Meet Sydney

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photo by Joe Mazza

“…necessary lesson in history and humanity laced with sugar to others. The cast, a blend of Chicago stalwarts like the always-outstanding Sydney Charles…”

Brien Hieggelke - NEW CITY CHICAGO

“…played by Sydney Charles, who endows this largely quiet, patience-worn feminine spirit with a finely honed stubborn streak. […]she delivers patent-worthy silent glares…”

Nancy malitz - chicago sun-times

“Charles, who plays the much bigger role of Shug Avery in the rising director Lili-Anne Brown’s new production, is one of the experienced anchors in what mostly is a young cast at the Drury Lane Theatre. Charles, centered and complex as ever…”

- Chris Jones on ‘The Color Purple’

“Charles… is remarkably well cast in director Kenneth L. Roberson’s production. She doesn’t, as would some, have Ronnie Scott’s veneer to shake off. On the contrary. She is naturally intimidating and goes right to where Simone would have been in that moment. “

- Chris Jones on ‘Nina Simone: Four Women’

“Sydney Charles is an incredible talent… She projects an incredible vocal range and delivers every song with perfection. “

- PerformInk on ‘The Wiz’

“Charles almost stole the show with her portrayal of Tillie. She was amazingly funny with her spot on performance . “

- Chicago Now on ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’

photo by Joel Maisonet

Bio

Sydney Charles is an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist hailing from Chicago, IL who committed her life to the performing arts after years as a banker and operations coordinator and she is deeply grateful for the opportunity to create art.

Selected theatre credits include: The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Mia Martha Washington (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), Cullud Wattah (Victory Gardens Theater), Gem of the Ocean (Goodman Theatre), Her Honor Jane Byrne (Lookingglass Theatre), Duchess! Duchess! Duchess! (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), I Hate It Here (Studio Theatre - DC), Wally World (Steppenwolf Theatre), The Color Purple (Drury Lane Theatre), Lottery Day (Goodman Theatre), Nina Simone: Four Women (Northlight Theatre), Flyin' West (American Blues Theatre), Father Comes Home From the Wars (Goodman Theatre), Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Court Theatre), An Octoroon (Definition Theatre Company), Dorothy in The Wiz (Kokandy Productions), Zora in the world premiere of PROWESS (Jackalope Theatre), and the title role in Dessa Rose (Bailiwick Chicago).

In 2020, she had the honor of serving as dramaturg and assistant director for Bug at Steppenwolf with David Cromer at the helm. Her directing debut was with Wildclaw Theatre with their yearly Deathscribe Festival of Horror Plays, and she has served as Associate Director for the World Premiere of His Shadow at 16th Street Theatre and The Shipment at Red Tape Theatre.

Sydney can also be seen in episodes of South Side (HBOMax), The Chi, Shameless (Showtime), The Haven (web series), and critically-acclaimed show The T (web series). She is also particularly proud to be an artistic associate with Firebrand Theater--the recently formed feminist musical theater company.

When not on stage or in front of the camera, Sydney’s voice can be heard on your television and radio, serving a range clients from Xfinity Comcast to McDonald’s.

She also is a co-creator, actor, and writer on the audio drama “Lake Song”, which was an Official Selection of Tribeca Audio Premieres.

She is the recipient of 3Arts "Make a Wave" award, two-time NewCity "50 Players of the Year," for Chicago theatre, BTAA recipient for Best Actress in a Musical, Chicago Reader "Best Stage Performer" runner up, and four-time Jeff award-nominated actress.

Sydney has served in a Non-Councilor position on the Central Regional Board of the Actors’ Equity Association and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Sydney is grateful for every part of her journey and for her circle supporting her every step of the way. Represented by Stewart Talent.

“There’s nothing like performing. It’s not about the attention for me; it’s about being fulfilled. “

photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis

Credits

Stage

The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington - ‘Priscilla’

steppenwolf theatre company

Cullud Wattah - ‘Ainee’

VICTORY GARDENS THEATER

Gem of the Ocean - ‘Black Mary’

Goodman Theatre

Her Honor Jane Byrne - ‘Marion Stamps’

Lookingglass theatre company

I Hate it Here - ‘Ashawna/Ms. Marcy/Tanya’

goodman theatre

Duchess! Duchess! Duchess! - ‘Duchess’

Steppenwolf Theatre company

I Hate It Here - ‘Ensemble’

STudio theatre

Wally World - ‘Ariadna’

steppenwolf theatre company

The Color Purple - ‘Shug Avery’

Drury lane theatre

Lottery Day - ‘Zora’

Goodman Theatre

Nina Simone: Four Women - ‘Nina Simone’

Northlight Theatre

Flyin’ West - ‘Fannie Dove’

American Blues Theatre

Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2,& 3) - ‘Second’

Goodman Theatre

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner - ‘Matilda “Tillie” Binks’

Court Theatre

Insurrection: Holding History - ‘Mistress Mo’tel’/’Gertha’

Stage Left Theatre

A Swell in the Ground - ‘Olivia’

The Gift Theatre Company

An Octoroon - ‘Minnie’

Definition Theatre Company

Spamilton - ‘Renee’

Royal George

The Wiz - ‘Dorothy’

Kokandy Productions

The Snowy Day - ‘Mom’/Female Player

Emerald City Theatre

Octagon - ‘The Watcher Named Pen’

Jackalope Theatre

The Fly Honey Show - Company Member

The Inconvenience

Prowess - ‘Zora’

Jackalope Theatre

Myths and Hymns - Woman 2

BoHo Ensemble Theater

Ragtime - ‘Sarah’

Big Noise Theater

Dessa Rose - ‘Dessa Rose’

Bailiwick Chicago

Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money - ‘Lynetta’ (US)

Chicago Children’s Theater s

The Color Purple - ‘Darlene/Ensemble’

Mercury Theater

Smokey Joe’s Café - ‘Brenda’

Theo-Ubique Cabaret Theater

Cats - ‘Grizabella’

Theo-Ubique Cabaret Theater

Readings/Workshops

The Devil Wears Prada - ‘Ms. Mills/Ensemble’

Broadway nyc

Greetings From Moscow - ‘Masha Chekova’

Timeline Theatre Company

Jackson State Kent State - ‘Myrtle Green’

Timeline Theatre Company

Purlie Victorious - ‘Lutiebelle’

Broadway NYC

Wade - ‘Frankie’

Goodman Theatre

Florissant and Canfield - ‘Rubix’

Goodman Theatre

Girls in Cars Underwater. - ‘Bree’

Victory Gardens

Film/TV

The Chi - Maisha’s Mom

Showtime - nancy mejia

South Side - Mrs. Fontineaux

hbomax/Comedy Central - michael blieden

The Chi - ‘Retha’ (Maisha’s Mom)

SHOWTIME / SAM BAILEY

The Right Swipe - ‘Chynna’

OpenTV/ Independent / Justin Casselle

The T - ‘Becca’

OpenTV/ Independent / Bea Cordelia Sullivan-Knoff

Shameless - ‘Grace ‘

Showtime / Emmy Rossum

Did It Before - ‘Sydney’

Independent / Mamadou Sewa Bah

The Haven - ‘Fae’

Independent / Layne Marie Williams

Empire - Featured Vocalist

FOX / Debbie Allen

Commercials

Academy Sports & Outdoors - ‘Mom’

One at Optimus / Tim Mason

WBEZ Radio

Mercury Theatre - Radio Commercial

Clear Channel Communications

Director

The Whisperer’s Apprentice - Director

sideshow theatre

Bug - Dramaturg/Assistant Director

Steppenwolf theatre Company

His Shadow - Associate Director

16th Street Theatre

The Shipment - Associate Director

Red Tape Theare

Loaners - Director

Wildclaw Theatre

The Wiz - ‘Assistant Director’

Chicago State University

Awards

3Arts Make a Wave Award Recipient

3Arts

2020 Players 50 Theater/Music/Dance/Comedy

Newcity stage

Best Supporting Performer - Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Joseph Jefferson Award Nomination

2018 Players 50 Theater/Music/Dance/Comedy

NewCity Stage

Leading Performance in a Musical – The Wiz

Time Out Chicago Theater Award Recipient

Best Actress in a Musical – The Wiz

Black Theatre Alliance Award

Best Actor in a Musical – The Wiz

The Hawk Chicago Award Recipient

Best Actress in a Musical – The Wiz