1997–2006: Early career and Broadway debut KO began their professional career in 1997 when they joined the original Broadway production of
Rent. They joined as a replacement swing, also understudying the roles of Mimi and Maureen. The following year they joined the first national tour of
Rent, dubbed the "Angel Tour", as a replacement swing once again. In late 1998, KO began playing Mimi on the tour, and they continued in the role until leaving the show in January 1999. They moved back to New York City in 1999 Before
Brooklyn transferred to Broadway the following Fall, KO took part of a regional staging of
Children of Eden and filmed guest roles for
All My Children and
Law & Order. The musical
Brooklyn open on Broadway in October 2004 and closed in June 2005. Following its closure, KO joined the cast of the Brazilian-themed off-Broadway musical
Miracle Brothers, which closed in October 2005. The following year they had small roles in NBC's
Conviction and the independent film
Adrift in Manhattan, which premiered at the
Sundance Film Festival in 2007.
2007–2012: Prominence on Broadway In the Heights In 2008,
In the Heights opened on Broadway. KO starred as Vanessa, opposite
Lin-Manuel Miranda.
West Side Story In 2009, KO won a
Tony Award for their performance as Anita in the
Broadway revival of
West Side Story. They were also nominated for both a
Drama Desk and an
Outer Critic's Circle Award for their critically acclaimed performance as Anita. They earned their second
Astaire Award nomination for Best Female Dancer for their performance in
West Side Story, after previously winning the same award in 2008 for their performance in
In the Heights. They were contracted with
West Side Story at the Palace through 2010. During the May 8, 2010, matinee performance of
West Side Story, KO broke their foot. Anita standby Natalie Cortez performed the role until the show's closure. KO then took part in the world premiere of
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark at off-Broadway's
Second Stage Theater. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
Lynn Nottage, the play "draws upon the screwball films of the 1930s to take a funny and irreverent look at racial stereotypes in Hollywood."
Film and television KO had a recurring role in
The Good Wife on CBS. They played wealthy law student Giada Cabrini, a potential love interest of firm partner Will Gardner (
Josh Charles). KO was a series regular in the second season of NBC's ''
Harry's Law'', playing "hot shot lawyer" Cassie Reynolds hired by Kathy Bates' character. KO also appeared as Isabelle Perez, a woman who was unknowingly sterilized in the
Law & Order episode "Birthright". They also appear in the
spin-off series
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Jennifer Benitez in an episode titled "Loophole". They later appeared in
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Yelina Muñoz in an episode titled "October Surprise". KO has had several roles in movies, including
Make Yourself at Home,
The New Twenty,
Shanghai Hotel, and
The Orphan Killer.
2013–2021: Break from acting and return to theater On March 18, 2013, KO announced on their website that they were taking a break from acting, saying "with this knowledge I start a new chapter. I leave behind the actor and I start learning how to be me." During this period, they moved to
Madison, Wisconsin, where they taught classes for the
UW–Madison theater department and became involved in the local theater scene, which included opening a private studio to coach young performers. They returned to professional acting the following year with New York City Center's
Encores! production of the
Jonathan Larson musical
tick, tick... BOOM! alongside fellow
Hamilton alumni
Lin-Manuel Miranda and
Leslie Odom Jr. in June 2014 off-Broadway. They were part of the cast from October 19, 2016, until August 6, 2017. They stated they intended to pursue teaching after leaving the production, stating that "I'm leaving the spotlight to make sure others find theirs". In February 2018, KO played Florence Vassy in the
Kennedy Center's revival of the musical
Chess. On July 25, 2019, KO starred in the premiere of the Broadway production of the jukebox musical
Moulin Rouge! in New York City. They continued to perform their role in the show at the
Al Hirschfeld Theatre for an open-ended run. On October 15, 2020, KO was nominated for a
Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. On April 14, 2021, KO announced they would not return to the show once it reopens as a protest of the industry's silence on the allegations against producer
Scott Rudin. In an Instagram video, KO stated, "Social justice is more important than being the sparkling diamond." On July 18, 2021, KO appeared on a podcast titled ''Noah's Corner
, previously Rye's Little Corner
, on episode 19, titled "Dreams Come True Bitches". On the episode, KO was interviewed by co-hosts Noah Grace and Nellie. They spoke about their time in In the Heights
and Moulin Rouge!
as well as their album, Leave
. In December 2021, KO joined We Won't Sleep'', a bio-musical based on the life of
Jeannette Rankin. Industry readings of the production took place on December 17 and 18, 2021 in New York City. The world premiere was set to open in May 2022 at
Signature Theatre in
Arlington, Virginia, but was cancelled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
2022–present: Educator at Northwestern University In 2020, KO started teaching theatre, and in 2022 relocated to
Evanston, Illinois when they became an associate professor and the Donald G. Robertson Director of Music Theatre in the School of Communication at
Northwestern University. == Personal life ==