Nancy Gassner-Clayton is an actress, singer, and multi-talented performing artist. Her versatility has provided her with so many wonderful opportunities throughout her varied career. From singing opera in MADAME BUTTERFLY with Placido Domingo, to playing the role of a prisoner in a daytime soap opera, being the lead on stage as a British Blond bimbo in a straight play, to singing on soundtracks for Video Games, Feature Films, or on Barbra Streisand’s holiday CD, she always finds it a thrill and a privilege to be working in the entertainment business.
Ms. Clayton began her professional career in New York City. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College in 3 ½ years (always an over-achiever!), she found herself taking an unexpected detour into the world of performance instead of teaching.
Nancy’s strength is her versatility. She gets those calls when someone is looking for a versatile singer who can go from singing those crazy high coloratura notes to squeaking or belting out funny character voices. As a recording artist, some of her favorite career moments have been working for Christina Aguilera, singing on the Grammy Awards, on several tracks of her latest CD, and even at her very private wedding! Other session highlights include soloist for BATMAN FOREVER, a singing role on CBS / COLD CASE, and soundtracks including TINKERBELL, SPEEDRACER, EVAN ALMIGHTY, CHICKEN LITTLE, and many others.
Working in television and film has been another wonderful challenge. Some of her work has included ANGELS AND DEMONS, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE TRACY ULLMAN SHOW, GENERAL HOSPITAL, CH ICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL, DANGEROUS WOMEN, THE PICK OF DESTINY, and many episodes of your favorite daytime soap operas.
As a stage and live performance actress, the list of productions numbers into the hundreds, from coast to coast as well as on board ship. Highlights include the star-studded SWEENEY TODD at the Ahmanson with Christine Baranski, Kelsey Grammar, and Neil Patrick Harris, OKLAHOMA! with Jean Stapleton, The MIKADO with Dudley Moore, WIZARD OF OZ with Cathy Rigby, tours to Japan with the Roger Wagner Chorale, playing the lead role in LA Opera’s Outreach production of MUSCRAT LULLABY, appearing as Mary Magdalene at the Crystal Cathedral, leading roles in many productions with the NY Gilbert and Sullivan Players and star-studded productions of Sweethearts, Eileen, among others at the Town Hall in NYC, and 5 seasons with LA Opera. Other favorites: leading roles in Wendy Wasserstein’s comedic play ISN’T IT ROMANTIC, sweet lyrical Marsinah in KISMET, loud-mouthed Lucy in …CHARLIE BROWN, and sweet, wide-eyed, toe-tapping Ruby in DAMES AT SEA.
Somewhere during all this creativity, Nancy found the time to return to teaching music/theater part time, to LAUSD students, sharing her love for the arts (although not at this time) ….. as well as raising an amazing sax-playing, singing, jazz-crazed, teenaged son, Josh.
Please check the resume page for full details.