About Me

“Darilyn Burtley’s portrayal of Tina Turner is truly phenomenal.”
— BroadwayWorld

About Darilyn Burtley

Darilyn Burtley is a Chicago-born actor and vocalist currently starring as Tina Turner in the Second North American Tour of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerhouse vocals, she has built a career that bridges theatre, television, and music.

Raised in Chicago’s rich musical landscape, Darilyn began performing at an early age in a gospel group alongside her sisters. She later attended one of the city’s top public high schools with a Grammy-winning music department, where she was introduced to classical voice and musical theatre. During this time she distinguished herself across multiple vocal ensembles and stage productions, quickly emerging as a dynamic young performer.

At eighteen, Darilyn signed with a Grammy-nominated record label as a developing pop crossover artist. She spent six months in Beverly Hills writing music and attending major industry events before returning to Chicago to further develop her craft. She went on to study Musical Theatre Performance at Columbia College Chicago.

While still in her first year of college, Darilyn booked her first major Equity production, becoming the youngest cast member and the only locally hired principal in the production. The experience marked the beginning of her professional career on Chicago’s most respected stages.

Her theatre credits include The Light in the Piazza and Jesus Christ Superstar at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Holiday Inn at Drury Lane Theatre, Song of Paradise at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and multiple productions with Porchlight Music Theatre. She also appeared with StarKid Productions in VHS Christmas Carol.

On screen, Darilyn has co-starred in NBC’s Chicago P.D. and Showtime’s The Chi. Her performance career has also taken her internationally as a Featured Singer with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Like many artists, the global shutdown of 2020 presented an unexpected turning point. During this time Darilyn broadened her professional skill set in corporate real estate and developed a business-minded approach to her creative career. This period ultimately strengthened her artistic perspective and reinforced her commitment to building a sustainable life in the arts.

While theatre remains central to her craft, Darilyn is equally passionate about film and television work and is especially drawn to projects that combine character-driven storytelling with strong physicality.

She continues to expand her creative footprint across stage and screen while seeking bold, collaborative work that challenges and inspires.

For professional inquiries and representation opportunities, please use the contact page.