Vivian Panka

Panka earned a Bachelors of Arts in Musical Theatre at Codarts, a Rotterdam based vocational arts school, where she studied from 2013 to 2017.^[1]

Panka started performing in Dutch theatre, taking on the role of Feline in Vals^[2] and the role of Bo in Shock,^[3] two musicals based on bestselling novels by Dutch author Mel Wallis de Vries [nl], which opened in 2016 and 2017 respectively. In 2018, Panka was nominated for the Up-and-coming talent category at the Dutch Musical Awards [nl].^[4]

In 2020, Panka moved to the United Kingdom^[5] and studied at the Identity School of Acting in London.^[1]

In 2021, Panka was cast as Judy Bernly in the third touring production of the 9 to 5 musical, marking her United Kingdom and English language stage debut.^[6]

The follow year, Panka took on the role of Heather Duke in a revival of Heathers: The Musical at The Other Palace Off West End theatre. She was cast in the same role in the pro-shoot stage capture of the show produced by BK Studios and Roku.^[7] Her singing performance in the movie received praise.^[8]

Panka joined the UK touring production of Dear Evan Hansen in the role of Alana Beck, which opened for previews on the 9 September 2024 at the Nottingham Playhouse. The tour extended its UK run until July 2025.^[9][10][11] In October the same year, Panka played the role of Brody in the original comedy musical The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth.^[12]

In November 2025, Panka performed in the Breaking Character concert at the Other Palace studio theatre alongside Dear Evan Hansen co-star Ryan Kopel.^[13][14]

Panka was cast in the first UK and Ireland tour of the Mean Girls musical as Regina George, which opened on the 23rd February 2026 at the Manchester Opera House.^[15] Panka has received praise for her interpretation of the role,^{[16][17][18][19][20]} and has received coverage for being the first black person to play the role of Regina George full time.^[21][19]