Born in Berlin, Nicola Gründel studied piano in Paris and at the Mozarteum Salzburg (diploma 1997), while training in acting at the Schauspielhaus Salzburg. Acting engagements took her to the Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel München, Schauspiel Frankfurt, Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz, and Staatsschauspiel Dresden.
She collaborated with directors like Armin Petras and Dimiter Gotscheff. From 2000, she worked with choreographer Wanda Golonka (theater/dance/performance). She began choreographing in 2012 at Konzert Theater Bern and worked with new music ensembles like Klangforum Wien. A fixed ensemble member at Schauspiel Köln (2013–2025), she joins the Schauspielhaus Zürich ensemble in 2025/26.