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Saidah Arrika Ekulona Headshot

Saidah Arrika Ekulona

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BIO

Saidah Arrika Ekulona is an award-winning theatre, television and film actress. She's originated roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theatres and international theatres, and originated the role of Mama Nadi in the Pulitzer Prize winning play Ruined, for which she won an Obie Award, Lucille Lortel Award, Jeff Award, Audelco Award and the Black Theatre Alliance Award. Saidah received her BA from Albright College and her MFA from University of Minnesota.


Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Primary Stages Productions, 2011
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
2009
Mama Nadi


[Off-Broadway]
2008
Lotty


[Off-Broadway]
2007
Lady Montague


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Kay, and others

Others

Kay


Kay, and others

Others

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Allison/ Mother/ Inmate #2/ Devora/ Ensemble


[Off-Broadway]
2004
Ensemble


[Off-Broadway]
1999
Eunice Hubbell


Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Ruined


winner
Obie Awards - 2009 - Performance

Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Ruined

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Ruined


winner
The Lortels - 2009 - Outstanding Lead Actress

Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Ruined

News


Full Cast Set for Katie Holmes-Led HEDDA GABLER at The Old Globe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2026

The Old Globe has revealed the full cast and creative team for Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. Film, television, and stage star Katie Holmes leads the cast in the title role.
Video: First Trailer for AMBER ALERT Starring Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 15, 2024

Lionsgate has unveiled the first trailer for Amber Alert, the upcoming thriller. In the film, an ordinary rideshare becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse when Jaq and Shane receive an alert of a child abduction on their phones. Quickly realizing they are behind a car that matches the description of the kidnappers, Jaq and Shane desperately race to save the child’s life. Watch the trailer now.
Ojai Playwrights Conference Announces Actors, Directors, And Dramaturgs For 2024 New Works Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 19, 2024

Ojai Playwrights Conference has announced the full roster of artists for its 27th Annual New Works Festival to be held August 1 - 4 in Ojai, CA.
2022 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Awarded to Benedict Lombe for LAVA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2022

The 2022 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to U.K. playwright Benedict Lombe for her debut play Lava. In a special presentation at Shakespeare's Globe in London, the Blackburn Prize judges presented Lombe with a cash prize of $25,000, and a signed limited-edition print by renowned artist Willem de Kooning, created especially for the Prize. 
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Announces 2022 Finalists
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2022

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize today announces 10 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, the oldest and largest prize awarded to women+ playwrights - now in its 44th year .
Jason Butler Harner, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Robert Cuccioli & More to Star in PARADISE LOST Presented by Red Bull Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2021

Today, Red Bull Theater announced the first public presentation of a new dramatization of John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost, adapted and directed by Michael Barakiva. Presented in two parts, this event will feature Jason Butler Harner, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Stephen Bel Davies, Sheldon Best, Gisela Chípe, Robert Cuccioli and more.
Noah Galvin, James Lapine, Patrick Wilson and More Join Latest Edition of THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: VIRAL MONOLOGUES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2020

The 24 Hour Plays: Viral Monologues are back tonight with an all-new edition! A group of stage and screen's finest writers and actors will come together (virtually, of course) to write, rehearse, perform and produce 15 original pieces in just 24 hours.
VIDEO: Watch MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD on STARS IN THE HOUSE
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2020

Stars in The House continues today (2pm) with Plays In The House: MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD: Conceived by Susan R. Rose and Joan Stein (Jayne Atkinson, Andréa Burns, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Michael Gill, Justin Guarini and Jane Kaczmarek) and tonight (8pm) for the 85th Annual New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards (Will Arbery, David Byrne, Adam Feldman, Jeremy O. Harris, Michael R. Jackson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, John Mulaney, Deirdre O'Connell, Heidi Schreck and Michael Shannon).
Santino Fontana, Rita Wilson and More Join THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: VIRAL MONOLOGUES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2020

The 24 Hour Plays: Viral Monologues has an incredible lineup in store for its seventh edition tonight on IGTV @24hourplays and at https://24hourplays.com/viral-monologues/. A group of the best actors in the business have been paired with celebrated writers, who've worked through the night to create unique pieces especially for them.
Rubicon Theatre Co Extends WOMEN BEYOND BORDERS; Plus New Rotating Casts
by Julie Musbach - May 22, 2019

Rubicon Theatre of Ventura has announced a two-week extension of the company's World Premiere presentation of WOMEN BEYOND BORDERS, a funny, poignant and powerful new play about the shared experiences of women everywhere, inspired by the remarkable true journey of a small group of women artists who wanted to find a way to inspire change through creative expression.
Ford Theatres Presents THE SECRET CITY
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 6, 2018

The Ford Theatres presents The Secret City, the Obie Award-winning arts organization that presents community celebrations of everyday creative life, on Sunday, October 14 at 12:00pm.
Photo Flash: Get A First Look At SIZE THE KING at La Jolla Playhouse
by Alan Henry - Sep 7, 2018

La Jolla Playhouse presents Seize the King, by Will Power (The Seven, Honey Bo and the Goldmine POP Tour), directed by Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda (At the Old Place, Tiger Style!, Guards at the Taj), running through September 16 in the Playhouse's Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.
Photo Flash: Get A First Look At SIZE THE KING at La Jolla Playhouse
by Alan Henry - Sep 5, 2018

BroadwayWorld has a first look as La Jolla Playhouse's Seize the King, by Will Power (The Seven, Honey Bo and the Goldmine POP Tour), directed by Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda (At the Old Place, Tiger Style!, Guards at the Taj), running through September 16 in the Playhouse's Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Saidah Arrika Ekulona been in?

Saidah Arrika Ekulona has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Saidah Arrika Ekulona been in?

Saidah Arrika Ekulona has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Saidah Arrika Ekulona been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Ruined, Performance (Obie Awards) for Ruined, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ruined and Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for Ruined.

What awards has Saidah Arrika Ekulona won?

Saidah Arrika Ekulona has won the Performance Obie Award for Ruined and the Outstanding Lead Actress award at The Lortel Awards for Ruined.

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