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WELCOME TO THE HOME OF

ACTOR | DIRECTOR | SINGER-SONGWRITER |  EDUCATOR

AZUDI ONYEJEKWE

FEBRUARY 2023
RECLAMATION.
Azudi directed a sold-out run of "Reclamation." at the Irma Sandrey Theater of the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. This deeply collaborative devised production was centered on the exploration, celebration, and ultimately, reclamation of blackness in its many nuances.
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DIRECTING

THE DIRECTOR

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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 
SDC ASSOCIATE MEMBER
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

 
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."

 
ACTING

THE ACTOR

HEADSHOTS/PHOTOSHOOTS
PERFORMANCE SHOTS 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.
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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

MUSIC

THE MUSICIAN

NAME: AZUDI
GENRE: R&B/SOUL/POP
LOCATION: BROOKLYN, NY
SINGER-SONGWRITER, MUSICIAN, ARRANGER, PRODUCER
MAIN INSTRUMENTS: VOICE, KEYS, ACOUSTIC GUITAR
Azudi Guitar Model Vocal Coach Musician Artist
With a voice praised by Millennium Magazine as a "powerhouse" and lauded by BroadwayWorld as "vocally thrilling," Brooklyn based singer-songwriter and performer, Azudi, has been blessed to perform at various venues all over NYC; including The Shrine in Harlem, Pete's Candy Store, The Recoup Lounge, The Parkside Lounge, Joe's Pub, 54 Below and Carnegie Hall.
 
Azudi's musical style harkens back to various bygone eras of R&B and Soul. As the last born of six, to two incredible Nigerian born parents who immigrated to America in the 1970's; infectious melodies, soulful basslines, African diasporic rhythms, and a transnational consciousness have permeated his existence for as long as he can remember. Music was always a vital necessity throughout his childhood, from Highlife legend Oliver De Coque to the inimitable Michael Jackson to Marvin Gaye to the Beatles ... the eclectic nature of his personal soundtrack growing up certainly had a major influence on the music he would come to create.
 
 
NEW MUSIC:

Azudi is once again on a brief hiatus from his current music project. He will be back in the studio soon.
 
In the meantime, you can still listen to some in-progress snippets.

More to come...
FREEDOM DEMO:

Check out the demo recording of Azudi performing the song "Freedom" by from the musical "We Will Not Be Silent" by the phenomenal Larson Grant winning duo, Erato A. Kremmyda and Maggie-Kate Coleman.

Enjoy!
TEACHING

THE EDUCATOR

Azudi is also a seasoned educator, having taught acting on the college level for the better part of a decade. Azudi just finished his first year on the acting faculty of The Lee Strasberg Institute/NYU Tisch and his second year on the acting faculty of LIU Brooklyn/The New Group Acting Studio.
 
Azudi freelances as a vocal coach as well, both privately & through The Voice Academy NYC. He teaches Private Vocal Technique and Performance; as well as Advanced Vocal Performance Classes, and Group Adult Beginning to Intermediate Vocal Performance Classes. He is currently only coaching online.
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PRIVATE LESSONS:
Azudi also offers his own private lessons for all ages and levels in both vocal coaching (including an optional package for a professional demo recording, arranged and produced by Azudi), and monologues.
 
Current and previous clients have gone on to find success on Broadway, National Tours, Off-Broadway, America's Got Talent, The Voice, and more.
To further inquire about Azudi's private lessons (including rates, location, specific pedagogy, etc...), you can contact him at azudinyc@gmail.com.
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2021-Present
Azudi currently serves on the acting faculty of LIU Brooklyn/The New Group Education. He has taught second year scene study: Acting III and Acting IV.
2022-Present
Azudi currently serves on the acting faculty of The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute/NYU Tisch. He has taught Auditioning and Acting for Film/TV.
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2015-2022
Azudi served on the acting faculty of Molloy University-CAP21. Throughout his time, he taught freshman and sophomore scene study, third year musical theater scene study, second year vocal performance, and fourth year auditioning. He also directed four shows.
OVERALL PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH:
My teaching method is very much a co-intentional and student-centered approach, firmly rooted in the attention to detail of technique and truthful storytelling, the practice of mindfulness, the cultivating of safe space, and the unlocking of the power in the singularity of your voice, presence, and identity.  
 
I personally believe that as an educator, it is most important to learn the individualized mode of expression/functional navigation for each and every one of my students. And to use that as a tool to foster a deeper, more sustained, and connected understanding of the lessons for them. This includes fostering dialogue and engaging through critical/creative thought that meets them where they are, understanding the specifics of where, how, and why they store tension, speaking truth to underlying notions of power (as art is inherently political), and keeping the space of learning safe and positive, while still pushing them to the boundaries of their potential and holding them accountable when the work is not to that standard.
 
It is very important for me as an educator to never teach in a generalized way. Too often, spaces of learning in Western culture fall into the trap of the cookie-cutter approach. Using harmful Eurocentric notions rooted in assimilationism to produce a certain kind of student as if they are products on a factory line, rather than living, constantly growing, and infinitely singular human beings. Every student requires individualized soil for their artistic growth, and my ensuing approach is tailored accordingly. 
-Zudi
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CONTACT
FOR MUSIC INQUIRIES:
Please fill out this form.
FOR DIRECTING AND TEACHING INQUIRIES:
azudinyc@gmail.com
FOR ACTING INQUIRIES:
Manager info available upon request
Azudi Artist Actor Musician Vocal Coach Pro

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