Bio
Carmen Ruby Floyd grew up with God, love, joy and music. The love for singing began with her mom Alice, and her siblings, The Gayles Family Singers, who traveled the country performing their original gospel music. Although the performance bug caught her early, she also carries a great sports legacy. Her father Robert Floyd, Jr played in the American Basketball Association and his father Robert, Sr was a member of the historic Negro Baseball League playing for the Kansas City Monarchs.
Once enrolled at Niagara University, Ms. Floyd attended an open call for Disney’s The Lion King booking the role of Shenzi in the original Toronto cast. She came to New York City playing the part of Tiny Lee in the show, Langton Hughes's Little Ham (AMAS Musical Theater). For her role in Little Ham, Ms. Floyd received a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for the AUDELCO Awards.
Critic Bruce Weber said of her performance, “The swagger and big voice of Carmen Ruby Floyd provide… a shot of star quality and star charisma…”
Broadway.com said, “Best of all is Tiny’s “Big Ideas'’….sung by Floyd with a wistfulness and eventually giant powerful belt….leaves you wanting nothing but more.”
She followed that nomination with an AUDELCO win for Best Cast in a Musical for the show, Crowns at Second Stage, originating the role of Yolanda.
Ms. Floyd then joined the Original Broadway Company of the Tony Award winning musical, Avenue Q, and received for that cast, the coveted Broadway Gypsy Robe – which is awarded to the Ensemble member with the most Broadway shows under their belt.
Her fourth Broadway show, After Midnight, Ms. Floyd delighted audiences every night with her wordless, but thrilling rendition of “Creole Love Call.” She originated the role at Encores! City Center under the show title Cotton Club Parade.
The New York Times said, “ Ellington’s lyric-free but gorgeous "Creole Love Call" is delivered by Carmen Ruby Floyd with a hypnotic simplicity, her voice taking flight in tandem with the swooning melody, which seems to glimmer visibly in the air before you.” – Charles Isherwood.
Ms. Floyd returned to Encores! for its 75th Season in the zany anti-war musical Promenade by Maria Flores and Al Carmine. New York Times proclaimed
"I instantly wanted to see more ...Ditto Carmen Ruby Floyd, as Miss I, who unleashes an astonishing voice." - Laura Collins-Hudges
Last seen on Broadway in Hello Dolly! Ms Floyd had the honor of understudying the role of Dolly Levi played by the legends Bernadette Peters, Donna Murphy and Bette Midler. She was first African American Dolly on Broadway since the iconic Pearl Bailey.
Proudly she has performed several times, for former President Obama and Mrs. Obama, as well as former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. A few other favorites are Whoopi Goldberg, Natalie Cole, Bryan Cranston, Diana Ross, Tom Hanks, Oprah, Jimmy Fallon, Janet Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Renee Fleming, Jim Carrey and the Aretha Franklin.
She's had the pleasure to work with numerous celebrities such as Tina Fey,
Gladys Knight, Toni Braxton, Babyface, Fantasia, Hugh Jackman, and mentor Vanessa Williams, whom she now tours with around the world.
Along with her stage work, Ms. Floyd has been seen in various commercials and heard in a slew of voice-overs. Some of her television roles include appearances on Orange is the New Black, Person of Interest, The Super Bowl XLVII, The Tony Awards, One Life to Live, Law & Order: SVU, and The Traveler.
As an exciting addition to an already fascinating career, Ms Floyd’s debut album-
Broadway, Jazz Me! has just released on David Serero Record Label.
The album Where Broadway and Jazz Sing is a delightful combination of Broadway Standards with Jazz Interpretations and looks to be the new standard in solo releases.
It is available on all platforms including Amazon Music, ITunes, etc
Married to fellow Broadway and film actor, J. Bernard Calloway, they enjoy raising their voices for various charities as well as traveling the globe. The couple's greatest joy and most perfect creation is their son.
