Danika Robb is a musical theatre performer based in New York City. She was recently interviewed by Famo Celebrity Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with her.
Introduction – Can you tell us a bit about your yourself?
Hi! My name is Danika Robb and I’m a musical theatre performer based in New York City, but I was born and raised in rural Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. I came to New York in October of 2023 to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and graduated from the Integrated Conservatory Program for musical theatre in February of 2025. Since then, I’ve been pursuing the performing arts in New York City, performing at cabarets and showcases, teaching performing arts to children, and even having my debut in a professional musical in New York City in November, 2025.
Personal Background – Can you share a little experience about your Upbringing and Early Life?
I grew up living with my parents, older sister, and younger brother on 40 acres of land about 20 minutes outside of the city of Brandon. Even though I lived in the countryside and was surrounded by wildlife, our many pets, and overseen only by the vast night sky of stars, I always craved the business and the fast paced life of the performing arts scene in the city. My parents were always so supportive of all of my passions and interests, and they gave me the opportunity to first begin my performing arts journey at the young age of 4 through taking piano lessons and Ukrainian dancing. Once I started performing, I instantly fell in love, and since that day, I haven’t ever wanted to stop. From then on, it was music lessons, band classes, choir concerts, musicals, dance recitals, festivals, and competitions galore, expanding my love of the performing arts and leading me to play several instruments, dance in multiple styles, and even perform in more than 20 musicals.
Career and Achievements – What do you consider the Highlights of your Career so far?
One of my proudest achievements in my career so far has been writing, composing, directing, and choreographing my own original musical, A Reason To Hope. From a fleeting thought to a full-fledged musical production encompassing a 200-page libretto and 24 original songs, it felt like a dream to be able to bring to life a story that once only lived inside my head, and to bring to the stage an original narrative that captivated a sold-out audience.
Another one of my career highlights would have to be performing in my first professional musical in New York City, A Time To Be. Not only was this my New York City professional debut, but I was given the honor of originating a leading role within this original production, and to create a new character and premiere it on a New York stage was an absolute dream come true.
Challenges and Growth – What are some of the Challenges you’ve faced in your Career, and how did you Overcome them?
One of the challenges that I’ve faced in my career was during the 2022/2023 season, when I was so fortunate to be able to perform in 5 different musicals and write and direct one of my own, all in the same year. That year taught me the importance of maintaining balance in my life,
in regards to personal life and life as a performer. Performing is and always will be one of my greatest passions, but being so immersed in it made me realize that in order to cultivate my craft and nurture my love for it, I have to create space for that love and growth to continue to bloom. Though it was a daunting task to remain organized, prepared, well-rested, well-rehearsed, and eager for all of the opportunities that awaited me, once I understood how to balance my personal well being with my bustling performance life, everything began to align more harmoniously.
Another significant challenge was learning to adapt to the performing arts community of New York City. Knowing that New York City is such a competitive, vibrant, and professional performing arts hub may be an exciting thought, but at the same time, it’s incredibly intimidating. To move from the city that I was born in, raised in, and have established myself as a performer in, and then to make my new home in a new country, new city, and new performing arts community has certainly not been an easy feat, but I have found perseverance to be my best friend. I knew that in order to establish myself within the performing arts in an entirely new place, I would constantly have to remind myself to trust in my own identity, even when it may be tempting to sway from it, as both a person and a performer. I’ve found that the more trust I have in myself and my abilities, the less likely I am to doubt that the identity I have grown into needs to be redefined in a new location. Above all else, I know that I have to be true to myself because being a performer requires us to remain truthful and authentic, and in order for that to happen, my identity and integrity must remain unshakable.
Passions and Hobbies – What are your Interests and Hobbies outside of your Career?
I am an avid baker, a pet-lover, and an advocate for science! Growing up, alongside all of my performing arts lessons, interests, and performances, I was always studying for my classes, and science quickly grew to become one of my favourites. I always enjoy reading articles on the latest scientific discoveries when I have a free moment. Furthermore, I am frequently found baking up a new recipe while I’m learning lines or preparing for an upcoming rehearsal. Baking is a life-long love that I’ve been fostering since I was in elementary school and would spend time baking with my Baba (Grandmother) at her house while waiting for my parents to pick my siblings and I up after work. Now, my friends, family, and peers are always requesting new recipes or old classics for birthdays, holidays, or just for fun! Regarding pets, I grew up in a household of rabbits, lizards, cats, dogs, fish, and even chinchillas, so my love of pets runs deep and I’m never opposed to gaining a new family member in the form of an animal friend!
Milestones and Future Goals – What are some of the Milestones you hope to Achieve in the coming years?
There are many goals and dreams that I hope to achieve in my lifetime as a professional performer, but two of my greatest aspirations that I hope to achieve in the coming years are to debut my own original musical for a New York audience, and to become part of a Broadway National Tour as a performer. I would be so honoured to share my own creativity, stories, music, and characters with the audiences of New York and have my work become integrated into the
musical theatre community and develop and even larger audience, and it would be an absolute dream to get to perform professionally in a production of such high regard while getting to travel America and perform for audiences nationwide.
Life Lessons – What is the most Valuable Lesson you’ve learned in your Life or Career?
The most valuable life lesson that I’ve learned is that no matter who you are, where you are from, what you look like, or what you are capable of, there will always be someone out there who disagrees with who you are and makes it known, but it is up to you to persevere and realize that one person’s opinion does not and will never define who you are. Only you have the power to decide who you are and who you want to be, and you can’t relinquish that power by changing for someone else when you are right where you need to be.
Advice for Aspiring Artists – What advice would you give to Young Artists looking to make a Mark in the Industry?
The most pivotal piece of advice that I’d give to young artists in the performance industry would be to find the reason why you are so drawn to your work, and allow that to guide you. For me, my aspiration is to represent diverse and authentic stories so that I can help foster and encourage empathy while inspiring a love for art and theatre in every audience. Empathy is at the heart of everything I do. Once you identify the “why” of what you do, this serves as fuel for your passion and guides the work that you’ll do. Working hard and remaining diligent are incredibly valuable assets, but you must identify what your motivation is for creating, mastering, and sharing art in order to really set your passion free.
Rapid-Fire Round:
*Favorite book or movie name?
My favourite book is Defy The Stars by Claudia Grey, and my favourite movie is Beauty and the Beast.
*One word to describe yourself?
In one word, I’d describe myself as optimistic.
*If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
I’d choose to have dinner with Eleanor Powell, the renowned tap dancer because I feel she’d have so many exciting experiences to talk about and so much advice to offer.
*Favorite travel destination?
My favorite place that I’ve ever travelled is the beautiful West Coast of Canada.
In the Last, what are your Social Media Platform Links?
My social media platforms are @danika_robb18 on Instagram and @danikarobb9744 on YouTube. I also have a website which is www.danikarobb.com.
