Q: Shoba, you are bursting with talent... I think my jaw was on the ground the whole time you were singing at the W Hotel for the Comet evening. I'm sure it's been an amazing ride to your Broadway debut... what has been your journey to Broadway?

A: I grew up in Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania - a suburb outside of Philadelphia. In my early childhood, I would perform (‘torture,’ if you ask my brothers) one woman variety shows for my family every night- directed, produced, and starring the one and only 'Shoba'. My parents noticed my desire to express myself through performance. They enrolled me in music and dance classes in both Western and Indian styles - to keep me in touch with my ethnic roots. I caught the musical theater bug at nine years old when I auditioned for my first musical, The King and I. That experience made me realize that musical theater seamlessly blended my passions of storytelling and performance. Needless to say, I was hooked.

My parents, avid supporters of the arts and selfless supporters of my dream, essentially became a shuttle service. Every week they drove me to ballet, bharatanatyam and carnatic music (Indian classical dance and music), western classical voice, violin, and musical rehearsal. By the end of high school, I had competed and won a couple of International solo bharatanatyam competitions, and was a member of a professional bharatanatyam company.

It was an intense period. I don’t recall having any real down time, but I loved it all so much. I went on to the Boston Conservatory to train in musical theater, a major that would allow me to hone a diversified skillset. After, I moved to NYC to begin my journey into showbiz. I have had a diverse experience in the industry, working not only in theater but also in TV and film on projects like Quantico, Growing Up Smith, Gossip Girl, Coin Heist, Mistress America and Halal in the Family. Recently, the universe has brought me back to my first love: performing on stage. I made my Broadway debut in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.