Michael Oloyede's Broadway Panorama: A Canvas of Complexity and Celebration
WITH MICHAEL OLOYEDE
Michael emerges not merely as an actor but as a maestro of the modern theater.
Photography, Steven Jackson
Words, Stef Wally In Conversation with Michael Oloyede
VIEW GALLERY
Let’s paint a picture: Michael is stepping into the spotlight at Jaja's African Hair Braiding on Broadway, breaking boundaries and shattering them. This isn't your run-of-the-mill Broadway gig. It's a full-on immersion into a world where comedy, immigrant tales, and the sheer magic of transformation collide. In a role—or rather, roles—that feels like destiny, Michael plays not one, not two, but four characters. Yeah, you read that right. Four. This is the stuff of legends.
Flashback to Michael, a fourth grader with a spark. That first taste of applause? Addictive. Fast forward through years of working in off-Broadway shadows, eyes always on the prize: Broadway's neon glow. And when the chance to join forces with the brilliant minds of playwright Jocelyn Bioh and director Whitney White at Jaja's came up? That was a “heck yes” in his sleep.
Challenges? Sure, Michael's had a few, but none that could dim his shine. With the support of the theater's finest by his side, every hurdle became a stepping stone. The biggest battle was balancing life's juggle—acting, living, breathing in the moment. And then came opening night, a vibe so electric it could power New York City. That's when it hit him: They were doing THE thing and doing it right.
I don’t always think our stories have to be these grand explorations of humanity. Sometimes, the simplest stories are the most compelling.
Michael's also the brain behind CultureCon and The Creative Collective, where creativity meets community in a big way. But even visionaries know when it's time to pass the baton. Stepping back wasn't about stepping away; it was about diving deeper into his artistry, making room for new dreams on a blank canvas.
Michael's eyes are set on stories untold, voices unheard. Think epic narratives of Black excellence, sci-fi adventures with faces like ours, and the simple beauty of everyday life. As for his dual life as an actor-producer? It's a balancing act, a dance between the micro and macro, and he's nailing every step.
There's a buzz about a TV show that will flip the script, plus indie projects ready to hit the festival circuit. Michael's journey is a masterclass in artistry, advocacy, and the sheer power of believing in your craft.
When Michael talks about legacy, it's all about community—the magic that happens when dreamers unite to craft stories that resonate, challenge, and inspire. It's not just about making art; it's about creating spaces where art changes lives.
Fasten your seatbelts, folks. This ride? It's just getting started.
THE LOOK
Black Rabee Blazer & Riasat Trousers, Daily Paper; Jewelry, Bernard James
SW: Happy New Year, Michael! First, what inspired your Broadway run at Jaja's African Hair Braiding?
MO: Happy New Year! For me, performing on the stage has always been a dream. I remember being a kid in 4th grade and having my first opportunity to perform in front of a crowd. It was exhilarating. When I started acting professionally, theater was my intro — I was doing a lot of off-broadway work & always had my sights set on making it to Broadway one day.
When the opportunity to be in this play presented itself, it was a no-brainer. I would work with Jocelyn Bioh, our playwright, and Whitney White, our director. I would tell a hilarious and timely immigrant story about characters I know personally. And I would play four different roles in this play!! I would have said yes in my sleep.
SW: What unique challenges and experiences did you encounter while performing at Jaja's African Hair Braiding?
MO: To be honest, there weren’t many challenges in this production. I was blessed to be surrounded by experts, true craftsmen & craftswomen who traversed every hurdle with creative solutions. I felt taken care of. But if I were to think back on some challenges, they weren’t with the play itself; they were more about balancing all the different parts of my life.
SW: Can you share any memorable moments or turning points during your performances at Jaja's African Hair Braiding?
MO: After opening night, it set in that we were doing this. People were responding positively, and a different kind of confidence was stirred up in me. By opening night, we had done more than 20 performances and almost two months of rehearsals, so in a way, I was soaking up the entire experience like a sponge.
SW: How has your role at Jaja's African Hair Braiding evolved or impacted your career?
MO: Right now, I’ll only speak on personal impact. It’s given me a different confidence about my talent and ability. Playing four different roles in a comedy on Broadway isn’t something I think every actor is equipped to do, so I had to take a moment and tell myself, “You did that!”
SW: Stepping back from CultureCon and the creative collective is significant. What motivated this decision?
MO: I was blessed enough to be one of the few who helped birth this beautiful movement while simultaneously building my acting career, so we always knew there would be a day when I’d have to switch gears and focus. CultureCon & The Creative Collective has grown so much over the years that we’ve gained some fantastic team members who have made this transition make sense. You can do anything and everything you want, but sometimes you can’t do it all at once.
SW: How has your involvement with CultureCon and the creative collective influenced your approach to acting and producing?
MO: Through building CultureCon, I learned a lot about macro and micro vision. A shout-out to one of my closest friends and founder/CEO, Imani Ellis. In both professions, it’s essential to see the vision and create a plan to achieve it. Much of my work as a leader on the CultureCon team was about that.
THE LOOK
Jacket & Short, Chris Porter; Glasses, Grise New York; Jewelry, Bernard James
you can do anything and everything you want, but sometimes you can’t do it all at once.
SW: In what ways do you think stepping back from these commitments will affect your future projects?
MO: Time. Time is such a priceless & valuable concept. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of being intentional about it. Now that I have the mental & physical time & space to be a full-time artist, there’s an intention I’m able to give all of my creative pursuits.
SW: As an actor, what roles or types of projects are you currently seeking or looking forward to?
MO: Ultimately, as an actor, my goal is to tell stories of the voiceless & faceless around the world & through the course of history. There are so many unrepresented stories of Black people that we have yet to hear about. I’m looking for roles that tell those stories in a new way. In a way, that's wildly entertaining but also teachable.
SW: How do you balance your roles as an actor and a producer? What challenges and rewards come with this dual responsibility?
MO: I’ve always been a person that juggles multiple things. In my mind, acting and producing make a lot of sense. The mechanics of it all work for me, as an actor understanding the story from a deeply personal and creative explorative perspective, micro & producer understanding the bigger goals and vision for the project or macro. I play ping pong in my mind between the two.
SW: Regarding your acting career, what goals or aspirations do you have for the next few years?
MO: Over the next few years, I’ll be working on television, in films, and theater. Consistently. I'll sell a few movies and shows that I also produce. But ultimately, I’ll create a community in a natural way, similar to how I helped create our community at CultureCon & The Creative Collective. I also strive to have honest conversations about the importance of Art Education in our schools here and abroad. I want to be a global name known for my work first and foremost.
THE LOOK
Suit, Catou; White Button Down, ETON; Glasses, Grise New York; Jewelry, Bernard James
SW: As a producer, what kinds of stories or themes are you eager to explore or bring to the stage/screen?
MO: I’m a big sci-fi nerd, so I’m interested in telling big and expansive stories that showcase the faces and experiences of people we look like and know. I also want to tell slice-of-life “mundane” stories of the everyday man and woman. I don’t always think our stories must be these grand explorations of humanity. Sometimes, the most simple stories are the most compelling.
SW: Can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're particularly excited about?
MO: I’m working on a fascinating TV show right now. I wish I could say more, but stay tuned! I’ve shot some independent projects that should come out later this year and do some festivals.
SW: Reflecting on your journey, how do you envision the intersection of art and social change in your future works, and what legacy do you hope to leave in acting and producing?
MO: I want to create a legacy of community. Sometimes, when I’m on set and look around, I see the crew and cast working together, using their talents to make this one piece of art. It reminds me of what I love about it all: the community. The coming together of using our dreams and talents to make something that will be seen and hopefully felt. I want to be known for bringing dreamers together to improve this existence.
