Chicago native Ny’ajai Ellison has always been an artist at heart. Though she may have somewhat suppressed her thespian dreams over the years while holding down positions likesocial media specialist for the Mayor’s press office or producer/director of Wisconsin Public Radio’s morning show, the U of I Broadcast Journalism graduate never let those artistic aspirations venture too far off.
With a number of acting credits for both film and stage now under her belt including Survival Guide, Amadeus, Detroit ’67, and A Raisin in the Sun, Ellison has fully immersed herself in her chosen craft and it’s paying off big time dividends.
The southsider is currently wowing audiences in the lead role of “Camae” in celebrated screenwriter and playwright Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop now showcasing at the Invictus Theatre Company in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood.
N’DIGO recently caught up with the multi-talented artist to discuss The Mountaintop, her not so secret alter ego of The Garden Goddess, and her very unique take on W.A.P. among other things.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Ny’ajai Ellison?
Ny’ajai Ellison: Ellison is a multifaceted individual whose story is still being written. She’s a vibrant, passionate woman of God who loves life and is on the path of living a purposeful life filled with joy, abundance and peace. She’s an unstoppable woman who is determined to live out her story and grow into the being that God has destined her to be. Ny’ajai is learning and growing everyday in hopes of becoming a better version of herself.
As a child, what did you imagine you’d do for a living?
There were THREE very specific things I imagined as a kid. First, I was intent on becoming a veterinarian because I LOVED animals so much growing up! I’ve had just about every pet you can make and I used to sneak stray animals into my home. Animals have always held a soft spot in my heart. Then there was a point where I thought I’d be a Chef because my love for food is incomparable. My mom taught us how to cook at a very young age so it’s long been a passion. And lastly, I also imagined I’d be an actress because I always loved the idea of performing and people being able to watch me perform in different mediums such as stage and tv. I imagined that I’d be a famous movie star. While I wish I hadn’t been discouraged from studying and pursuing it while in college, my love for acting has never left my heart so I did it every chance I got since I was 14.
Who were the first actors you remember seeing that moved you and made you want to be an actor yourself?
Raven Symone immediately comes to mind. I thought she was so adorable on The Cosby Show and I loved watching That So Raven growing up. I also enjoyed Kyla Pratt. Seeing young black female/kid actresses inspired me a lot. As I got older, women like Angela Bassett and Sanaa Lathan moved me. I absolutely LOVED Robin Williams. Mrs. Doubtfire was my first favorite movie. I thought he was so funny!
Please tell us about your current production,The Mountaintopby Katori Hall, and your role as Camae?
The Mountaintop is about Dr. Martin Luther King’s last day on Earth. It’s set at The Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Camae is a maid at the Lorraine Motel and it’s her first day. She serves MLK room service and the two get to know each other over the course of time before the big reveal is shared with him.
It’s a powerful piece to say the least. Do you remember your first thoughts upon reading the script?
I remember thinking “What is MLK doing alone in a hotel room with this woman? Is this when he cheated on his wife? Where is this going? Oh wow! This is deep! I wasn’t expecting that!”
Did you do much in the way of creating a backstory to get to know Camae better?
I can relate to Camae in a lot of ways so it was easy to connect with her character and create a backstory for her that allowed me to tell her story properly.
Do you have a specific pre-show routine or ritual that you must do before every performance?
It depends on my mood and how I’m feeling that day. I always prefer peace before my shows. It’s important that I have my phone on “Do Not disturb.” I stretch. I listen to music. Sometimes classical music, sometimes Drake, sometimes just beats or relaxation sounds. It’s important that I practice my breathing so I breathe a lot. And speak words of affirmation into myself such as “I am Everything I want to be.” “My name is Ny’ajai and I dominate.” “I’m Camae. Camae is me.” “Just Be.” “You got this.” Stuff like that.
In addition to acting, you’re also a successful organic food grower known as The Garden Goddess. Please tell us about this alter ego and some of the things you’ve accomplished?
I created The Garden Goddess alter ego in 2020 during the pandemic. I was so excited to buy a home but I wouldn’t put an offer in if it didn’t have a yard for me to garden. Once I bought my place, I started my garden before I had any furniture. I love food and the idea of growing my own food and knowing where it came from. Not only has my beautiful garden been covered on news stations such as ABC and CBS but I’ve also created fun parodies such as WAP (Wild A** Peppers) as a way to connect my garden with the culture and different trends. It was my outlet for peace as well as creativity. My love for gardening and plants inspired me to start my own microgreen business Goddess Greens where I grew microgreens and delivered them to local residents, grocery stores and restaurants.
You also recently stepped behind the camera and put together a film. Please shed a little light on that for us?
Yes! Over the summer, I finished filming my first project under Ny’ajai Ellison Productions called NetWorth. The film follows a young woman who leaves her mundane corporate job to pursue her dreams of becoming a rapper.
What’s something (else) people would be surprised to know about you?
I think people would be surprised to know that I have an old soul. I love listening to artists like Sam Cooke and Prince.
Best advice to aspiring actors and artists?
Just keep going. Don’t be afraid to take matters into your own hands, create your own work. Whatever you do, just keep going. Every step counts so embrace every moment.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
Two of my Favorite quotes are from Maya Angelou.
- “Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.”
- “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
What’s next for Ny’ajai Ellison?
I will continue to work toward becoming a professional player in the entertainment industry. I was afraid of being a “starving artist” but 2023 is my first year pursuing acting full time. My goal is to be represented by a reputable agency, become an equity member and become a SAG actress. My goal is to grow as a professional artist, travel and to gain mental peace and clarity about the world and life itself. I want notoriety and for my work, my films, my productions, my gifts, to be witnessed by the world. Sometimes I dream of winning an Oscar and a Tony but for now I focus on doing the work. My goal is to have my film NetWorth and my future films on platforms such as HBO, Netflix, Starz, Showtime, BET, etc. My goal is to make money and create generational wealth for my family from my productions. I’d also like to buy more property across the globe.
For more information on Ny’ajai, feel free to connect on Instagram.
Katori Hall’s The Mountaintopruns runs through March 19 at the Invictus Theatre Company
For ticket information, please visitwww.invictustheatreco.com/mountain
