608-438-9543 // lsmith@talentxalexander.com
a lil' blurb about me
Dani is a working non-union actress, singer and creative in CHICAGO. She spends her free time reading, singing, teaching herself the acoustic guitar, writing poetry, playing with her dog (a husky-mutt named Yogurt), lifting weights, and watching movies & stand up comedy. Dani is a rare bone cancer survivor (learn more about the Chordoma Foundation here)!
Dani graduated from Oklahoma City University in '19 with her BFA in Acting and Minor in Directing. She graduated summa cum laude from the honors college, third in her class, Bronze Letsiezer Medalist, a National Merit Scholar, and recipient of the School of Theatre's Outstanding Senior award and the Wayne Campbell Award for Excellence in Performance. (A major nerd, basically).
Dani was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where a big piece of her heart still resides with her close-knit, wacky family. She loves representing H-Town (Dani won the BroadwayWorld Houston award for Best Supporting Actress in 2014 for her portrayal of Natalie in Next to Normal). Houston is where she grew to love performing and teaching (she has been teaching kids since she was 15, and the joy of watching young minds discover the magic of theatre warms her heart).
reviews, hot off the press
EMMA (TELL ME ON A SUNDAY)
"Pike’s performance contributes mightily to the sense
that her character will eventually put herself first.
You get a sense of that breakthrough in the song
that gives the play its name... Like each of the songs
that sustain and propel the musical, Pike renders it with
a radiant display of craftsmanship and charisma that
leaves the audiences rapt... It’s that effort’s success,
along with Pike’s glorious performance, that places
Tell Me on a Sunday on the exceptional shelf and
makes it such a smashing night of theater."
- Mitchell Oldham, Splash Magazine Chicago
"But, of course, the success of this musical can be largely attributed to the charisma and star-power of gifted leading lady, Dani Pike. For avid theatre lovers, like myself, this lovely and talented musical actress will be fondly remembered for her knockout performances as Audrey, in Citadel Theatre’s LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and as Princess Fiona, in Music Theater Works’ SHREK, THE MUSICAL. Playing Emma, the focus of the show is always on Ms. Pike, because she doesn’t share the stage with anyone else. The talented actress never lets her audience down. Dani’s vocal talent is superb, comfortably dipping down into the lowest range and then suddenly hitting the highest notes. She easily navigates Emma’s emotional journey, as well, running the gamut from unbridled joy to deep depression. The young woman’s stormy journey through four love affairs ultimately delivers Emma toward her own dignity and respect. Dani Pike is truly a musical theatre star to watch!" - Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
"Tell Me on a Sunday is a showcase for Dani Pike... It’s a terrific choice for an intimate venue like Theo’s Howard Street Theatre. Particularly if you have Dani Pike on hand to play Emma, the bruised romantic whose ups and downs in love form the basis for the story... But the show’s weight is on Pike’s shoulders, and boy howdy, does she ever deliver... Pike knows how to make nearly every moment count in this charming and touching, if slight, story of one woman’s struggles to find herself—in and out of love."- Kerry Reid, Chicago Reader
"There's a reason this show is rarely produced - it requires intricate direction and a next-level performer to pull off a 75-min devastating one act with vocal chops to wail ALW's bonkers rock opera score while believably carrying on scenes with multiple unseen characters in the most intimate of environments. This is achieved and then some by Dani Pike, whose voice is perfect for this insane role and is fully committed to this sprint of a story, I was rooting so hard for her Emma and could've kept watching her story unfold for ages." - Ashley Ann Wolfe
"Though it’s a minimal set, Pike creates the settings with her movements...
She’s vulnerable. She’s hopeful. She’s self-reflective when she realizes
she’s becoming someone not true to herself. We see her hopes rise
with each potential romantic partner, but that hope doesn’t peak as
high each time until we feel she can’t bounce back with optimism anymore.
Pike hits the emotional and vocal high notes and is a powerhouse for her
vocal and acting skills - alongside her stamina as well."
- Allie Bugajski, Allie and the Afterparty
"The role of Emma is handled to perfection by Dani Pike" - Alan Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago
PRINCESS FIONA (SHREK THE MUSICAL)
"The sparkle and glitter in the cast comes from the leading lady. An absolutely delightful Dani Pike walks away with the show as the sassy Princess Fiona. Her funny and feisty performance as this independent young girl is both powerful and priceless. Ms. Pike mines every ounce of humor and hilarity from the script. Not only delivering her lines with elegant enunciation and shrewd comic timing, Dani is a gifted songstress of the highest calibre. I can see this actress performing her own one-woman show at Davenport's some weekend, she's that good!" (Chicago Theatre Review)
"The phrase 'impeccably cast' comes to mind when considering Dani Pike in the role of our leading lady, Princess Fiona. Bringing to life this karate-chopping, spunky-yet-charming princess was no small feat, but Pike fired on all cylinders with her impressive range." (BroadwayWorld Chicago)
"Dani Pike is wonderful as Princess Fiona. Pike is known for throwing a little bit of an unconventional attitude into her characters. Her performance as Fiona is a load of fun to experience, with enough emotional juice to touch all the hearts in the audience. She is a phenomenal actress and singer, and can tap dance with the best of them." (The Life and Times of Rikki Lee Travolta)
"Dani Pike as Fiona fills the stage with her rich voice, determined personality and droll humor, all which align with particular power..." (BuzzNews)
"Dani Pike brings real passion to the role as well as a powerful singing voice. Whenever Pike is onstage, the story moves with a fairy-tale spring in its step." (Chicago Culture Authority)
"Dani Pike has a secret life that she hints at with mannerisms that make us laugh and an entrancing voice that carries us through her dilemmas" (Evanston RoundTable)
AUDREY (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS)
"Dani Pike gives us a totally original characterization. Pike’s Audrey is not an airhead, as typically done. She is a smart and sassy woman who has come to terms with the idea of being trapped forever on Skid Row. However, that doesn’t stop her from dreaming of a life in the suburbs. And when the opportunity presents itself, she lets herself believe the dream. Experimenting with the status quo way a character has traditionally been played is a gutsy move, but Pike answers the call. Pike shows us a full range of emotions, while hitting notes with a gusto that is rarely seen. Whether it be singing, dancing, or acting – Dani Pike delivers the goods. She’s that damn great." (TravoltaNet)
"But this show truly belongs to two impressive, multitalented young actor/singers. Audrey is played by the glorious songstress and actress, Dani Pike... this talented twosome (Audrey and Seymour) get to show off their accomplished acting and singing, and they’re exquisite in every song, every romantic moment and in each and every corny, but comic piece of schtick... Ms. Pike is funny, but far more natural and underplayed than previous Audrey’s. She’s sweetly moving as the naive girl from Skid Row, who thinks she’s undeserving of love and kindness. But when she sings Dani fills the theatre with her plaintive “Somewhere That’s Green” that almost stops the show with her earnest sincerity. Dani uses her big voice to its full advantage" (Chicago Theatre Review)
"The original Audrey is played by Dani Pike. Wow – what a powerhouse. She plays the kind Audrey with vulnerability and sweetness, and when she sings “Somewhere That’s Green,” you can feel the yearning. Her voice fills the theater and you’re left listening in awe." (Your Chicago Guide)
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TV/FILM
American Schemers Featured Mark Glassgow, Patrick Wimp/Jack C. Newell
The Anti-Bullying Defense League Principal Sally Rubin/Andrew Cawley
Unwritten Supporting Art Institue of Houston
S/F American Hustle Lead Oklahoma City University/Tim Fall
STAGE
Tell Me On a Sunday Emma Theo Ubique/Keely Vasquez
Rock of Ages Sherrie Christian Metropolis PAC/Derek Van Barham
Shrek the Musical Fiona Music Theatre Works/Johanna McKenzie Miller
Little Shop of Horrors Audrey Citadel Theatre/Matt Silar
First Date Casey Oil Lamp Theater/Christina Ramirez
Gut. The Veteran Avalanche Theatre/Platform Production Co
MONSTER GIRL Anna Rhinofest '23/Taylor Pasche
The Kelly Girls Fianna U/S The Factory Theater/Spenser Davis
The Gala Celebrity Ensemble The Annoyance/Elias RiosWHat
Death is So Much Worse. Taryn Corn and Nealshow Productions/Pat Radke
Next to Normal Natalie The Music Box Theatre/Michael J. Ross
Morning in America Delaney Connective Theatre/Taylor McWilliams-Woods
The Wolves #7 OCU Burg Theatre/Courtney DiBello
Heathers: The Musical Veronica The Queensbury Theatre/Bethany White
Back to the 80’s Swing The Music Box Theatre/Rebekah Dahl
Chess Florence Vassy The Queensbury Theatre/Kristina Sullivan
ALiEN8* Emily Ignition Arts/Jorge Donoso
Spring Awakening Wendla The Music Box Theatre/Kristina Sullivan
Into the Woods The Witch The Music Box Theatre/Luke Wrobel
Shrek the Musical Fiona The Queensbury Theatre/Kristina Sullivan
All My Sons Ann Deever Studio 150:6/Carey Perry-Chuter
Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells… Junie B. Jones Oklahoma Children’s Theatre/Elin Bhaird
Holy Ghosts Nancy Shedman OCU Black Box Theatre/Harold Kohlman
Detroit Sharon OCU Out of the Box/Brade Bradshaw
*Equity Staged Reading
Training
Oklahoma City University (OCU); Oklahoma City, OK; BFA Acting, minor in Directing.
The Masquerade Theatre Tribble School, Houston, TX.
The Music Box Young Artists Program, Houston, TX.
Acting: Kirsten Fitzgerald, Lawrence Grimm, Sherman Edwards and dado (A Red Orchid Theatre),
Sarah Cayce (The Forge), Bill Langan (Film), Luke Eddy (Stage Combat/Movement),
Kristen Cerelli (Voice & Dialects), Kate Brennan (Linklater), Christine Albright-Tufts (Shakespeare)
Voice: Mateja Govich, Kristina Sullivan, Mary Brozina Wierick, Rebekah Dahl, Luke Wrobel,
Michael J. Ross, Dr. David Herendeen, Karen Miller
Dance: Jazz - Alana Martin, Cassandra Mora, Laura Babbit
Music Theatre Dance - Julie Stanley, Bethany White
Tap - Sheri Hayden
Special Skills: Rock/pop belt, British RP dialect, General/Gulf Southern accent, NY Brooklyn dialect, Irish dialect,
stage combat experience, passport, driver’s license, impressions (Lorde, Gwen Stefani, Kristen Stewart, Adele,
Amy Lee, Alice Ripley, and more)
selected credits
photo gallery
various videos
Check out Dani in action!
Dani Pike Demo Reel
Dani Pike Demo Reel
What Am I Waiting For - Parade- - Dani
Dani Pike - No One Else
