It doesn’t take one being a musical connoisseur to remember being completely content with John Travolta’s role as Edna Turnblad, the mother of the bubbly and passionate Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 film adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical Hairspray. While there was no question as to who was under the wig, dress, and soft and fluffy character, the role, somehow, was perfectly written for and portrayed by the Saturday Night Fever two-stepper. Be it on screen or on the stage, Hairspray, the energetic musical bursting with song and dance, isn’t just a celebration of big hair and catchy tunes. Though undeniably entertaining, the story tackles serious issues with surprising depth, making it a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate today.
Photo courtesy of The Vokol Group
On its surface, the Tony Award-winning play follows Tracy Turnblad, a plus-size teenager in 1960s Baltimore, who dreams of dancing on the televised Corny Collins Show. As Tracy pursues her passion, she challenges racial segregation and beauty standards on the show, sparking a movement for integration and acceptance. A social commentary disguised as fun, Hairspray, wrapped in its vibrant costumes and upbeat music, is a powerful message of equality. Confronting racism through Tracy’s friendship with Seaweed J. Stubbs, a Black teenager, and their desire to dance together, the show doesn’t shy away from the realities of segregation, but uses humor and heart to advocate for change.
Still, with all going on on stage, there’s another quiet storm brewing – Little Inez, the vivacious younger sister of Seaweed, proving to be more than a sidekick. Throughout the storyline, the talented young performer is a force to be reckoned with, brimming with confidence, sass, and a fierce desire to break down racial barriers. Described as a “spunky and tough” teenager, Little Inez is a natural on the dance floor. Her soulful voice and rug-cutting shines as she impatiently awaits her moment to showcase her gifts.
The character of Little Inez, since Hairspray’s inception, has resonated with audiences of all ages, while the actresses who portray her often bring their own unique energy to the role, further amplifying her message of empowerment. Today, as the live show heads into the final legs of its current tour, Kaila Symone Crowder is the actress who’s taken on the responsibility of caring for the role of Little Inez. A bright new face on the theater scene, her journey from a small town in North Carolina to the national tour of Hairspray is as inspiring and remarkable as the role she’s taken on.
With a passion for singing ignited by a summer program, Inspire the Fire, Crowder discovered her love for acting and honed her craft throughout high school and college. “While I was in high school, I got really involved with the drama department and musical theater, so much that I decided to make it my major in college”, Crowder explained during a recent interview with Dallas Weekly. “I went to Alabama State first, and did one year there and transferred for better opportunities to North Carolina A&T.” “I worked so hard my junior year”, Crowder recalls, “putting in the hard work to boldly branch out, taking on professional opportunities outside the school department.”
Despite initial setbacks after graduation, Kaila’s unwavering determination and hard work paid off when she landed a coveted role in Hairspray, her second ever audition in New York City. This accomplishment, fulfilling a childhood dream of landing a part in Hairspray, exemplifies the same kind of perseverance that Kaila says draws from the role of Little Inez. “I take a lot of who Little Inez is in the show into my personal life. Her boldness and even her going on the Corny Collins Show. She was like ‘I don’t know if I’m going to get in, but even if you give me a no, I’m here’.”
“You get a lot of no’s, and sometimes the no’s and rejection is just God processing you for the next level. In that process, work on your skills and do what you have to do to better yourself, mentally, emotionally, physically.”
Kayla Symone Crowder
Speaking of how she prepared to assume responsibility for the role, Kaila noted the the role of Little Inez actually helped her be more bold in her own life. “Inez’s personality onstage brings something out of me in my personal life”, says Crowder. “I always think to myself ‘if Inez got there, I can get there. Because she’s 14 years old.'”
As such, Little Inez’s unwavering spirit in the face of prejudice serve as a personal inspiration for Kaila, who embodies this spirit not just on stage, but in her own life, refusing to be limited by others’ expectations. Kaila’s message is clear: faith, resilience, and self-belief are the cornerstones of her success. She emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not letting rejection define your worth. Advising younger artists, Crowder recommended they “keep God first. Don’t let anybody tell you no and you quit. If somebody does tell you no, it’s very easy to go back into the shell that you were coming out of”, Kaila says. “Especially as a Black woman, we think, ‘maybe I need to fix my hair, skin tone, nose.’ None of that is going to fulfill the inner part of you, if you’re always trying to satisfy somebody else, it’ll never make you whole.”
Kaila, as gracious as they come, also gave a nod to Audrey Floyd, her understudy for the role of Little Inez, who’d Crowder demanded deserved special mention because of “her hard work.”
Now on her first national tour, Kaila embraces the challenges and excitement of traveling the country. She spoke fondly of her pre-college trips to New York and Los Angeles, experiences that unknowingly prepared her for the present and her future. “I’d never really gone anywhere, and now I’m touring the country, learning so much.” Crowder also spoke of her gratitude for the role, stating that Inez had always been her favorite personality in Hairspray. “Inez has always been my favorite character in Hairspray because she is so bold. Inez is like, ‘just let me sing – if you just give me one yes I’ll do the rest.’”
“I take a lot of who Little Inez is in the show into my personal life. Her boldness and even her going on the Corny Collins Show. She was like ‘I don’t know if I’m going to get in, but even if you give me a no, I’m here.'”
Kaila Symone Crowder
Hairspray’s enduring relevance resonates deeply with the generations while Little Inez represents the younger generation – one that craves a more just and inclusive world. Her unwavering confidence and talent inspire others, particularly her brother Seaweed. While the musical doesn’t explicitly show her future, Little Inez leaves a lasting impression. She embodies the hope for a future where racial barriers crumble and talented performers like her can shine on any stage.
Little Inez is a reminder that even the seemingly minor characters can play a pivotal role in driving a story’s message forward. In Kaila’s case, assuming responsibility for the role aligns perfectly, challenging herself to step into and live in her boldness. Kaila’s journey is far from over, but her unwavering spirit and talent she’s pumped into the role of Little Inez is surely a set up for an exciting future filled with captivating performances.
Don’t miss the Tony Award-winning musical, Hairspray in Dallas, Jun 18 – 30 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. For tickets visit www.broadwaydallas.org