Carolyn Waldee (she/they) is a Chicago-based actor, singer, and cellist.
About Me
I’m an actor, singer, and cellist who’s made my home in the Chicago theatre scene since 2018, when I made my debut in Prop Thtr’s world premiere of Neverland. I initially studied acting at Wheaton College’s Arena Theatre, a small ensemble-based program with a focus on intimate storytelling and multidisciplinary theatre-making. Post-grad, I’ve continued my training at Acting Studio Chicago, Susan Hart Shakespeare, Star Music Studio with Colette Todd, and more! Since 2021, I’ve been an ensemble member with Greatworks Theatre, where I’ve played twelve tracks in nine different shows in repertory for young audiences across the country. I’m also a founding member of Nonsense Productions, a fledgling theatre ensemble focused on artistic agency and community building, where I last appeared as Malvolio in Twelfth Night. And in the world of musical theater, I’ve checked off my bucket list role of Jo March in Little Women and starred in two midwest premieres — first as Clotho in Adam Gwon and Sarah Hammond’s modern Greek myth String at the Towle Theater in Hammond, IN, and most recently as T in EllaRose Chary and Brandon James Gwinn’s queer rock fantasia TL;DR: Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix at Theo Ubique.
Onstage, I love: queer storytelling, Shakespeare in the park, Shakespeare anywhere, blackbox musical theatre, playing men, actor-musicianship, stories about religion and religious deconstruction, adaptations of Little Women, and putting a Florence and the Machine song on every character playlist.
Offstage, I love: my day job as a farmer’s market cheesemonger (really), reading literary fiction, cooking with seasonal produce, text coaching, Lucy Dacus, Carole King, knitting, living in a walkable city, going to see my friends in shows, drinking coffee, and noodling around on my cello.
Let’s work together!
Need a 5’7” she/they mezzo-soprano for your next musical? Looking for a cellist to round out your actor-musician cohort for a Shakespearean comedy? Wanna know what Florence song was on my Macbeth playlist? Drop me a line!