a lil' blurb about me
Dani is currently a working EMC 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 and 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 bit of a 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
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)
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
Shrek the Musical Fiona Music Theatre Works/Johanna McKenzie Miller
Little Shop of Horrors Audrey Citadel Theatre/Matt Silar
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
What You Call a Dream Featured Soloist Blank Theatre Company
Death is So Much Worse. Taryn Corn and Nealshow Productions/Pat Radke
Dear Mom, I'm Gay Shaunda U/S Musical Workshop/David Dilsizian
Next to Normal Natalie The Music Box Theatre/Michael J. Ross
Anti-Bullying Defense League Melissa (Guest Star) Directed by Sally Marian Rubin
Unwritten Rebecca (Supporting) Art Institute of Houston
S/F American Hustle Rosalyn (Lead) Directed by Tim Fall
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
Music From a Sparkling Planet Tamara Tomorrow OCU Black Box Theatre/Gage Rancich
The House of Atreus Part II Greek Chorus OCU Burg Theatre/D. Lance Marsh
The Country Wife Lady Fidget OCU Black Box Theatre/Dr. David Pasto
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 (Acting Studio Chicago), Lawrence Grimm (A Red Orchid Theatre),
Sarah Cayce (On Camera), Frank Chuter (Stanislavski), Harold Kohlman (Directing), Jeanie Sholer (Micheal Chekhov),
Luke Eddy (Viewpoints/Stage Combat), Luke Wrobel (Meisner), D. Lance Marsh (Anton Chekhov), Kristen Cerelli (Dialects), Kate Brennan (Linklater), Christine Albright-Tufts (Adv. Shakespeare), William Langan (On-Camera Technique)
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, Sheri Hayden,Bethany White
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
The Anti-Bullying Defense League Ep 2 | Cassie vs. Melissa
What Am I Waiting For - Parade- - Dani
