PERFORMER 
TEACHING ARTIST 
DISABILITY ADVOCATE 
CONSULTANT

SOFIYA CHEYENNE is New York based multi-disciplinary performance artist, teaching artist and disability advocate/consultant. She has appeared on TV Shows such as “At Home With Amy Sedaris” (True TV) "StartUP" (Netflix) and “Loudermilk” (Amazon Prime). She originated the role of Perla Ovitz in the Off-Broadway production of The Lilliput Troupe and reprised the role of this historical icon in many other productions in New York. Some of Sofiya’s favorite theater credits include Other World Musical (Bucks County Playhouse), Richard III (Shakespeare Theatre Company) The Briefly Dead (59E59), Guys and Dolls (Theater Under The Stars) . She has also appeared in GI60 International One-Minute Play Festival. Sofiya has over 20 years of dance experience and has performed with dance companies and venues including Born Dancing Inc, The Brooklyn Dance Ensemble & The Salt Marsh Nature Center. 

Sofiya strongly believes in using the arts as a way to challenge societal norms. She continually invests herself & creates projects that open peoples’ minds to know people with disabilities can have an equal chance on the stage, television and film. She has been featured in films, documentaries, and campaigns such as "Dwarfdom" created by Maija Tammi, Lamont Baldwin's "Nothing Short of a Journey," and "Get Real" episode with Refinery29. She has produced, written, acted and directed in short films for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge “Inspiring Women” and “You’re Up.” Sofiya has also co-wrote a piece titled “The Gene Lottery” with long time collaborator and director Kristy Dodson.

Sofiya is also an associate consultant with a focus on access and inclusion at Penn Creative Strategy. With a personal connection to disability inclusion, she has advocated and consulted for many schools, arts & culture organizations in New York City, including A.R.T. NY, Soho Repertory Theatre, NYFA and CO/LAB Theatre Company, as well as schools such as Professional Performing Arts School and Brooklyn College. She has created social justice initiatives and devised theatre productions with educational nonprofits including, New Victory, EnACT, Girl Be Heard, Queens Theatre and EPIC Players. She has developed sensitivity and anti-bias training for numerous nonprofits including Berkshire Cultural Asset Network and Little People Of America. She is also a public speaking advocate, who has participated in panels to teach advocacy and new language to organizations such as BRIC Arts Media, MAC, The Public, NJ Theatre Alliance, Statera Arts and many others. 

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Sofiya grew up in Brooklyn, New York in a mixed family of Dominican, Taino, Italian and Syrian decent which influences much of what she performs, creates and lives. She received her BFA & BA in Psychology from CUNY Brooklyn College. She is a Co-Chair of the Dwarf Artist Coalition and a lifetime member of Little People of America (LPA). She also has the unique skill of tap dancing and jump roping as well as unhealthy obsession with kitchen appliances and loves to cook!!