KILLING JANET

“Fiki’s undeniable stage presence, incredible high energy and uncanny ability to land a one-liner, are on full display ...”

—‍ Theatre Beyond Broadway ‍

A woman smiling and standing on stage against a black background with a glittery curtain to her right, wearing a colorful patterned top under a white jumpsuit.
A woman with short hair sitting on the floor, reading a book titled "How to Not Die Alone" in a room with a gold sequin backdrop. She is wearing a white shirt and white pants, and there are some objects on the floor including a flashlight, a marker,
A woman in a white jumpsuit standing behind a blue cardboard box, with an expression of surprise or confusion, pointing her index fingers upward. The background is decorated with gold and silver glittery curtains and a sign that says 'KARENG'.
A woman in a white jumpsuit dancing on a stage with a sparkly gold backdrop, holding a yellow and black backpack.
A woman smiling with closed eyes, wearing a white jumpsuit over a colorful, patterned shirt, standing in front of a red, sequin-covered backdrop with some black and white objects in the foreground.
A woman in white jumpsuit dancing on a stage with a sparkling backdrop, party props, and colorful signs.
A woman sitting on a chair in front of a gold sequin backdrop, smiling, with a laptop on her lap. There are black display stands around her, and various items and luggage on the floor.
A woman dressed as a doctor is holding a chain of large, fake dollar bills on a stage with a shiny, sequin backdrop. There is a decorated sign behind her that reads "KILLIN' IT JAR" and some blue boxes are visible at the bottom of the stage.
A person dressed in white pants and a white shirt smiling and leaning against a dark wall, with water dripping down the wall.
A woman sitting on a chair, holding a pink plush toy, smiling, with a sparkly, sequin-covered backdrop behind her and black speakers on either side.
A woman with short curly hair and a white shirt holds a framed photograph of a bridge under construction. The background features a black sequined curtain and partial teal and black props.
Person kneeling on the floor looking into a black box with a round mirror inside, surrounded by colorful, shiny, dotted backdrops and teal display panels.
A woman on stage with a sparkly backdrop and a sign that says 'Talking Janel.' She is wearing a white jumpsuit and colorful shoes, gesturing with her hands. There are four turquoise speakers on the stage and various objects, including backpacks and f
A woman with short hair wearing a white outfit, smiling and gesturing with her arms outstretched on stage with a sparkly blue and silver backdrop. A sign that reads "Killing Jealousy" is behind her.

Written, Performed & Produced by Omalolu “OJ” Fiki

Part stand-up, part cultural exorcism, Killing Janet follows a first-generation Nigerian-American woman who decides —on live TV— to “kill” her missionary-given name. A razor-sharp solo comedy that explores identity, self-authorship and the masks we create to survive through the lens of a surreal game show where the audience decides the verdict.

After a sold-out staged reading at the Magnet Theatre in Winter 2025, Killing Janet premiered as a full production in the 2026 New York City Fringe Festival at Chain Theatre Mainstage.

Following its Fringe run, the show continues development with upcoming presentations at Gotham Storytelling Festival and United Solo Festival in Fall 2026.

SUPPORT
TICKETS UNITED SOLO FESTIVAL
“A wild, raw, hilarious journey that will break your heart and blow your mind. A wildly creative and magical exploration of compartmentalized identity in a fractured world.”
— Gina Manziello, Actor (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Leverage)
“It is clear that we’re in for a good time, and OJ Fiki does not disappoint.”
— Theatre Beyond Broadway
“What a show! Killing Janet is heartfelt, honest, reflective, and so, so funny. Omalolu Fiki has created a wonderful, poignant roller coaster of a show — a must-see”
— Logan Riley Burner, Actor (Stranger Things 4, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel)

OUR SPONSORS

A gold-colored logo with a crown above the letters 'BWIC' and the words 'LAKEFEST' underneath.

Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest is an annual multi-day festival produced by Joke Sistas™ celebrating and amplifying Black women in stand-up comedy. 

Now in its 8th year, it’s a cornerstone event in NYC’s comedy landscape — February 24-28, 2027— bringing together emerging and established talent for live performances, industry networking, and community. 

More than a festival, it’s a movement dedicated to creating space and visibility for Black women where their brilliance has always belonged.

— Joanna M. Briley, Festival Director

bwiclafffest.com

MEET THE ARTISTS

OMALOLU “OJ” FIKI

  • Omalolu “OJ” Fiki is a classically trained actor (MFA, UC San Diego), writer and sharp, fearless comedian whose work spans stand-up, theatre, and voiceover. OJ’s comedy blends the absurd and the intimate, exploring identity, grief, and reinvention with disarming honesty. Her stand-up has performed at venues including The Comedy Store (LA – Main Room), The Ice House, and Comedy in Harlem (NYC). As a voice actor, Omalolu has voiced dozens of national campaigns for brands including American Express, CarMax, and Centrum. She voices the Matriarch in Netflix’s Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. As an on-camera actor, Omalolu stars as the lead in the independent feature The Sky’s Forest, streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. She teaches voiceover classes with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. Killing Janet is her original solo show — a bold, personal blend of stand-up and theatrical storytelling. She is represented by Atlas Talent Agency (Commercial + VO) 

    The Sky’s Forest ( Apple TV/Amazon) — Lead performance

    “It was crystal clear that Fiki was the caliber of actress you can build a film around.” 

    —IndyRed

    Killing Janet- A Solo Show

    “Fiki’s undeniable stage presence, incredible high energy and uncanny ability to land a one-liner are on full display …“

    —Theatre Beyond Broadway

    SAG-AFTRA Foundation— Teaching & Professional Recognition 

    “I really appreciated how engaged you were with our members…It was incredibly encouraging to hear how much you’ve accomplished…Your insights on vocal care and mindset were especially helpful.”

    —SAG-AFTRA Foundation (Ted Sroka), The Inside Scoop: Commercial Voiceover

A woman wearing a pink headscarf and matching pink plaid shirt, looking slightly over her shoulder with a neutral expression against a plain background.

MARISSA JOYCE STAMPS

  • Marissa Joyce Stamps is a Black, Haitian-American NYC-born and based Afrosurreal director, writer, performer and educator who’s often in dialogue with landscape dramaturgy. Award/Honors: Princess Grace Playwriting Award, Yale Drama Series Prize Shortlist, MacDowell Fellow, Caldera Artist-in-Residence, three-time O’Neill NPC Finalist, The Kilroys Web. Memberships + Affiliations: EST/Youngblood, Breaking & Entering Theatre Collective, Lucille Lortel’s Alcove, The New Georges Jam, Immersive Design Academy. Marissa has directed, choreographed, assistant directed the development of new work of playwrights and of herself through productions and workshops with The National Black Theatre, The Vineyard, BAM, New Dramatists, Exponential Festival, The Brick, Mercury Store, Conch Shell Productions, SFX Festival, Breaking & Entering Theatre Collective, The Makers’ Ensemble, Synecdoche Works, LPAC Rough Draft, 48 Hours… in Harlem, Brown University, Brooklyn College, NYU/Tisch, and more. As a playwright, her work’s been supported by The Vineyard, The National Black Theatre, New Dramatists, Clubbed Thumb, Bushwick Starr, Ars Nova, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Lucille Lortel, Exponential Festival, The Brick, Moxie Arts, Conch Shell Productions, Chautauqua Theater Company, CATCH Performance Series, Orchard Project, + more. MFA Playwriting: Brooklyn College. marissajoycestamps.com

A woman with tattoos, wearing a black sleeveless top, shorts, sneakers, and glasses, sitting on a large tree branch in a forest with green leaves and sunlight filtering through.

FRANCESQA SANTOS

  • Francesqa Santos is a Southern-by-soul, NYC-by-choice theatre organizer, educator, and activist whose work is rooted in radical self-love and joyful exploration. Her theatre journey has always followed their lifepath, often returning to the art when the soul needs. Working through the lens of unconditional positive regard, Francesqa seeks to bring grace and intention to every art practice, promoting the need for softness, safety, and self-awareness within the arts and in everyday life. Thanks always and forever to Caya, Cisco, and Belly Button - the greatest loves in this world. 

A person with short blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, wearing a black jacket with a high collar, posing against a plain gray background.

BERNADETTE SEFIC

  • Bernadette (They/Them) is a trans actor, producer, and artist from Denver, now living in NYC. They are passionate about making theatre in unconventional places, in unconventional ways, audience driven and community centered. Bernadette has produced immersive and traditional theatre for over a decade in Denver, Chicago, and NYC. As an actor they have worked at The Old Globe, Hartford Stage, The Denver Center, Geva Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Group, Theatreworks, The Catamounts, and more. They hold an MFA in Classical Performance from The Old Globe|USD. They also love some Shakespeare, painting, video games, art museums, and tending plants.

Close-up of a smiling African American woman with dreadlocks, wearing a black top, a silver chain necklace, earrings, and a septum piercing, against a blue background.

AMARA PAYTON MCNEIL

  • Amara Payton McNeil is a New York-based, Hartford-raised, theatrical lighting designer. She is a member of IASTE USA 829 and was the 2023 Howell Binkley Fellow. As a visual storyteller, she aims to create an immersive experience for the audience, using vibrant colors and dynamic angles to bring texture to the stage. She enjoys work created for and by the black community as well as projects that blend performance and culture.

    Credits include Broadway: Romeo & Juliet (DMC), Stereophonic (Asst. LD), Parade (LD Intern); Regional/Off-Broadway: Death of a Salesman (Asst. LD @ Hartford Stage), Galas (Assoc. LD @ Little Island, Goddess (Asst. LD @ The Public), King James (LD @ George Street Playhouse), Icons Gala (LD @ PAC NYC), Fabulation, or… (LD @ The Billie Holiday), Teeth (Assoc. LD @ New World Stages), The Untitled, Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical (ALD at La Jolla Playhouse), Come From Away 2nd Nat Tour (Asst. LD).

A young girl with long dark hair and tan skin outdoors in front of a blurred natural background.

JORDAN ROSE BERNSTEIN

  • Jordan Rose Bernstein is a Filipino American sound designer based out of the NY/NJ area. She is passionate about telling stories through sound and showing the importance of sound in storytelling. With a close attention to dramaturgy and world building, she supports and uplifts narratives with her design, whether through subtle ambiences or sonic journeys. Jordan greatly values strong collaboration and recognizes the worth of good character in a room. She strives to help create a supportive and empathetic space wherever she goes. Credits: HERE LIES LOVE (Broadway Theater; Assistant Sound Designer), ANGELS IN AMERICA PART ONE: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES (NYU Tisch Grad Acting), RAGTIME (New Studio on Broadway; NYU), and FULL CONTACT (Theaterlab; Leviathan Lab). BFA Drama: NYU | @jordanrosesound

Part of the phrase 'Thank You' in colorful bubble-style letters on a light background.

INUMIDUN INC.

INUMIDUN Inc. is a New York–based, artist-led production company founded by Omalolu “OJ” Fiki. The company develops and produces bold, genre-blending work that explores identity, belonging, and transformation through first-generation, immigrant, and diasporic experiences. Drawing on comedy, storytelling and theatrical experimentation, INUMIDUN creates original work that invites audiences into conversations about cultural inheritance, authorship, and what it means to belong.

What Audiences are Saying

“Insightful, funny, and full of surprises — Killing Janet explores assimilation, belonging, and the search for an authentic self.”

 

-Nana Ama Sarfo, Contributing Editor (Tax Notes International, Tax contributor to Forbes)

 “Killing Janet gives you a first-hand experience of the trials and tribulations of code-switching… She fearlessly tells her story and, in doing so, frees you to reflect on your own.”

— Hayleigh Hart Franklin, Actor (Appalachian Dog, Eden for Two and Libba)

‘In “Killing Janet”, the wonderfully talented Omalolu Fiki has written a hilariously insightful exploration of identity crisis, finding yourself and making peace with your origin story.”

— Tracy Sallows, Actor/Writer and Singer (Law and Order, Romeo & Juliet, FBI Most Wanted)

“Killing Janet peels back layers of identity, belonging, and self-discovery — asking what it means to navigate multiple selves and still find your ‘I.’”

— Sakinah Hofler, Writer/Poet and Playwright