GLORIA MAKINO is a singing actress based in NYC and DC, currently starring as Esmeralda in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE-DAME Off Broadway. This new musical adaptation by John Taylor Thomas is
faithful to Victor Hugo's original novel, and opens September 8th at 30th Street Theater.
Critically acclaimed as “the perfect woman,” Gloria performed across the country as Lane Chandra in TANGLES, a groundbreaking new musical about Alzheimer’s Disease with the New Theatre of Medicine, and is a frequent guest vocalist with the Manhattan Symphonie, including at Carnegie Hall.
Also a writer, Gloria adapted the new musical UNTURNING from Thomas Hardy’s novel The Return of the Native. UNTURNING was presented at two festivals and a reading workshop series in NYC, as well as a reading in her native Baltimore. UNTURNING was also performed in Times Square on Richard Rodgers' own piano. During lockdown, Gloria recorded a socially distanced virtual performance with Broadway actors.
As a singer, Gloria was selected to record the definitive interpretation of Hugh Martin's last song for the CD HUGH MARTIN: HIDDEN TREASURES, which was reviewed on NPR and France Musique. She sang at Carnegie Hall as Soprano Soloist with the Manhattan Symphonie, was one of the first performers at 54 Below ("Cadavaret" with Lance Roberts), and sang "Glitter and Be Gay" with Pocket Opera New York.
Gloria stars as Lena in the 2020 release feature film BARBARA. Other screen credits include LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (Pianist), the bilingual BROKEN COMPASS (Daughter; Won Merit Award at Awareness Film Festival 2015), and HAZE (Molly; Won Best Feature Film at DC Independent Film Festival 2016 & Won Best Feature at Soma Film Festival 2016).
Also an accomplished pianist, Gloria was the substitute music director / conductor / pianist for the touring production of TANGLES, in which she also acted the role of Dr. Lane Chandra, a role that was expanded to include a solo song to showcase her voice. She also played piano for the touring production of MILESTONES, later renamed AUTOPSY OF DR. MELINDA J. SMITH, in which she previously understudied and performed the acting role of the title character. Her piano skills were also featured on LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, where she accompanied the dancing Melissa Benoist in the episode Delicate.
Her favorite theater roles include WEST SIDE STORY (Maria), KING & I (Tuptim), CINDERELLA (title role), OKLAHOMA (Laurey), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Hodel), and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Anne).
Gloria has originated new roles in TOM JONES (Sophie), PLAN B THE MUSICAL (Isabel), Celeste Miller's
SNOW WHITE RETRACTED (Remedios Bella), Veniamin Smekhov's MASTER AND MARGARITA (Gella),
and COMEDY IN THE AFTERNOON, in which her role was expanded to include an Italian aria, flamenco
dance with castanets, and dialogue in four languages.
She has also acted in classics such as THE SEAGULL (Masha), THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (Margot Frank), and Lorca's AS FIVE YEARS PASS (Fiancee).
Gloria studied Voice with Peabody Conservatory faculty, and Linguistics at Grinnell College.
She studied Piano with concert pianist Eugene Gaub, and United States Marine Band pianist Bob Boguslaw.
She holds a B.A. cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University.
Proud member Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA & Dramatists Guild of America.
faithful to Victor Hugo's original novel, and opens September 8th at 30th Street Theater.
Critically acclaimed as “the perfect woman,” Gloria performed across the country as Lane Chandra in TANGLES, a groundbreaking new musical about Alzheimer’s Disease with the New Theatre of Medicine, and is a frequent guest vocalist with the Manhattan Symphonie, including at Carnegie Hall.
Also a writer, Gloria adapted the new musical UNTURNING from Thomas Hardy’s novel The Return of the Native. UNTURNING was presented at two festivals and a reading workshop series in NYC, as well as a reading in her native Baltimore. UNTURNING was also performed in Times Square on Richard Rodgers' own piano. During lockdown, Gloria recorded a socially distanced virtual performance with Broadway actors.
As a singer, Gloria was selected to record the definitive interpretation of Hugh Martin's last song for the CD HUGH MARTIN: HIDDEN TREASURES, which was reviewed on NPR and France Musique. She sang at Carnegie Hall as Soprano Soloist with the Manhattan Symphonie, was one of the first performers at 54 Below ("Cadavaret" with Lance Roberts), and sang "Glitter and Be Gay" with Pocket Opera New York.
Gloria stars as Lena in the 2020 release feature film BARBARA. Other screen credits include LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (Pianist), the bilingual BROKEN COMPASS (Daughter; Won Merit Award at Awareness Film Festival 2015), and HAZE (Molly; Won Best Feature Film at DC Independent Film Festival 2016 & Won Best Feature at Soma Film Festival 2016).
Also an accomplished pianist, Gloria was the substitute music director / conductor / pianist for the touring production of TANGLES, in which she also acted the role of Dr. Lane Chandra, a role that was expanded to include a solo song to showcase her voice. She also played piano for the touring production of MILESTONES, later renamed AUTOPSY OF DR. MELINDA J. SMITH, in which she previously understudied and performed the acting role of the title character. Her piano skills were also featured on LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, where she accompanied the dancing Melissa Benoist in the episode Delicate.
Her favorite theater roles include WEST SIDE STORY (Maria), KING & I (Tuptim), CINDERELLA (title role), OKLAHOMA (Laurey), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Hodel), and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Anne).
Gloria has originated new roles in TOM JONES (Sophie), PLAN B THE MUSICAL (Isabel), Celeste Miller's
SNOW WHITE RETRACTED (Remedios Bella), Veniamin Smekhov's MASTER AND MARGARITA (Gella),
and COMEDY IN THE AFTERNOON, in which her role was expanded to include an Italian aria, flamenco
dance with castanets, and dialogue in four languages.
She has also acted in classics such as THE SEAGULL (Masha), THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (Margot Frank), and Lorca's AS FIVE YEARS PASS (Fiancee).
Gloria studied Voice with Peabody Conservatory faculty, and Linguistics at Grinnell College.
She studied Piano with concert pianist Eugene Gaub, and United States Marine Band pianist Bob Boguslaw.
She holds a B.A. cum laude from Barnard College of Columbia University.
Proud member Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA & Dramatists Guild of America.
