A'rese

Last updated

A'rese Emokpae (born January 13, 1988) known simply as A'rese is a Nigerian actress, singer, and audiobook narrator. She first garnered attention as a stage actress starring in Bolanle Austen-Peters' Terra Kulture production Wakaa: The Musical which led her to participate in and win the first season of The Voice Nigeria . [1] In 2017 she gained popularity for her lead role as Senami Minasu in Africa Magic's hit series Jemeji. In the same year, she released her first single "Uwe No". [2]

Contents

Background

A'rese was born into the arts. Her grandfather is the Nigerian painter and sculptor, Erhabor Emokpae.

Education

A'rese attended Washington and Lee University where she first discovered her love for musical theater and dance. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Visual Art, specializing in Printmaking. After starring as "Velma Kelly" in the school's sold-out production of hit Broadway musical Chicago, she decided to pursue a career in the performing arts. [3] She has been performing professionally ever since she graduated in 2010.

Career

Emokpae's professional career began in Chicago, Illinois [4] where she was a company member at the Black Ensemble Theater. Some of her most notable roles at the theater were as The Fairy Godmama in The Other Cinderella [5] and as Mya in One Name Only. [6] After working successfully there for 3 years, she decided to move back to Lagos, Nigeria to further pursue her acting career.

In 2014, she landed her first notable role in Lagos as Rume in BAP Productions' Saro: the Musical 2 which had a sold-out run both during the Christmas holiday period in December 2014 and again during Easter 2015. [7] She then continued on to star as Kike Johnson in the next hit production out of the BAP/Terra Kulture stable, Wakaa: The Musical [8] .

In 2016, Emokpae auditioned for the inaugural season of The Voice Nigeria. She made it to the televised "Blind Audition" stage where she sang "Skyfall" turning three of the coaches' chairs. She chose to be part of Team Waje. In the grand final, she faced Chike from Team Patoranking. A'rese sang "Hallelujah" finishing as winner with Chike ending up as runner-up. [9]

Following her win, Emokpae was signed to Universal Music Group; with whom she released her first single Uwe No. [2]

In 2017, she landed her first non-stage leading role as Senami Minasu in Jemeji, an Africa Magic series. She then went on to another lead role in a new EbonyLife TV series called "MMM". [10]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleNetworkRoleNotes
2016 The Voice Nigeria Africa MagicSelfReality Show
Babysitting EjiroKemiTelevision movie
2016-2017 Tinsel BisolaUnknown # of episodes
2017-2018JemejiSenami Minasu260 episodes
2021M.M.M.LacedUp ProductionsMarionWeb Series

Theater

YearShowRoleNotes
2012The Marvin Gaye StoryMary Wells/EnsembleBlack Ensemble Theater; Chicago, IL
One Name OnlyMya
The Other CinderellaFairy Godmamma
2013Once Upon A PeopleThe Storyteller
She Kills MonstersVera (u/s)Buzz22 Chicago at Steppenwolf; Chicago, IL
2014-2015 Saro: The Musical 2RumeBAP Productions/Terra Kulture
2015Wakaa: The MusicalKike Johnson

Discography

Singles

YearSong TitleArtistAlbum
2017"Uwe No"A'rese ft. LadiPoeUwe No - Single
2018"Beautiful"A'reseBeautiful - Single

Collaborations

YearSong TitleArtistAlbum
2017"Out Of My League"Dominic Neill ft. A'reseOut Of My League
"#WCW"Kalen Lumiere ft. A'reseRealistic Love
"Birds 'n' Bees"

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryFilmResultRef
2019 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actress in a Lead role –EnglishUnbreakableNominated [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenyce</span> American singer (born 1980)

Lashundra Trenyce Cobbins is an American singer and actress best known as a finalist on the second season of American Idol and for her work in musical theatre. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Trenyce won one of the categories of the NAACP ACT-SO as a teenager, and attended the University of Memphis on a music scholarship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idina Menzel</span> American actress (born 1971)

Idina Kim Menzel is an American actress and singer. Particularly recognized for her work in musicals on Broadway, she has been nicknamed the "Queen of Broadway" for her commanding stage presence, powerful mezzo-soprano, and reputation as one of the most influential stage actors of her generation. Having achieved mainstream success across stage, screen, and music, her accolades include an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, a Daytime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for three Drama League Awards, and four Drama Desk Awards. In 2019, Menzel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was named a Disney Legend in 2022.

Death and the King's Horseman is a play by Wole Soyinka based on a real incident that took place in Nigeria during the colonial era: the horseman of a Yoruba King was prevented from committing ritual suicide by the colonial authorities. In addition to the intervention of the colonial authorities, Soyinka calls the horseman's own conviction toward suicide into question, posing a problem that throws off the community's balance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Osnes</span> American actress

Laura Ann Osnes is an American actress and singer known for her work on the Broadway stage. She has played starring roles in Grease as Sandy, South Pacific as Nellie Forbush, Anything Goes as Hope Harcourt, and Bonnie and Clyde as Bonnie Parker, for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She also starred in the title role of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway, for which she received a Drama Desk Award and her second Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osas Ighodaro</span> Nigerian-American actress

Osariemen Martha Elizabeth Ighodaro is a Nigerian actress, television host and philanthropist born in the United States. She won the 2010 Miss Black USA Pageant and founded the Joyful Joy Foundation, a fundraising organization for malaria. Osas emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood actress of 2018, and was awarded Best Actress in a Drama consecutively at the 2022 and 2023 AMVCA for her roles in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story and Man of God, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolanle Austen-Peters</span> Nigerian movie director (born 1969)

Bolanle Austen-Peters, is a lawyer, a multiple award-winning movie director/producer, theater director/producer and cultural entrepreneur. She is the founder and artistic director of BAP Productions and the arts and culture center Terra Kulture in Lagos. She has been described by the CNN as the "woman pioneering theater in Nigeria", named one of the most influential women in Africa by Forbes Afrique and been recognised with several awards for her contribution to the arts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terra Kulture</span> Arts and culture organisation

Terra Kulture is an arts and culture center in Lagos, Nigeria with an attached restaurant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomi Odunsi</span> Nigerian actress, singer and songwriter (born 1987)

Tomi Odunsi Fadina is a Nigerian television actress, singer, and songwriter best known for playing "Salewa" in the television series, Tinsel, a popular African soap opera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillipa Soo</span> American actress

Phillipa Anne Soo is an American actress and singer. Known for her leading roles on Broadway primarily in musicals, she has received two Grammy Awards along with nominations for a Tony Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolanle Olukanni</span> Nigerian TV presenter popularly

Bolanle Olukanni is a Nigerian television host, actor, and radio host. She is known for hosting Moments with Mo on DStv and Project Fame West Africa. Olukanni is also the host of the International Women’s Month special on Channels TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omowumi Dada</span> Nigerian actress (born 1989)

Omowunmi Dada is a Nigerian actress, best known for her role as Folake in the M-Net television series Jemeji. She was also cast in the 2017 Yoruba language film Somewhere in the Dark, which won the award for Best Indigenous Film at the 2017 AMVCA Awards, and for which she received a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Yoruba) at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2017. In 2018, Dada played the voice of the titular character in Nigeria's first animation full-length feature film, Sade.

<i>Once Upon a One More Time</i> 2021 jukebox musical

Once Upon a One More Time is a jukebox musical based on songs popularized by Britney Spears. Set in a fantasy storybook realm, the plot follows numerous fairy-tale characters transformed by a feminist awakening.

Dolapo Oni, sometimes referred as Marcy Dolapo Oni is a Nigerian actress, TV presenter, mentor and MC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvina Ibru</span> Nigerian actress and On Air Personality

Elvina Esewvre Ibru is a Nigerian actress and on-air Air Personality. She is the daughter of pioneer industrialist Michael Ibru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saro, the musical</span> Nigerian Broadway-style musical

Saro the Musical is a Nigerian Broadway-style musical showcase produced by Bolanle Austen Peters Production.

James Amuta is a film producer, director, aerial cinematographer and publicist. He is best known for his documentary film "Nightfall in Lagos" which was nominated for the best documentary film in 2018 by the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award.

<i>Man of God</i> (2022 film) Nigerian film

Man of God is a 2022 Nigerian film produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters and starring Akah Nnani, Osas Ighodaro, Dorcas Shola-Fapson, Prince Nelson Enwerem, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, Jude Chukwuka, Olumide Oworu, Mawuli Gavor and many others. Based on the biblical story The Prodigal Son, Man of God was released on Netflix on 16 April 2022 as Bolanle Austen-Peters first Netflix branded film.

Queen Moremi: The Musical is a 2018 Nigerian musical about 12th-century queen Moremi Ajasoro. The show was produced by Bolanle Austern-Peters Productions and the House of Oduduwa. It was directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters and produced by Joseph Umoibum. The show's music was composed by Kehinde Oritinehin.

Nengi Adoki is a Nigerian actress. She is known for her roles in Nollywood films such as Juju Stories and Chatroom, and web series such as The Men's Club. She was named one of the Top Nollywood actors in 2021, and is an activist for women's issues and police brutality in Nigeria.

Wakaa! The Musical is a Nigerian musical written by Tunde Babalola and produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters. The show follows four young adults after they graduate from university.

References

  1. "A'rese WINS Season 1 of The Voice Nigeria - BellaNaija". www.bellanaija.com. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  2. 1 2 Solanke, Abiola. "A'rese - Uwe Uno feat Ladi Poe" . Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  3. "A'rese Emokpae '10 Wins "The Voice Nigeria"". The Columns. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  4. "A'rese Emokpae : Chicago Theater Beat". chicagotheaterbeat.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  5. "Review: The Other Cinderella (Black Ensemble Theatre) : Chicago Theater Beat". chicagotheaterbeat.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  6. Jones, Chris. "At BET, a tuneful show with new names to know". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  7. "Again, Saro 2 To Thrill A Easter" . Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  8. "PHOTOS- Bolanle Austen-Peters Thrills Again with Wakaa The Musical - ASIRI Magazine". ASIRI Magazine. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  9. Bawse, Jay (1 August 2016). "Welcome To Fashion Uncut Media: A'rese WINS Season 1 of The Voice Nigeria". Welcome To Fashion Uncut Media. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  10. "EbonyLife TV on Instagram: "That moment when the sound mixer @taiwo.akiode and @kamhair_ came up with the brilliant idea to hide the wireless Lavalier microphone…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  11. Bada, Gbenga (15 December 2019). "BON Awards 2019: 'Gold Statue', Gabriel Afolayan win big at 11th edition". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
N/A
The Voice Nigeria
Winner

2016
Succeeded by