Rajdulari

Rajdulari (Marie/Fairy Godmother)

Cinderella

NOVEMBER 26 — JANUARY 9

What excites you about Cinderella and the role you are playing?

What I love about this version of Cinderella, is that it celebrates the magic and the diversity in all of us and within our community. This version of Cinderella is multi-cultural, and has surprising variations in the music and uses rhythms that add a little extra color and spice to this traditional fairy tale. I also love that my character, Marie/Fairy Godmother, isn't just depicted as a crazy woman. She is a healer, and a facilitator of love and magic for all in her community, and her desire to help Ella see the magic within herself is a powerful mission that she undertakes.

What’s your process like in preparing for a show like this, and how does that process change (if at all) from other shows?

For this show, I watched a lot of past Cinderella performances, but I also listened intently to our Director, Christopher Page-Sanders, and his desire to make Marie/Fairy Godmother more complex. I truly enjoyed the rehearsal process, and can't wait for audiences to see this powerful version!

What’s your biggest challenge about taking on this role?

My biggest challenge was NOT playing Marie/Fairy Godmother in the way everyone else has played her before, and not just as a crazy homeless woman who only comes to life when she transforms. She's deeper, and has a greater understanding of her community, and how she can help them become their better selves. I'm grateful to both our Director and our Assistant Director, Mykai Eastman, for challenging each of us to work harder on character development. It helped us bring a greater depth to the role, and to make this production even more powerful in it's fantasy storytelling.

How did you get started performing?

I've been performing since I was 3 years old. I was born & raised in the baptist church, and have also studied Vocal Jazz Performance at Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music.

Why do you still perform?

Because I love it! Being an actor and a musician is my life's dream! It means SO much to me to be a part of productions that bring joy to our audiences. It truly is a powerful gift to be able to share music & love through our performances with each and every person who comes to our shows.

What’s your dream role, and what do you feel you would bring to it?

My dream role would be one that is created for a non-traditional performer like me: a Female performer of color who works in many different mediums (dance, singing, local media, acting, etc) and who's life is greatly blessed by the productions she's able to participate in. I'd like to see more roles created- like our version of Cinderella -where women of color are cast in lead roles, period.

What’s a fun fact people may not know about you?

I love to cook, I'm vegan, and my happy place is making delicious vegan soul food meals for myself and my family.

Follow Rajdulari
Instagram: @rajdularimusic
Website: www.rajdulari.com