From Broadway stages to the bestseller list, Phillipa Soo is a versatile creative force.
In short: Known for originating the role of Eliza Hamilton, Phillipa Soo has built a career defined by musical theater excellence and diverse screen performances. Beyond her Tony-nominated stage work and Grammy-winning albums, she has expanded into executive production, children's literature, and charitable initiatives that leverage the arts for personal expression.
Born in 1990 in Libertyville, Illinois, Soo graduated from the Juilliard School in 2012. Her professional breakthrough arrived quickly with the role of Natasha Rostova in an Off-Broadway adaptation of War and Peace. This performance caught the attention of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail, who invited her to participate in early readings for the musical Hamilton. As the original Eliza Hamilton, she earned a 2016 Tony Award nomination and a Grammy Award for the show's cast recording.
Soo’s career has since spanned a wide range of theatrical and television projects. She has taken on iconic roles including Cinderella in the 2022 revival of Into the Woods—which secured her a second Grammy—and Guenevere in the 2023 production of Camelot. Her television work includes roles in the medical drama Doctor Odyssey and the miniseries Dopesick. In 2024, she demonstrated her versatility by co-authoring the New York Times bestseller Piper Chen Sings, a children's book written with her sister-in-law.
Beyond her performance credits, Soo is deeply involved in community outreach. She launched the Eliza Project, a partnership with the Graham Windham orphanage in New York City. The initiative provides students with workshops in dance, acting, and rap, aiming to foster creative expression. Whether narrating audiobooks, producing film projects like One True Loves, or practicing Transcendental Meditation, Soo maintains a multifaceted career that balances high-profile entertainment with personal creative pursuits.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Phillipa Soo
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