“…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’
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. “
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
Voice-Over
Lake Song - Audio Drama Podcast
Make-Believe Association
McDonald’s - Radio Commercial
Burrell Communications
Walmart - Radio Commercial
BURrell communicAitons
Boeing - TV
FCB - CHicago
McDonald’s - Radio Commercial
Burrell Communications
McDonald’s - Radio Commercial
Burrell Communications
State of Illinois - Radio Commercial
Carol H. Williams - Oakland
Tyson Foods Internet - Radio Commercial
Ogilvy & Mather - Chicago
McDonald’s - Radio Commerical
Burrell Communications
Dixie Paper Products - Industrial
Leo Burnett
McDonald’s - Radio Commerical
Burrell Communications
McDonald’s - Radio Commercial
Burrell Communications
Xfinity Comcast - Radio Commercial
Burrell Communications
Bruh Rabbit - Podcast
Make Believe Association
PleasureTown - Podcast
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