Toni Seawright
- Actress
- Manager
Toni Seawright made history as the first African American to win the coveted crown of Miss Mississippi (4thrunner-up Miss America 1987). She's performed in the touring cast of "The Wiz" w/Stephanie Mills & Andre DeShields (Dir.George Faison) & made her Broadway debut in Marion J. Caffey's (3 Mo Tenors) "Street Corner Symphony." She also appeared in Talvin Wilkes' "Delta Rising" @ 651 Arts & "Josh (The Black Babe Ruth)/Satchel (Requiem for Racism)" @ the New Federal Theater (Dir. Eric Coleman/Woody King Productions). Toni played a recurring role as the mother of real-life son, Qaasim Middleton, in Nickelodeon's "The Naked Brothers Band." A comedic actress & trained vocalist in various styles of music, Toni's also performed stand-up at Caroline's Comedy Club w/the American Institute of Comedy & appeared at the Billie Holiday Theater in the NYC premiere of 7 times AUDELCO Award winning Play, "What Would Jesus Do?" (Written & Dir. by Yvette Heiliger). When she's not performing, Toni lends her momager/management skills to guide the careers of her talented sons, Qaasim (American Idol & Netflix's The Get Down & Khalil (Netflix's The Get Down,). Toni also co-manages her good friend and the world renown Dance Diva Inaya Day as well as currently serves as the Regional Director of Project Team Management for Melba Moore Productions with 20 Million Women Strong Movement. Toni has a wonderful cadre of mentors here in NYC, One of which includes the legendary George Faison. As a producer, she produced her very 1st show production-a tribute to the late Michael Jackson entitled-"Leaving Neverland" @ Faison's FireHouse Theater in Harlem. Toni also produced her own talent showcase (The Toni Seawright Artist Showcase) that was held at The World famous Ashford & Simpson's "Sugar Bar" and also Brooklyn's very own Soul Food restaurant "The Five Spot"! Toni is the proud winner of ATTIKA TORRENCE'S IFNY Monologue SLAM hosted by Malik Yoba. She received her first nod and won her first AUDELCO award for "Outstanding Performance by a Female Lead in a Musical" for her starring role of Miss Mamie performed @the Harlem School of the Arts in the AEA showcase premiere of "The Widow and Miss Mamie." A proud graduate of Mississippi University for Women, Toni was the 1st African American to earn a degree in Music from MUW as well as the 1st African American to hold a recital in vocal performance at the university. Last year in Black History Month, Toni performed in two outstanding stage plays: "The Widow and Miss Mamie" @ the Harlem School of the Arts and "I, Barbara Jordan" @ The National Black Theater Touring Circuit. Toni was honored & thrilled to have been handpicked for the portrayal of "I, Barbara Jordan, which showcased at The National Black Theater and directed by the Legendary Woodie King, Jr. Toni played the role of Granny, in the production of "A Time to Love" written by Sade Lythcott/Dir. By John Scutchins at the National Black Theater. Toni's most recent performance was co-starring as "Windy Willow" in the premiere of the stage play, "Sowa's Red Gravy" starring Lonette Mckee (Jungle Fever, Cotton Club, Sparkle, Brewster's Millions) & Kene Holiday (Matlock) written by Diane Richards & Directed by Woodie King, Jr. at the Castillo Theater, in association with the New Federal Theater. Toni received her 2nd Nod for an AUDELCO Award for Best Supporting Actress for that role and Ms. McKee also received a nod for best Lead Actress. An accomplished professional backing vocalist, Toni has sung backing vocals for the likes of her mentor Melba Moore, as well as Freddie Jackson, Aaron Hall, Tony Terry, Jennifer Holiday, Cheryl Pepsi Riley, The Late Teena Marie, Chromeo, just to name a few. Toni continues to strive for excellence in the arts as not only as a manager but also a singer/songwriter/composer in the Tri State Area. She also strives for excellence as a professional realtor where she is a premiere Licensed Real Estate Agent at The EXR Group in Brooklyn, NY. She recently attained a Master's Degree in Entertainment Business from the highly acclaimed, Full Sail University. Toni and her family are COVID survivors, and they have a message of survival for all who need and want it. Toni's motto: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"
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