Joy Woods

Woods grew up in Chicago as the youngest of six siblings.^[2][3] Music was a large part of the family; her siblings were musicians and her mother was a dancer. Woods started formal dance training in middle school.^[3]

In 2018, Woods graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School.^[4] She moved to New York City to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, graduating in 2019.^[3][5]

Woods made her off-Broadway debut in the 2019 revival of Little Shop of Horrors as Chiffon and understudy for Audrey and Ronnette.^[6] In February 2020, she starred in the ensemble of the New York City Center Encores! concert production of Mack and Mabel.^[7]

In 2021, she featured in the virtual Ratatouille: the TikTok Musical.^[8]

On March 14, 2022, Woods made her Broadway debut as Catherine Parr in Six.^[9]

In September and October 2022, Woods starred as Middle Allie in The Notebook at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.^[10] She then played Deena Jones in North Carolina Theatre's production of Dreamgirls in February 2023.^[11]

On May 2, 2023, Woods returned to Little Shop of Horrors, this time in the lead role of Audrey. In doing so, she became the first Black woman to play the role off-Broadway.^[12] In late 2023, she starred as Martha Mills in I Can Get It for You Wholesale at Classic Stage Company.^[13][14]

Woods reprised her role in the Broadway transfer of The Notebook, which opened on March 14, 2024. Her performance of the show's 11 o'clock number, "My Days" on Instagram gained over 3 million views.^[15] She left the production on October 20, 2024, being replaced by Aisha Jackson.^[16]

Woods starred as Louise in the 2024 Broadway revival of Gypsy at the refurbished Majestic Theatre opposite Audra McDonald. Woods is the first black woman to play this role on Broadway.^[2] She starred alongside her The Notebook co-star Jordan Tyson.^[17] The production opened on December 19. For her performance, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.^[18] It was announced that Woods would star as Sarah in the New York City Center gala production of Ragtime, but she withdrew to star in Gypsy. The role was instead played by Nichelle Lewis.^[19]

On September 21, 2025, Woods was part of the cast of the 30th anniversary concert of Songs of a New World at the Eventim Apollo in London. Woods joined Shoshana Bean, Titus Burgess and Jordan Fisher, with Jason Robert Brown directing and playing piano and keyboard during the performances.^[20]

On April 10 2026 it was announced that Woods would be making her West End debut as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, opposite Jamie Muscato as the Emcee.^[21]

Woods identifies as gay, though she "dabble[s] in men every now and then."^[22]

• We Chose to Go to the Moon (2026)^[24]