سيرة
Vera Ephraim’s full name is Vera Nkechi Anenyeonu. She hails from Anambra State, Nigeria. She adopted "Ephraim," her father’s first name, as her professional name to honor his support in her life. Vera was born in Edo State but is originally from Anambra. She lost her parents at a very young age and was raised by her siblings. Determined to pursue a career in the performing arts—a rare path for girls in her community at the time—she left for Lagos despite a lack of family support. There, she joined the African Heritage Ambassadors Dance Company, where she trained in dance and acting and toured Europe.
Passionate about acting and dancing, Vera combined both by founding her own dance company, Vera’s Danse Hauz, where she choreographed and staged numerous performances. She has appeared in supporting roles in Nollywood films, theater productions, commercials, and Nigerian TV series. Vera has performed on stage alongside renowned artists such as Femi Kuti, Hugh Masekela, and Orlando Julius, and worked with Lavelle Smith Jr., choreographer for Michael Jackson and Beyoncé. She was nominated for and won Best Featured Dancer in Nigeria at the Amen Awards.
In Manchester, UK, Vera earned a diploma in performing arts, focusing on acting, scriptwriting, and directing. She appeared in short films and a Channel 4 documentary and served as assistant director for the play *Greed, Need and Slavery* Parts 1 & 2 by Cathy Crabb at the Royal Exchange Theatre. She also studied Theatre in Education and facilitated dance workshops for inmates and youth in the UK’s North West.
After relocating to South Africa, Vera expanded her career, featuring in major drama series such as *Generations*, *Intersexions*, *Jacob’s Cross*, *7de Laan*, *Room 9*, and recently in *Sink*, a film adaptation of the book *Rachel Weeping*, directed by Brett Michael Innes. She continues to work as a dancer and choreographer, staging several productions. Committed to supporting vulnerable communities, she actively participates in dance projects in Cape Town and Johannesburg, recognizing the power of performance to inspire and uplift.
Vera recently created a short film titled *Omena*, a preliminary project for a feature film she plans to develop in the future.
