Stephenson Ardern-Sodje
Actor whose credits include Simba in Disney's The Lion King and the West End production of Hamilton
Stephenson Ardern-Sodje has firmly established himself as a leading stage actor.
Stephenson left his final year early to go straight into Hamilton on the West End, taking on standout ensemble tracks and understudying the leading roles of Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens/Philip Hamilton. Stephenson made his debut performance as Hamilton within a month of being part of the cast.
After 18 months in Hamilton, Stephenson went on to join the Globe Theatre’s Tour starring in As You Like It, A Midsummer's Night's Dream and The Tempest. More recently, he starred as Simba in The Lion King UK and Ireland tour and as the principal role of Daniel in Once On This Island at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
Stephenson also featured in season two of the popular series Breeders for Sky, opposite Martin Freeman.
Off screen, Stephenson hosts the podcast Generation Vex produced by Green Door Pictures, which explores and celebrates writers of colour. As well as all this, Stephenson is a keen writer and is currently working on a couple of his own projects.
'My experience of the Academy was incredible. The focus is always about making you aware that you are a hair’s breadth away from the professional world.'