The House That Will Not Stand

Life takes you in many directions. I'm thankful for them... The past 2 weeks I've been in Pougkeepsie, NY, on the Vassar college campus surrounded by some talented individuals and some interesting personalities! Participating in Powerhouse and New York Stage & Film summer festival.

I'm playing the dark romantic Odette in "The House That Will Not Stand" by Marcus Gardley.

Saycon rehearses "Once On This Island"

I'm excited to be working with the wonderful cast of Once On This Island at the Papermill Playhouse! Check out some clips from the rehearsal that the press came out to visit the other day!

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/166262-PHOTO-CALL-Syesha-Mercado-Darius-de-Haas-Saycon-Sengbloh-and-More-Preview-Paper-Mills-Once-On-This-Island

SAYCON in Katori Hall's HURT VILLAGE

Come see Saycon Sengbloh in Hurt Village! I'm so excited to tell everyone about the new daring and extraordinary piece by Katori Hall. I'm thrilled to be a part of this show at the New Signature theatre. The language and characters in Hurt Village  are something that has not been seen on the American theatrical landscape in a very long time perhaps since Melvin Van Peeple's Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, or Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. Hurt Village is not a musical though the musical influence of hip-hop pulses through the veins of this ghetto story set in Memphis, Tennessee. I'm playing the role of Toyia a girl who works at the local "shake junt" and is fiercely protective of her man, her body, and her baby. With costumes by Clint Ramos I'm having a ball wearing clothes from all of hip-hop's fashion moguls (Sean John, Fetish, an House of Dereon). And sharing a stage with New York's hottest up and coming talents, like Lloyd Watts, Charlie Hudson III,  Marsha Stephanie Blake, Nicholas Christopher, Corey Hawkins, Ron Cephas Jones, Joaquina Kalukango , and Tony award winner Tonya Pinkins directed by Patricia McGregor! Choreography by Daniel Price. Come out and witness this new work!

Check out some of the reviews below:

"Five Stars! Exceptional! This is theatre that throbs with life, and quickens the pulse and mind!"

Adam Feldman, Time Out New York

"A rousing, latter-day response to A Raisin in the Sun! Vividly acted! [The actors] inhabit David Gallo’s evocative urban-jungle jumble of a set (and Clint Ramos’s sociologically exact costumes) with fervent and affecting conviction. And they make sure we feel the emotional double edge with which their characters regard one another."

Ben Brantley, New York Times

"An original theatre voice!"

Linda Winer, Newsday

"A terrifically exciting work by a playwright with something to say!"

Marilyn Stasio, Variety

"Thoroughly sensational! Obligatory viewing! Under direction by Patricia McGregor as fierce as Katori Hall's writing, the cast makes a strong bid for a best-ensemble prize!"

David Finkle, Theatermania.com

"Makes you stand up and pay attention!"

Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post

Photos by Joan Marcus

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VIDEO FROM FIRST REHEARSAL

Hurt Village: First Rehearsal from Signature Theatre Company on Vimeo.

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Backstage

JOOKIN'

Hurt Village: Jookin' in Rehearsal from Signature Theatre Company on Vimeo.

FIRST REHEARSAL PHOTOS

Photos by Erik Carter Photography.

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March 2012

My LA Trip: Fela tour!

Courtesy of Saycon Sengbloh

I had a ball in Los Angeles joining the wonderful touring cast of Fela reprising my role as Sandra Iszadore. Who knew I'd be bringing in the 2012 New Year right there in LA. Hopefully more of sunny LA will be in my future! It was a jam packed 2 weeks. One week of rehearsals and one week of performances, interviews, meetings, and kicking it in between! One of the interviews I did was for YoungHollywood.com the interview featured, Nandi Bhebhe, Jill Vallery, and myself talking and dancing with the host, Lesley Robbins.
http://www.younghollywood.com/videos/lifestyle/lifestyle-events/dancing-with-the-cast-of-fela.html

 I'm not sure how we found the time to squeeze this in after rehearsal and before the show that night, but we made it work LOL. It was amazing and a blessing to return to the show if only for a week! I will be sure to let you all know if I roll through the "shrine" on the tour again. The Ahmanson theater was huge and the sound was great, I was digging LA! While in LA I had so many great friends and family come through including Stu James, Lesly Donald, Marcus Mitchell, Shaun Earl, Lisa Thomas, Adisa Anderson, and the lovely Sakara Anderson, along with their sons, girlfriends, and family as well! Not to mention the talented Scott Nevins and friend, who seemed to have had a ball. I also met soul singer Ndambi who attended with her manager Monica Young. Sandra Izsadore also came with all sorts of celebrities. Check out the younghollywood interview by clicking the link below or click to download my track #2 Sorrow, Tears, and Blood recording:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-warrior-ep/id476799155

http://www.younghollywood.com/videos/lifestyle/lifestyle-events/dancing-with-the-cast-of-fela.html

Saycon and Nneka in New York City

Nneka in New York! the Nigerian & German songbird is here in the U.S. to promote her new album. I saw her across the room in a Whole foods store while have a tea with my friend Maia (aka Soulluvlai)  often at a loss for words I couldn't remember her name for the life of me but of course who can forget that face! A classic beauty without a shred of makeup. Boldly, and nosily, I approached her to ask if she was a Nigerian singer she said yes though I'm pretty sure she and her friend thought I was full of sh*t, LOL anyway we began to chat. I told her about my visit to Nigeria last spring.  Nneka said she was in town to promote her new album and I was happy to tell her we shared a publicist when we were in Nigeria, Miss Bobby Taylor who did some amazing work during our time there. Nneka was kind and I was random, anyway, well done Nneka let's do a duet one day :-) let's unite for Liberia and Nigeria ya digg?. Check out this video of Nneka making of her new album.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pVKyP56PXLY

PS.-Shoutout to my Nigerian brothers and sisters struggling to pay for gasoline with oil prices surging. peace,
Saycon

Justin Johnston is Roger in Rent! Flashback:Saycon as Mimi

http://www.playbill.com/multimedia/gallery/2735.html

y good friend Justin Johnston who will be made his debut soon as Roger in the off-Broadway production of Rent! I'm thrilled because Justin and I go way back. Years ago when I first traveled to New York to audition for the show there I was nervous in the waiting room, waiting for my turn to go inside and sing and read my scenes for my Mimi audition. In the room next door was a window through which I could see the coolest dancers ever. Also peeking into the room was Justin Johnston and we watched excitedly killing time waiting for our chance to shine and we were thrilled to find out that the dancers with rehearsing for Missy Elliots latest video. We always recall this memory and years later he's about to open as Roger! I'm quite proud. Ha! the show Rent will always be a part of me as, I got my Equity card on the national tour of Rent. Also, my current show Hurt village co-stars Nicholas Christopher who is on leave from the Off-Broadway Rent company in which he plays Collins. Check out some photos of me from the tour for the nostalgia :) and check out the link to the flashback of Broadway's various casts of Rent as showcased on Playbill.com http://www.playbill.com/news/article/158801-Josh-Grisetti-Justin-Johnston-Rashad-Naylor-Are-Rents-New-Mark-Roger-and-Benny-Starting-Jan-20

Hurt Village: Jookin' in NYC with Daniel Price

Daniel Price
Photo used by permission

2012 has started with a bang. Had no idea I'd be introduced to the urban ballet known as "JOOKING" in 2012. Its been an exciting week in New York City, soaking up the southern sounds, booming bass, and mystical rhythms as we embark upon a journey to the Hurt. Hurt Village is a play written by Katori Hall but it is a play that takes a small yet poignant slice of Memphis, African-American life and brings it to life with all the joys, sorrow, and music it can. We are getting an introductory dance course in jookin' via Master Jook-King Daniel Price.

Daniel Price

 Each day after studying lines and doing blocking we put on our sneakers to get our dancing toes wiggling. Before you ask, nooo, our show, Hurt Village is not a musical, its a play a very urban, real play with a lil' southern hip-hop thrown into the mix --BUT. .. what is life in Memphis, Tennessee without music. Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Justin Timberlake, and B.B. King had their start on the Memphis music scene.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis,_Tennessee A little known fact the capital of ancient Egypt was known as Memphis as well, and how befitting considering the moves and isolation that include ankle throws and g-walking can resemble at times the hieroglyphics that are famously found on the walls of ancient Egyptian canvases. I enjoyed working with Daniel. His laid back, yet intense spirit was a welcome southern vibe in a room full of angsty New Yorkers, he reminding me of some of my peoples from Atlanta. I look forward to following his career and seeing where life takes Daniel next!
If you click the photo on the upper right you'll see a video of  Daniel in action ( parental advisory on the lyrics but the moves are hot!)
copy & past eht link below if you can't see it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyoY5wRH0Jk