
Niki Scalera, a Connecticut native, began her career studying tap, jazz,
and ballet at age three. At age five, she began starring in national commercials
for Cabbage Patch Kids, Oreo’s and Raisin Bran.
At age 8, she starred in the Emmy nominated ABC after school special Don’t
Touch, with director Beau Bridges, where she played a sexually abused
child. Other daytime drama work includes Loving, All My Children and Another
World.
Summers were booked with performances in Gypsy, The Sound of Music, and
Carousel. At age 12, Niki made her Broadway debut in Neil Simon’s
original production of Jake’s Women. Her first job in Los Angeles
came three years later, starring as Sophie in the musical The American
Dream at Century City’s Schubert Theatre alongside Len Cariou &
James Naughton.
In high school, Niki starred in musicals Anything Goes, Carnival, West
Side Story & Fiddler on the Roof. She then attended New York University’s
Tisch School of the Arts where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Following graduation Niki starred the First National US tour of the Broadway
musical Footloose, playing the female lead, Ariel Moore, the rebellious
preacher’s daughter, Ariel Moore.
Forty cities, 400 performances and a year later, Niki moved back to Los
Angeles where she collaborated with the artist known today as NeYo on
a solo album and captivated crowds on the live LA circuit.
Feeling the lure of musical theatre, Niki earned a role as an original
cast member in the North American Premiere of Queen’s We Will Rock
You in Las Vegas. The opening night party was legendary and Niki was thrilled
to share the stage singing back up for rock n’ roll legends Brian
May & Roger of Queen, Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme, Steve Lukather
of Toto, Steve Vai and Meatloaf, to name a few.
After several years on the west coast Niki returned to New York’s
Broadway to understudy the lead role of Jane in Disney’s Tarzan
and later starred as Penny Lou Pingleton in Hairspray. Niki was honored
to perform alongside Marissa Jaret Winokur and Harvey Fierstein in its
final performance.