Today we’d like to introduce you to Dayja Le’Chelle.
Hi Dayja, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I was raised in Charleston, West Virginia by an incredibly beautiful, strong, and supportive single mother. She grew up dancing and performing so it was no surprise that she had my older sister and I in dance classes by the time we were three. As I got older, I started to express interest in other artistic fields so, naturally, my mom got me involved in Children’s theatre, acting classes, voice lessons, and piano lessons. Like most kids, I gave up on the piano part pretty quickly but my love of music never wavered. I tried out a few other musical instruments over the years but my real passion was singing. I loved to sing more than anything in the world but I was afraid I wasn’t good enough and I wasn’t sure if I had the talent to sing on a professional level. Nevertheless, I continued to sing and pursue other artistic ventures. Everything I ever wanted to try or experience; my mom found a way to make happen. At the age of sixteen, when I finally decided what I wanted to do was musical theatre, she helped me find camps and programs outside of my home state so I could hone my skills and grow as a performer. By the end of my senior year of high school, I was as prepared as I possibly could be and off to New York University, Tisch School of the Arts as an Acting major.
While I was thrilled and extremely grateful, being an acting major meant I wasn’t singing as much. That, alongside the fact that living in New York is scary for a girl who grew up in West Virginia, had me questioning my place at NYU; however, in my mind, NYU wasn’t a school you just left. I told myself to be thankful and suck it up because I was lucky to have been accepted at such a prestigious school but it took a toll on my mental health. I felt like I needed to be and act a certain way and I started to lose sight of myself. Unsurprisingly, when I came home after my third semester at NYU, my wonderful mother picked up on this. She could see I wasn’t happy or myself and she proceeded to tell me the six words that would change my life: “You don’t have to go back.” I was elated! She assured me that I wasn’t letting anyone down but, more importantly, I had to do what was right for me.
And that is exactly what I spent the next few years figuring out. I worked at Busch Gardens as a singer and atmosphere performer and started attending school at the University of Tampa, this time as a Musical Theatre major, and throughout this time I found not only that I was talented enough but also that I was worthy. Worthy of everything I ever dreamed of or wanted to be. I started to truly believe that I could do anything I set my mind to and after graduating from UT with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance/Theatre, I booked a role I had only dreamed of playing. The SINGING sorceress at Universal Orlando. After that, my world just seemed to take off. I met the love of my life, Elena, and even though she didn’t grow up in the arts, she immediately became one of my biggest supporters. She came to every show and encouraged me to audition for roles that I wouldn’t normally go for because I wasn’t the “right body type.” Elena helped me to realize that by getting myself in the room for roles that aren’t traditionally given to curvy women, I wouldn’t only build up my own self-confidence but the self-confidence of all the curvy girls and women who would see me on stage. I could be a role model for them and an example to theatres all over that a person’s silhouette has nothing to do with their talents.
Through the strength and courage passed on to me by my mother, reinforced by my wife, and constantly, intentionally fortified by myself, I have been able to put myself out there in this crazy world of performing arts and be successful. I have had the distinct honor and privilege to play several dream roles of mine, such as Sarah in “Ragtime”, Deloris Van Cartier in “Sister Act, and, most recently, Laurey Williams in “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!” and I am just getting started. There are so many more roles I want to play, so many more shows I want to be a part of, and so many more people I want to inspire to reach for the stars. I sincerely hope my story can uplift any person who feels like they are not enough exactly as they are because it’s just not true. We are perfect as we are. All we have to do is find our courage and go for it!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely not been smooth. I had many struggles along the way but my biggest obstacle was me. At first, I didn’t know if I was enough because of my background. Growing up as the biracial (and gay but didn’t know it yet) daughter of a single mother in southern Baptist West Virginia is more than enough to make you think twice about your worth. Then, once I realized no one can help where the come from, I worried I wouldn’t be enough because of my talent. I didn’t think my voice was strong enough or unique enough but eventually, I came to understand that EVERYONE’S voice is unique. I didn’t need to be different from everyone else because I already was and no one could or should doubt the strength of my voice because strength comes from experiences and I’ve certainly had enough experiences, good and bad, to strengthen me. Finally, once I felt my talent was enough, I worried people wouldn’t be able to see past my curves. My weight fluctuates like nobody’s business and beauty is often considered to be synonymous with being petite. However, many theatres and other business who promote beauty/beauty products are moving away from that notion and if they were, I needed to as well.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I sing, dance, act, choreograph, and direct. I would say I specialize in musical theatre, which is singing, dancing, and acting combined. I am most proud of and enjoy performing in musicals best because I get to do multiple things I love at the same time. It’s also the most difficult thing I do so it’s very rewarding after a show when audience members come up to me and talk to me about the show and the work I put into it.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
If I have learned anything, it’s that nothing can stop the arts. While performances were certainly different for a while, performers and artists all over the world found new ways to create art through socially distanced spaces, outdoor spaces, zoom, TikTok, and so much more. I was thrilled when live theatre came back but I was never without an outlet during the pandemic. I was able to participate in a few different projects and I was grateful to be part of a theatre community that was so innovative, creative, and inclusive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DayjaLeChelle.com
