ABOUT Z
Hi! Zurin here and thank you for visiting my website! I am an artist in many ways but I'm an actor first and foremost. My first love was dance. I began dancing in tap class at 7 years old. I quickly graduated to ballet, jazz, and modern.
Then one fateful afternoon a neighbor of mine booked a gig on Sesame Street. Very jealous, I announced to my mother that I wanted to be an actor. I didn't even fully know what an actor was but I suppose it was a little voice speaking big purpose.
I danced in programs at the Brooklyn Music School, The Dance theatre of Harlem, the Rockettes at Radio City and Alvin Ailey.
I began acting at the Henry Street Settlement at the age of 12 to get ready for my entrance audition to Laguardia High School for the Performing Arts. I started as a freshman in the dance program and switched to the drama program as a sophomore. It was easily the best 4 years of my life until I attended Howard University. I graduated from Howard with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre. I also went to the British Academy of Dramatic Art in Oxford England with a similar scholarship that sent Chadwick Boseman before me. Howard is where | found out who I was outside of my "type". I was supported and challenged as a young actor and I will forever be grateful.
I was fortunate to receive my equity card during my senior year at Howard. I was cast as Yolanda in the musical Crowns at Arena Stage. Some of my other favorite credits include Charlayne in Aint Misbehavin directed by Andre Deshields and Josephine Baker in Josephine Tonight! directed by Maurice Hines. Sarah in Ragtime at Barrington Stage, Karen in Mean Girls and Nala in The Lion King. Feel free to check out my resume for more!
I have had the time and space to train each of the three musical theatre disciplines separately and then together. It has given me time to fully develop my skill in each before putting them together. First dance, then acting and finally voice at the age of 17. Yes, I started singing late so young actors out there please know that its a muscle that you can train at any age!
Outside of acting I love to direct and write. I am currently working on my first book of a musical and a feature film. I write poetry for fun and I recently picked up the ukulele. You may also catch me indulging in my other love; fashion! Finally, stay tuned for the release of my ebook on the business of Broadway so don't forget to check it out on my Instagram @zurinspired. Take a look around and feel free to hit me up!