Chika and I discussed her trajectory from studying a BFA in Acting to forging foundations as an Actor and Writer. More than her extensive career to date, Chika has an incomparable tenacity to create a world she wants to work in and see. One of no BS, support and broadening stereotypes.
“ I wish taking risks, trusting emerging creatives, and equity were all more mainstream in our industry.”
Few Things to note:
In 2018 Chika was the recipient of, BBM Youth Support Award in Drama and Leslie Walford AM Award.
Following year, Chika won ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Sydney Theatre Awards and the inaugural Spark Fund Award.
She kept the streak going by finishing 2020 with ATYP’s Rose Byrne Scholarship for Emerging Female Leader in the Arts and winning Screen Makers Conference Pitch-o-rama with her original series, ’Just Chidi Things’
Thanks to Weare8, a version of this conversation is now on youtube.
Chika, you recently wrapped Heart Break High (Netflix, 2022). Let’s go back to ‘Young Chika’. What did she see that inspired her to pursue acting ?
I’ve loved performing since I was really young - I was always the (annoying-ass) class clown at school and the kid that would put on performances for visiting family friends at home.
The thing that made me want to pursue acting as a career was a Disney Channel show called ‘That’s So Raven . I’d laugh so hard watching the show, but was also incredibly moved by episodes that would touch subjects like racism and body image. As a kid, I was amazed at how much the show affected me when I wasn’t even in the same room with the people on my screen. Magic! I was like ‘Yep, I wanna do that!’ To move people and make them laugh. All day, every friggin day!
Now to fast forward into your BFA in Acting.
How did you navigate trusting your voice within the walls of a drama school?
Drama school was a simultaneously weird and wonderful place. Weird in the sense that differences weren’t really celebrated or understood, so you can imagine navigating that space as a Nigerian born, Australian raised Black woman was tricky. Wonderful in the sense that many of my class mates were my greatest allies.
There were a number of historically excluded people in my year who just got it. I had many moments where I was able to trust my voice because of those incredible people and the people in the wider African community who cheered me on from the sidelines.
We graduated in the wake of #OscarsSoWhite when ‘Black Panther’ made cinematic history as did ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. In music, Childish Gambino’s poignant ‘This is America’ went viral and Beyoncé Slayed Coachella. The ‘Time’s Up’ Movement hit the Golden Globes where Oprah addressed this visceral zeitgeist in, well, full ‘O‘ mode...
Were your qualifications and career goals actually met with the level of equity in opportunities all this commentary spoke of ?
No, lmao. The Australian entertainment industry was very white and exclusive when I graduated. For the most part it still is. It’s definitely working towards being more inclusive and equitable, but we’re still not there yet.
In saying all of this, there are some exceptional people working in the industry who actively, and continuously champion historically excluded folk.
One of these people was Jess Arthur, who cast me in my first professional job post drama school ‘The Wolves’ and been a constant source of support since. We need more Jess Arthurs! Shoutout to all the people who give their time, knowledge and resources to help lift others. These are the real G’s!
Here, Here!
What’s something you wish was ‘mainstream’ in our industry?
I wish taking risks, trusting emerging creatives, and equity were all more mainstream in our industry. These are really the only ways to create exciting stories that engage new audiences, and stories that actually represent the everyday Australia we live in.
Our industry tends to be very risk averse, which is why we get the same stories told by the same people. I also wish it was more mainstream to talk about colourism and its effect on our industry. Colourism feels like that cute little thing no one wants to discuss because we’re still dealing with some cute little thing called racism. Anyway, one step at a time right?
Risk adverse is no understatement. According to Screen Australia’s ‘Seeing Our Selves ‘ report from 2016:
The needle has shifted since then, and we’re on par, if not ahead, in quality of productions coming out of Australia (for far less of a budget!), yet we still fall short on representation. Our global competitors prove diverse characters and narratives engage a broader audience and are subsequently more profitable.
How did you decide to combat these odds and create space to work in the industry?
“I decided to stop waiting and start writing!” - Chika Ikogwe
I had jot down ideas for shows in my final year of drama school, but had only partially written them. Towards the end of my final year, my friend Christopher Edwards put my name forward to co-write a play called ‘The House At Boundary Road Liverpool’ with three other writers. This my first, public show ever and I was nervous as hell! ACTUALLY sharing work I’ve written with strangers?! Love that for me, but could also throw up?
Anyway, it all worked out pretty well. I attended one of the shows and the audience was 95% Black, laughing at jokes about garri and understanding all the Pidgin English. That made me really happy and solidified the fact that Black people will show up when they see themselves and their stories being told.
Do you think typecasting still exists? How have you challenged or embraced it?
I see slight change but it also all still seems the same? At the end of the day people are going to cast who they want to cast and that’s totally out of my control, so I try not to stress over that anymore.
I want to be able to play every kind of role. Of course my preference would be to play well rounded and nuanced Black characters where my identity is considered from the beginning of the creative process, but we live in Australia and they don’t come often, so I either write those roles myself or try to embed cultural specificity in roles I get cast in whenever I can.
Bringing all of Chika to auditions & the roles I get cast in is my way of challenging typecasting, I guess? What I do know is that I love the quote by Luvvie Ajayi Jones. Being yourself and bringing yourself to all that you do is revolutionary. So let’s… be revolutionary?
“In a world that wants us to walk around being representatives of ourselves being yourself can be a revolutionary act. And in a world that wants us to whisper, I choose to yell.”~Luvvie Ajayi-JonesWhat is it that makes theatre exciting to you and gets you back on that stage?
Funny , intelligent, heartbreaking, layered, witty characters and stories with something to say!
You get the call you’re going to be in the Original musical, Fangirls, tell us about touring on that show ?
This was such an exciting time! I initially auditioned for the character Brianna in Fangirls, but then I got cast as Jules! I was nervous, gassy, but super keen to explore Jules and find the similarities between us to make her feel real and authentic to me.
I didn’t really ever think the musical theatre space had a place for me because all the roles for women are sung ridiculously high, and everyone had to be able to dance really well - two things I’m working on. *nervously laughs*
The Fangirls team were super supportive and I’m grateful they put their faith in me to bring Jules to life. Touring Fangirls was some of the most fun I’ve had working on a show. The show was a blast and the people were the absolute best, best, best. Seeing so many POC in the audience also made my heart very happy!
Then, you receive the 2020 Rose Byrne scholarship for emerging female artists. What has this enabled you to do?
This scholarship allowed me to purchase tickets to theatre shows and give them out to people who wouldn’t normally be able to afford to go to the theatre. I used to do this prior to receiving the scholarship, but it wasn’t going to be sustainable long term unless I won the lottery or something! I’ve also been able to continue to mentor young black people, which is something I’m also incredibly passionate about.
What has the experience of debuting as ‘Mikki’ a.k.a ‘Dr.M’ on ‘Mikki vs The World’ (ABC) been like for you ?
The entire experience just made me realise it’s all possible and sometimes it’s only a phone call away! It’s an incredible privilege to be the role model I lacked when I was growing up. I’ve had kids recognise me out in public and have been sent lovely feedback from people who watch the show.
I’d love to see more of this in the future - Black women in great lead roles so it becomes more of a norm rather than a rarity.
Looking forward at the works you’re currently developing, do you see a common thread in worlds you want to create for our stages and screens?
I simply want to see Black people on stage and screen. I want to see dark skinned people on stage and screen. I want to see Black stories on stage and screen that are funny, silly, and a little bit whacky!
Our stuff doesn’t always have to be deep and tear jerking, let us tell ludicrous stories too! All the trauma made us funny, I swear! In saying this, I also want to see Black stories that are heartbreaking, moving and healing. Let us have the full range!
I’m personally writing what I wish I’d seen growing up. She’s feeding her inner child and that inner child is starving!
What is it you’re working toward? How are you staying afloat along the way ?
I want to bring and be part of authentic Afrocentric stories domestically and internationally.
I am blessed to be surrounded by some pretty incredible people. I’m still friends with many of the people that I met at drama school. They are endlessly inspiring and encouraging in what can be a very fickle industry. My family have also been incredibly grounding. I’ve met a bunch of awesome people along my journey who are an endless source of inspiration, knowledge and support. Too many to name!
I’m currently taking steps towards my goal so I know it’ll all happen, it’s just a matter of time baby!
That’s The Wrap On… Chika Ikogwe!
September 14 can stream CHIKA as Jojo in Heart Break High . Keep up with Chika via Instagram: @chikathat and for all work enquiries contact her Acting or Writing rep.
Chika Recommends:
• I saw… Leah Purcell’s film, The Drover’s Wife which was incredibly moving and inspiring.
• Most recently finished… Quinta Brunson’s Abbott Elementary and it’s my absolute favourite!
• Cannot wait to see… Nope and Wakanda Forever