Mfoniso Udofia

Udofia is a 1st Generation Nigerian-American storyteller, actress and educator. Her writing has been developed and/or produced/presented by the New York Theatre Workshop, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Playwrights Realm, Magic Theatre, The American Conservatory Theater, Boston Court Performing Arts Center, The National Black Theatre, Hartford Center Stage, The Denver Center, The McCarter Theatre, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory, Roundhouse, The Playwrights Foundation, New Dramatists, PCS’s JAW Festival, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, The OCC, The Hermitage, Hedgebrook, Sundance Theatre Lab, Space on Ryder Farm, Makehouse, Soul Productions, terraNOVA Collective, Page 73 Development Programs, The New Black Fest, Rising Circle's INKTank, At Hand Theatre Company, The Standard...

Udofia is a 1st Generation Nigerian-American storyteller, actress and educator. Her writing has been developed and/or produced/presented by the New York Theatre Workshop, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Playwrights Realm, Magic Theatre, The American Conservatory Theater, Boston Court Performing Arts Center, The National Black Theatre, Hartford Center Stage, The Denver Center, The McCarter Theatre, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory, Roundhouse, The Playwrights Foundation, New Dramatists, PCS’s JAW Festival, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, The OCC, The Hermitage, Hedgebrook, Sundance Theatre Lab, Space on Ryder Farm, Makehouse, Soul Productions, terraNOVA Collective, Page 73 Development Programs, The New Black Fest, Rising Circle's INKTank, At Hand Theatre Company, The Standard Collective, Liberation Theatre Company and JCCEO Birmingham Youth Programs. She has acted in off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater’s Second stage, off-off Broadway at APAC and regionally at the American Conservatory Theater. She has also starred in feature films, Fred Won’t Move Out and Luce. She has also taught kindergarten-collegiate level drama and currently works as a professor of Global Drama at The New School College for Drama. Follow her on social media [twitter/instagram] at @mfudofia and check out her site www.mfonisoudofia.com for the latest news.

Scripts

Sojourners

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

::duty and desire::
Abasiama came to America with high hopes - for her arranged marriage and her future - intent on earning a degree and returning to Nigeria. But when her husband is seduced by America, she must choose between the Nigerian or American Dream.

::duty and desire::
Abasiama came to America with high hopes - for her arranged marriage and her future - intent on earning a degree and returning to Nigeria. But when her husband is seduced by America, she must choose between the Nigerian or American Dream.

The Grove

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

::courage and cowardice::
Adiagha Ufot, first generation offspring and eldest daughter of a transplanted Nigerian family, is both conduit of her rich culture and fulfiller of the legacy of the American dream. Adiagha struggles to balance as her Nigerian history and her American present collide and combust.

::courage and cowardice::
Adiagha Ufot, first generation offspring and eldest daughter of a transplanted Nigerian family, is both conduit of her rich culture and fulfiller of the legacy of the American dream. Adiagha struggles to balance as her Nigerian history and her American present collide and combust.

runboyrun

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

::civil war::
Married couple, Disciple and Abasiama Ufot, have been living the exact same day over and over again for many decades. A sudden burst of frustration breaks their pattern and time suddenly rushes forward while also reeling backwards; forcing Disciple and Abasiama to finally navigate the treacherous waters of illness, memory and love. The survival of this 30+ year marriage depends on building new...

::civil war::
Married couple, Disciple and Abasiama Ufot, have been living the exact same day over and over again for many decades. A sudden burst of frustration breaks their pattern and time suddenly rushes forward while also reeling backwards; forcing Disciple and Abasiama to finally navigate the treacherous waters of illness, memory and love. The survival of this 30+ year marriage depends on building new vocabularies and daring, once again, to live moment by moment.

Her Portmanteau

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

::legacy and forgivness::
Abasiama Ufot must forge new households and pass down her inheritance. Trapped within a small apartment, Abasiama confronts her daughters and opens long closed vaults, trying to build the bridge across two very different worlds.

::legacy and forgivness::
Abasiama Ufot must forge new households and pass down her inheritance. Trapped within a small apartment, Abasiama confronts her daughters and opens long closed vaults, trying to build the bridge across two very different worlds.

In Old Age

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

::purge and passing::

Abasiama Ufot and an elder man, Azell Abernarthy, make an unlikely spiritual connection. Abasiama learns the true nature of love just as life takes a new turn.

::purge and passing::

Abasiama Ufot and an elder man, Azell Abernarthy, make an unlikely spiritual connection. Abasiama learns the true nature of love just as life takes a new turn.

Adia and Clora Snatch Joy

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

::kismet::
In the wake of her mother’s death, Adiaha Ufot travels to Wilmington, NC in search of the man who knew her mother last. Instead of Azell, Adia finds Clora – and a house that looks strangely familiar. Together Adia and Clora reconcile their pasts and imagine new ways forward.

*This is a romance

::kismet::
In the wake of her mother’s death, Adiaha Ufot travels to Wilmington, NC in search of the man who knew her mother last. Instead of Azell, Adia finds Clora – and a house that looks strangely familiar. Together Adia and Clora reconcile their pasts and imagine new ways forward.

*This is a romance

Birthday Pigeons in a Morningside Paradise

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

Shireen and Dale are desperately trying to figure out the best way to parent their overgrown toddler when suddenly a pigeon flies into their window. Nature has the last say in this child-rearing comedy.

Shireen and Dale are desperately trying to figure out the best way to parent their overgrown toddler when suddenly a pigeon flies into their window. Nature has the last say in this child-rearing comedy.

hunger

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

A modern take on Leroi Jones', Dutchman. Poppy, Tyrell and Prentice take each other for an emotional spin as they fight to discover what and who makes up a "real" woman.

A modern take on Leroi Jones', Dutchman. Poppy, Tyrell and Prentice take each other for an emotional spin as they fight to discover what and who makes up a "real" woman.

insideOUTSIDE

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

A couple explodes on the streets of Newark, NJ as a young man's desire to simply walk home in the middle of the night triggers abject fear in his girlfriend.

A couple explodes on the streets of Newark, NJ as a young man's desire to simply walk home in the middle of the night triggers abject fear in his girlfriend.

The Lonely Hearts Club

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

3 strangers meet to grieve the death of their most important relationships and all 3 discover along the way that public grief can help the healing begin.

3 strangers meet to grieve the death of their most important relationships and all 3 discover along the way that public grief can help the healing begin.

Return Home

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

Fatima, a Somalian living in America, decides to accept a marriage proposal, to the shock and consternation of her American friend, Deidre.

Fatima, a Somalian living in America, decides to accept a marriage proposal, to the shock and consternation of her American friend, Deidre.

Sherman: A Black Comedy

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

An interacial couple, Regis and Coral, from Huntsville, AL, contest the racial politics of the day after they receive an old mule named Sherman (a deathbed gift from Regis' late mother).

An interacial couple, Regis and Coral, from Huntsville, AL, contest the racial politics of the day after they receive an old mule named Sherman (a deathbed gift from Regis' late mother).

Walking Out

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

A young interracial couple must decide what to do when finances are strained, the workplace is hostile and kindness/honesty seem to be in short order.

A young interracial couple must decide what to do when finances are strained, the workplace is hostile and kindness/honesty seem to be in short order.

A Birthday Homily

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

Little Ella June overcomes the worst case of nerves to deliver a profound celebratory message at her church's Juneteenth celebration service.

Little Ella June overcomes the worst case of nerves to deliver a profound celebratory message at her church's Juneteenth celebration service.

Idara

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

Idara, a Nigerian-American woman, finally musters the courage to choose love, despite daunting pressure.

Idara, a Nigerian-American woman, finally musters the courage to choose love, despite daunting pressure.

Kukere

by Mfoniso Udofia

Synopsis

A mother wakes up in 19th century Nigeria to discover her daughter has disappeared, never to be seen again, into the bush.

A mother wakes up in 19th century Nigeria to discover her daughter has disappeared, never to be seen again, into the bush.