A 12-year-old Sands Point student will join young performers from across the United States and abroad on stage at Carnegie Hall this month as part of a national youth theater ensemble performing with The New York Pops at its 43rd Birthday Gala.
Tara Rajan, a seventh-grader, has been cast in the Camp Broadway Ensemble, which will perform alongside The New York Pops at the Monday, April 27, concert in the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. The gala will celebrate composer Stephen Schwartz, known for works including “Wicked.”
Rajan’s mother, Preethi Rajan, said her daughter’s path to the stage began early.
“She’s always been musical. She was singing before she was talking,” Preethi Rajan said. “She fell into musical theater in Port Washington at about five or six and just kept asking for more.”
Tara began performing in local productions, including an early role in “Les Misérables, ” before expanding into summer programs in New York City. At age 8, she participated in a professional showcase that led to representation by an agent and manager.
Since then, she has performed in regional theater productions, cabarets, commercials, and Off-Broadway work at venues including Paper Mill Playhouse.
According to her mother, the Camp Broadway opportunity came through her voice coach and marks a new level of performance experience.
“This is an entirely new experience for her,” Preethi Rajan said. “She’s worked in ensembles before, but this is at the level of Carnegie Hall with mostly musicians. It’s a different flavor.”
The Camp Broadway Ensemble brings together 60 performers ages 12 to 17 from 15 U.S. states and international locations including Indonesia and the United Kingdom. The group will rehearse in a three-day vocal program led by Music Director Christine Riley and attend a dance master class taught by Alicia Albright, dance captain for “Wicked” on Broadway.
The ensemble will be directed by Theo Lencicki.
Source: LI Press
