If you haven't had a chance to see "Spring Awakening's" new revival, maybe you've seen its breakout star from "Glee," Ali Stroker who appeared as Artie's love interest in the Valentine's Day episode. Either way, Stroker has made it from a small town to the biggest stage in New York City: Broadway.
Being the first person in a wheelchair to star in a Broadway show, Stroker did an interview with "Today" on NBC, which circulated to different magazines and other media outlets, such as Mashable and Broadway World.
She is from the small town of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and being another Ridgewood resident, the story of how she ended up in her chair was told to me by her own father and my middle school gym teacher, Mr. Stroker. At the age of two, a car accident left Stroker paralyzed and her brother with permanent injuries, but that never stopped her—her two passions, music and theater, were what got her through everything (as well as her incredibly supportive family).
When I was younger, I had Mr. Stroker for all of my middle school health and gym classes. And when I got my first job, I ended up working for Stroker's mom, Ms. Schleicher. The second summer I worked with her mom was when Stroker was part of "The Glee Project"; it became an inspiration to see someone from our own hometown in the public eye for anyone with the idea of making it big.
Ali ended up making it onto "Glee" for an episode (it was wonderful, by the way), and from there, her career took off. It's been a fun ride, and she has made it to the big stage. As the first woman in a wheelchair to star in a Broadway show, she couldn't have made a bigger splash. She is in the new "Spring Awakening" production, where sign language is a part of the choreography.
The production has gotten stellar reviews, and students of all walks are running to get their tickets. I personally plan on seeing the show over winter break and doing stage door to meet these amazing actors, and hopefully Stroker herself. (Fingers crossed!)
Without even seeing the production yet, I would say this will probably be one of the most moving experiences I will have from a Broadway stage.
