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Saycon Sengbloh

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BIO

Sengbloh has starred in a number of Broadway musicals, including Aida, Wicked (as a standby for Elphaba), The Color Purple, Hair, Fela!, Motown: The Musical, and Holler If Ya Hear Me. Her breakthrough came in 2015, when Danai Gurira cast Sengbloh in Eclipsed, a play about five Liberian women and their tale of survival near the end of the Second Liberian Civil War. It became the first play with an all-black and female creative cast and team to premiere on Broadway. Eclipsed opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in October 2015 with positive reviews and ran until November 2015. The following year, it transferred to Broadway, premiering at the John Golden Theatre with an opening on March 6, 2016. Her performance received positive reviews from critics. She won Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for original Off-Broadway production, and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play nomination for Broadway production.



Sengbloh made her screen debut playing opposite Kimberly Elise in the 1997 television film The Ditchdigger's Daughters. In 1999, she made her big screen debut appearing in the independent drama film Funny Valentines starring Alfre Woodard. She later played small parts in films Across the Universe and American Gangster. She also made guest appearances on television series including Law & Order and The Good Wife.

In 2017, Sengbloh was cast in a recurring role as Angela Webster for the sixth season of Shonda Rhimes' political drama Scandal. She played the role of Roberta in the 2018 historical drama film Ask for Jane. In 2021, she starred opposite Jennifer Hudson in the biographical drama film Respect playing Erma Franklin, the elder sister of Aretha Franklin. In 2021, it was announced that she would play the mother in the reboot of the TV series, "The Wonder Years."

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STAGE CREDITS

The Secret Life of Bees The Secret Life of Bees
[Off-Broadway]
Atlantic Theatre Company Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
Rosaleen
The Red Letter Plays: In the Blood The Red Letter Plays: In the Blood
[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Production, 2017
Performer
Merrily We Roll Along Merrily We Roll Along
[Los Angeles]
Wallis Annenberg Center Production, 2016
Gussie Carnegie
Eclipsed Eclipsed
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Helena
Eclipsed Eclipsed
[Off-Broadway]
Public Theatre Original Off-Broadway Production, 2015
Helena
Holler If Ya Hear Me Holler If Ya Hear Me
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Corinne
Motown the Musical Motown the Musical
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
Ensemble
Hurt Village Hurt Village
[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Production, 2012
Performer
Fela! Fela!
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Sandra
Hair Hair
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009
Abraham Lincoln
Member of the Tribe
Dionne (Understudy)
Hair Hair
[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare In The Park Revival, 2008
Tribe
White Boys Trio
The Color Purple The Color Purple
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2005
Nettie (Understudy) [Replacement]
Celie (Understudy) [Replacement]
Nettie (Understudy) [Replacement]
Celie (Understudy) [Replacement]
Wicked Wicked
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Elphaba (Standby) [Replacement]
Aida Aida
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Aida [Replacement]
Aida [Replacement]
Aida (Standby) [Replacement]

Movies

Funny Valentines
[ 1999 ] Young Dearie B.
Across the Universe
[ 2007 ] Sadie's Singer
American Gangster
[ 2007 ] Tango's Woman
Double Play
[ 2017 ] Nora
Ask for Jane
[ 2018 ] Roberta
A Shot Through the Wall
[ 2020 ] Community Organizer
Respect
[ 2021 ] Erma Franklin

TV Shows

In the Dark
Jules Becker
The Wonder Years
Lillian Williams

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Saycon Sengbloh, The Secret Life of Bees


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Saycon Sengbloh, The Secret Life of Bees


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Saycon Sengbloh, Eclipsed

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Saycon Sengbloh, Eclipsed

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Saycon Sengbloh, Eclipsed

Videos

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News


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Photos: First Look at Theatre Aspen's Star-Studded LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE

Theatre Aspen has released photos from their production of Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron’s Drama Desk Award-winning play Love, Loss, and What I Wore, starring Sandy Duncan, Andrea McArdle, Krysta Rodriguez, and more. Check them out here!
Sandy Duncan, Andrea McArdle, Krysta Rodriguez & More to Star in LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT Photo
Sandy Duncan, Andrea McArdle, Krysta Rodriguez & More to Star in LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE at Theatre Aspen

Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron’s Love, Loss and What I Wore will be presented at Theatre Aspen in March. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!
Photos: On the Red Carpet for WICKED's 20th Anniversary Photo
Photos: On the Red Carpet for WICKED's 20th Anniversary

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Sheryl Lee Ralph Sets Partial Lineup for ¿DIVAS Simply Singing! With Wayne Brady, Cynthia Erivo & More

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Photos: Taraji P. Henson, Noah Centineo & More Arrive on the Red Carpet for JAJA's AF Photo
Photos: Taraji P. Henson, Noah Centineo & More Arrive on the Red Carpet for JAJA's AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING

Check out photos from the opening night red carpet of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh.
Photos: JAJA's AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Cast Celebrates Opening Night Photo
Photos: JAJA's AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Cast Celebrates Opening Night

It's been a big week at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, where MTC just celebrated opening night of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Check out photos from the after party here!
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THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present the return of The Real Housewives of New York: The Parody Musical on Friday, June 16 at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.
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Liz McCartney to Present ONE FINE DAY at The Green Room 42 in June and July

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Liz McCartney, the celebrated stage veteran currently appearing in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl, for two performances on Sunday, June 25 at 9:30 PM and Sunday, July 2 at 7:00 PM.
Lady Bunny's DON'T BRING THE KIDS Extended at The Green Room 42 Photo
Lady Bunny's DON'T BRING THE KIDS Extended at The Green Room 42

THE GREEN ROOM 42 has announced that the Lady Bunny show “Don’t Bring the Kids,” an hour of jokes and demented song parodies from the New York drag legend, has extended its run due to popular demand.
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Janine LaManna to Make New York Solo Concert Debut With BLACK & GOLD at The Green Room 42

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Flotilla DeBarge to Present A BIG HUNK OF GHETTO at The Green Room 42 in June

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Lisa Vroman to Present ON INGENUE... INGE-NOT-SO-NEW! at The Green Room 42 in May

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present internationally acclaimed soprano Lisa Vroman in “On Ingénue... Ingé-not-so-new!” on Saturday, May 27 and Monday, May 29, both at 7:00 PM.
Farah Alvin to Celebrate ON VINYL Album at The Green Room 42 in May Photo
Farah Alvin to Celebrate ON VINYL Album at The Green Room 42 in May

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Broadway’s Farah Alvin, celebrating the release of her highly anticipated album On Vinyl, on Friday, May 19 at 7:00 PM. 
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Danielle Ferland to Make Solo Concert Debut With SING FOR YOUR GHOSTS at The Green Room 42

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Chris Sarandon to Present Live Podcast Taping of COOKING BY HEART With Mario Cantone

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James Jackson, Jr. and John-Andrew Morrison to Bring 5 QUESTIONS to The Green Room 42

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The Broadway revival of Ntozake Shange's for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf, directed and choreographed by Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown opened just last night at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street). BroadwayWorld was on hand for the big night and you can check out photos from the star-studded red carpet below!
Photos: On the Opening Night Red Carpet for HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE Photo
Photos: On the Opening Night Red Carpet for HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE

Maiesha McQueen Returns To Atlanta From Broadway To Star In MAHALIA: A GOSPEL MUSICAL Photo
Maiesha McQueen Returns To Atlanta From Broadway To Star In MAHALIA: A GOSPEL MUSICAL

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Saycon Sengbloh been in?

Saycon Sengbloh has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

How many West End shows has Saycon Sengbloh been in?

Saycon Sengbloh has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Saycon Sengbloh been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Eclipsed, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Eclipsed and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Eclipsed.

What awards has Saycon Sengbloh won?

Saycon Sengbloh has won the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Secret Life of Bees, and the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for Eclipsed.

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