BIOGRAPHY:         

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          I entered this world under an Aries moon to the greatest parents ever Rashid and Keneé! I was raised in the Pentecostal Church where my late grandfather, Bishop Kenneth H Moales Sr., trained me the best way he knew how....by having me sing a "Sermonic Solo" before he preached. This helped me overcome my stage fright, and exposed me to the world of music. My mom was a very vital part of my love of performing and would frequently take me to NYC to audition for shows, commercials, and films. At the age of 9, I won a radio competition that earned a spot to compete at the World Famous Apollo Theater. After 5 consecutive wins, I was named "The Star of Tomorrow" in 2005 at the tender age of 10. Some of my favorite childhood memories are singing the National Anthem for Nike sponsored basketball games, performing at Madison Square Garden for the McDonald's Gospel Fest, singing background for recording artist such as Tamia and Ne-Yo with the McDonald's Fest Children's Choir and being a featured vocalist in the "Closer to Free" campaign for the Smillow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven.

         

          I fell in love with theater after starring in The Wiz at Playhouse on the Green in Bridgeport, CT. I originally auditioned to play one of the munchkins, but the director called my mom and asked if I'd be interested- and could handle- playing "Dorothy". It was then that the fire was ignited and I knew theatre was where I felt most free. Almost a decade later, I attended Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, where I earned a B.A. in Drama and a minor Spanish. My school did not have a Musical Theatre program, so I balanced my love for singing by becoming a core member of the Spelman College Glee Club. While at Spelman, I also studied abroad in Málaga, Spain and London, England at the British American Drama Academy. I had the most wonderful time at Spelman, because I felt seen, challenged, and valued as a young black woman.

         

          After graduating from Spelman College (Magna Cum Laude & Phi Beta Kappa), I moved to Minneapolis, MN to work as a Performing Apprentice at the Children's Theatre Company (CTC). Little did I know, this would be the most transformative and life-changing year of my life. I honed my understudy/swing skills, audition skills and performance stamina by performing a 10-show-week for an entire year. A highlight from that year was when I booked my first out of town contract, a co-production of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax with CTC and the Old Globe in San Diego. Since my apprenticeship , I have performed on many Twin Cities stages such as The Guthrie Theatre, Ten Thousand Things, Ordway Center of Performing Arts, Penumbra Theatre Company, Park Square Theatre and Pillsbury House Theatre. I was named an "Artist Primed for Greatness" in 2019 by The MN Star Tribune, and was later announced as the newest Acting Company Member at the Children's Theatre Company. My last fully produced show before COVID-19, was Cinderella at CTC where I made my company member debut as "Cinderella"! 

         

          Although 2020 was a year of great loss and uncertainty, I used that time to explore other ideas and hobbies. My love of interior design and real estate, landed me a job as a Property Manager, where I managed 320 mobile home units and supervised 3 employees. This job was a total Indeed accident, but it ended up being one of the greatest things to come of the Pandemic. After working there for a year, I was hired as the Director of Resident Services for a Real Estate Brokerage, who purchased, flipped, and rented homes. I am so grateful to have over 2 years of Property Management Experience and I hope to continue to hone those skills! 

         

          In the summer of 2022 I crossed two things off of my bucket list; the first was recording a cast album (Thunder Knockin' On the Door : Ten Thousand Things) and the second was moving to NY! Since living in NY I've joined the Broadway Inspirational Voices, a "...diverse community of Broadway Artists United to change lives through the power of music and service!"

BIV feels like home, in a city that seems so foreign but full of promise. Although I've only been apart of the choir for a few months, I am so excited to see what else is in store! I most recently starred as "Belle" in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, at the Ordway theatre in Saint Paul, MN. This show was just named "#1 Show in the Twin Cities in 2022", by the Star Tribune. Currently, I can be found swinging in the First National Tour of MJ the Musical !! 

 

I have big dreams; some are realized and others have yet to been imagined. My faith is strong, my work ethic is unwavering, and I am going after everything with my name on it! 

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"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."- Matthew 17:20

 

FUN FACTS:

• Name Pronunciation: [Rah-juh-nay]

• Name Meaning: Talented & Gifted

• Oldest of 6

• Hometown: Bridgeport, CT

• Favorite Color: Pink

• Favorite Food: Crab legs, Shrimp and Fried Rice

• Biggest Supporters: Mom & Dad

• Guardian Angels: Pop-pop & Grandma Peggy

• Motto: If your dreams don't scare you, then they're not big enough!

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