Lauren Ward

Lauren Ward (born June 19, 1970) is an American singer and actress. She has appeared in Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End musicals and plays. Ward originated the role of Miss Honey in the original Stratford-Upon-Avon, West End, and Broadway productions of the musical Matilda, and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance. Ward made her Broadway debut in the 1994 revival of Carousel and has also appeared in the musical 1776 and the 2001 revival of Follies. She was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. Ward graduated from Hickman Mills High School and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.