West Orange's Broadway Star Returns To Alma Mater: Okieriete Onaodowan

West Orange, NJ - Okieriete “Oak” Onaodowan, one of the stars of Broadway’s breakout hit “Hamilton,” returned to his hometown last month to visit with West Orange High School students and some of the teachers that he said “were a big reason where I am today.”

Onaodowan thanked teacher William Farley, who led him in the Jubilee Choir and Boys Step Team, as well as his English teacher Craig Champagne. He also lauded his WOHS drama teacher Sandy Van Dyke.

“[Van Dyke] had us competing and doing fall and spring plays,” Onaodowan said during his April 29 visit. “She made it real and professional. She brought discipline and focus. [Theater] is work, and you have to love to work.”

According to school officials, a first-generation Nigerian, Onaodowan and his family first moved to East Orange and then relocated to West Orange, where he attended Gregory Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School and West Orange High School.

“I didn’t feel like I always fit in,” he said, noting that moving to West Orange was a “big culture shock.”

Onaodowan said that one of the best things about his school experience was the cultural diversity.

“West Orange was so diverse,” he stated. “You get so used to interacting with different cultures… it really prepares you for life.”

Sign up for Patch NJ email newsletters here.

Photos via West Orange Public Schools