Star from Singapore: Breaking Barriers and stereotypes in acting

Edition Eighty-Six- Week Eighty-Six:

Written by: Mercedes Barreto

How would you describe the moment you were cast for a Broadway production, after a lifetime of hard work and effort to this every day?

“It is very surreal. I would not have thought that at all, but I still continue to pinch myself every day and continue to work hard at it.

Being cast in The Cherry Orchard at Theaterlab and performing to sold out shows during that run. I was back again on stage within a month, this time for an Off-Broadway musical at the American Theater for Actors with Rimli Roy’s critically acclaimed show, Ramaavan A Musical which garnered rave reviews in the US and also in India. It’s one thing to book a role and be done. But to keep getting back on stage and showcase your art to the world and in different formats and for different roles its truly remarkable and I’m grateful for that. What I would say is that it doesn’t come easy at all. I had to constantly work at my craft every day to be a tiny bit better than I was the day before.

When the folks from Ryan Repertory contacted me via Backstage and told me that they are offering me the Lead role as TJ in “The Coast Starlight” by Keith Bunin I was thrilled, and I couldn’t be happier agreeing to it. For multitude of reasons, firstly because it had just received it Lincoln Center Premiere the year and receiving rave reviews about what a wonderful play it is and secondly and perhaps the biggest reason of them all is that it hadn’t been played by an Asian actor let alone to lead in a play that has received rave reviews, and which has been performed in notable venues. 

And also, for me it’s a big deal because it shows that Asians or minorities are being trusted to be at the helm of a production and that we can be trusted to portray leading characters and not just be relegated to caricatures. Which did not come easy by the way, for that, I would have to thank my past training at Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Inst. and also all my past stage and screen experience which definitely played a part in securing the role.

Not only that, but I also most recently performed at the Producers Club (NYC) for the award-winning playwright, Emile Lacheny’s new play “ I wanna slit my wrists”. That too was a wonderful moment because not only was I the only Asian there but also this time I had the opportunity to originate the role of “Don”.  That’s a huge achievement for me because the producers trusted my talents as an actor and entrusted me with the responsibility of originating a role. “Praveen was absorbing in his portrayal of Don, in the scene where he had to stand up for one of his coworkers, he did so with so much care and empathy yet being assertive” said Nikhil Saboo – Broadway actor notable for his role as Conor on Dear Evan Hansen.”

What began your acting journey?

“Hailing from Singapore, despite being a multicultural and multiethnic society, the representation on mainstream media was not accurate. You would see the same faces again and again. 

And I took it upon myself to smash the current status quo and wanted to prove to everyone that hard work and sheer talent can supersede any form of nepotism and advantages those others had. I started by meticulously selecting roles, even telling my agents to send me for castings which were not intended for my race. I strongly believe that race is a social construct that can be overridden by the actual acting work. True talent transcends racial boundaries. 

My persistence paid off when my agency rolled the dice on me, submitting my name for auditions beyond traditional ethnic roles. I knew I was making strides because I was getting callbacks to the later rounds. My breakthrough came soon enough, I was cast as a lead in a Guinness commercial for their largest event of their year, St Patrick’s Day for a regional campaign where I got to collaborate with Jake Nam, one of the leading commercial directors in Singapore. It was an amazing experience because not only was I part of a campaign of that magnitude, but I was also the only Indian on that cast.

Knowing that I was on the right path, I continued to forge ahead. Soon enough, I booked another leading role this time for an international audience for Air New Zealand with my Geraldine Wu as the female lead. That job was monumental for me. Not only did we portray and getting that job was monumental for me, because not only did we get to portray an interracial Singaporean couple, we did it for an international audience. It was the first commercial between the two countries when borders reopened post-COVID.

On top of all this, I was also cast as a Series regular on a hit tv show which was also nominated for best Drama Series in Singapore called Vettai 5. It was a wonderful experience playing in that series because I got to see up close how a hit drama series is being made and I get to share my inputs too.

Seeing all of this I received major encouragement from other industry professionals to take it further. “Your story of courage, faith & the relentless pursuit of your art is an inspiration to many in Singapore” said Derrick Chew founder and Artistic Director of Sightlines Co. and also, “If anyone is to represent Singapore it would be you, Praveen. From the NYC of Asia straight to NYC, get out there and do us proud!” Leading female actress in Singapore Caitanya Tan.

And moving to New York seemed like the only logical thing to do, because opportunities are aplenty and the city rewards people who are hardworking and take things into their own hands. And like what we used to say at my basic military training, “Who Dares, Wins” I dare to say that after working on multiple stage productions both Off and Off-Off Broadway here in the city I am winning but I’m still not done, and I will not rest till proper representation is achieved for all folks.”

Do you strongly believe that sharing your story will inspire a new generation?

“Without a shroud of doubt. I say that with absolute certainty because that’s what happened to me. My favourite genre is hip hop and my favourite rapper is Eminem. Given that hip hop is predominantly a black genre but that didn’t stop Eminem from making a name for himself. 

And when it comes to acting one of my favorite actors to watch is Sidney Poitier and he oozes charisma and charm unlike no other. He trailblazed for all of us today with his incredible performance in the the movie “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” starring alongside Katharine Hepburn. That too in the 50s where it was still illegal to be engaged in interracial relationships. Sidney Poitier, used his art to inform the world of the importance of representation and as long as one person who has seen my work and if it gives them the courage to pursue their dreams disregarding what the status quo is, I feel like I have done my part in pushing the needle a tiny bit forward.” 

What makes you iconic?

“I study closely what successful people have done and emulate them in my day-to-day life and I also study closely what didn’t work for people and understands why that happened and incorporate that into my life too. I believe there’s a great deal to be learnt there. For e.g. All my favorite actors to watch have all had some form acting training and that was one of the triggers for me to move to NYC and study at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. And I’m also on the constant hunt to breaking barriers and stereotypes in acting.

You can learn more about me on my Instagram or also my IMDb. @prabeenus.”