MEET BROADWAY’S NEWEST STAR, 12-YEAR-OLD, NIA THOMPSON

Dreams are made of Broadway’s storytelling magic. For one 12-year-old actress, Nia Thompson, the Broadway lights have given way to reality, finding the newest star to step into the spotlight as The Lion King’s Young Nala. You may recognize Nia’s face from shows such as: Ada Twist: Scientist, Godfather of Harlem, Rise Up, Sing Out, Out./Side of Time, The Equalizer, and Jam Van. However, for Nia, getting the part of Young Nala on Broadway, was like a dream come true. According to her mother, Gessie Thompson, in a recent interview, Nala felt that, she was “supposed to be on stage”. After a backstage tour, for her 8th birthday, guided by the late Sharron Lynn Williams, a seven-year ensemble cast member, Nia knew that The Lion King stage was where she needed to be. When asked at the theater what she wanted to be when she grew up, Nia confidently responded, “I want to be in The Lion King!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nia Madison Thompson SAG-AFTRA (@authenticnia) And now that she is there, Nia feels that it is her duty to be a role model and inspire other children of color. Nia wants them know...