From Ford's Theatre to Broadway to stages across three countries — one performer, three unforgettable productions, and a lifetime of stories waiting to open.
Each show stands on its own — pick the story your audience needs, or bring more than one to your event.
Wambui walks onstage with a small vintage suitcase — a No. 2 pencil, a rotary phone, a 45 record — and each object opens a door to another memory, another decade, another "Oh, I remember that!"
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With nothing but a rack of coats and blouses, Wambui becomes seven different people — proving domestic violence crosses every line of race, class, and age. Audiences laugh, then go silent.
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The true, funny, unflinching story of how severe bipolar disorder took Wambui's Broadway career, her home, and nearly her life — and how she took it all back. Winner of the Lionel Aldridge Award.
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Wambui Bahati has spent more than 55 years as an actress, singer, writer, speaker, and storyteller — from the original Washington, D.C. company of Godspell at Ford's Theatre, to Broadway productions of Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar, to theatres, conferences, universities, and community stages across the United States, Canada, and Australia.
She doesn't stand behind a podium and tell you what happened — she becomes the people. Using characters, music, movement, humor, props, and honest storytelling, she turns a shared memory or a hard subject into a room full of laughter, recognition, and sometimes healing.
Her own life has taken her through Broadway success, severe bipolar disorder, homelessness, and rebuilding from nothing — experiences that became two award-winning theatrical presentations. Her story is her story; it is not medical advice, but an honest look from inside the experience, and genuine hope that a diagnosis does not have to erase a person's gifts, dignity, or future.
The bulk of a 55-year career — the touring productions where Wambui originated and led featured roles night after night, city after city.
My Life Before, During, After, Above and Beyond Mental Illness
A children's book
Collecting and Sharing Our Legacy
"One of the most memorable performances of the conference — engaging, inspiring, and deeply impactful."
"Wambui was wonderful — she had them all mesmerized. I am not sure anyone will ever live up to her."
"Counseling services experienced an increase in student appointments as a result of her performance."
Tell Wambui the date, the audience, and what you want them to walk out feeling. She answers personally — usually within a day.