Amaka, who was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, takes on the role of the Danish prince in the Stratford Festival’s production of Hamlet this season, directed by Peter Pasyk. Amaka is the first Black woman to play Hamlet at Stratford.

The Toronto-based actor was also the recipient of this year’s Harry Jerome Presidents Award. This prestigious award acknowledges Amaka’s significant contributions to, and deep understanding of, Canada’s Black community through innovative and wide-ranging approaches.

Amaka hopes this award “inspires Black artists to press on, contributing the labours of our minds and fruits of our souls to our abundant collective excellence.”

A graduate of the Randolph Academy’s Musical Theatre Performance Program, Amaka also won a Dora Award in 2019 for their work in the Howland Company and Crow’s Theatre production of The Wolves and was awarded a Toronto Theatre Critics’ Association Award. Amaka completed the Stratford Festival Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre, Factory Theatre Mechanicals and Toronto Fringe T.E.N.T. Programs.

Selected credits include Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stratford Festival); Audiobook narration for Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi (ECW Press); 00 in The Wolves (Howland Company/Crow’s); Abigail in A Christmas Carol (Grand Theatre); and Spiker in James and the Giant Peach (Young People’s Theatre).

Be one of the first people to see Amaka’s historic performance of the conflicted Dane on May 14, 2 p.m., the festival’s first preview of Hamlet.

Tickets for the May 14 and 17 performances of Hamlet are on sale for $20. Simply buy your tickets online and enter this promo code: 104820. 

This special pricing is for A reserve, B reserve, C reserve or Bravo zone seats only. Aisle seats will cost $5 more. This offer expires on May 17.

https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/MyAccount/Login?promo=104820