2013 ~ P R E S E N T |
S T I L L E V O LV I N G
So, with the permission of the director, I made her
quirky, lovable and funny yet sophisticated, sexy and
quick-witted.
Although Ursula was only a minor role in the play,
I was determined to have her character be impactful
and memorable. I changed the way I walked and
spoke and really embodied my own version of Ursula.
The representation of the character was not only
important to me, but I knew that it was also
important to other fat chicks who would be
watching the musical.
At the end of the show when all the cast and crew
were introduced, we received a standing ovation.
It was an incredible honour. All our hard work paid off
and we were honoured not just by our fellow students,
but their friends who are non-Monashians as well, and
even our own lecturers and Monash staff who were
in the audience.
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▲ Ariel (played by
Yap Min Yan) and Ursula
during rehearsal.
I honoured the role as best as I could and,
most importantly, I had fun doing so. The audience too
had an amazing time experiencing the whole musical.
Everyone laughed, cried, cheered and clapped. It was
a great experience!
I felt lucky and appreciative that Monash gave us,
its students, a platform to express ourselves creatively
without any limitations or restrictions. I was proud that
I too was able to grow during this whole experience
and used my voice, one that Monash helped to shape
during my time there and put it to good use, to best
represent a character that I felt strongly about. I was
proud that I did the character justice and made a mark
for myself.
Leaving Monash four years ago was both exciting
and scary. It was exciting because I felt empowered
enough to face the world with the skill set that I was
equipped with but scared because I didn’t have a
cushion to fall back on. But if there was a lesson or
two (or three) that Monash has taught me, it is that we
should always find our purpose, rise to the challenge
and never be afraid to make your mark.
And that is exactly what I’m doing with my life today
in addition to being that badass fat chick that I was
meant to be!
Jasmine Rajah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts,
majoring in International Studies (2014). She currently
works as a Talent Manager for Suppagood Sdn Bhd.
It was then that I realized how proud I am to be
a Monashian.
Ursula with LeFoe (played
by Sunny) and Gaston
(played by Yip Yao Zhong).
(Image by Reuben Ng) ▼
◀ During a dance
number in ‘Dude,
Where’s My Lamp?!’.
(Image by Reuben Ng)
◀ The cast of MPAC’s 2012 production, ‘Dude,
Where’s My Lamp?!’. (Image by Reuben Ng)