News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Abena Mensah-Bonsu Headshot

Abena Mensah-Bonsu

Get Abena Mensah-Bonsu Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Abena is a New Jersey native and a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Inspired by her mother's musical background, Abena began singing and writing songs at the young age of 8. After appearing in her first musical during her junior year of high school, Abena was bitten by the acting bug and the rest is history. She went on to join prestigious, award winning choirs and has participated in numerous theatrical productions.



?Abena has been fortunate enough to work with the likes of the wonderful Marcia Milgrom-Dodge (Tony Award nominated director for the Broadway revival of 'Ragtime') and the outstanding Jason Chaet (director, writer & producer of award-winning film 'Putzel') as well as numerous admirable directors and educators during her time at AMDA. Her talents have been presented across the United States as well as international waters. Abena is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association and she is based out of New York City.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
MCC Off-Broadway Return Engagement, 2018
Nana

[Off-Broadway]
MCC World Premiere Production, 2017
Nana

[Off-Broadway]
Ellis Island Developmental Concert Production, 2016
Ensemble


Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - Ensemble Award

Abena Mensah-BonsuSchool Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play

News


ENTERTAINMENTX Podcast Turns 5 Years Old This Month

Entertainmentx, which gets to the heart, soul and drive of top performers in the entertainment industry, turns 5 years old on February 5th.
TV: The Cast and Creatives of NOLLYWOOD DREAMS Meet the Press

Nollywood Dreams begins performances on Thursday, March 19th, 2020, in the Newman Mills Theater at The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space (511 West 52nd Street), with official opening night set for Monday, April 13th. The cast and creatives of Nollywood Dreams recently met the press and chatted with us about the show.
Photo Coverage: Meet the Cast of MCC's NOLLYWOOD DREAMS

MCC Theater will soon present the World Premiere of Nollywood Dreams by Jocelyn Bioh (MCC Theater's Burnt Umber Playwright-In-Residence) with direction by Saheem Ali. The cast will feature Charlie Hudson, III (A Raisin in the Sun), Outer Critics Circle and Lortel Award nominee Nana Mensah (Man From Nebraska), Sandra Okuboyejo (Hamilton, Chicago), Ade Otukoya ('Shades of Blue'), Emana Rachelle ('Insecure'), and Abena Mensah-Bonsu.
Denise Manning and Abena Mensah-Bonsu Join Cast Of THE FARI CHRONICLES at Joe's Pub

Musical Theatre Factory announces complete casting for The Fari Chronicles: A Metropolis Story, showcasing work from the new afrofuturist musical, Metropolis, in concert on Sunday February 2, 2020, at 9:30pm. Created by AriDy Nox and Brandon Webster this will be a riveting evening featuring songs and scenes from the genre-bending score and time-twisting book of this brand new dystopian musical - It is the night before the Apocalypse and Fari, an Android-Unit turned space-time-continuum anarchist is at the center of the devastation. The Fari Chronicles is a concert rendition of the First Act of the afrofuturist musical Metropolis.
Photo Coverage: The New Group Celebrates Opening Night of ONE IN TWO

The New Group presents Donja R. Love's one in two, featuring Jamyl Dobson, Leland Fowler and Edward Mawere. Directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, one in two just opened last night, December 10. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through January 12 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).
Phoenix Best, Amber Iman, and More Among Latest Vassar Powerhouse Casting

Vassar & New York Stage and Film have announced additional casting for the highly anticipated 35th Powerhouse Season in Poughkeepsie, NY, which continues through Sunday, July 28.
SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY Will Be Filmed for WNET-TV

MCC Theater announce the last day of school-the final performance of the encore production of the critically acclaimed , award-winning play School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play, written by 2017/18 Tow Playwright-in-Residence, Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by Tony Winner Rebecca Taichman will be December 9, 2018.
MCC Extends SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY Through December 9th

MCC Theater announced today the extension of the run of the encore production of the critically acclaimed, award-winning play School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play, written by 2017-2018 Tow Playwright-in-Residence, Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by Tony Winner Rebecca Taichman. The encore production opened at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) on October 22nd and was set to end performances on November 25th. Due to popular demand, the production will now play through December 9, 2018.
Photo Coverage: On The Opening Night Red Carpet for SCHOOL GIRLS

MCC Theater's return of the critically acclaimed, sold out, extended, award-winning play School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play, written by 2017-18 Tow Playwright-in-Residence Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by Tony Winner Rebecca Taichman opened last night, October 22nd. The encore production will be performed at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) from October 16th through November 25th.
Photo Coverage: SCHOOL GIRLS Celebrates Opening Night

MCC Theater's return of the critically acclaimed, sold out, extended, award-winning play School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play, written by 2017-18 Tow Playwright-in-Residence Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by Tony Winner Rebecca Taichman opened last night, October 22nd. The encore production will be performed at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) from October 16th through November 25th.
BWW Review: MCC Encores Jocelyn Bioh's Colorism Drama SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY

As the grand finale of their fourteen year residency at Christopher Street's Lucille Lortel Theatre, before moving to their brand new Hell's Kitchen digs, Manhattan Class Company brings in an encore engagement of Jocelyn Bioh's Lortel and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning drama from last season, the endearing and poignant School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play.
SCHOOL GIRLS: OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY Opens Tonight

MCC THEATER just today announced the full cast and creative team for the return of the critically acclaimed, sold out, extended, award-winning play School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play, written by 2017-18 Tow Playwright-in-Residence Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by Tony Winner Rebecca Taichman. The encore production will be performed at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) from October 16th through November 25th. Opening night is set for October 22nd. Prior to the return, Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles will present the MCC production at the CTG Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City from September 2nd through September 30th.
SCHOOL GIRLS: OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY Begins Encore Run Today at MCC

Previews begin tonight, October 16, for MCC Theater critically acclaimed, sold out, extended, award-winning play School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play, written by 2017-18 Tow Playwright-in-Residence Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by Tony® Winner Rebecca Taichman. The encore production will be performed at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) through November 25th. Opening night is set for October 22nd. 
Photo Flash: First Look at the New Class of SCHOOL GIRLS, OR THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY

School is back in session….in preparation for their return to NYC at MCC's Lucille Lortel Theater in October, the cast of School Girls, or, The African Mean Girls Play, currently playing at CTG's Kirk Douglas Theatre in LA through September 30th was photographed by Luke Fontana.  The shoot was styled by Bold in Africa with the stylist being Kemiyondo Coutinho and they are all dressed in current African designs. 
Review: SCHOOL GIRLS Offers a Heartwarming, Heartbreaking and Ultimately Hysterical Modern Morality Tale

Any teenage girl enrolled in any secondary school around the world can tell you how they were tormented or teased by other girls for some reason, be it their weight, height, hair, or lack of the latest hip clothing to wear. Based only on physical appearance, little regard was paid by the most popular Queen Bee to the real circumstances of others' lives which prevented others from living up to her unrealistic expectations of those she was willing to call 'friends' in her inner circle. I can certainly remember being excluded from the more popular groups of friends in high school, not only for my weight but for my lack of interest in boys and obsession with The Beatles. Think back and I bet you can remember similar experiences you lived through or how you made fun of others you perceived as not being worthy of your inner circle friendship.
Performances Have Begun for SCHOOL GIRLS at Douglas

Performances have begun for the hit MCC Theater production of Jocelyn Bioh's "School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play" directed by Rebecca Taichman. Currently in previews, the production will open September 8 at 8 p.m. and continues through September 30, 2018, at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre.
Rehearsals Have Begun For SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY At Kirk Douglas Theatre

Rehearsals have begun for the hit MCC Theater production of "School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play" by Jocelyn Bioh. Directed by Rebecca Taichman, the production will begin previews September 2, open September 8 and continue through September 30, 2018, at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre.
Photo Flash: First Day of School! In Rehearsal with SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY

Rehearsals began in New York City for the upcoming return engagement of Jocelyn Bioh's acclaimed award-winning comedy "School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play", directed by Rebecca Taichman, which will be presented by MCC Theater at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher Street , October 16th through October 25th. Official opening night is set for October 22nd.
SCHOOL GIRLS: OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY Will Receive Encore Run Off Broadway This Fall

MCC THEATER just today announced the full cast and creative team for the return of the critically acclaimed, sold out, extended, award-winning play School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play, written by 2017-18 Tow Playwright-in-Residence Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by Tony® Winner Rebecca Taichman. The encore production will be performed at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) from October 16th through November 25th. Opening night is set for October 22nd. Prior to the return, Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles will present the MCC production at the CTG Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City from September 2nd through September 30th.
Who Won Big at the Drama Desk Awards? Full List!

The time has come for the 63rd Annual Drama Desk Awards, hosted by Michael Urie, June 3 (8:00 PM) at The Town Hall in Manhattan.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Abena Mensah-Bonsu been nominated for?

and Ensemble Award (Drama Desk Awards) for School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play.

What awards has Abena Mensah-Bonsu won?

Abena Mensah-Bonsu won the Ensemble Award at the Drama Desk Awards for her performance in School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play.

Get Abena Mensah-Bonsu Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos