Sonia Vicky Mayor, also known as Sonia Black, is an Eswatini‑born theatre maker, performer, and

improviser based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is a graduate of the Market Theatre

Laboratory, where she completed two years of intensive training and received her Certificate in

Performance and Theatre on 9 November 2024.

Sonia began her formal training in theatre in 2020 through short courses with various

institutions, including the Market Theatre Laboratory, which ignited and shaped her commitment

to theatre making. Highlights of her professional performing career include roles in the

award‑winning production Mehlala, directed by Billy Langa (Standard Bank Young Artist of the

Year 2022), as well as The Curious Case of Imaginaria, directed by Khutjo Green.

She was handpicked by Camilla Waldman to participate in the play reading program hosted by

The Market Theatre for their Play Development Programme.

As an experienced improviser, Sonia has performed at the Kingsmead College, JATA and at the

Theatre on the Square, contributing to both live performance and experimental theatre contexts.

As an improviser Sonia has been coached by Queen City's Rich Baker. Her work is grounded in

physicality, sharp wit, and storytelling.

Sonia is the conceptualizer and performer of Different Shades of Black, a super‑charged physical

theatre piece exploring identity and race. The piece has been performed at PopArt Centre, The

African Freedom Station, and it was selected for the Wordfees Festival. The work continues to

evolve as part of her ongoing inquiry of satire and narratives about being colored or mixed race.

Her screen work includes starring in short films such as Sing Me Home and Chasing the Bag

which was produced as part of the 48 Hour Film Project. She is also currently part of a writing

team for an independent production company, expanding her practice into collaborative work.

In addition, Sonia portrayed Charlotte Hlomz in the 24 Hours in the City festival, a parody

adaptation of the award‑winning Peeling Shadows, produced by PopArt in collaboration with The

Market Theatre for the 24 hours in the city.

Sonia continues to build a multidisciplinary career across theatre, film, improvisation, and writing,

with a focus on physical performance and satire.

Her goal is to become a versatile performing artist that can venture into other divisions of the

industry, namely; television, facilitation,writing, directing and film amongst many others.