Canadian actor and director RAYANN CONDY - currently starring in 881 The Musical - juggles acting and directing jobs while teaching, writing and producing plays.
TF: Have you always been interested in theatre?
RC: In my heart yes. I grew up in Australia and can clearly recall subjecting my family and friends to watch and participate in the shows I created as a child. Determined to be practical, I initially pursued a law degree, but I became much happier when my head accepted what my heart had always known. I moved to Singapore six years ago to study a BA Hons Acting degree at LASALLE College, fell in love with my new island home and haven't left!
TF: What are you career highlights to date?
RC: Upon graduation, I played the Wicked Witch of the West in
I Theatre's The Wizard of OZ and also took on the complex role of Mayella Ewell in Toy Factory's To Kill a Mocking Bird (2010).
I made my directorial debut in 2008, directing Somewhere Between the Sky and the Sea for Short and Sweet, which won the overall People's Choice Award. I also wrote and directed The Girl in the Red Hood for the ACE Festival (2010) and assisted Broadway director Philip Wm. Mckinley on Resorts World Sentosa's circus theatre piece Voyage de la Vie. I've since cofounded Skinned Knee Productions, a theatre company providing professional opportunities for LASALLE graduates to work and train together.
RC: I play Lian Lian, one half of the Romanian angmoh Durian Sisters who arrive in Singapore to perform at the getai. Watch me sing in both Hokkien and Mandarin, with English surtitles of course!
TF: Who are you inspired by?
RC: My Skinned Knee Productions partner Pavan J Singh, for his unwavering dedication to his convictions. And the work of people I don't know, including theatre directors Anne Bogart and Julie Taymor.
I'm also grateful to those I've met who've changed my life personally and professionally. Boon Teck, Brian Seward and Harris Jahim in particular, who have cast me or challenged me to explore my abilities, trusting I could pull things off even when I didn't trust myself.
TF: Any Singapore finds to share?
RC: I'm not a morning person, so I enjoy sampling various all-day Champagne brunches on Sundays. And as I'm vegetarian, I also love The Green Room Café
(www.greenroomcafe.com.sg) at Bishan Park for its great food and garden setting, Original Sin (www.originalsin.com.sg) for stylish vegetarian and The Cellar Door (www.thecellardoor.com.sg) at VivoCity for its great wine list and happy hour deals plus yummy deli-style food.
Posted Apr 2011
