K. Sintim-Misah
KSM, as he is known for short, is unquestionably the finest
stage actor in the country today. He has performed and thrilled
audiences in the United States and Canada. His one-man-play,
Thoughts Of A Confused Black Man, run off- Broadway in New
York for five months.
KSM returned to Ghana in January of 1996, after 14 years
in the United States and his impact was immediately felt.
Though a writer, Actor and Director by profession, he introduced
himself to the Ghanaian public as a controversial radio
talk show host. He jolted the capital with his brash, abrasive,
confrontational 'Shock Radio.' This unconventional style
shot his program Talk Shop straight to the top. The program
has been on air for four years now and remarkably, it is
still the hottest, boldest and most listened to Talk program
in the capital.
KSM's background is not in radio. His first degree is in
Theatre Arts, obtained at Trinity-College in Hartford Connecticut,
with a concentration in acting and directing. He then enrolled
in New York University in the MFA (Masters of Fine Arts
Program) in film production. In his own words 'Radio was
an accident, just stumbled into it. Even though he stumbled'
into radio, his dedication and innovation has made him the
highest rated talk show host in the country.
After making his mark on radio, KSM decided in 1998 to go
back to his first love; acting in original one-man-plays.
He wrote and performed what has since become the biggest
theatrical box office hit play in Ghana: The Saga Of The
Returnee. For a whole year, the Saga played to a sell out
audiences in the capital, and in 1999, he won the ACRAG
award for the nation's Best Actor. The Saga of the Returnee
was more than a one-man-play, It was an educational experience.
This is what a critic wrote of his performance-.
The show was sold out. The audience was enthusiastic. For
90 active minutes KSM thrilled the audience with raw comedy
that had everyone laughing, many to the point of tears.
When the play ended, the standing ovation was spontaneous
and well deserved.
It is rare to find performance of KSM's calibre anywhere
in the world. The acting was impeccable, the energy level
was unbelievable, the story was captivating and the audience
was simply astounded. The most intriguing part of the performance
is how KSM is able to blend exhilarating comedy with strong
relevant social commentary. He makes you laugh and while
laughing, he injects you with doses of serious social commentary.
His ability to blend exhilarating humour with social commentary
has earned him tremendous respect as an artist. In March
of 1999 he was the featured performer for the delegates
attending an international Conference cm African Telecom.
He got a standing ovation at the International Conference
Centre when he took a satiric swipe at the problems of African
Telecom in a short one-man-play.
In November 2000, he performed in Durban, (South Africa)
for the delegates attending The Anti-Corruption meeting
organized by Transparency International. He got the same
reaction after his 10 minute skit on corruption in Africa;
a spontaneous standing ovation!
KSM stands tall above his contemporaries in the Ghanaian
Theatre Circuit. It is clear that his experience in the
United States has had a significant and noticeable impact
on his creative outlook and that has given him a remarkable
edge. His experience in the United States and exposure off-
Broadway has given him a very broad worldview and this is
evident in his blend of comedy. His humour transcends the
boundaries of Ghana and every one can relate to it. This
is what another critic had to say:
KSM ability to make us laugh at ourselves is one of the
main strengths of his show. The other unique element is
the universality of the humour. In the audience were some
nationals from different African countries, there were many
Americans, British and French and they all had tremendous
laughs. One American from the embassy commented. 'This is
as good as any show I have seen no Broadway.
Last year, his impact was felt on television when his production
company Sapphire Communication Ghana Limited introduced
his series "Build Your Ark" It is noteworthy that KSM wrote
and directed all the 26 episodes for two seasons back to
back. This made him the first producer, writer and director
in Ghana to single-handedly write 26 episodes of as hit
television series. Build your Ark in hiatus will return
in the next season.
KSM is the founder of and the CEO of Sapphire Ghana Limited.
Sapphire is the first and the only radio and television
programme syndication company in Ghana. Sapphire programmes
are syndicated on many regional FM stations across the nation.
Regarding television production, KSM thinks that it is regrettable
that television programmes in Africa are dominated by European
and American content.
His dream is to create and develop local African content
with quality production values that will make them competitive
internationally. "I want to be able to watch a quality African
sitcom or drama series, featuring African actors, written,
produced and directed by African on international television
screens in Europe and in America. Africa can compete and
we should.
His strengths in the arts are that he has a worldview that
transcends the traditional Africa barriers. He hopes to
bring that energy to bear in his upcoming sitcom "FROM AMERICA
WITH LOVE". Although it is being shot in Ghana, KSM believes
it will do well in the international market.
In the US and Canada, he thrilled audiences with Thoughts
of A Confused Black Man. Back in Ghana, he has set new standards
in the theatre with his box office hit THE SAGA OF THE RETURNEE.
His latest play, POLITICALLY INCORRECT has been premiered
and also received spontaneous ovation.
KSM is not fully contented with his achievements to date
and the burning desire still rages within. He believes that
there is a great deal more he has to offer and accomplish
to and to learn. He is especially looking forward to a world
tour to showcase his work on stage. South Africa is the
first on his list, to be followed by the countries in the
Caribbean, then to America and Europe.
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