Homegrown talent Kaila Symone Crowder to star in ‘Hairspray’ musical in Charlotte
Charlotte, NC – “Hairspray,” the Tony-award-winning Broadway musical, is set to hit the local stage on May 31. Ahead of the performance, QCity Metro sat down with North Carolina native Kaila Crowder, who plays Little Inez in the show. The character is a determined young dancer who faces discrimination while pursuing her dreams.
Crowder, who grew up in Monroe, N.C., said she’s looking forward to living out her dreams on stage.
What’s your connection to “Hairspray?”
This is my first time ever doing “Hairspray,” and this is my first tour. And I miss this. I absolutely have always dreamed of playing Inez. She definitely resonates with me a lot. Some of the costumes you all will see bring me all the way back home. So I definitely am super grateful to play her.
How does the character of Inez remind you of home?
Inez is very joyful and has a positive outlook on things, even when things get hard. She definitely takes that away from her mom, Motormouth, who is played by Deidre Lane. She has this spirit of “I’m never gonna give up no matter how long it takes.” That resonates with me because, growing up as a little brown girl, I felt like it was just challenging for me to get into spaces where I could reach other brown girls. I’m not just doing this for other people. The show deals with some heavy themes like racism. How do you navigate that? It was a little difficult just because I know that certain things that are said in the show can be offensive. However, I understand that a story does need to be told. My grandfather, Roy Lee Carter, was a civil rights activist. Being able to tell the story in today’s world and having that memory of my grandfather while I’m on stage just brings this all around full circle.
What’s it like being on tour?
You’re surrounded by different people every single day, like some of the crew members, some of or like locals. You’re also surrounded by different environments – it can be cold, it can be hot, it can be in the middle, it can be dry. One night, you’re in California, the next night, you’re in New York. It can vary. I’m grateful to tour, it’s definitely not for the weak. But it definitely allows you to refresh because you also have to realize that the audience in every city, that’s their first time seeing you, so you have to constantly be on your toes for a new experience for them and for yourself as well. Sometimes we have one-nighters, we’ll be busing to the next city and have to perform that same night. You’re in the mindset, “Oh, man, I just woke up, I just got off the bus.” You have people that want to meet you after the show, but really, you just want to go to sleep, and I’m so grateful, but sometimes I’m just tired. But I understand how I would feel if I got a chance to see a show I’ve been dreaming about for months. I try my best to stay as humble in the area, and because I know that there’s somebody else that has that has the same dream as I did. Again, this is my first tour, but I have a lot of people around to show me the ropes.
What other characters from the show do you feel drawn to? If you could play one other role, what would it be?
Motomouth Maybelle and Deidre Lang, played by the amazing Deirdre Lane. She actually closely resembles my mother. I once played Inez and a Dynamite at the same time. It was nerve-wracking, but it was also very exciting. It was my first time doing two roles at a time.
Do you have any particular memories from any shows so far?
The first time, I performed as a Dynamite and Inez. I was notified I’d be doing both parts 30 minutes before the show. It was nerve-wracking, but it was great. I was forever grateful for that experience because it allowed me to know how to balance and to make sure that I stayed on my P’s and Q’s because you know what can happen.
Can you describe what the audition process was like?
That process was actually very uplifting. During that time, I was in the process of looking for another acting job, but I didn’t expect I just send my information through through their email. I was called in for an in person audition from the casting director after emailing my information. I had sung a little song, it wasn’t a song part of the show. I danced and did a little singing, and the rest was history.
What song did you audition with?
“If I Were Your Woman” by Gladys Knight.
What was the moment like when you learned you got the part?
As I got that audition email, I felt like I was gonna get it. I was like, “God, if this is for me, it’s for me, it is not, okay. But I really want it to be for me.” I got an email from the casting director, and I immediately started crying. I called my mom, and I called a friend who helped me along the process. And then I gradually started telling people about it. We couldn’t post for a certain period of time, so that was like, “Oh my gosh, please let me post.” But it was amazing. It was such a life-changing moment because it reminded me of how much God had given me purpose. I was just so elated.
What are you most excited about regarding the Charlotte show?
The fact that their homebred girl is in Charlotte and performing at Blumenthal. I know my family and friends are coming to see their little girl, their cousin, their friend, their niece… to see her onstage and living her dream. I just can’t wait to hug my family after the show. It’s just a dream come true. That’s what I’m really excited about.
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Amanda Harry
Amanda was born and raised in Charlotte and graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor’s in Communications and English. She covers Mecklenburg County. Reach her at amanda@qcitymetro.com