Singer.

Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, the voice of Iyona Blake is destined to rise. And if you didn't think a butterfly could sing, you owe it to yourself to listen!

Iyona recalls singing her first solo in church being Away in a Manger at age 9. She demonstrates an amazing level of vocal versatility and poise. With a vocal range from G3 to E6, this lyric soprano's colorful, vibrant voice soars beyond a song and into the realm of pure musical heaven.

Actor.

Iyona began her acting journey in Arlington County's Binding in Unity, under the direction of Ann James and Arlington County's Street Theater. As a teenager, she knew she had a love for the stage.

Whether it's on the opera stage or the musical theater stage, Iyona continues to captivate audiences. Erica Laxson from the Maryland Theatre Guide describes her best:

"She doesn't take the stage; she commands it."

Iyona gives personality, humor, passion and spice. She is sure to bring any role to life and have you wanting more. Iyona Blake is a natural. An on stage must see!

  • "She doesn't take the stage. She commands it."

    Erica Laxson, Maryland Theatre Guide

Plays.

Diagnosed

Lydia is an African American woman who inherits a family-owned boutique. While searching for her own inner peace, she creates a safe space for women to share their stories of hurt, trauma and healing.

Guided by the spirit of her ancestors, Lydia and the women are able to come face to face with their childhood and present-day demons.

Girls of Madison Street

A tight-knit family of African American sisters confront hidden truths and well-kept secrets as they come together for their mother's funeral. Conflicts emerge, tensions flare, but they soon learn that the bonds of sisterhood know no bounds.

Blight Flight

Erica is a single, African American mother of four and lives in an urban community. After renting her row house for a few years, she is suddenly being displaced. Samantha, a Caucasian woman recently purchased the row houses next door with her family. As the two worlds come face to face, we will see how displacement, gentrification and racism impacts both families.

Résumé.

Iyona Blake

Playwright / Actor (AEA) / Singer

Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Height: 5’6” Weight: 180 lbs. Vocal Range: G3 – E6

THEATER (Selected)

  • BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - Mrs. Potts - Olney Theatre, Dir. Marcia Milgrom Dodge

  • CROWNS - Velma - Creative Cauldron, Dir. Ian Coleman 

  • DIAGNOSED - Penny Mitchell - Theater Alliance, Dir. Raymond Caldwell

  • SOUND OF MUSIC - The Mother Abbess - SSMT, Dir. Jacob Brent 

  • RAGTIME - Sarah’s Friend - SSMT, Dir. Jeremy Blaustein

  • SPUNK - Blues Speak Woman - Signature Theater, Dir. Tim Douglas

  • AIN’T MISBEHAVIN - Armelia McQueen - Signature Theater, Dir. Joe Calarco

  • THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - The Lady (Understudy/Performed)- Signature Theater, Dir. Joe Calarco

  • LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL - Lady Day - Creative Cauldron, Dir. Matt Connor

  • THE MISTRESS CYCLE - Lulu White - Creative Cauldron, Dir. Matt Connor

  • THE WIZARD OF OZ - Glinda/Aunt Emily - Creative Cauldron, Dir. Matt Connor

  • BLUES IN THE NIGHT - The Lady - Creative Cauldron, Dir. Matt Connor

  • TITANIC THE MUSICAL - Caroline Neville - Signature Theater, Dir. Eric Schaffer

  • JELLY’S LAST JAM -Gran Mimi- Signature Theater, Dir. Matthew Gardiner

  • CAROLINE, OR CHANGE - Caroline Thibodeaux - Creative Cauldron, Dir. Matt Connor

  • ONCE ON THIS ISLAND- Asaka - Creative Cauldron Dir. Matt Connor

  • SOUL ON FIRE - Gabriel/Eva Mae - Kennedy Center/Off Broadway Dir. Tyrone Stanley

  • SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL - Green Girl - Creative Cauldron, Dir. Matt Connor

  • THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR - Good Sister - Creative Cauldron, Dir. Stephen G. Smith

CONCERTS/TOURS

  • NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND CHORALE at the Strathmore Music Center, Victoria Gau, conductor

  • NYC HARLEM SINGERS China/Korean Tour Arcadia Entertainment

  • RAMADAN MUSIC FESTIVAL Cairo, Egypt - Tour USA Embassy/State Department

  • GLEN HANSARD CONCERTS Beacon Theater & 9:30 Club Glen Hansard (to name a few)

  • “A MIGHTY STREAM” THEARC National Symphony Orchestra

SPECIAL SKILLS/HOBBIES

Valid Driver’s License, Music – Voice & Piano, Swimming, Riding a bicycle, Dialects – Southern, British, Cockney

AWARDS

  • 2019 Helen Hayes Award Winner for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical (Role: The Lady in The Scottsboro Boys)

  • 2018 Helen Hayes Award Nominee for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical (Role: The Lady in Blues in the Night)

  • 2018 Helen Hayes Award Nominee for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical (Role: The Lady in Blues in the Night)

  • 2017 Helen Hayes Award Winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical (Role: Caroline Thibodeaux in Caroline, or Change)

  • 2017 Helen Hayes Award Nominee for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical (Role: Gran Mimi in Jelly’s Last Jam)

Stage Media.

Iyona Blake Sings National Anthem @ Washington Mystics Game

Iyona Blake as Mrs. Potts in the musical Beauty and the Beast at Olney Theatre

Iyona Blake as Mother Abbess - SSMT Sitzprobe 2019

Iyona Blake as Caroline Thibodeaux in Caroline, or Change sings "I Got Four Kids"

An Evening with Iyona Blake @ Creative Cauldron

Iyona Blake as Blues Speak Woman | Behind-the-Scenes at Signature Theatre

An Evening with Iyona Blake @ Creative Cauldron

Mrs. Potts - Beauty and the Beast
SPUNK - Blues Speak Woman
BLUES IN THE NIGHT - The Lady
AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' - Armelia McQueen
THE SOUND OF MUSIC - Mother Abbess
2017 HELEN HAYES AWARD SPEECH - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
THE MISTRESS CYCLE - Lulu White
CAROLINE, OR CHANGE - Caroline Thibodeaux
RAGTIME - Sarah's Friend
THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT THE STRATHMORE - Feature Soprano
CROWNS - Velma
BLUES ALLEY - Featured Artist
TITANIC - Caroline Neville
Mrs. Potts - Beauty and the Beast