Being a woman has enhanced my career — Uduak Akrah

Uduak Akrah is an actress, singer, songwriter and event planner from Akwa-Ibom State. She holds a Diploma in Theatre Arts from Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts from the University of Lagos. In this interview with TAYO GESINDE, she speaks on her foray into acting and the most defining moment of her career so far.

What was your childhood fantasy?

Growing up, I read a lot of books about princesses and I always fantasised about being a princess with a prince charming by her side and being showered with so much love and riches. I have not outgrown that o! I also loved watching newscasters on Television and I used to  fantasize about being on TV and reading news to the world.

What motivated you to go into acting?

Watching actors on TV do their thing, was a major motivation for me. I admired them so much and always saw myself in their shoes. I always dreamt of being on TV despite the fact that I was shy and was not sure if I could handle it. Then I got the opportunity to be involved in a stage play, which was my first professional acting experience. It was so exciting and I realised I could really express myself, so I decided to take acting ‘by the horn’. I started acting professionally in 1999 and from then till date, I have featured in many movies, stage plays and TV series.

Other things you do besides acting?

Aside acting, I plan, organise and manage events. I sing, in fact, I’m a music minister. I train children and teenagers on Creative Arts. I also just started producing and I’m a TV presenter.

What were the challenges you faced as an upcoming actress?

Don’t even go there because if I start, na next year we go finish o!

I faced a lot of challenges as an up-and-coming actress. But I always believed the fact that challenges are stepping stones to greater heights. I will just mention one that really got to me. Several years ago, it was tough getting jobs because some producers will always want you to sleep with them before they give you a role. (Though the industry is better now because most of those bad eggs have been relegated to the background. God no dey sleep!) Well, I had some experiences but one was most painful because a major role was actually snatched from me since I didn’t give in to the producer’s demand. I felt so frustrated because it was to be my first lead role, after several years of playing supporting roles. So, I had to step aside from the industry for a while. Learnt a lot during my break but I’m back now and no challenge can break me anymore.

What is the most defining moment of your career so far?

The most defining moment of my career was the decision to study Creative/Theatre Arts after I was part of a stage play by Papi Ben Tomoloju. This completely defined my career and defined me as a person. In fact, it defined my life! There’s something about having a gift or talent and going a step further to study about it. It deepened my creativity and I can function successfully in any area of life because I think creatively. Not all creative thinkers are artists or artistes. Indeed, many jobs require a lot of creative thinking, despite having nothing to do with the arts. Creativity simply means being able to come up with something new. If you can do that, not only can you enrich your own personal life, but you’ll have an advantage in whatever field you enter. You will see yourself thinking about new things or thinking in new ways. It is “thinking outside the box.” The ability to perceive patterns that are not obvious. That is what has happened to me. So I can do anything and work anywhere.