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Tony Award nominee and star of ABC’s new “The Wonder Years,” Dr. Saycon Sengbloh ’00x, shares the story of her successful career in the entertainment industry, appearing on film, tv shows, and numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway Productions and some of the challenges she's faced along the way and how she persevered. Saycon is truly inspiring and is making her mark on the world.
Show Notes
Dr. Saycon Senglboh '00x is a tony award-nominated and award-winning actress with a gift for dramatic storytelling and soaring vocal prowess. An Atlanta native of Liberian descent, she is passionate about the power of education, as evidenced by her service on the board of the Monrovia Football Academy, the first school in Liberia to combine formal education with the development of careers in professional soccer. Saycon currently stars in ABC's reboot of "The Wonder Years" as Lillian Williams, and she has also played the role of FBI agent Angela Webster in ABC's "Scandal" and Erma Franklin in "Respect." Appearing in nearly a dozen Broadway productions, she starred opposite Lupita Nyong'o in the production "Eclipsed" in 2016, earning a major award from the Drama Desk and a Tony nomination for her performance. She also holds the distinction of being the first Black woman to perform the role of Elphaba in the internationally renowned Broadway musical "Wicked."
Saycon has a determined spirit and has taken many strides to achieve a successful career in the entertainment industry, and she is just getting started! This is her story.
Saycon has a determined spirit and has taken many strides to achieve a successful career in the entertainment industry, and she is just getting started! This is her story.
Creators & Guests
What is Journeys to Leadership?
Journeys to Leadership assembles the collective wisdom of local, national, and international women leaders representing a cross-section of industries and organizations that drive our world. From career trajectory and turning points to game-changing wins, the Journeys to Leadership podcast will enlighten and inspire emerging and seasoned leaders through authentic and engaging stories that will enrich their own leadership journeys.
This podcast is produced by Agnes Scott Alumna, Sydni Michelle Perry '21.
Saycon Sengbloh: [00:00:00] Any field that you may have a focus on or desire to, to, to work in or, you know, make as your career life goal. Be sure to have something else that brings you joy, something else that, um, that you have a part in creating for yourself.
President Zak: Hello and welcome to Agnes Scott College's podcast, Journeys to Leadership, where we explore the paths of inspiring women leaders from around the.
I'm Leo Katie, Zach, President of Agnes Scott, and the host of this podcast. I hope that our guest stories not only encourage you, our listeners and leaders of today and tomorrow, but they also inspire you as you take the next steps in your own journey.
Today's guest is a Tony Award nominated an award-winning actress with a gift for dramatic storytelling and soaring vocal pros. [00:01:00] She is an Atlanta native, known for her incredible breath and versatility, and has had numerous projects showcasing her talent on the stage and television and in. She currently stars in the ABC reboot of the classic 1980s family comedy, The Wonder Years as Lilian Williams, the sharp and confident mother to the young protagonist Dean.
She was also recently seen as Irma Franklin, sister of Reha Franklin, and the biopic Respect. Secon has appeared in numerous shows on network television, including Delilah on the own network. The CW series in the Dark, and she reoccurred as the FBI director Angela Webster, an ABC's Drama scandal. Having started her career on stage, Simla has since appeared in nearly a dozen Broadway productions.
She started opposite Lapita Nigo and Eclipsed Earning Simla, a drama desk award [00:02:00] for outstanding featured actress in a play, an OB award, an A Tony Award nomination for her performance. She holds the distinction of being the first black woman to perform the role of Alba in Wicked on Broadway. Simba continues to use her platform and talents to raise awareness for causes and organizations that support the growth of Liberia.
She serves on the board of the Monrovia Football Academy, the first school in Liberia, to combine formal education with the development of careers and professional soccer. Her determination and dedication to her craft have led her down a successful road throughout her career. On screen and on the stage.
Our guest is a powerhouse leader in the entertainment industry, and she is just getting started. Please join me in welcoming Secon. Same.
Saycon Sengbloh: Thank you so much for having me. I am [00:03:00] absolutely delighted to be here. I'm so happy it worked out. ,
President Zak: we are too. Well, as you know, our show, uh, is about leadership. That doesn't just happen.
It's a journey. During our time together today, we want to explore your journey, the ups, the downs, the surprises, all of it. Well, at least as much as we can fit into the segment. So let's start at the beginning. Where did you grow up and what was that like?
Saycon Sengbloh: Yes. Um, I am a Georgia girl. Um, I grew. Here in Georgia, I was born in Atlanta.
I grew up in, I guess it was unincorporated College Park at the time. Now it's the city of South Fulton. And, um, I had a, a great childhood. My mom's American, my dad, uh, was from West Africa. And um, I always enjoyed music and culture growing up.
President Zak: So that's explains a little bit of the entertainment. Did you know you wanted to be an entertain.[00:04:00]
Saycon Sengbloh: You know, um, when I was a kid, I always loved, um, my favorite, who's she's making a resurgence right now, is Janet Jackson. I loved Janet Jackson and also, um, aging myself. I remember when we got our first VCR and um, this was years later, uh, my, my stepdad at the time got us a VCR and we had this one vh. Tape and it was a movie starring Seil Lauren, and she was so beautiful running up and down the hills of Italy with her exotic uh, makeup with the eyeliner.
And I just thought she was so amazing and I was like, I wanna do that. And I think something about, uh, the movies always struck me, um, Indiana Jones, and, um, just all the excitement of going to the movies, the air conditioning, the popcorn. I just, I, I enjoyed watching the [00:05:00] stories and looking into the eyes of the heroines.
You know, as I watched movies and so I always wanted to be a part of movies, but my mom, she started me off with, um, uh, tap and ballet, you know, the sort of, and cheerleading those things that a lot of, um, young kids do, young girls do, uh, little league, that sort of thing. And I eventually had an opportunity, um, once I got into high school to really, uh, Start to do chorus.
So I, I think I, I definitely started more focused on singing. I let the dancing go and I really was focused on singing. I think acting was my first love, but singing gave me an entree into the entertainment world. So
President Zak: what did your family think about this? Did they encourage you? Clearly you started with the tap and the dance, but did they encourage this dream of yours, of movies when you were young?
Saycon Sengbloh: You know, at the time nobody knew that this was my dream. It was my own little secret dream. I'd dance in the basement and try to recreate, [00:06:00] uh, Janet Jackson music videos and try to recreate Missy Elliot. I always wanted to be an actress, but I thought that I would more likely be a pop star, and it wasn't until I got into.
High school and, uh, working also with the Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta that I discovered, uh, musical theater, which combined the acting and the singing together. And with that, um, just singing in the chorus. I think that's when my family and and friends started to see that, that I had a talent and that it was something that, that, uh, that I could do.
I don't think I seriously thought about pursuing. I don't know. I kind of go back and forth when I think about how, how that all came to be as far as pursuing, um, it professionally versus it being something that I did, you know, Uh, for fun, I guess. Uh, by the time I had gotten to the Fred Hendrick's Youth Ensemble of [00:07:00] Atlanta and I was attending Tri-Cities High School, um, and magnet program for Visual and performing arts, I really started to think, man, I, I was, I was so good.
I was, I was having all these great opportunities, having great roles in some of the plays and, and musicals, and we were doing theater competitions and the, the kids around. Me, everybody. We were so serious and I think, yeah, later, yeah, high school. Later in high school is when I started to think, Man, maybe this is something I could do.
You know, up until then, you always were told, you know, You should have something to fall back on, you know? Um, and so I was, I loved languages and so when I came to Agnes Scott, I thought, Oh, I'll take Spanish, and then maybe I'll, um, get Japanese and be an interpreter or something. I didn't realize that my, my, uh, talents in performing would, would.
Continue and take me so far.
President Zak: Well, we're absolutely thrilled that you came to Agnes Scott [00:08:00] College and at the same time you found your talent, you began your career at a very young age. What gave you the courage to step out and pursue that career?
Saycon Sengbloh: I was really inspired by my teacher, Freddie Hendricks. Um, he helped to bring out a lot when I was in the theater, uh, group, the youth ensemble, Atlanta.
We have this great opportunity to, to be so close to Agnes Scott. We worked out of Seven Stages theater. Um, and so while I was in school, a lot of people would do like side jobs. I had a side job. I think I worked at the gym. At one point at Agnes Scott, you know, you have your, sometimes you take your, uh, school jobs.
And then also, um, I would do my work and then I would go over to the, the theater. Um, and I was also taking some, uh, theater classes at Agnes Scott as well, and voice lessons, uh, with, with Domie James at [00:09:00] the time. And, um, I felt encouraged by everyone around.
President Zak: Well, I love to hear that. I love to hear about the encouragement of teachers, faculty, and also the influence of having filming on campus.
We're doing a lot of that right now, so we're delighted to be able to expose our students to what happens in the production as well as, you know, famous people like you. So this is
Saycon Sengbloh: fantastic. You know, the very first movie I I was ever in was filmed on Agnes Scott College campus. It was, um years ago.
President Zak: I just saw it. The, I just saw it about a week ago. Yes. That's fantastic. I'll have to look for you. Yeah, I think
Saycon Sengbloh: it was, Well, I didn't really, I didn't have any lines, . I was playing a student just in the background. I remember I had a pink sweater. It was either scream or scream. The second one Scream too.
Scream too, too. Yeah. They filmed it on Agnes Scott. And eventually I, I, uh, I was able to get a movie, um, in North Carolina. They filmed a lot of movies in North Carolina at that time, [00:10:00] and, uh, they still do now. Actually, I recently filmed a, a TV show there.
President Zak: As you look back, are there things you wish you had done differently or that you would advise people to do as they're beginning to make that transition into their career in enter.
Saycon Sengbloh: I, I always say, say advice for theater nerds cuz I was a serious theater nerd. All I did was eat, sleep and drink, um, theater performing and all of that. Um, I say you have to, uh, make sure that you make a little, uh, time for your social life. Um, I, I was just so dedicated to my studies and dedicated to, uh, training and my talent.
That I think socially I could have gotten in the mix a little bit more in the city. Um, going out, uh, maybe meeting boys. I think I should have done that a little bit more. , that's my, I love that. That's my one regret. I always say, You'll, you'll never be around this many, um, people in your same age range.[00:11:00]
Again, um, you know, so you really have to take advantage of that time, uh, during college. Well,
President Zak: we are, um, we are delighted that you were here at Agnes Scott, and I wanna know, as you moved along, you know, what was your experience being a black woman in the entertainment industry?
Saycon Sengbloh: I've had some great experiences as a black woman, um, in the entertainment industry, but I've also, um, been a witness to the limitations that some might put.
Um, you know, in this current era, there are a lot more shows, programs, um, avenues for people like myself to perform, to, um, have an opportunity to, uh, you know, be seen and, and, and to act. But I will say that at times there are, there can be limitations financially. We may recall the lawsuit that was, um, brought up by the comedian [00:12:00] Monique, uh, because she was an Oscar Award winner and was, was I guess, offered a contract that was substantially lower than her, um, male counterparts and even non-black counterparts as well.
And so, um, that's not something that's new. That's something that, um, happens quite often. Um, and so. Financially speaking, even when you're having great opportunities, you may not be paid on. With your, uh, contemporaries.
President Zak: Well, I hope this is something that we all can work to change in the future for women, for black women.
I know it's something at Agnes Scott. We're here to support, um, you and others in the industry. So, um, you know, let us know what we can do to help as well in that regard.
Saycon Sengbloh: Absolutely. Honestly, I think it would be a goal of mine for women in all industries, entertainment, science. Medicine, the arts, whatever, um, industry that we all, that we are paid [00:13:00] properly for our work and for our time
President Zak: Following up a little bit on the entertainment industry, you know, clearly in many jobs people do a good job and they get promoted. In the entertainment industry, you have to audition, audition, audition, and you may get a yes, you may get a no. Tell us a little bit about, you know, what happens when you get the no.
And tell us about the yeses. How do you stay balanced?
Saycon Sengbloh: Well, that's a great question. I think, um, especially for people who are thinking or considering about entering, uh, into the entertainment industry or being a part of the arts, um, in general, uh, or even sports cuz I, I consider sports and entertainment to be, um, you know, hand in hand.
There, there are a lot of. Interactions you're having with people where you are in a position where you're trying out or auditioning or or interviewing? I'd say the average person when they are. Um, [00:14:00] interviewing for a career choice or a job. You know, they may do that every five years or every 10 years if they, as they move or change up the ranks.
But as an entertainer, um, if you're auditioning as an actress or actor, as you're auditioning for movies or TV or plays or musicals, it's, it's a constant, uh, constant thing. And so, you know, when people see you have success, they see you. A show, they see you on tv, they see you doing something, they think, Oh man, you just get every part.
But there are a lot of nos. Absolutely. Um, I mean, I, I would say, uh, 80 to 90% of my auditions that I make are, no, I don't get the part most of the time it's the times that I do get the part that are so exciting. Um, having a chance to be in 10. Uh, Broadway productions and tours and being on, uh, television commercials and doing, uh, voiceovers for audio games and [00:15:00] being a part of, um, television shows and small movies, you know, has been a joy of mine.
And every time I got apart, it was very meaningful. And I will say there are times that you get offered a role and you have to say, , um, because the parameters around the role aren't quite what you thought they would be. Perhaps the pay is not what you thought. The dates have changed. The, the timeline has changed.
Um, what's required in the role has changed. You know, I've had, I was offered part last year, um, that required a lot of nudity and though I don't have a problem with nudity, I felt like the pay. And the timing wasn't set up properly for what was required of the role. So, you know, you have to weigh a lot of, um, things when you're making choices about the types of roles that you accept, let alone, um, the things that you don't get offered in the first [00:16:00] place.
What you've
President Zak: described take so much personal reflection and strength. Where did that come from? How did you develop
Saycon Sengbloh: that? Wow, that's a great question. Yeah, there is a lot of personal reflection every single day. You know, the thing that I think people, um, people may not realize when it comes to being an entertainer is every single role or job that you take, it's literally like, you're in this maze.
I'm moving my hands in a maze shape. , it's like you're in a maze and every role you get, you're choosing whether to go. Whether to go right, whether to turn around, whether to move forward. And, um, it's tough because you can be on a certain track and feel really comfortable there. And then an amazing opportunity comes and now you have to go left and going left.
Um, might be excellent for your [00:17:00] career, uh, but for your, um, Your life. You have to like really think. Now, if I do this, then that means I have to change this. Like every audition, every, um, offer, every opportunity means you have to recalibrate. It might mean where do I have to live? Do I have to move to another state?
Um, who do I have to work with? Am I going to have to work with a new set of people? You know, it. You have to recalibrate. And that's something that's different. I say , uh, for any of the, the tax or or accounting interested students at the end of the year as an entertainer, I get properly 30 plus uh, W two s and 10 90 nines at the end of the year, whereas the average person gets one, maybe two, depending on how many jobs.
So you're constantly doing paperwork, you're constantly. Um, starting over and or doing jobs that might only take two days versus a job that takes 30 days versus a job that takes three [00:18:00] months. Um, so there's a lot of change. I don't know how I've adapted to the change. Sometimes I think I'm better at it.
Some days I'm better at change than others. I'm not sure where I got that from, to be honest. ,
President Zak: but I think it's one of the things we've all focused on is, especially post or as we're coming from a significant part of Covid, is that resilience and that accepting change as part of what we need to do as we move forward.
Saycon Sengbloh: Yes, I actually used, um, this time of not having to be in one particular place and I, I used the time to make a move and I, I made a huge pivot in my life and I moved, uh, from New York to North Carolina and, um, Probably about three months later, I ended up booking a television show. So sometimes you have to make chan take chances, and sometimes you turn lemons into lemonade.[00:19:00]
President Zak: Well, you've been wonderful at taking chances and doing exactly that and succeeding as you take those chances. I wanna change to something a little different. You know, like many entertainers you've used your fame and financial resource. To do good. You mentioned at the beginning that your father was from West Africa, I believe he was from Liberia, and you have been involved in supporting education there.
Tell us a little bit about that and what
Saycon Sengbloh: that means to you. Yes. I'm very excited to be, um, currently on the board of directors for the, uh, lead, uh, Monrovia Football Academy and. This school is, uh, it's a, it's a small but growing school. Um, founded in, I believe 2016. I got involved in 2017. Uh, Wow. It's been a lot of time.
I just thought about that. And the school, um, is beautiful. It allows, um, these young students to get a formal [00:20:00] education. Life skills and also, um, training in soccer. They learn about competition, they learn about teamwork, Um, and they're getting this great op, um, opportunity, this great education and meeting all kinds of interesting, um, people, international people coming in to speak with them, and life skills.
And it's, it's beautiful. I think, um, these young people will be the foundation of the future. Of Liberia and, uh, the future of, of West Africa, some of the, the smartest, most beautiful students ever. I'm so thrilled to be a part of, um, Monrovia Football Academy.
President Zak: That's fantastic. And you mentioned earlier about playing Little League.
So what position did you play?
Saycon Sengbloh: Well, so in Little League I was in cheerleading. They were, you know, it was football, they had football and, and I was a cheerleader on Little League. Um, I, my dad loved soccer and, um, I wish that, um, you know, all these years of Broadway, I. Being on Broadway for many, many years, it's like being [00:21:00] a football player.
So you go from team to team to team, and there's always random injuries and different things like that. I wish my, my knees were better. I would probably be doing a lot more soccer myself, .
President Zak: Well, you can come back to Agnes Scott and play soccer with our team at Agnes. Oh yeah,
Saycon Sengbloh: Yeah. Bring me back. Let's do it.
President Zak: We would love that. We would love that. Well, as we're beginning to wrap up, I was gonna ask you on your life journey, what has surprised you about yourself?
Saycon Sengbloh: Oh wow. What has surprised me about myself, I don't think anyone's ever asked me that question. I think I'm surprised at how resilient I am.
Surprised at how I can focus so much on the yeses. I'm surprised at how young. I feel and young I am. I was a class of 2000 for Agnes Scott and I left school early, uh, during my junior year, uh, to pursue [00:22:00] acting and sometimes I feel younger now than I did then. Um, very energetic and full of ideas, and my goal is just to stay as organized as possible so that I can execute those ideas.
I think that the thing that, um, surprises me the most about myself is just about not just myself, but all of us in general, right? A lot of you listening are students. Um, you may be young professionals and you feel like you've gotta reach like this. You know, 30 under 30 or millionaires under 30, whatever.
There's these lists that, that make, um, people, particularly young women, feel as though, you know, once you're over the age of 25, like it's all over and it's so not true. Um, you know, we all watched Oprah Winfrey, uh, end her televisions show and start a. Television network, um, a few years shy of 60. You know, we can always, um, grow and improve and [00:23:00] change and just know and understand that, um, you will fill and be a lot younger than you think you will.
Like when you're, you're 19, you know, or 20 and you're in college and you're looking ahead. You think that a certain age is old, but it's, it's really not, you know, So be prepared. To be still feeling the same way that you felt then and still having some of the same emotions and, you know, ups and downs that you had, uh, except now you're just better equipped to, to manage it.
So I'm, I'm surprised at how, how young and vibrant I feel. And I'm very thankful for it as well.
President Zak: Well, it has been such a pleasure having you on our show, and you've provided some wonderful advice. Uh, do you have any last words of encouragement to our listeners?
Saycon Sengbloh: Uh, this has been really, really great. Um, before I give my final words on the [00:24:00] podcast, I just wanna say thank you so much to all the Scotties who have supported me by watching the Wonder Years.
Oh, that you continue to watch the show on ABC or stream it on Hulu if you haven't had a chance to see it. And, and, uh, thank you also to those who, uh, watched Delilah or in the Dark or you streamed double play, , whatever. I just really, really, truly appreciate the support. And I just wanna say to those of you who are interested in a career in acting, singing, um, the.
You know, sports, entertainment, um, any of those types of, uh, fields or any field that you may have a focus on or desire to, to, to work in or, you know, make as your career life goal. Be sure to have something else that brings you joy. Something else that. That you have a part in creating for yourself. Um, I don't think, I [00:25:00] don't advise young people or mature people, older people, whomever, is getting into this type of business to simply wait on someone to discover you.
I really advise you to always find ways to make opportunities for yourself and, and do things that bring you, just do things that bring you joy. We can get really caught up. You know, returning emails and, and doing paperwork and, and wanting to keep up with the Joneses. And I encourage you all to find joy in the simple things.
Um, find joy in nature. Take time to find joy in nature. Take time to breathe, to just breathe and focus on. Yourself and your, um, your peace, your inner peace, because no matter what, uh, career path you're on, be it the arts, sciences, [00:26:00] literature, engineering, whatever, whatever career path you're on, you're gonna have to, um, be at peace with yourself in order to get up and live your life every day.
So I encourage, I encourage us all, myself included, to keep and find.
President Zak: Saycon. Thank you so much for your time. To our listeners, I hope you were encouraged and inspired. I know I have been. Saycon Sengbloh's journey is one of many that we can't wait to share with you. Thank you for joining us. I also want to thank our producer, Sydni Perry, for making this podcast possible.
I am Leocadia Zak, and this is Journeys to Leader.
Looking for more content? Check out, Leading Everywhere. The Agnes Scott College Podcast, a show that shares the stories of the campus community, students, faculty, staff, and alumni available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.