SAN FRANCISCO: Bilingual vocalist, songwriter, and dancer Angel Adedokun has been named the 2022 RHE Foundation Artistic Fellow by Theatre Bay Area. Adedokun, who will next appear in Shotgun Players’ production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, will be awarded $10,000 as part of the fellowship, designed to propel the career of an individual female or non-binary actor of color with a significant investment that might launch them into the next steps in their career.
“There are very few awards designed specifically to help women and non-binary actors of color advance their careers,” said Theatre Bay Area’s executive director, Sean Fenton, in a statement. “There are so many roadblocks for BIPOC actors. When we invest in promising talent, the whole theatre sector stands to win. TBA is excited to continue our partnership with RHE Charitable Foundation for this important award.”
Adedokun previously worked with the Latin company MundoBeat Entertainment (Grupo Tumbao, Trio Con Paz, Almagama), and was featured as lead singer of the Indianapolis Ssalsa band Grupo Bembe. Angel’s debut EP, Love Always, Angel was released in 2020. She is currently writing music for OasisTV in San Francisco and doing voiceover for Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s online platform, Play On!
This year’s applicants included nine individuals nominated by Bay Area-based professional actors and directors. The winner was chosen by a panel of accomplished women of color. Previous RHE fellows include Reggie D. White (2014), Sarita Ocón (2016), and Cindy Im (2018).
The eight other nominees for this year’s award were Sophia Alawi, Rolanda Bell, Katrina McGraw, Alicia M.P. Nelson, Aidaa Peerzada, Chanel Tilghman, Princess Washington, and Jasmine Milan Williams.
