Martin
Sophia, age 31, is an aspiring film director, playwright and actor
from the East African nation of Kenya. So when he came to the U.S.,
one might think he’d land in Los Angeles or New York; or, if he
came to St. Louis, that his entry would be through a scholarship
program at a university.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>But in fact, Sophia is a Kenyan who transplanted himself directly to St. Louis as an immigrant and is supporting himself through a mosaic of assorted jobs while taking acting roles and working hard to produce his first play here.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“I work about 100 hours a week sometimes. I work for Scholastic Book Fair about 55 hours a week, then I drive a cab on the weekend, do personal training midweek and maybe give a massage,” he said.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Hard work is anything but new for this young man.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“I was raised by a single parent and I accredit everything I know to her, especially in being a gentleman and taking care of myself,” he said.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“I was an adult at the tender age of 9. I cooked for my two sisters, went grocery shopping and pretty much raised them. I was the man of the house, something my mom made very clear to me and I thank her to this day for that.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>He grew up in Kenya working hard out of necessity. Now in St. Louis, he works hard to pursue his dream of being a producing playwright and director. He said, “If I didn’t work hard, I wouldn’t have the means say to produce this play.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>The play is Up and Running!, written by Derek Benfield, a British author. Sophia will produce and direct it
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>September 16-18 at the Shrewsbury Civic Center “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“This was the first play I did when in Kenya under my own production, so I thought of having a little déjà vu,” Sophia said. “It is a very funny comedy.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>He is finding the challenges of producing his own play independently in St. Louis – as an immigrant with no university or organizational support – to be “endless.” It was a challenge getting actors to commit to the rehearsals with an unknown, independent director and is a challenge developing an audience.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“Getting an audience has been the biggest challenge!” he said. “I was prepared for that, though, because I am not known here and hence my ticket sales have just been from a word of mouth.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>One aspect of this is familiar from Kenya.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>He said, “I have realized most people here in St. Louis don’t want to pay for theater. I had a similar issue when I was back home, though.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>In general, he said, adapting to St. Louis has not been so difficult.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“I think I had an easier time adjusting to the culture than some of my friends from Kenya,” he said. “To some, it was a bit of a struggle.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>American food, however, remains something of a struggle for him.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“My challenge at first was the food. A hot dog from here tastes totally different than one from Kenya,” he said.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>If his challenges in adjusting sound trivial, he would agree. Overall, he gives St. Louis and the U.S. a resounding endorsement.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“The American Dream is what every country in the world envies, especially Third World countries, so I came here to live the dream since I have better opportunities here,” he said.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“I love America; She has been good to me; I have lived actually a fantasy life.”
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>That fantasy life will be led here, not on either coast.
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“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>He said, “There was a time I wanted to move to L.A., but I chose to make it happen here.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> Martin Sophia will produce and direct “font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”> Up and Running! “font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> September 16-18 at the Shrewsbury Civic Center. Shows are 6:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Advance tickets are $15 (call 314-757-4527) or $20 at the door.
