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S.T.A.G.E. Program
The S.T.A.G.E. Program is a 14‑week creative‑expression and healing program that uses drama therapy, storytelling and performance to help participants process experiences, build confidence and develop communication and emotional expression skills. The program culminates in a community showcase.
Tomike Ogugua
Program Director
About the Instructor
Tomike Ogugua serves as Program Director for the S.T.A.G.E. Program, providing strategic oversight and programmatic leadership to ensure the workshop aligns with organizational goals and meaningful participant outcomes. An accomplished, award-winning actor, teaching artist, educator, and program developer, Tomike brings extensive professional experience from the film, television, and commercial industries into his work with participants.
He holds a BFA in Professional Theatre with a concentration in Acting/Directing from NC A&T State University and recently collaborated with the MFA Theatre Directing program as an Actor at Columbia University under the direction of Anne Bogart. Also having studied with the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Second City in workshops, his on-screen credits include appearances on television series such as Power, Blue Bloods, and Celebrity Ghost Stories. He has also appeared in award-winning independent films including East River Story, Samaria, and The Tested. In the commercial space, Tomike has performed in national campaigns for brands such as Smart Car, GEICO, VH1, and Spirit Airlines, as well as a campaign for Aviation Gin alongside Ryan Reynolds. On stage he has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Donmar Warehouse, NyLon Fusion, Strindberg Rep, Congo Square and numerous others.
Beyond his professional screen work, Tomike has extensive experience leading acting and storytelling workshops, particularly with underserved and emerging artists. His teaching focuses on helping participants build confidence, communication skills, and authentic self-expression through performance techniques drawn directly from professional practice.
As Program Director, Tomike supports curriculum alignment, facilitator coordination, and outcome tracking to strengthen program delivery. His leadership ensures the workshop maintains structure, consistency, and measurable impact while remaining responsive to participant needs.
Together, the workshop benefits from Clement’s lived experience and facilitation leadership, supported by Tomike’s program direction and professional artistic background—resulting in a program that is grounded, credible, and positioned to deliver meaningful and sustainable impact.
About the Program
Through its S.T.A.G.E. Program, R.O.L.E. engages individuals across age groups in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive performing arts initiative rooted in theatre, storytelling, and creative expression. Built by working artists and educators, S.T.A.G.E. uses acting and performance-based practices as tools for confidence-building, emotional literacy, collaboration, and leadership development. Participants are supported in exploring their identities, processing lived experiences, and strengthening their ability to communicate with clarity, presence, and confidence.
The S.T.A.G.E. Program addresses gaps often left by traditional education and workforce systems by centering emotional expression, self-awareness, and collective learning alongside practical skill development. Through interactive workshops and creative collaboration, participants develop transferable skills that support personal growth, professional readiness, and effective workplace engagement.
R.O.L.E.’s outcomes-driven S.T.A.G.E. curriculum is flexible and adaptable for implementation within schools, community-based organizations, workforce development programs, and partner institutions, ensuring accessibility and relevance across diverse learning environments.
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