Nikki M. James Brings PEOPLE Backstage atSuffsas She Manages Motherhood While Prepping for Broadway (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Michael Kushner

Michael Kushner

Nikki M. Jamesis giving PEOPLE an exclusive look at her life backstage on Broadway.

In the show, James portraysIda B. Wells, the investigative journalist and educator who dedicated her career to exposing the violence, discrimination and racism directed towards African Americans. A pioneer in the civil rights movement, the activist was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and leader of a prominent anti-lynching campaign. As a suffragist, she was a rare voice of color among the coalition, and one who spoke about the importance of enfranchisement as an opportunity to put people who would best serve the Black community in political positions.

Nikki M. James in ‘Suffs’.Cindy Ord/Getty

Cindy Ord/Getty

It’s an inspiring legacy to live up to, alright, and one James easily does as she channels Wells' courage, tenacity and uncompromising dedication to the cause each night. But what’s more impressive is that the actress does that eight shows a week, while parenting her daughter Isla, whom she welcomed with husband Derek Oosterman in 2022.

“Motherhood has been really impactful,” she told PEOPLE back in May, while celebrating her Tony nomination. “This show is really about reaching back and reaching forward; it’s about telling the story of our ancestors and then also indicting the audience to go out and change the world themselves. And as a mom now, I really feel like I’m telling this story for my daughter, to show her how to do just that.”

Juggling life as a working actress and a mom is something James does while leaning not just on her costars — whom she dubs “25 aunties who would lay down their lives for her” — but alsothe community of working moms on Broadway, likefriend Patti Murin.

“They’ve all given me such invaluable advice and I couldn’t be more grateful to know they have my back,” James said. “You know, having my daughter really changed and brought into very sharp focus the kind of things that are worth leaving her and the weight that it places on my husband and my family and my friends that help me do this. It’s got to be worth it. AndSuffsis.”

Nikki M. James and her daughter.Nikki M. James/Instagram

Nikki M. James/Instagram

To discuss more about her experience each night inSuffs, James wrote an exclusive diary for PEOPLE, peeling back the curtain on how she preps for the show each evening.

Read on below:

01of 12Love and LaughterMichael KushnerWelcome to my dressing room! You’ve found me at around 6:20 p.m. at the Music Box Theatre getting ready for a 7 p.m. curtain ofSuffs.I love this photo, because I’m honestly a little shy about getting my picture taken, so candid always feels the most real to me. Michael knows the best way to get me to relax is to make me laugh. Thanks Michael.

01of 12

Love and Laughter

Welcome to my dressing room! You’ve found me at around 6:20 p.m. at the Music Box Theatre getting ready for a 7 p.m. curtain ofSuffs.

I love this photo, because I’m honestly a little shy about getting my picture taken, so candid always feels the most real to me. Michael knows the best way to get me to relax is to make me laugh. Thanks Michael.

02of 12Small Space, Big StyleMichael KushnerWhen you’re working on a Broadway show, your dressing room is a little home away from home. It’s an office, of sorts, but also so much more. It’s where you shed your own skin and prepare to step into the shoes of your character, literally and figuratively.Obviously, in NYC real estate is always at a premium. Many people would be surprised at how small a Broadway dressing room can be. My dear friend Demond Green helped me gussy it up. It took some doing, too. I’m a little superstitious about decorating a dressing room before opening night, but Demond wasn’t having that. He scoured Facebook Marketplace for gently loved items, sending me link after link. Then we’d meet up all over the city to pick them up.It ended up being really fun, and it’s sustainable. I feel very loved that he took the time to help me make my little corner of the sky as comfortable as possible. Thank you Demo!

02of 12

Small Space, Big Style

When you’re working on a Broadway show, your dressing room is a little home away from home. It’s an office, of sorts, but also so much more. It’s where you shed your own skin and prepare to step into the shoes of your character, literally and figuratively.

Obviously, in NYC real estate is always at a premium. Many people would be surprised at how small a Broadway dressing room can be. My dear friend Demond Green helped me gussy it up. It took some doing, too. I’m a little superstitious about decorating a dressing room before opening night, but Demond wasn’t having that. He scoured Facebook Marketplace for gently loved items, sending me link after link. Then we’d meet up all over the city to pick them up.

It ended up being really fun, and it’s sustainable. I feel very loved that he took the time to help me make my little corner of the sky as comfortable as possible. Thank you Demo!

03of 12Hi, Neighbor!Michael KushnerI spy with my little eye, Jenn Colella.Jenn’s dressing room is right next door, and we love to visit with each other.

03of 12

Hi, Neighbor!

I spy with my little eye, Jenn Colella.

Jenn’s dressing room is right next door, and we love to visit with each other.

04of 12Prepping for the TransformationMichael KushnerWig cap in place. Ready for Ida’s hair.

04of 12

Prepping for the Transformation

Wig cap in place. Ready for Ida’s hair.

05of 12Quick Change SecretsMichael KushnerI wear two pairs of socks at the top of the show: a blue pair and then a white pair.That’s because I make a very fast costume change from my first costume into the white costume for ‘The March” in less than 25 seconds. Doubling up these socks helps make that happen!The sharks on the window ledge are a LONG story ;)

05of 12

Quick Change Secrets

I wear two pairs of socks at the top of the show: a blue pair and then a white pair.

That’s because I make a very fast costume change from my first costume into the white costume for ‘The March” in less than 25 seconds. Doubling up these socks helps make that happen!

The sharks on the window ledge are a LONG story ;)

06of 12Prepping the PipesMichael KushnerI had a few minutes before it was time to get my wig on so I caught up on the Olympics. Big Simone Biles fan here. She is such a powerhouse and a real inspiration.I’m also using a Vocal Mist nebulizer to help my vocal cords stay hydrated. Pro-tip!

06of 12

Prepping the Pipes

I had a few minutes before it was time to get my wig on so I caught up on the Olympics. Big Simone Biles fan here. She is such a powerhouse and a real inspiration.

I’m also using a Vocal Mist nebulizer to help my vocal cords stay hydrated. Pro-tip!

07of 12Transformation TimeMichael KushnerOur hair supervisor, and Broadway legend, Pat Marcus, getting me in my wig.

07of 12

Transformation Time

Our hair supervisor, and Broadway legend, Pat Marcus, getting me in my wig.

08of 12Motherhood MomentsMichael KushnerI have an almost two-year-old daughter, and I miss bedtime most nights.After saying good night on FaceTime, I’m checking our monitor to see if she’s asleep yet.

08of 12

Motherhood Moments

I have an almost two-year-old daughter, and I miss bedtime most nights.

After saying good night on FaceTime, I’m checking our monitor to see if she’s asleep yet.

09of 12Queen ElaineMichael KushnerAt the 5-minute call, Shaina [Taub], Ally [Bonino], Jenn and I have a pre-show ritual that involves gathering in front of an Elaine Stritch caricature.There is singing, and it resembles a prayer, but that’s all I will say about it.

09of 12

Queen Elaine

At the 5-minute call, Shaina [Taub], Ally [Bonino], Jenn and I have a pre-show ritual that involves gathering in front of an Elaine Stritch caricature.

There is singing, and it resembles a prayer, but that’s all I will say about it.

10of 12Becoming IdaMichael KushnerCostume time. At the places call my incredible dresser Mel helps me get into my first act costume. Paul Tazwell’s work on this show is truly magical.

10of 12

Becoming Ida

Costume time. At the places call my incredible dresser Mel helps me get into my first act costume. Paul Tazwell’s work on this show is truly magical.

11of 12

Monitoring What’s Most Important

12of 12Off to WorkMichael KushnerThanks for visiting with me! Now get out, I got a show to do!

12of 12

Off to Work

Thanks for visiting with me! Now get out, I got a show to do!

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Among the show’s producers are Hillary Rodham Clinton and Malala Yousafzai.

Tickets toSuffsare on sale now.

source: people.com