Preparation pays off: Duke Ellington grad Jayna Elise delivers the goods as ‘Tina’

By D. Kevin McNeir Particular to the AFRO

Jayna Elise proved you possibly can come residence once more this month when she returned to the District using within the lead function of “TINA – The Tina Turner Musical. 

The 22-year-old actress spent her early life in Prince George’s County and graduated from one among nation’s most prestigious excessive faculties for college students eager about careers as actors, singers and musicians: The Duke Ellington College of the Arts (DESA) in Washington, D.C. 

Through the musical’s latest three-day stint right here in D.C. on the Nationwide Theatre – the newest leg of the manufacturing’s nationwide tour – Elise, who first started performing on the tender age of 4, showcased her performing prowess and shared her God-given vocal skills, a lot to the delight of standing room solely audiences. 

“Opening night time in D.C. was superb and with lots of us from the solid initially from the world, our mates, household and classmates confirmed up and confirmed us a lot love,” Elise stated. 

Elise was cautious to thank native tv networks who helped promote the present and gave a particular shoutout to Georgetown Cupcake, the D.C.-based “cupcakery” that offered tasty treats to the solid and crew on opening night time, Jan. 24.

However she additionally paid tribute to the academics who helped her safe the muse that has helped catapult her to success in what she described as “the function of a lifetime.” 

“Duke Ellington was a tremendous journey and a spot the place so many people realized that when you really need it, you need to work for it – you need to put within the time,” she stated. “Nonetheless, that is very completely different for me as a result of I see myself extra as a songwriter than a singer. However the classes I realized from Duke Ellington have paid off and it hasn’t been that arduous altering my each day regiment from dealing with studio work to getting equipped for an virtually three-hour present. 

“Speaking, singing and performing take a toll in your physique and your voice, so I’ve to train, relaxation and deal with my voice with care,” she stated. 

Elise isn’t any stranger to the highlight, having made notable appearances on hit tv exhibits, resembling “America’s Received Expertise” and “American Idol” – each for which she was a finalist. 

In September 2024, a couple of months after the Might 2024 American Idol season 22 finale, Elise took on the lead function of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner, within the second nationwide tour of “Tina -The Tina Turner Musical.”

However what’s so spectacular about her efficiency is the best way she ready for the function. 

“Individuals typically ask me if I’ve seen the film ‘What’s Love Received to Do with It” and so they’re stunned once I inform them I haven’t,” she stated. “I’ve seen clips, however I’ve by no means watched all the film. I didn’t need to be tempted or to be accused of copying from it. The movie and the actors deserve all of the awards they acquired, however this musical isn’t just like the film.”

“For me, I wished to be true to the integrity of our manufacturing,” stated Elise. 

And whereas Elise has been on loads of levels and auditioned numerous occasions, she stated she had butterflies in her abdomen for the primary few performances when the tour kicked off final fall.

“I used to be very nervous as a result of there are such a lot of sides to the present,” she stated. “I’ve to focus on my singing, I’ve to give attention to the props, I’ve to look at the lighting and blocking. It’s much more than simply signing a couple of traces. However the solid, crew and administrators are improbable, and I’m so grateful for this chance,” stated Elise. “I notice that I’ve some large sneakers to observe and fill, and I’m honored to have the ability to pay tribute to the life, the legacy and the lady – Tina Turner.”