Alyson Reed is an American dancer and actress who has made significant contributions to both stage and screen. Born on January 11, 1958, in Anaheim, California, she began her professional career at a young age, performing in Alice in Wonderland at Disneyland's theme park.

Her passion for dance led her to Broadway, where she made her debut in the musical "Dancin'" in 1978. Over the years, she has been part of numerous Broadway productions, including "Oh Brother," "Dance a Little Closer," "Cabaret," "A Grand Night for Singing," and "Marilyn: An American Fable."

Her talent on stage earned her critical acclaim, with nominations for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in "Cabaret" and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for "Marilyn."

She also starred in the national touring company of "A Few Good Men" and toured as Cassie in "A Chorus Line" and Catherine in "Pippin." Alyson Reed has had a prolific career in television and film. She is best known for her role as Ms. Darbus in the popular Disney Channel movie "High School Musical" and its sequels.

Her television credits include appearances in "Modern Family," "Mad Men," "Grey's Anatomy," "Bones," "Matlock," "L.A. Law," "Murder, She Wrote," "Frasier," "Law & Order," "Without a Trace," "ER," "Judging Amy," "Chicago Hope," "The X-Files," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Nip/Tuck," "Crossing Jordan," "Numb3rs," "Boston Legal," "NYPD Blue," and "Desperate Housewives."

Her versatility extends to voice acting, where she lent her voice to the video game "Diablo III," providing the voice of the witch Adria. Her filmography includes roles in "Skin Deep" with John Ritter, "Norma Jean & Marilyn," and "Taking Back Our Town."