These concerts are the North Carolina Symphony debut for Mamie Parris.

Mamie Parris most recently starred as harvest goddess Demeter in the US premiere of the new musical Mythic at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (currently eyeing a Broadway run). On Broadway, she is perhaps best known for the iconic “Memory” from her role as Grizabella in Cats. Other Broadway credits include Rosalie (closing cast) and Patty (opening cast) in School of Rock; the Tony-nominated revivals of Ragtime, 110 in the Shade, and On the 20th Century; and the Tony-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone. Her film and television credits include The Blacklist, State of Affairs, A Standup Guy, and PBS' Great Performances "50 Years of Broadway's Best."

Across the country, Parris appeared as Elphaba in the first national tour of Wicked, as well as performing with the touring companies of Legally Blonde and Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5. Originally trained as a coloratura soprano, her credits include roles at the Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, St. Louis Muny, Macau International Music Festival, and more.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Parris attended the Paseo Academy of the Arts in Kansas City, Missouri, before graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic academy in New York City. She resides in New York City with her husband, Johnathan, and shih tsu mix, Cookie.