Tryphena Wade made headlines last season, as the standby for six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald in the acclaimed revival of Gypsy that concluded its Tony-nominated run in August.

Wade, who hails from Columbus, Ohio, had the chance to play the infamous stage mother, Rose, on several occasions, earning standing ovations each time in the George C. Wolfe-directed revival at the refurbished Majestic Theatre. The actress, however, is probably best known to theatre audiences for the decade that she spent playing Sarabi in Disney's The Lion King, both on Broadway and in the Tony-winning musical's North American tour.

Her 20-plus-year career spans not only Broadway, but regional and international theatre, national commercials, TV, and film. She's a self-published author (The Heart Works: A Collection) and the writer, producer, and star of two festival shorts, Dear Carefree Black Girl and Solomon’s Mood. Wade can currently be seen as Zipporah in the TV series The Promised Land, which premiered October 1 and airs weekly on YouTube.

In the interview below for the Playbill series How Did I Get Here—spotlighting not only actors, but directors, designers, musicians, and others who work on and off the stage to create the magic that is live theatre—Wade reveals that she prayed to God before accepting Gypsy, and explains why creating a life outside of show business is vital on many levels.

Where did you train/study?
Tryphena Wade: I earned my BFA at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
So many of my professors at Howard were impactful. The first two that come to mind are William Jones, who was my first voice teacher, and Timmy Ray James, who was one of my acting professors. They both pushed me and challenged me in ways that let me know they saw something in me that I probably didn’t see in myself at the time.

How did the standby position come about for the recent revival of Gypsy? What went through your mind when deciding whether to accept the part?
My manager brought the audition to my attention in September of 2024. At the time, I was living in L.A. and preparing to travel to St. George, Utah, to shoot Season 1 of The Promised Land. I knew that my filming dates conflicted with the rehearsal period for Gypsy, so I didn't really think much of it. But I hadn't been auditioning for much theatre since moving to L.A., so I thought it would just be a reminder to New York that I still existed. 

We heard back from the Gypsy team in mid-October. Again, I didn't think it would work out because I would be filming until early November. But I was told that they were interested in me, and the ball really started rolling from there. Honestly, I was hesitant. I wasn't sure if I wanted to move back to New York on such short notice. Also, I was familiar with the show (I played Electra in my high school production), and I knew that Rose was a huge undertaking. Also, Audra McDonald has been an inspiration to me for a very long time. I studied her for so long. The thought of covering her was so surreal to me. I prayed about it a lot! And I realized that if God was bringing it to me, then it was for me. So, I decided to say yes.

What was it like the first time you went on for the role of Rose? How do you think your performance changed throughout the run? Did you ever get the chance to speak with Audra McDonald about the character?
My first time going on was a bit of a surprise. I had some scheduled dates coming up, but I ended up going on several days earlier than the planned dates. I have to say, it was thrilling. I found out that I'd be on about an hour before the show. As daunting as that may sound, I think it worked in my favor because I had no time to overthink! The cast was so supportive, and I'm truly thankful for that. 

Also, I could literally feel the audience leaning in. They knew they weren't going to see Audra McDonald that night, and I could feel that they were on my side. It's not an easy thing to be a standby for such a large role and such a beloved star, so it was really special to feel lifted in that way! I was fortunate to go on a good number of times, so as time went on, I was able to settle into the character more. I was able to find a lot of nuance between her domineering side and the wounded part of her. The part that just wanted to be loved and seen, the part that needed to survive, and the struggle to balance all that with the fight to give her daughters a better life.

Audra and I never really spoke in depth about the character. But we did talk a bit about the amount of energy and personal maintenance it took to embody her. It’s no small task.

What would you say is the best aspect about being a standby and what is the most difficult aspect?
Well, the most difficult aspect is having to be ready to go at a moment’s notice at all times. It actually takes quite a bit of energy to be fully ready to do the show, then not actually do the show. You have to figure out where to put all that energy that’s not being spent on a consistent basis. I was definitely living on the edge of my seat!

One of the best parts was the camaraderie I found with the other standbys. We spent a great deal of time together, watching the show and learning the show. Being a standby comes with unique challenges, and it was good to know that we had the support of one another!

Can you tell me a bit about your role in the new TV show The Promised Land?
Yes! The Promised Land is a comedic re-telling of the Biblical book of Exodus. The story meets Moses and the Israelites just after they’ve come out of the Red Sea. I play Zipporah, affectionately known as Zippy, the wife of Moses. I love this show and the story we’re telling, and I love playing Zippy. She is so joyful and lighthearted, and she’s also full of wisdom. Because she’s not an Israelite, she did not live through enslavement in Egypt. But as the wife of Moses, she is embracing his people, his culture, and his God with an open heart. She has such a pure zest for life.

Do you have any dream stage roles and/or actors you would like to work with?
Definitely. I’d love to tackle Aunt Esther in Gem of the Ocean (when I’m old enough…), Fantine in Les Mis, and Francesca in Bridges of Madison County. There are quite a few actors/directors I’d love to work with: Phylicia Rashad, Debbie Allen, Aunjanue Ellis, Mahershala Ali, I don't think there's time for the whole list!

What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
I would tell those starting out in this industry to explore all your interests and cultivate a life that you enjoy. This career can be all-consuming. And at times, you have to have blinders on in order to focus and ascend. But it’s so important to have a life that you enjoy outside of the business. There will be many ups and many downs, and in order to ride the wave in a healthy way, you have to have other things that you can give your attention to and find joy and fulfillment in. A diversified life experience gives you a point of view, which allows you to embody a variety of characters and tell a variety of stories.

What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
It’s okay to take your time to discover your own journey, and it's okay to change your mind. You don’t have to rush. It’s not a race. It’s a journey that lasts for as long as you want to be on the journey. So take your time, discover your path, and enjoy it. And when the time comes to change your mind about anything, you’re allowed to change it.

In such difficult times in this country and around the world, how do you think theatre can play a positive role, either for yourself and/or the community at large?
Theatre is so necessary because it’s a communal experience. It gives us the opportunity to lay our own problems aside for a little while, and have a collective, communal experience with people we may not know and may never see again. It’s a space where we can find common ground or find understanding in our differences. It is a way to keep stories alive and make sure history is remembered. Nina Simone said, “An artist's duty is to reflect the times.” Theatre is definitely a necessary mirror on our world.

What is your proudest achievement as an actor?
I wouldn’t necessarily say “proud,” but I am grateful that I’ve been able to work fairly consistently and that I’ve been able to tackle a variety of mediums and stories in this industry. In many ways, I feel like I’m just beginning, but I look back and recognize that I’ve done so much. I’m truly grateful to God for that!