Victor Chimezie is a Nigerian actor who hopes to make it big in Hollywood. At long last, his agent lands him a part in a major studio production—an action film that promises to be a blockbuster. The catch, however, is that the project is premised on an all too familiar notion—namely, that Africa is nothing but a war zone, a place where child soldiers run amok. The ambitious Victor has convictions: he had vowed never to appear in such a film, but the opportunity, odious as it is, will mean good money, and it may lead to other, better projects.

The actor’s dilemma forms the core of Africa Ukoh’s remarkable play 54 Silhouettes, which offers a stinging critique of Hollywood’s penchant for pigeonholing Africa and Africans. Writer-director Ukoh recently transformed 54 Silhouettes into a one-man show—a vehicle for rising Nollywood star Charles Etubiebi, who performs all the parts. “The title,” in Ukoh’s words, “alludes to the perception of a culturally diverse people as a homogenous block—54 being the number of officially recognized African countries at the time the play was created (it was actually 53 while I was writing it because the Sudan referendum was in process).”

The play will have its New York premiere on November 20th, 2019, at the prestigious United Solo, the world’s largest solo theater festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

“The play seeks to confront issues of African identity and representation in global media,” Ukoh told me. “It seeks to grapple with the complexities of the portrayal of Africans and ask questions about creative responsibility.” 54 Silhouettes suggests a sort of love letter to Nigeria—to the country’s cultural and linguistic dynamism. “A big part of my writing style was influenced by the sharp-tongued and delightfully raucous nature of Nigerian conversations—particularly from my secondary school experience in Jos, Plateau State—and 54 Silhouettes was the first work where I finally got a good technical handle on how to translate that into dramatic form,” Ukoh said.

“I’m always looking to tell stories that are uniquely Nigerian/African yet connect with global audiences,” he added. “There’s a uniqueness of perspective, of style, of aesthetic, of form, that is tapped into when the story isn’t just about Africa but from Africa. There’s also a remarkable range to African storytelling because of the multiplicity of cultural influences we have engaged with.”

In Etubiebi, Ukoh has found a performer ideally suited to the task of shattering stereotyped notions of Nigeria and Nigerians. Born in Kano but raised in Jos, Etubiebi attended the University of Jos, and spent time at the National Film Institute where he crossed paths with a number of other rising stars and future collaborators, from directors to scriptwriters to fellow actors. He and Ukoh, a trusted artistic partner, were ships passing in the night during their time in the National Youth Service: by a curious twist of fate, both ended up serving in the same Nigerian state, though on successive years.

While still a student, Etubiebi maintained a steady work schedule, appearing on both stage and screen. Even before beginning his university studies, Etubiebi was asked to appear in a film that, while never released, was a useful learning experience for the young actor, who, growing up in Jos, had always aspired to earn a living as a performer. His uncle owned a video store in the city, and Etubiebi would often rent the latest Hollywood hits. (“Sweet, sweet VHS!” he recalls with infectious nostalgia.) The uncle also made his own movies, which often starred members of his own family, with one conspicuous exception: Charles Etubiebi, who, due to various quirks of scheduling, was never available for these family-centered shoots, but who has more than made up for it with a thriving career in the movies, on television, and on the stage.

After relocating to Lagos, Etubiebi became co-director of Theatre Emissary International, a Nigerian organization that not only produces plays, but also seeks to connect aspiring performers and playwrights with opportunities both at home and abroad, all while working to advance the cause of theater education.

I spoke with Charles Etubiebi as the actor prepared for his New York debut.