Usher/God/Understanding
‘EveryBody’ by Branden Jacobs Jenkins
Directed by Pascale Florestal
Photo by Eric Antoniou. Copyright 2022. Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Circle In The Square 2019
Experience
2024
Represented
by
Commonwealth Shakespeare Co.:
Midsummer Nights Dream
Dir. Victoria Townsend
The Fled Collective: Step Kids
Dir. Dolores Pereira
Gloucester Stage: Tall Tales from Blackburn Tavern
Dir. Bryn Boice
Gloucester Stage: Stew
Dir. Rosalind Bevan
Boston Theatre Marathon: Pauligarchy
Dir. Alex Leondedis
Boston Conservatory’s: Bright Half Life
Dir. Melia Jost
Boston Theatre Company’s: Midsummer Nights Dream (Hermia)
Dir. Lisa Rafferty
Staples Commercial
Dir. Alison Antonowicz
The Boston Conservatory: Everybody
Dir. Pascale Florestal
The Boston Conservatory: Antigone
Dir. Wanda Strukus
EOS Commercial
Dir. Marc Colucci
SpeakEasy: TJ LOVES SALLY 4EVER
Dir. Pascale Florestal
The Boston Conservatory: Much Undone
Dir. Sierra Lancaster
The Boston Conservatory: Macbeth
Dir. Sarah Cosgrove
Boston Playwrights Theatre: Stop N Frisk
Dir. Jacqueline Parker
2022
2021
2020
2023
Berklee Thrive Full Scholarship Awardee
NAACP ACT-SO Silver Winner
Thomas Derrah Emerging Artist Award
Writing & Directing
In 2022, for my Senior Capstone, I wrote my first play, and swiftly put it into work all within 2 months. This project included lots of tablework, interviews, journaling, reimagining in variation options and audio editing. I am proud to come out of the other side of the processed, equipped with knowledge as both a writer and director, especially when I needed to separate my direction from my “Dream Image” of the work and this first iteration. I am on my way to publishing, and putting together future iterations. These works are projected to vary between PG-13 content, varying budget availability, and shortened versions of the script.
HellWhore is an exploration about what a whore is, what makes one, and who determines when moral lines are crossed.
The show serves as a Not-So-Rhetorical question to our era concerning slutshaming and is a middle finger to the breast that nurtured that culture.
HellWhore is developed as a vignette-styled piece told through acting, dance and audio and is based on real life events that I’ve encountered.
Think “gruesome career day”.
Press
Captured by Wes Verge
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Erika Brown @ The Cricket
Lil Mama (Sadiyah "Dyce" Janai Stephens) is sparky, smart, and every bit a pre-teen, right down to the eye-rolling and slipper dragging as she's ordered around by her impatient but loving mother.
Sadiyah "Dyce" Janai Stephens as Lil Mama- [is] so sharp in their performances [and] shows all the possibilities (good and bad) of youthful choices.
Kati Nalbandan @
Creative Collective
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The portrayal of Lil Mama played by Sadiyah Dyce Janai Stephens is to be noted as the actor dove into the physicality of a much younger, animated girl with authenticity and humor. As an ensemble, this production was cast very well, establishing an honest delivery of the story.
Gloucester Stage STEW Captured by Jason Grow Photography
David Greenham @ The Arts Fuse
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When it comes right down to it, Lil Mama thinks all of the adults are a little crazy. Stephens' Lil Mama's delightfully expressive face responds to everything around her with amusing vigor.
Stephens creates a delightfully silly character. She's part free spirit, determined to do her own thing, and part sponge, soaking in all that's around her.
Jacquinn Sinclair @ WBUR
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What helps is the physical comedy of Sadiyah Dyce Janai Stephens’ Lil Mama, whose childlike stomping, huffing, and puffing is quite convincing. Amid all the sisterly bickering in the family, Stephens draws the eye, eliciting laughter and empathy.
David Greenham @ The Arts Fuse
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Actor 3 (the energetic Sadiyah Dyce Stephens) provides plenty of enthusiasm, but is willing to put her foot down when chaos approaches.
Dyce Stephens, as Actor 3, is determined and fierce… the performer has got plenty of spunk and is consistently fun to watch.
Jeanne Denizard @ Sleepless Critic
Sadiyah and Janelle share some humorous scenes as squabbling sisters and Sadiyah is compelling in Lil Mama's precocious moments.
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Phoebe Mulry @ The Local News
Sadiyah Dyce Stephens is a charmer in a role described as “the Velvet Sledgehammer,” an amiable and enigmatic character that is not afraid to take control.
Gloucester Stage Company TALL TALES FROM BLACKBURN TAVERN Captured by Jason Grow Photography