Natalie Rankin

Natalie is so excited to be making her Waterfront Playhouse debut and her Key West debut all in one! An actor/director/choreographer hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Natalie has recently relocated to Chicago. Favorite Nashville credits include playing Maureen in Rent and Winnifred Banks in Mary Poppins at the Nashville Repertory Theatre, playing Yitzhak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Street Theatre Company, playing Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical the Musical with the Nashville Children’s Theatre, acting in multiple Shakespeare productions at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, and directing and co-producing a play called Airswimming with her newly founded theatre company, Baby Teeth Performance Lab. Favorite choreography credits include Anything Goes at Towne Centre Theatre, and Spring Awakening at Street Theatre Company.

Growing up in Nashville nurtured Natalie’s love for live music and performing. Her dad’s work as a touring audio engineer gave her a special “in” to understanding what it’s like being on the road, and how surprisingly un-glamourous the work is. She’s been doing her best to channel that roadie energy while creating the role of Yitzhak in this production of Hedwig. Though she’s played this role before, back in 2019, Natalie is thrilled for the chance to put the boots back on and discover how this version of Yitzhak is informed by the last seven years of her life and growth as an actor and a human being. Creating the choreography for the show has been a special treat, and Natalie was inspired by the quality of movement and stage presence of all the rock icons mentioned in the show – specifically David Bowie, Tina Turner, and Iggy Pop – as well as the creator of Hedwig, John Cameron Mitchell. Natalie is in pure awe of her stage partner, Phillip Cole White, who has brought his whole self to the role of Hedwig, and whose star power and sheer talent make this show sparklier and depthier than ever. She feels so grateful for and inspired by Jeremy Zoma’s collaborative spirit and as a director, and his commitment to highlighting the humanity and depth of this story. If you’re ready for a rock and roll ride, don’t miss our show!