Nija Okoro, a native of the Bronx, New York, is a talented actress who has made a name for herself in both stage and screen productions. Her passion for acting began when her mother, in an effort to keep her busy and off the streets, enrolled her in the prestigious Harlem School of the Arts.
Seeking to further her education, Nija decided to attend the elite LaGuardia HS of the Performing Arts, commonly referred to as the "Fame" school. Despite a guidance counselor's discouraging words, advising her that "no one from her neighborhood ever gets in," Nija refused to consider alternative schools, and her determination paid off when she became the first student from her junior high school to gain admission.
Her academic and artistic pursuits continued at Juilliard, where she was awarded a full merit-based scholarship and received the esteemed Marian Seldes award. Throughout her career, Nija has had the privilege of working under the direction of renowned theater professionals, including Phylicia Rashad and Ruben Santiago-Hudson.
She has also had the opportunity to star in the world premiere of a play written by Matthew López. Her stage work has earned her numerous accolades, including four LA Drama Critics Circle Awards and an Ovation award, among others.
In recent years, Nija has been seen in the biopic about 1920's actor Charles Gilpin and is set to appear in the upcoming thriller, The Stay. Additionally, she will be returning to the stage in the world premiere of Dominique Morisseau's new play, Confederates in NY, later this year.
