WELCOME TO THE HOME OF
ACTOR | DIRECTOR | SINGER-SONGWRITER | EDUCATOR
AZUDI ONYEJEKWE
MARCH 2024
MAX
Azudi directed a production of "Max," a new play written by Ava Bryant at the Metcalfe Studio Theatre of Long Island University Brooklyn. The production was associate directed by Leah Mijalski-Fahim.
Photo by Lauren Robinson
THE DIRECTOR
MAX @ LIU-Brooklyn | 2024
Direction by Azudi Onyejekwe
Associate Direction by Leah Mijalski-Fahim
RECLAMATION @ The Lee Strasberg Institute | 2023
Direction by Azudi Onyejekwe
Music Direction by Sio Tepper
Co-choreographed by Ava Jones and Michelle Parker
TYPED @ Molloy University | 2022
Direction by Azudi Onyejekwe
Music Direction by Sio Tepper
Co-choreographed by Sarah Agrusa, Hanna Scotch, and Jackie McKenna
Fragments of who we were @ Molloy University | 2022
Direction by Azudi Onyejekwe
Music Direction by Sio Tepper
Choreographed by Olivia Stanley
... and they were silent @ Molloy University | 2021
Direction by Azudi Onyejekwe
Music Direction by Maria Caputo
Co-choreographed by Ava Lee Dell'Aquila and Gabi Mancusi
GOODNIGHT, MY ANGEL @ Molloy University | 2021
Direction and Choreography by Azudi Onyejekwe
Music Direction by Jessie Rosso
TOGETHA @ Mile Square Theater (Reading) | 2021
By Azya Lyons
Direction by Azudi Onyejekwe
AZUDI LIVE @ 54 Below | 2017
Direction by Azudi Onyejekwe
Music Direction by Azudi Onyejekwe
and Uton Onyejekwe
SDC ASSOCIATE MEMBER
ON ETHOS AND CULTURE
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As a director, I am most invested in telling the stories that often get erased in the discursive cementing of historiography. My work is committed to centering the experiences and humanity of the historically marginalized, constantly probing and dismantling oppressive eurocentric epistemology, and shattering the norms of what a theater experience can be.
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I believe in robust and constant collaboration, which is why devising is a cherished specialty of mine. I believe in relentless curiosity that probes but does not set answers in stone. And I am most invested in cultivating and establishing worlds that demand an active audience experience rather than a passive viewing.
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I am the son of two remarkable Nigerian-born parents (Igbo), who always stressed the importance of standing in the power of my transnational identity, and constantly interrogating nuance-free systems that seek to erase rather than embrace the singularity of one’s identity (and the attached structural implications). I carry that mission with me everywhere I go.
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My cultural competency manifesto published in 2020 by the Theatre Times: "The Dangers of Optical Illusionary Performative Activism."
THE ACTOR
HEADSHOTS/PHOTOSHOOTS
PRODUCTION STILLS AND PRESS EVENTS
RESUME STATS:
Union(s): Actors Equity | Screen Actors Guild (Eligible)
Height: 5'10 | Weight: 170 | Eyes: Dark Brown | Hair: Black
Vocal: Tenor to C/Db5 full voice | Instruments: Piano and Guitar
Broadway: Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 (Original Broadway Cast), Violet (Flick standby, Original Broadway Cast) - B'Way Debut opposite 2x Tony Winner Sutton Foster.
Off-Broadway: Sincerely, Oscar (Theatre Row), The Great Comet (Kazino), Leaving Eden (Alice Griffin Theatre, 2019 NYMF Award for Best Musical), Central Avenue Breakdown (NYMF), Cotton Candy... (Theatre C/Plaxall Gallery).
Regional: Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Guthrie Theater, American Repertory Theater, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Carnegie Hall, New Harmony Theatre, Cortland Repertory Theatre.
Workshops: The Public Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Ars Nova, Playwrights Horizon, The York Theatre.
Select Concerts/Solo Shows: 54 Below, Joe's Pub, Carnegie Hall,
The Cutting Room.
Film/TV: HairBrained, "Madam Secretary", "The 71st Tony Awards,
Good Morning America, The Today Show.
Education: NYU Tisch - Double Major in Theatre and Africana Studies with Honors.
PRESS ARTICLES
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS:
SINCERELY, OSCAR
(Off-Broadway)
“Onyejekwe--smirky, quirky, with some slick choreography to boot--commands the stage vocally with Ol' Man River while a massive paddle wheel churns in the background. When he lets loose vocally it's thrilling…”
~Derek McCracken, BroadwayWorld
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“Onyejekwe’s expressive characterizations and smooth dance moves are the highlights of the show … tender interaction with the engaging Onyejekwe.”
~ Deb Miller, DC Metro
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"Azudi Onyejekwe shares the stage with her, complimenting her presence with nimble moves for sure, but when he does reach for the stars, as in Old Man River, he shows off a powerhouse voice."
~ Lori, Zelenko, Millennium Magazine
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“Onyejekwe cuts a handsome figure as he handles the male characters in the songs with style and conviction ... presented with panache by two expert singers able to honor the lyricist’s genius …”
~ William Wolf, Wolf Entertainment Guide
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"Mr. Onyejekwe does a fine job with “Nobody Else But Me/I Have the Room Above Her,” and the somber, “Ol’ Man River.'"
~ Winnie McCroy, The Broadway Blog
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"Azudi Onyejekwe, a charismatic singer and dancer ...."
~ Patrick Christiano, TheaterLife
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"Thanks to [Onyejekwe's] appealingly soulful voice and offhand manner..."
~ David Barbour, Lighting&Sound America
CENTRAL AVENUE BREAKDOWN (NYMF)
"Rodrick Covington and Azudi Onyejekwe gave great performances as the two brothers..."
~ Aya Esther Mayashi, Show Showdown
VIOLET (Guthrie Theater)
"Azudi Onyejekwe provides a stellar performance as Flick ..."
~ Bev Wolfe, Twin Cities Daily Planet
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"Azudi Onyejekwe provides a carefully refined depth of feeling to a character whose justified caution won't allow his giving into emotion. This tension is masterfully rendered in Onyejekwe's moving take on Hard to Say Goodbye."
~ Brad Richason, The Examiner
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"... piercing portrayals by Azudi Onyejekwe and Randy Schmeling as two Vietnam era soldiers."
~ John Townsend, Lavender Magazine
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"The characters are well drawn, and beautifully portrayed ... Onyejekwe's Flick has an admirable courage born of adversity."
~ Erin Carlyle, CityPages
LEAVING EDEN (Signature/NYMF)
"The entire company turns in strong acting and vocal performances... Mr. Onyejekwe brings a quiet intensity and soulful tenor to Modern Adam"
~ Stanford Friedman, The Front Row Center
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"She struggles to communicate with her husband, Adam, portrayed by the talented Azudi Onyejekwe."
~ Aron Canter, Theatre's Leiter Side
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"Well sung by a talented and tuneful cast with harmonious voices..."
~ Deb Miller, DC Metro
THE GREAT COMET (Broadway)
"Azudi Onyejekwe shines ..."
~ Kamila Daurenova, Washington Square News
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"Two understudies tonight- Blaine Krauss as Anatole and Azudi Onyejekwe as Dolokhov- both very strong."
~ Adam Feldman of Time Out NY via Twitter