Four years ago, Zoë Larson starred as Sally Bowles in UF’s production of “Cabaret.” Now, she covers the Broadway and National Tour companies of “Wicked” as a vacation swing — filling a variety of roles when cast members take time off.
Before her professional career, Larson studied musical theatre in UF’s School of Theatre and Dance. Prior to her 2022 graduation, she performed in the ensemble of “Pippin” as a freshman. She starred as Sally in “Cabaret” in her senior year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a gap between productions.
Both were directed and choreographed by senior lecturer Andrew Cao, who joined the UF School of Theatre and Dance in 2018 after working on Broadway and television. He recognized the program’s “good bones,” he said.
Cao was involved in the admission decision for Larson following her audition process and was “thrilled to invite her into the program,” he said, noting her incredible talent and character.
“She’s a tremendous dancer and a tremendous singer and a fantastic actress,” Cao said. “She is just incredible, and it also came in a package of one of the most thoughtful, considerate and mature professional people that you could imagine.”
Larson credits her time on campus for teaching her “the importance of the hustle,” which she now applies in her professional career, she said. UF’s abundance of options taught her how to set and reach realistic long- and short-term goals, she added.
Larson specifically loved the UF Counseling and Wellness Center, she said, because it helped her manage everything on her plate. She also took advantage of extracurriculars and made the most of her course load.
“The great thing about UF is that, because it’s such an incredible university, everyone is trying to be the best in their own way,” Larson said. “Whether you’re a finance major or an English major, you’re trying to do the best in your craft.”
Larson said UF’s culture of striving for excellence prepared her for the New York City environment.
Following her graduation, Larson worked in multiple playhouses, including The Moonlight in California, The Arvada Center in Colorado, The Argyle Theatre in New York and American Stage Theatre in Florida.
Shifting gears, Larson then booked Norwegian Cruise Line’s production of “Beetlejuice,” where she played the musical’s namesake and Miss Argentina.
In Fall 2025, Larson returned to Gainesville to perform at The Hippodrome in “The Rocky Horror Show.” She went on to perform in “Million Dollar Quartet” and “Man of La Mancha” at The Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida.
In May, Larson received an offer to join the Broadway and touring companies of “Wicked.” Rehearsals began in June.
Larson finished learning all of her tracks with the Broadway company last week. Next, she will “rehearse on the road” with the National Tour company.
After learning both productions, Larson will have performance dates assigned, some on Broadway and others on tour.
Cooper LaMontagne, a 21-year-old UF musical theatre senior, said Larson is an example of the impact School of Theatre and Dance students can make as professionals. He first met Larson when she was Cao’s teaching assistant in the lecturer’s Broadway Dance Styles class before attending UF himself.
Since then, LaMontagne has interacted with Larson several times and said: “From the second you meet her, she is engaged, interested and kind.” Seeing her professional success makes the start of his senior year less scary, he said.
“It puts it in a realistic picture of what it takes,” LaMontagne said. “I know how hard she has worked. I know all of the time she’s put in and all of the steps she’s taken … It’s really inspiring.”
In four years, Larson went from performing at UF’s Constans Theatre to the iconic Gershwin Theatre in New York City. Larson’s hard work and talent have brought her from The Swamp to Broadway, where The Gator Nation can now watch Larson perform in “Wicked.”
Julianna Munoz is a contributing writer for The Alligator.
