BIO
Nikki Yarnell is a New York and Chicago-based actor - singer and member of Actor's Equity Association with several regional credits as well as a national touring credit. While she is not related to Lorene Yarnell of the American mime team Shields and Yarnell, her great-grandmother's cousin was entertainer and comedic actor Phil Silvers--a two-time Tony and two-time Emmy Award winner whose career spanned nearly 60 years. Nikki is best known for playing Marge in "The Bridges of Madison County" alongside Kate Baldwin and Aaron Lazar with direction by Hunter Foster at Axelrod Performing Arts Center and then again with Kate Baldwin and Nicholas Rodriguez at Bucks County Playhouse.
While she specializes in more mature character roles originated by the likes of Jackie Hoffman, Mary Testa and Victoria Clark, some industry also recognize her ability to live in the leading lady sphere as well. Her work spans the classics, from Gilbert and Sullivan and Shakespeare, to the contemporary with Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz and a rock musical developed by James Rado. Favorite productions include the The Bridges of Madison County (Marge), The Prom (Mrs. Greene), To Kill a Mockingbird (Maudie Atkinson) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Miss Mona).
A Northwestern University graduate, Nikki also trained at Upright Citizens Brigade and the program at Atlantic Theater Company where she studied with Karen Kohlhaas. She continues to work regularly with her acting coach Kimberly Vaughn while studying voice with Richard Lissemore. Routinely seen by casting offices such as Arc, Wojcik, Alison Franck, Jamibeth Margolis and Daryl Eisenberg, Nikki has enjoyed working at regional theatres in South Carolina, New York, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Maine, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia and looks forward to adding more to the list!
While she specializes in more mature character roles originated by the likes of Jackie Hoffman, Mary Testa and Victoria Clark, some industry also recognize her ability to live in the leading lady sphere as well. Her work spans the classics, from Gilbert and Sullivan and Shakespeare, to the contemporary with Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz and a rock musical developed by James Rado. Favorite productions include the The Bridges of Madison County (Marge), The Prom (Mrs. Greene), To Kill a Mockingbird (Maudie Atkinson) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Miss Mona).
A Northwestern University graduate, Nikki also trained at Upright Citizens Brigade and the program at Atlantic Theater Company where she studied with Karen Kohlhaas. She continues to work regularly with her acting coach Kimberly Vaughn while studying voice with Richard Lissemore. Routinely seen by casting offices such as Arc, Wojcik, Alison Franck, Jamibeth Margolis and Daryl Eisenberg, Nikki has enjoyed working at regional theatres in South Carolina, New York, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Maine, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia and looks forward to adding more to the list!
