- Winner of the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre
- Winner of the Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright
This London hit makes its U.S. Premiere in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab! Whether or not sleepover parties with friends were part of your upbringing, you’re invited to join Elle, Shan, Funmi, and Rey at theirs. These four Black British teenagers are growing up fast, each coping with unique challenges. But even these issues – whether living with sickle cell disease, coming out to family, a crisis of faith, or a romantic misadventure, are confronted with humor, sincerity, and optimism. Most of all, Sleepova is a testament to the joys of friendship, centering a quartet of young women finding strength in each other, as they face the world together.
“All the clumsiness and wide-eyed excitability of the best coming-of-age dramas… an exhilarating tableau of imperfect young friendship and you leave wanting an invite to their next party.” – The Guardian
“I know a good time when I see one, and Sleepova surely is that.” - Time Out London
“You can’t help but fall in love with this joyous, exuberant show” - The Evening Standard
By Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini
Directed by Paige Hernandez
Sleepova was commissioned by and premiered at the Bush Theatre in London, Artistic Director Lynette Linton
Due to the layout of the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, late seating is at the discretion of the House Manager. Those exiting the theatre during the performance will not be re-admitted while the performance is in progress.
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Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini
Playwright
MATILDA FEYIṢAYỌ IBINI is a multi-award-winning, bionic playwright, author and filmmaker of Nigerian heritage from London. Matilda was selected as a Star of Tomorrow 2020 by Screen Daily Magazine; a feature film screenplay they co-wrote with Gabriel-Bisset Smith was selected as part of The Brit List 2020; they were an Arts Foundation Futures Award 2021 Finalist; a BFI Flare x BAFTA 2023 mentee; and Inevitable Foundation x Loreen Arbus Elevate Collective Award Grantee 2024. As a playwright, Matilda’s debut play Muscovado premiered in October 2014 and subsequently won the Alfred Fagon Audience Award 2015. They have written audio dramas for BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4 and Audible. Matilda’s next play Little Miss Burden premiered at the Bunker Theatre in 2019 and won a Popcorn Finalist Award 2020. Their last play Sleepova premiered at the Bush Theatre in 2023; won the 2024 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre and Most Promising Playwright Award at 2023 Critics' Circle Theatre Awards.
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TYMETRIAS L. BOLDEN
Funmi
TYMETRIAS L. BOLDEN (she/her) (Funmi) is thrilled to make her debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. DC AREA: Studio Theatre: Fat Ham (U/S OPAL) [Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble] and The Colored Museum (U/S Woman 1, Miss Pat); Shakespeare Theatre Company: Death and The King’s Horseman (Jane Pilkings), Inherit the Wind (Mrs. Krebs, Stage Directions). FILM: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Rustin. SHORT FILM: Permanence, Envision Us On Fire, Film School, The Chase. EDUCATION: BFA in Theatre Arts Acting from Howard University College of Fine Arts, Yale School of Drama, and British American Drama Academy Midsummer in Oxford program. Instagram: @tymetriaslbolden Website: tymetriaslbolden.com
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CIARA HARGROVE
Elle
CIARA HARGROVE (Elle) is ecstatic to be back at the OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Previous Olney credits include: Long Way Down (Swing). REGIONAL: Arizona Broadway Theatre: Hello, Dolly! (u/s Minnie Fae and Ermengarde, Ens.), Beauty & the Beast (Ensemble); Theatre by the Sea: 42nd Street (Ethel), The Sound of Music (u/s Sister Berthe, Ens.); American Girl Live!: In Concert (Claudie & Melody StandBy); Goodspeed New Works Festival: Little Miss Perfect (Bri Morrison), Photosynthesis (Bernadette). EDUCATION: BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Hartford - The Hartt School. Immense amount of love to my Mom, Family, Friends, and Mentors. #hartthasit Instagram: @theciarahargrove
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NYKILA NORMAN
Rey
NYKILA NORMAN (Rey) is thrilled to bring her talents to the stage at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER for the first time! OFF-WEST END: Kunstler. BROADWAY NATIONAL TOUR: 1776. NYC: iSaratoga Theatre: Kunstler (Kerry), Village Light Opera: Ragtime, Essence of Acting: @MCNY Greenwood (Solene), Unentitled (Vicki) REGIONAL: Centrestage: The Color Purple (Squeak), Magnetic Theatre: Bach, Bach, Bach (Maria), William Carey University: A Raisin in the Sun (Beneatha/Ruth), Fences (Rose). TV/FILM/VR: Marina, Accenture AVEnues, Rachael Ray Show, Keep It To Myself EDUCATION: B.S. in Speech Communication from William Carey University. Nykila loves music, trying new foods, and spending time with her family. IG: @nykilanorman TikTok: @nykilanorman
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JASMINE PROCTOR
Shan
JASMINE PROCTOR (Shan) is SO excited to be making her OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut. She would like to thank her family and friends for all of their constant love and support. #HELLIANTHUS Credits include: The Moors ( Emilie), A Commedia Romeo & Juliet ( Juliet), Love Like Tuesday ( Maya/Juniper/Nancy), Macbeth ( Ross), New Kid ( Mench), Once on This Island ( US Asaka), Astroboy & the God of Comics ( Ensemble)
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LEILANI CLENDENIN
Understudy
LEILANI CLENDENIN (u/s Funmi and Rey) is excited to be making her OLNEY THEATER CENTER debut! Previous credits include: DC AREA: The Kennedy Center: The Day You Begin (u/s Angelina); Show Way National Tour (Mama). COLLEGIATE: Little Women the Musical (Jo March); Flyin’ West (Minnie Dove Charles) EDUCATION: BA in Theater and a BM in Voice (opera) from University of Maryland College Park. Instagram: @leilani_sings
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COURTNEY SIMMONS
Understudy
COURTNEY SIMMONS (u/s Elle and Shan) is so excited to make her OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut! BALTIMORE AREA CREDITS: ArtsCentric: For Colored Girls (The Lady in Yellow). Iron Crow Theatre: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Pritti). EDUCATION: B.A. from University of Maryland’s School of Theatre Dance and Performance Studies. COLLEGIATE CREDITS: The Book Club Play (Lily), Stickfly (u/s Cheryl), and Fixed: A Dance Drama (Pusherman). Our Lady of Kibeho (Marie Claire). She has also performed her poetry at Baltimore Center Stage and at the DC Fringe Festival. Instagram: @from.court
Watch: Playwright Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini accept the Olivier Award
Community Events
Black in America and Britain: Immigrant Narratives from the African Diaspora
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Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Location: Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab
$10 / Free for membersSleepova written by Nigerian British playwright Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini centers the story of four British girls originating from different African diaspora. In this thought-provoking panel, we will explore the complexities of identity, belonging, and race through the lens of the Black immigrant experience in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Drawing comparisons between these two countries, the conversation will unpack the distinct challenges faced by African immigrants to the U.S. and Black immigrants to the UK, and how these intersect with the experiences of native-born African Americans and British-born Black people. Join us for a conversation moderated by Dean Stephanie Shonekan that not only deepens our understanding of the play’s themes but also fosters a greater appreciation for the diversity within the global Black experience.
Moderator: Suzan Jenkins
Speakers: Dean Stephanie Shonekan, Bola Audena, Rochelle Rice, and Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando
Story Time at Olney Library
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Story Reader Kike Ayodeji
Date: Sunday, March 30, 2024, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Olney Public Library (3500 Olney Laytonsville Rd, Olney, MD 20832)
No RSVP. Just show up!As part of our celebration of Sleepova, we’re sponsoring a morning of stories at the Olney Public Library. This is a free family event appropriate for all ages, especially toddlers, preschoolers, and young children. Books to be read are chosen with the help of the Olney librarian.
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