Hi I’m Sehar. I’m a Kenyan-Indian actor, improvisor, writer and instructor based out of Montreal.
Photo: Aquil Virani
I took my first improv class in 2010, and for over a decade, I straddled a double life: the 9-5 grind and trying to nurture a fulfilling, playful creative existence in all other moments.
On stage, I felt confident, creative and present, while in my day-to-day I battled fear, anxiety and burnout.
This path did more than open doors to storytelling, sketch, standup comedy, and professional writing and acting. It challenged me, changed me and connected me to many opportunities I never expected to be a part of.
Was it easy? Nope. A little dramatic? Yes. Rewarding? Absolutely. I’m proud and happy to have made it this far.
I did it scared, I surprised myself and I stopped playing small.
And in the process, I grew into the adult I wanted to be as a child.
I’m the big sister I never had. The brown kid who carved her way into the arts. The immigrant who relentlessly built a life in a new country—stumbling through unexpected challenges while chasing childhood dreams and helping others tap into their creativity.
We don’t play enough.
My Why
We’ve all got a unique, eccentric, emotional, and fearless side, often shrouded in self-judgement and self-consciousness. Many of us, including myself, weren't encouraged to explore or embrace this aspect of ourselves - or needed permission to. However, expressing it can unlock even more untapped creativity and value, than when we resist our own nature.
Feeling the doubt (from ourselves and others) anyways and claiming our originality is the starting point for confidence, connection, self-awareness and innovation!
Media and Event bios
Main Bio (199 words)
Born and raised in Nairobi, Sehar Manji is a Montreal-based actor, improvisor, instructor, writer and sketch comedian. She began improvising with Montreal Improv in 2010 and continues to perform and teach there. Sehar was among the first few women of colour improvisors – and the first South-Asian improvisor – on Montreal stages for several years, appearing in various local festivals (MPROV, Montreal Sketchfest, Ladyfest, Montreal Fringe, Just For Laughs/OFF-JFL, POP Montreal) as well as festivals in Toronto (The Big City Improv Festival and JFL42), New York (The Del Close Marathon) and was a part of the International Ensemble at the Vancouver International Improv Festival (VIIF), three years in a row. In 2018, Sehar was part of CBC's Kim's Convenience Emerging Writers' Room workshop, working alongside showrunners, Ins Choi and Kevin White. Her on-screen credits include guest roles on NBC's "Transplant" and "Pillow Talk" (Crave), and commercials for Fizz Mobile, Beneva, and Lactantia, Nuvei and Lax-A-Day. She’s had the chance to work with award-winning directors such as Chloe Robichaud, Vincent Peone, François Jaros, Camille Boyer and Jean-François Asselin. In 2023, Sehar made her professional theatre and Centaur debut in the comedy, “The Rishta” (by Uzma Jalaluddin) at Centaur Theatre in Montreal.
Short Bio (99 words)
Born and raised in Nairobi, Sehar Manji is a Montreal-based actor, improvisor, instructor, writer and sketch comedian. She has appeared at various local improv and sketch festivals and has also performed in Toronto, New York and Vancouver. In 2018, Sehar was part of CBC's Kim's Convenience Emerging Writers' Room workshop, working alongside showrunners, Ins Choi and Kevin White. Her on-screen credits include guest roles on NBC's "Transplant" and "Pillow Talk" (Crave), and commercials for Fizz Mobile, Beneva, Lactantia, Nuvei and Lax-A-Day. In 2023, Sehar made her professional theatre debut in Uzma Jalaluddin’s comedy, “The Rishta,” Montreal’s Centaur Theatre.