Random Black Girl - Tega Aror

Hey friends!! It's the anniversary of my first uploaded video (and my birthday), so I decided to post another video in celebration! This performance was during my class's grade 11 Music Theatre exam piece. Basically, we had to write a musical using an original storyline and songs from other shows. Technically, this piece isn't from a show per se, but instead is from a mix of unique pieces from a collections called "Homemade Fusion" created by a couple writers named Kooman & Dimond. Their stuff is pretty cool and I suggest you check it out if interested. Random Black Girl is about a black actress who outlines all of the struggles she has encountered in her profession.
These are the lyrics:
I'm not like the other girls in this show
I'm something of a sore thumb
I'm starting to think that I'm different
And I suspect I know how come
My complexion stands out
And my voice does as well
And in case you haven't noticed ... I'm black as hell!
It's an obligatory part of every new musical,
It's the Random Black Girl singin' the soul...
Every show must have an ensemble
Without it, thing's wouldn't be right
And every crowd needs at least one person who doesn't happen to be white
And that girl is usually me
Feels like I'm just filling a quota
And any time I ever have lines, they're "yes'm", "yessir", and "nosa"
When it comes to the plot, I play no significant role
I'm just the Random Black Girl singin' the soul
So, I conduct with my hands
And I'll squinch up my eyes
And then I'll open my mouth unbelievably wide
And at the end of the song, when it's time to let go
I'll give 'em a dose of my crazy vibrato!
Why couldn't I be cast for a part in 'The Colour Purple'
'stead of the Random Black Girl singin' the soul
My agent gave me advice
Those words I'll never forget he said:
"Don't think you'll ever be cast as Eponine or Cossette"
But I guess things always could be worse
When it comes to my Broadway station
At least I'm not cursed enough to have been born Asian*
Then I'd be stuck in Miss Saigon dancin' on a pole
'stead of the Random Black Girl singin' the soul
The designers can't light me
Director don't know my name
And the makeup artist thinks we all wear the same shade
And Mister Stage Manager thinks that I've got too much sass
And the costumer don't know what to do with my big ol' black -- HAIR oh,
Maybe I should audition for American Idol
They'd love the Random Black Girl singin' the soul
So what does this song change?
Well, not a relevant thing.
But you gotta be thinkin’ to yourself
“Goddamn, this sister can sing”.
Don’t you hate it when songs are so self-referential?
I’m a random black girl singin’ the…
Don’t stop me now, cause baby I’m on a roll.
I’m the random black girl singin’ the… (side note - I forgot this lyric while on stage.... oh those stage nerves)
I can make an entire phrase out of one syllable... (improvisation)
Cause I’m a random black girl singin’ the soul!
Another note about the lyrics of this song
Obviously, I didn't write this song, but I wanted to try to explain the "born Asian" lyric. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with 'being Asian' (fun fact - my friend who is half Filipino and half Chinese actually found this song for me lol), the meaning of this statement is that it is even harder for Asian actors/actresses to find big parts in Broadway than black folk for whatever reason. Broadway is just.. weird like that... Anyways, if you listen to the next lyric it provides some context to the statement.
I hope you enjoyed this video and if you stuck it out till the end of this description, you're a superstar! See you in my next video :)
Tega xx

[@Lavendersunflower357]

YES 👑

[@marllonsilva9703]

Você é muito talentosa❤❤❤

[@Dani_slaughter5729]

Yesss

[@pedrogomes4671]

You are so perfect, you have much talent, Congratulations✨✨

[@alicatrae]

Yes!

[@RockStar_Love]

Go head sis