Danielle is the head of her school's hip-hop team, and The New York Times called Warren a "warm, likable" presence in this role.
Adrienne Warren as Rachel Manning in Blue Bloods
Adrienne Warren's first TV role was as Rachel Manning in Blue Bloods in 2013. She appeared in season three in the episode titled "Ends and Means."
Adrienne Warren as Dina in Orange Is the New Black
Adrienne Warren had a small role as Dina in the first season of Orange Is the New Black in 2013. Litchfield is hosting a Scared Straight program for teen troublemakers, and Dina is one of the people brought to the prison.
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Adrienne Warren played the role of Abby in the Amazon pilot Point of Honour in 2015. The hourlong production is the story of a wealthy Virginia family at the start of the Civil War who frees their slaves.
In 2016, Adrienne Warren starred in the Broadway production of Shuffle Along. She played the dual roles of Gertrude Saunders and Florence Mills in the show. Director and writer George C. Wolfe told the Associated Press at the time that casting one person to play both roles wouldn't be easy. "And then Adrienne came in to audition and I instantly knew I'd found my miracle performer," he said. This show earned her her first Tony Award nomination for best-featured actress in a musical.
Adrienne Warren led the cast of the Broadway production of Tina in the title role of Tina Turner. She originated the role in London's West End in 2018 before coming to New York in 2019. She earned rave reviews, including from The Hollywood Reporter, who wrote, "Adrienne Warren has what it takes, and then some — the powerhouse voice, the jackhammer legs, the wild dance moves, and above all, the heart — to carry Tina: The Tina Turner Musical." Warren earned a Tony Award nomination for best actress in a musical in 2020, which she won, along with a Drama Desk Award.
Alongside other Broadway stars, Adrienne Warren took on the lead role of Sally in a concert production of The Nightmare Before Christmas in 2020. Proceeds from the show, presented on Halloween, benefitted The Actors Fund and Lymphoma Research Foundation.