From humorous and humbling moments like falling off stage to profound revelations, Majid shares his experiences of changing his stage name to fit in and later, of reclaiming his Iranian heritage. We delve into the nuances of identity, the mixed-race experience, and the pressures to change oneself or chip away parts of yourself in order to meet the expectations of others and fit neatly into society’s categories.
Episode breakdown:
Special Guests:Majid Mehdizadeh-ValoujerdyMajid is a father and a husband, an actor, theater director, writer and teacher. Amongst many notable credits he played the lead role of Albert in ‘War Horse’, in London’s West End, he also wrote and performed his own one man show ‘Young Man’s Angry Movements’, across prestigious theaters in the UK, he played series regular Jesse Donovan on the UK TV show ‘Hollyoaks’. At the beginning of July he finished playing a lead role in the Neil LaBoute play ‘The Shape of Things’ at the Park theater in London and he recently wrapped filming on Season 14 of Doctor Who.Directing wise, he made his professional directing debut in July 2022 at the Blue Elephant Theatre, London, where he directed a new play, Give Me the Sun, by Mamet Leigh. The creative team was made up entirely of Middle Eastern and North African artists.He has taught and directed at RADA, LIPA, Mountview, Drama Studio London and is now teaching at UEL on their Acting for Stage and Screen Course.Instagram: @majidmvjLinks:how-ethnic-actors-changing-their-names-perpetuates-hollywoods-racismhttps://thewildcattribune.com/14421/opinion/how-ethnic-actors-changing-their-names-perpetuates-hollywoods-racismSir Ben Kingsley's identity is as colourful as his characters
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/sir-ben-kingsleys-identity-is-as-colourful-as-his-characters/
Bill of Rights for People of Mixed Heritage - Maria P.P. Root
https://www.apa.org/pubs/videos/4310742-rights.pdf
Additional info on the Podcast:
Hosts: Amy Maghera -Taub, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara
Music: Mathias Kunzli - www.mathiasjunzli.com
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