ALYSSA mCDONALD
ACTOR•SINGER•DANCER
ABOUT ME!
ALYSSA MCDONALD is an actor, singer, and dancer based in Nyack, NY. Raised in a deeply theatrical family—her father a Broadway actor and her mother a Rockette—Alyssa has always felt most at home onstage.
She earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Western Connecticut State University, where she trained with esteemed industry professionals including Tim Howard, Justin P. Cowan, Chris Bolan, Ann Gerschefski, Phillip George, and Broadway veterans John Hickok, Liz Parkinson, Scott Wise, and Mary Ann Lamb.
Since graduating, Alyssa has continued to build her professional career. In 2024, she performed her first professional contract at Forestburgh Playhouse, returning in 2025 to take on her first professional leading role of Natalie in Next To Normal.
She has also had the honor of performing at the 2025 Entertainment Community Fund Gala
and at Roundabout Theatre Company’s celebration of John Kander’s 90th birthday, Ring Them Bells.
While at WCSU, her credits included Shelley in Bat Boy, Jennie Brinker in Allegro, Mollie Maggia/Opal in The Radium Girls: A Jaw Dropping New Musical, Ensemble in Head Over Heels, and Ensemble Swing in The Who’s Tommy and Sweeney Todd.
Even before college, she won Best Actress at the 2018 Roger Rees Awards and went on to compete at the 2018 Jimmy Awards (NHSMTA) at the Minskoff Theatre for her portrayal of Doria in Smile.
UPDATES
Before Broadway & Beyond
2026 Roger Rees Awards Benefit Concert
Alyssa McDonald will be performing in the second annual Before Broadway & Beyond Benefit Concert, honoring the importance of in-school theater arts education!
Back in 2017, during her junior year of high school, Alyssa competed in the Roger Rees Awards for the first time. She then returned to compete again in 2018 and had the joy of winning Outstanding Performer, going on to compete in the 2018 Jimmy Awards!
The Roger Rees Awards brought Alyssa so many amazing opportunities, the program was a vital part of her growth as an actress, and she is honored to be performing in this benefit concert.
Natalie in NEXT TO NORMAL
and Resident Company 2025 at Forestburgh Playhouse!
Alyssa recently returned to Forestburgh Playhouse back in June to play Natalie in NEXT TO NORMAL, her first professional leading role.
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She was also apart of ResCo 2025 and had the best time performing in the ensemble of THE FULL MONTY, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, NEWSIES, HEAD OVER HEELS, and a TYA production of SHREK THE MUSICAL! ​Alyssa also had the chance to perform her understudy role of INGA in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN!
