Chai with Rai

“Acting is an art and science” w/ Faraz Ayub (BONUS EPISODE)

I know Season 6 has wrapped up but I had this episode sitting in the vaults so before we get into Season 7 (Next Year EEEK!) Enjoy this beautiful conversation with actor Faraz Ayub. 
p.s- I am very ill so enjoy my husky deep. voice in the begining and let me know what was the drink you sipped on or what was your favourite part of the episode. 
Topics Breakdown: 
Workshopping the script and the character on Sky Peals. 
Preparation of different mediums and your technical approach to creating the world of these characters in Film, theatre and series. 
Discussing works such as Ackley Bridge and Screw. 
Representation behind and infront of the scenes fro film and series.
Rapid Response Questions: 
A tip on being financial savvy?
Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input 
A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it? 
Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or separate yourself from it?
A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time?
Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on?
A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told ?
Words to your mirror self today?
3 things the creative culture could do with and or without?
3 artists really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work ?
Your thoughts on the entertainment culture or theatre culture in general and a thing you would challenge the industry on?
Does strategy and conversation of the business of the industry come in to play? 
What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase "What the Chai?"
Joyfulness- What's one thing that makes Jordi joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful. 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest : https://www.instagram.com/officialfaraza/ 
Links:
Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &
https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3292959/ &  https://www.farazayub.com . 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 
 

Welcome to Chai with Rai

Welcome to Chai with Rai. 
The Podcast for the Creative in You!
 

“Consent me D#*K Pics” w/ Kush Khanna

If this isn't the most Musical episode then I don't know what is!
I would like to set a challenge of counting how many impromptu singing moments there are in the episode and the correct answer gets a £10 Nando's Gift Card ;). 
Such a joy discussing acting, music and entrepreneurship with Actor & Musician Kush Khanna. 
Topics Breakdown: 
Discussing Projects such as  - Lime Green/ Boogieman/ Temple/ Patiala House
Prep work for each of those films and to get into that space. Short films vs the big budget project that were Patiala and Boogieman. 
What was a challenge and a joy of working on those projects?
How did Dirty Kit come about and Fashion as an extension. 
Barry’s - Director of fun? Explain that role and how it progressed and how its been a constant in your life now whilst you balance music and acting. 
Culture around Boutique fitness studios has changed so much how do you in marketing manage to make it still a household name? Sustainable ever since Covid. 
Rapid Response Questions: 
A tip on being financial savvy?
Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input 
A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it? 
Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it?
A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time?
Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on?
A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told ?
Words to your mirror self today?
3 things the creative culture could do with and or without?
3 artists really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work
What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase "What the Chai?"
Joyfulness- What's one thing that makes Jordi joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful. 
Notes: Artists/ organisations mentioned in the episode are: Chappel Roan, Sigrid and The Last Dinner Party. 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest : https://www.instagram.com/kushting/?hl=en , https://twitter.com/kushting & https://www.youtube.com/user/Ankushion 
Links:
Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &
https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786050/ & https://open.spotify.com/artist/3VP9UNwEr1CtudkjirEU9s?si=uXxaE49RQ6KoBS-vSQMRSQ 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

“My Mariah Moment” w/ Kush Khanna

I love a giddy chat and this was that! 
Firstly, this episode is also available as Video so check that out now on Spotify and Youtube. Secondly, this is going to be a 2-parted episode because we had too much to talk about. 
Soooooo- Enjoy part 1 with the beaut Actor and Musician Kush Khanna. Discussing all things music, family, friendships, spirituality and more. 
Topics Breakdown: 
Can you Improv Tho?-  x4 Quick Questions set to specific timers.
Referencing Kush's "Imposter syndrome" mentioned in previous episodes and where that stems from?
The duality of Kush's exuberance with his music. 
First moment you were exposed to that made you go "Music is me". And a song or moment around music, that you have shared with your your Mum and Dad. 
Being an Indie artist and the journey of that? Sustainability and marketing? Distribution? 
Song's you have done for all your projects.
Relationship with music today and what the medium has taught you vs what you have learnt from it?
The connection to self and spirituality. 
Process to songwriting and Kush's style of music. 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest : https://www.instagram.com/kushting/?hl=en , https://twitter.com/kushting & https://www.youtube.com/user/Ankushion 
Links:
Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &
https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786050/ & https://open.spotify.com/artist/3VP9UNwEr1CtudkjirEU9s?si=uXxaE49RQ6KoBS-vSQMRSQ 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

“Matching Energy” w/ the cast & crew of Permission (The Play)

Firstly, I am on a hunt for a new Chai recipe so erm please can you slide into the DM's and let me know of any new recipe's and flavours to try. 
Secondly! What a joy to get to talk with the cast & crew from the play "Permission" at The Space in London. We discussed all things representation, ACE Funding, reflections on the play and its content but also the approach to writing and acting - as well team work. 
A lot of nuggets in this one and a massive thank you to Hunia Chawla, Anisa Butt and Rea Malhotra Mukhtyar. 
Topics Breakdown: 
Can you Improv tho (Warm up games set to short timers). 
How was the process? How you feel that its over? What is th next life for the project?
Discussing what changed from its first moment at Camdens People Theatre to the last iteration at The Space? 
Handling the conversation in the room and balance of roles/ voice. 
Discussing the feminine voice of the piece. 
Thoughts or advice on collating a team for projects that are close to the creatives experience. 
ACE Funding and market strategies. 
Getting into the world of the play.
A tip on being financial savvy?
Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input. 
A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it? 
Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it?
A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time?
Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on?
A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told ?
Words to your mirror self today?
A thing the creative culture could do with and or without?
An artist you really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work ?
What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase "What the Chai?"
Joyfulness- What's one thing that makes you joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful. 
3 words ( one word for each of the questions asked) A word an artist should be, A word to describe what an artist should never compromise on and  a feeling an artist should impart on someone always. 
Note: Artists mentioned in this episode are: Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, Michaela Coel and Frankie Thompson. 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest : https://www.instagram.com/honeyjamn/ , https://www.instagram.com/anisaaniiam/ & https://www.instagram.com/rea_mm/ 
Links:
Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &
https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://linktr.ee/honeyjam , https://linktr.ee/rea_mm & https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3442808/ 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

“This is what I know” w/ Jordi M. Carter

Such a bold and beautiful chat with Director, Producer and Artist Jordi. M Carter on how culture and the industry shapes us. How we are working to find our identity and placement, how we can be in service to art and the artists. 
Topics Breakdown: 
When was the most euphoric or happiest you were in your job?
Walk away Lessons learnt from the following: Young Vic Associates , Theatre Peckham Young and Boundless and how did opportunities in those spaces come to be? 
What about theatre and the arts excited you to be working in this industry ? 
Black Performance lab- Spirituality, culture, heritage work and facilitating that to non-black creatives/
Transparent conversations around programming, better script work or craft work from directors, writer to actors and do you voice that? 
What your DYCP is about and finding on it ? And what is DYCP why it’s so competitive now and also a great opportunity for UK creatives ? 
Challenges and joys of decolonising work in theatre and creating your own space. 
Rapid Response Questions: 
A tip on being financial savvy?
Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input 
A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it? 
Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it?
A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time?
Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on?
A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told ?
Words to your mirror self today?
3 things the creative culture could do with and or without?
3 artists really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work?
What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase "What the Chai?"
Joyfulness- What's one thing that makes Jordi joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful. 
Notes: Artists/ organisations mentioned in the episode are: Ntozake Shange, Lanre Malaolu, Benedict Lombe . 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest : https://www.instagram.com/jordimcarter/ 
Links:
Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &
https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://salamander-sprout-59c2.squarespace.com/bio & https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/11771 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

“Sangat and Community” w/ Gurkiran Kaur

The Final part with Gurkiran Kaur as we discuss Kundalini Yoga, South Asian work in UK theatre, voice and dialect coaching andddd of course GAMES!
Topics Breakdown:
Approach and pathway into Gurkiran's Voice/ Dialect Coaching.
How does your practice challenge or Better you work as an actor? And do you feel like you have a balance of it sometimes? Even from a sustainable perspective? 
Transparent conversations around programming, better script work or craft work from directors, writer to actors and do you voice that? 
Rapid Response Questions: 
A tip on being financial savvy?
Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input 
A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it? 
Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it?
A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time?
Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on?
A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told ?
Words to your mirror self today?
3 things the creative culture could do with and or without?
3 artists really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work ?
Your thoughts on the entertainment culture or theatre culture in general and a thing you would challenge the industry on?
Sippa Chai or Play with Rai- Segmented Games Round.
What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase "What the Chai?"
Joyfulness- What's one thing that makes Gurkiran joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful. 
Notes: 
Artists/Organisations mentioned: Bush Theatre, Milli Bhatia and Lung Theatre. 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest : https://www.instagram.com/gurkirank/ & https://x.com/gurkirank?lang=en-GB 
Links:
Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &
https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://www.gurkirankaur.com/ & https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5019164/
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

“Pay it Forward” w/ Gurkiran Kaur

This is going to be a two-parted episode as we had so much to talk on from voice coaching to the culture of British South Asian Theatre and more!
Such a joy to speak with actor and Voice/Dialect Coach Gurkiran Kaur . 
Topics Breakdown:
Can you Improv though-Warm up games set to 4 timing settings. 
How did she get into acting and where did that passion stem from?
Difference mentally, financially and experience wise from first acting gig to most recent?
The pivoting into Voice/Dialect coaching.
Finding placement in a project as an actor and as a coach. 
How the process of voice/dialect coach works on a production. 
How do you feel productions could better utilise the work that you do or pay more attention to it. Whether that is from directors or Writers or producers?
The work Gurkiran has done within British South Asian Theatre.
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest : https://www.instagram.com/gurkirank/ & https://x.com/gurkirank?lang=en-GB 
Links:
Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &
https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://www.gurkirankaur.com/ & https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5019164/
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 

“Daddy’s Kittens” w/ Zachary James

It all went down in the underworld!
From discussing spirituality, placement of your craft as an artist, career trajectory, mindset of being a creative. To the love for the exquisite premium vanilla that is Taylor Swift and everything in between. T'was a joy to share a cuppa with the exuberant soul that is Zachary James. 
Topics Breakdown: 
Can you Improv though-Warm up games set to 4 timing settings. 
Hadestown-  Where do you find the heart/ the empathy point? How do you approach when creating the world of the play and the world of your role and what becomes your boundary? Discussing the culture and the weight around a transfer of a role especially when you have seen the show. Finding your role and placement within an ensemble cast and how to be generous but also own the space and do the work. How was the sitzprobe? Something about the show you haven’t told anyone yet and a thing that didn’t make it form rehearsals or previews into the show now? 
Solo debut show on 15th July,24- How do you curate the show and explore what needs to be explored? You’re producing it too? The premise around your life in opera and theatre? Telling more on that. 
3 Projects: Akhnaten, RUSALKA and Philip Glass’s “The Perfect American”- How do you sink your teeth into that world and also make that accessible when it’s a medium very much designed to a specific audience? Also those 3 projects a thing you cherish, a thing you could let go of and a thing you found challenging about it? 
How much goes into your mindset about the business of being in this industry or a show?
You have discussed with such passion about accessibility ( theatre prices)  and inclusion/ diverse at points. What do you feel the current state holds? 
Do you think about trajectory, sustainability and strategy? Especially having hit so many milestones and worked with such high calibre collaborators? Does also the pressure of that weigh or does it seamlessly flow? 
Discussing Visitability in status within the industry  and culture of accolades. 
Kindness and Strength as an individual- Where it comes from? Stem of it?
Rapid Response Questions: 
A tip on being financial savvy?
A pivotal part in your life that stands out when I ask “ the most fruitful lesson you got gifted” what was it And sharing the message in your life?
3 things the creative culture could do with and or without?
Sippa Chai or Play with Rai- Segmented Games Round.
What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase "What the Chai?"
Joyfulness- What's one thing that makes Zachary joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful. 
You can purchase tickets to Zachary's solo show at Crazy Coqs HERE and Hadestown HERE. 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest :https://www.instagram.com/theofficialzacharyjames/?hl=en , https://x.com/_zachary_james_?lang=en-GB 
Links:
Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &
https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://zacharyjames.komi.io/ & https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3204137/ 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.
 
 

“I’ve been Born’t” w/ Zakiyyah Deen

We are back with delicious and juicy interviews and what a lineup I have coming for you babsies. 
Warm up your cuppa because actor and writer Zakiyyah Deen is in the building and we spill it all. From discussing Why a Black Woman will never be a Prime Minister of the UK to how to pitch your theatre projects and your boundaries as an artist. 
Topics breakdown: 
Can you Improv though- New Warm up games.
Zakiyyah's current play- "Why a Black Women will never be a prime minister." Where did it come from? Where it is at? And WHY!?
Because this is an exclusive interview- we get into it! Her story from birth to now and how the arts came to be?
Commissioning and what doing programs such as Young Vic's Fresh Direction program has taught her?
Discussing projects such as: Is dat u yh? The Brassic FM show? Enterprice? How do you find the ownership within what you input and placement within the show ? And how do you detach? 
Cultural identity and it becoming a kryptonite or your beacon? Niche as a performer? 
Quick Round: 
A tip on being financial savvy?
A tip on grant application or arts application in general?
A tip on writing a project?
Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input 
A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it? 
Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it?
A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time
Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on
A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told or 
Words to your mirror self
3 things the creative culture could do with or without
3 artists really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work 
Your thoughts on the entertainment culture or theatre culture in general and a thing you would challenge the industry on
Then we play Sippa Chai or Play with Rai, end with our "What the Chai" rant and what makes Zakiyyah joyful and how she brings joyfulness to others. 
Note: Artists mentioned in this podcast are:
https://theartistspartnership.co.uk/artist/reda-elazouar/
 
https://www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/talent/tobi-king-bakare/
 
https://www.dkfash.com/
 
You can also check out Zakiyyah's blog HERE. 
 
To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. 
Social:
Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai
Guest: https://www.instagram.com/zakiyyahdeen/?hl=en  
Links:
Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &
https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_ 
Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10987227/ , https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/zakiyyah-deen & https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/13746 
Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.