P R E S S
Malika Oyetimein Appointed Merrimack Rep’s Artist-in-Residence | American Theatre
“Malika is one of the most exciting and dynamic directors working in the American theatre,” said artistic director Courtney Sale in a statement. “Malika crafts richly kinesthetic experiences onstage and tightly woven ensembles. Her rehearsal room radiates joy. Her candor calls us all to our best selves. We are thrilled she is joining MRT in this new role.” (READ MORE)
Theatremaker Malika Oyetimein on directing BU artists & designing her own path | Boston University College of Fine Arts
“The newly minted School of Theatre lecturer co-adapted and directed Maya Angelou’s famous book for the stage almost immediately after graduating with an MFA from the University of Washington’s School of Drama. And Oyetimein says it changed her life. “It just solidified the type of work that I meant to do, you know? And it gave me my writer’s voice back when I started writing again. It showcased my life. It was beautiful,” Oyetimein said.” (READ MORE)
“It Is Just You in a Bed, Not Able to Speak” with Malika Oyetimein | Under This Light Podcast Series
“You are listening to Under This Light, A Revelation of Shakespeare and Self brought to by Seattle Shakespeare Company. I am your host Lamar Legend. And today we have Malika. Oyetimein. She is a disabled artist. She is a writer, a director, and all around fabulous human being who received her MFA from the University of Washington School of Drama. She was featured in Seattle City Arts magazine’s, future list.” (LISTEN NOW)
FEATURE: Manifest Your Destiny | CityArts Magazine
“From the edge of a seat in the house, Oyetimein calls hold, so softly it seems her voice must vibrate at a special frequency to account for the speed with which everyone stops in response. Such unassuming strength is hard-won. "To our deficit, it’s often assumed that being strong, assertive and direct is magically easy for Black women,” she says. “It’s not. We’re all women. We all are raised to be quiet or demure or we’re all silenced, and then we all have to find our voices. For me and other Black women, usually our strength comes out of some sort of tragedy or oppression. I can track the growth of my voice, and I feel like the markers where my voice has gotten steadier, firmer, clearer and more direct have come from having to fight for what I needed.” (READ MORE)
Black, female and making theater. And she's damn good at it | Crosscut
“A college campus building. A late summer evening so a soft light fills the space: a rehearsal studio. There’s a bed, bookcase, a bench. A charismatic Black woman holds court at the front of the room. What does the act of imagination look like? Malika Oyetimein — blue toenails, bright pink Tinkerbell T-shirt, a few dreadlocks adorned with gold ribbon — sitting on the edge of a table, leaning forward to take in actors rehearsing a scene. She takes a quick sip of a Starbucks iced tea before working the sidelines, NBA-coach style, one corner to the next, scrutinizing the action on the makeshift stage.” (READ MORE)