Hi! My name is Caroline Portner :)
But my closest friends call me Carol, Care, CPort...it's a long list! I am a New York City based singer, dancer, and actress. From the first time I put on a pair of ballet slippers and twirled in front of an audience, I knew that I wanted to be a performer. I’ve always been a bubbly, outgoing, creative, fun weirdo with a wild imagination. I’m incredibly grateful every day that I get to do what I love most as a career.
I grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with my incredible family who have supported my dreams of being a performer since I was three years old. I would not be where I am today without my mom, dad, and sisters…..and my adorable Golden Retriever, Otto!
I received my BFA in Musical Theater from VPA at Syracuse University (Go Orange!) with a minor in Marketing from the Whitman School of Business. I was lucky enough to work with a variety of teachers with incredible resumes including Daisy Prince, Rodney Hudson, Rufus Bonds Jr., and Bob Hupp to name a few. Outside of theater and marketing, I was also a member of the Chi chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Syracuse University has shaped me into a strong, confident, well-rounded young woman and I am incredibly grateful for all of the amazing memories I made during my time there.
I have many interests outside of theater, and more hobbies than I can list (but I'll try and keep it short!) I enjoy painting, drawing, baking, traveling, photography, fitness, playing piano, and make-up artistry. I’ve developed a passion for creating social media content over the past few years, as well as video editing (check out my TikToks @carolineportner16).
In my first year since moving to the city, I have been fortunate to be involved with two premiere shows. After previously shutting down due to the pandemic, I joined the original cast of Echoes in the Garden with American Bard Theater
Company as Marion Hemmerich. I then went on to play the kooky, fun, and hilarious elf, Becky, as well as the ensemble in the world premiere jukebox musical What A Wonderful World.
In 2022, I was fortunate to work as the female swing on the new off-Broadway production of Friends! The Musical Parody. OH. MY. GOD! It was the most fun I've ever had working on a show, and I was fortunate enough to go on for all of my tracks multiple times (including Gunther...yes).
Most recently, I had the honor to play Judy Haynes in Circa '21 Dinner Theatre's production of White Christmas. Coming up this summer, I will be returning to Circa to finally play my dream role of Sophie in Mamma Mia!