DIDIHOOD ~ Issue 68

Hello October! 

I don't know about you all, but I can't believe how fast this year is going! We're approaching one of my favourite times of the year — Diwali — and with that we'll have some special news and events coming up so stay tuned!

Speaking of exciting news...

We are super excited to announce the launch of the DIDI candle in collaboration with Roshni Wellness!
The candle has notes of warm clove + ginger that will leave you feeling grounded and extra grateful for the didis in your life. This candle is giving the perfect cozy Autumn and Diwali vibes. Get your DIDI candle here.  

Meet The Didi:

This month, we're chatting with Ragini Kapil, who is starring in the new production, Heirlooms & Baggage (My Mother's Story). Ragini, an Indian-Canadian actor, director, writer, and educator with 34 years of diverse teaching experience, has a profound passion for acting and film. Her debut short film, All Kinds of Weather, earned global acclaim, winning Best Short at Shakti Film Festival. Ragini's versatile acting spans film, TV, and theatre, including stand-up comedy performances at prominent venues. Currently, she's finalizing a documentary short, The Comedy Doula, and is an artist associate at Delta Stageworks. Ragini’s career is rapidly expanding across North America, with upcoming projects including lending her voice to a PBS animated children’s series and completing an audiobook on Aung San Suu Kyi's life, available on Audible. Explore Ragini's work and portfolio: RaginiKapil.ca.

Ragini, what inspired you to start acting? Is it something you’ve always wanted to do?

I have always wanted to be, dreamed of being an actor and a writer. I have written reams of stories, snippets, scripts, poems. Yet, from the time I was a very little girl, even though I yearned for a creative life, I followed expectations and the social norms of the time and became a teacher and an elementary school principal. However, I continued to develop my creative skills, making yearly movies with the students, creating slideshows, and even winning awards for two of my video productions as an educator. It wasn’t until 2015 that I seized the opportunity to follow my dream and become a screenwriter. And then, in 2019, I was able to retire. Since then, I’ve made two short films, become a standup comedian, become a series regular as a voice over artist, and read my first audio book. Now, I’m participating in an incredibly innovative devised theatre project as an artist collaborator with Delta Stageworks.

Your upcoming production, Heirlooms & Baggage (My Mother’s Story), unveils the extraordinary lives of five remarkable women, including your mother. It took you two years to prepare for this, tell us about this journey.
Delta Stageworks had invited diverse writers to take part in writing “My Mother’s Story” with Marilyn Norry. I had always wanted to write about the extraordinary life of my mum and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. From there, I was amongst other writers who were invited to take their stories further and work as an artist collaborator for a devised theatre production of “My Mother’s Story.” This became known as Heirlooms & Baggage. We worked with various industry professionals and staged a workshop version of the work in March, and now it’s tremendously exciting to be able to hone the stories, adding more depth, and discovering more truths about the women we call our mothers, as we prepare for our October finished version. Being part of Heirlooms & Baggage has allowed me to explore both my creativity as a writer, as well as skill as an actor.

What do you hope people who come to see Heirlooms & Baggage take away from it?
I hope that people take away two things from Heirlooms & Baggage. The first is an interest and appreciation for their own mother’s stories and a renewed connection with their moms. The second is an increase in understanding that regardless of where any of our mothers started out, they all had unique challenges and perspectives, as well as a certain commonality in their lives as mothers.

What has been your journey like navigating the acting world as a South Asian woman?

It’s been interesting to say the least. I am so much older than most people starting out in this field and that’s because I never felt there was a place for me — there was no precursor to someone my age. Prior to the writers’ strike, I was seeing more and more roles for BIPOC. And although I have sort of a hard time with that labelling, I also welcome the opportunity to take part — to get to be on set, experience what it’s like to be part of a production. The main thing is that even though the opportunities are coming, it is still difficult to navigate through the idea that the character is written so broadly that any Black, Indigenous, or Person of Colour will do. It is wonderful to see multiethnic casts, for sure and there are so many professional actors who are not only booking lead roles, they are inspiring people like me and everyone who is coming up to believe that we can be in the room, as well. 
What sets Heirlooms & Baggage apart is that it is an inclusive story. We’ve seen some great theatre depicting stories about Asians, South Asians, Latinx — all of us are getting some stage time. And we’ve seen traditionally Eurocentric plays hiring BIPOC actors for traditional roles. Where this piece differs is that the stories of the mothers are inclusive of my Fiji Indian mother, Camryn’s Chinese mother, and Peg, Eric, and Renee’s mothers. This is very important storytelling and while parts of it are difficult; touching on racism and Asian hate, it’s important to see these stories, our stories, alongside those of people from the white community.

Do you have any advice for younger Didis who want to do what you’re doing?
Oh yes, of course! My advice is first and foremost to believe in yourself. If you have a dream, you can absolutely achieve it. The work is hard, the dedication is sometimes challenging, the doors slam, the no’s pile up, but still, you go for it. Keep going for it and do what you need to do — join a writers’ group, take improv, become a standup comedian — it’s all possible! Surround yourself with people that lift you up and don’t put you down. You won’t believe where you go, when you simply believe in your capability to get there.

Heirlooms & Baggage (My Mother's Story), is being presented by Delta Stageworks. This compelling production will take centre stage at the Genesis Theatre in Ladner, BC, with a special preview show on Oct. 11, followed by performances from Oct. 12 to 15. To buy tickets, visit deltastageworks.ca

What we're reading:

The success stories of New York's immigrant "eyebrows ladies" | Vogue India ​

Let's talk about what happened to Jaahnavi Kandula | On Canada Project

See you in November!

— Roohi Sahajpal

Issue 68
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
[email protected]