Meet Stogie, a multifaceted creative genius of Jamaican birth and Brooklyn upbringing, boasting a rich heritage of Kenyan ancestry. With a storied career spanning over two decades, Stogie's artistic mastery has been meticulously crafted, yielding a vast and varied body of work that has garnered him widespread acclaim.
Notably, his critically acclaimed touring solo show, "The World is my Home - The Life of Paul Robeson", has earned him a reputation as a masterful performer. This captivating, one-man Broadway-style production has consistently left audiences in a state of awe, mesmerized by Stogie's unparalleled talent.
Stogie's artistic journey began with a meticulous classical foundation, nurtured by the prestigious Afro-American Studio in Harlem, where he refined his craft alongside fellow artists of like mind. This foundational training was subsequently enriched by periods of study at the Henry St. Settlement and Al Fann Theatrical ensemble, a triumvirate of esteemed institutions that collectively provided a comprehensive education in the performing arts.
Stogie's remarkable aptitude for the performing arts was aptly recognized when he emerged as a finalist in the esteemed New York State theater competition, a testament to his outstanding talent. The visionary artistic director, John Houseman, played a crucial role in fostering Stogie's abilities, offering valuable guidance and mentorship that significantly contributed to his artistic growth.
Stogie's academic journey was marked by a significant milestone as he ventured to California State University's esteemed film school, where he distinguished himself as a scholarship athlete, a testament to his remarkable talents and dedication. Simultaneously, he pursued private tutelage under the guidance of the celebrated Ivan Markota at the Van Mar Academy for Television and Film, an institution renowned for its excellence in the realm of acting. Through this comprehensive educational experience, Stogie not only acquired a solid foundation in the technical aspects of filmmaking but also honed his craft, developing a sophisticated understanding of the art of acting, which ultimately positioned him for a lucrative and fulfilling career in the entertainment industry.
Notable for his multifaceted artistic pursuits, Stogie's impressive career trajectory has been characterized by an eclectic blend of creative endeavors, spanning the realms of writing, directing, and acting, as well as a bold and innovative approach to storytelling, which has been skillfully showcased through his extensive and varied body of work in short films, cable commercials, music videos, and television shows.
Stogie has not only demonstrated his remarkable talent and expertise as a filmmaker, but has also left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, showcasing his versatility and range as a performer by appearing in a diverse array of formats, including the ever-popular and emotionally charged world of soap operas, the big screen of Hollywood, and the laughter and wit of sitcoms.
Stogie has had the extraordinary privilege of co-headlining the esteemed USO stand-up comedy tour in Okinawa, a renowned destination, and Tokyo, Japan, a bustling metropolis, showcasing his exceptional talent for entertaining and spreading joy to diverse audiences worldwide.
Notable was the appearance in 2019 of a prominent individual in the international feature film "Joseph", a cinematic masterpiece that brought to life the extraordinary 400-year narrative of the African return, meticulously captured on location in the vibrant city of Kingston, Jamaica, renowned for its pulsating energy and rich cultural heritage, as well as the historic Cape Coast, a place steeped in tradition and significance, and the culturally rich Accra, Ghana, a city that embodies the spirit of its people and the nation's storied past.
Stogie, a multifaceted creative force, has made a profound impact on the world of entertainment, serving as the driving force behind the widely acclaimed one-man show "The World is my Home - The Life of Paul Robeson". This remarkable production has enabled Stogie to showcase his impressive range of talents to a vast and diverse audience, as he has taken to the stage an astonishing 450 times, accompanied by his wife Meechi, who has demonstrated exceptional skill and versatility by simultaneously serving as both his trusted stage manager and highly accomplished sound engineer.
Noted individual, Stogie, has had the unparalleled privilege of displaying his extraordinary talents at prestigious United States embassies and esteemed academic institutions over the course of the past two decades, thereby disseminating his artistic expression globally.
Stogie, a celebrated and accomplished theatrical virtuoso, has garnered far-reaching and widespread recognition by virtue of his outstanding achievement in winning the prestigious NAACP Theater Award for Best Solo Show, thereby propelling his production to the pinnacle of success and elevating it to the top spot as the most popular and widely acclaimed multicultural Pan-African touring show across the United States.
