Olivia Ormsby
Olivia Ormsby
From Choir Rehearsal to National Tour: How Rajané Katurah ’17 Embodies Spelman Discipline On and Off the Stage
From Choir Rehearsal to National Tour: How Rajané Katurah ’17 Embodies Spelman Discipline On and Off the Stage
In the Prince Theater at the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation & the Arts on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, Spelman College alumna Rajané Katurah, Class of 2017, and about 20 fellow cast members from the touring production of “MJ The Musical” participated in a panel discussion about professionalism in the arts, advice for student performers and their experiences with the show.
The touring production of “MJ” has been on the road since August 2023 and will close May 24, 2026. In addition to its Atlanta run at the Fox Theatre from Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, 2026, the musical has toured cities including Spokane, Washington; Chicago; and Vancouver, British Columbia. The show previously had an acclaimed run on Broadway, which led to multiple tours in the United States, Asia and the United Kingdom.
Despite its lengthy run, the production and Katurah remain anything but stagnant. She joined the show as a swing, covering multiple roles, and now performs as a principal actor portraying Katherine. Other cast members have similarly transitioned from swing roles to understudy positions and eventually to principal roles in “MJ” and other productions.
While performing as a principal in “MJ,” Katurah has drawn on lessons from her time in Spelman’s Department of Theater and Performance to grow personally and professionally. A central theme of the panel discussion was the importance of discipline and purpose in the arts, regardless of one’s current role.
“As a swing, I wasn’t supposed to make my debut until after a full practice run-through, but I ended up going on the day after opening,” Katurah said. “I cried in the bathroom but realized that I was built for this and was ready, even though it technically wasn’t my time yet. I practiced my lines every day. I was prepared to do the job even though I didn’t feel ready, because I prepared like I was ready.”
Katurah and her fellow cast members agreed that a professional career in the arts requires discipline. They also emphasized the importance of grace and personal development as tools for professional growth.
For Katurah, grace has meant persevering through demanding rehearsals and drawing on sight-reading exercises from her time in the Spelman Glee Club to strengthen her vocal performance.
After the panel, Katurah said studying and performing abroad at the British American Drama Academy and in Málaga, Spain, as well as minoring in Spanish, helped her build confidence and better prepared her to distinguish herself professionally through both skill and personality.
The range of personal and professional experiences represented within the “MJ” cast reflects the diversity and intersectionality present in the arts. While some cast members prioritize working out, private lessons or interpretive dance to recharge, others spend their free time gaming, socializing with friends or connecting with family and partners.
There is no single path to building a professional career in the arts. However, Katurah’s journey reflects how Spelman equips students with the discipline and purpose needed to succeed as self-starters. For many performers, the Spelman experience is not merely a stepping stone but a foundation for professional excellence on and off the stage.
In the Prince Theater at the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation & the Arts on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, Spelman College alumna Rajané Katurah, Class of 2017, and about 20 fellow cast members from the touring production of “MJ The Musical” participated in a panel discussion about professionalism in the arts, advice for student performers and their experiences with the show.
The touring production of “MJ” has been on the road since August 2023 and will close May 24, 2026. In addition to its Atlanta run at the Fox Theatre from Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, 2026, the musical has toured cities including Spokane, Washington; Chicago; and Vancouver, British Columbia. The show previously had an acclaimed run on Broadway, which led to multiple tours in the United States, Asia and the United Kingdom.
Despite its lengthy run, the production and Katurah remain anything but stagnant. She joined the show as a swing, covering multiple roles, and now performs as a principal actor portraying Katherine. Other cast members have similarly transitioned from swing roles to understudy positions and eventually to principal roles in “MJ” and other productions.
While performing as a principal in “MJ,” Katurah has drawn on lessons from her time in Spelman’s Department of Theater and Performance to grow personally and professionally. A central theme of the panel discussion was the importance of discipline and purpose in the arts, regardless of one’s current role.
“As a swing, I wasn’t supposed to make my debut until after a full practice run-through, but I ended up going on the day after opening,” Katurah said. “I cried in the bathroom but realized that I was built for this and was ready, even though it technically wasn’t my time yet. I practiced my lines every day. I was prepared to do the job even though I didn’t feel ready, because I prepared like I was ready.”
Katurah and her fellow cast members agreed that a professional career in the arts requires discipline. They also emphasized the importance of grace and personal development as tools for professional growth.
For Katurah, grace has meant persevering through demanding rehearsals and drawing on sight-reading exercises from her time in the Spelman Glee Club to strengthen her vocal performance.
After the panel, Katurah said studying and performing abroad at the British American Drama Academy and in Málaga, Spain, as well as minoring in Spanish, helped her build confidence and better prepared her to distinguish herself professionally through both skill and personality.
The range of personal and professional experiences represented within the “MJ” cast reflects the diversity and intersectionality present in the arts. While some cast members prioritize working out, private lessons or interpretive dance to recharge, others spend their free time gaming, socializing with friends or connecting with family and partners.
There is no single path to building a professional career in the arts. However, Katurah’s journey reflects how Spelman equips students with the discipline and purpose needed to succeed as self-starters. For many performers, the Spelman experience is not merely a stepping stone but a foundation for professional excellence on and off the stage.