Having accumulated a body of respected work that has placed Guyana’s theatre industry into the international market, it comes as no surprise that Mahadeo Shivraj, a seasoned actor, director and producer, would be honoured by the United States of America. The USA honour was that November 30, belonged to him.
This was done in 2014 after Schenectady Mayor, Gary McCarthy, signed a proclamation declaring such.
According to the proclamation, the gifted actor was congratulated for his impressive body of work and his dedication to the arts and humanitarianism.
His hard work has paid off as his name is now etched among those other revered Guyanese talents who have been able to grasp the attention of Hollywood. Shivraj has received many awards, recognitions and citations for his dedication and outstanding work in the arts.
Locally, he is the recipient of the Golden Arrowhead Award of Distinction, while the National Drama Festival has recognized him as the Best Actor for his work in the plays “83 Million Gees”, in 2012, and the film “Watch De Ride 2: Justice”, in 2013.
It was always his dream to become an actor, and, to date, Shivraj has acted in more than 90 plays and directed more than 30 in Guyana and New York.
Since leaving Guyana in the 90’s to explore international opportunities in film, he has appeared in “The Americans”; “The Smurfs” alongside Neil Patrick Harris; “30 Rock” with big stars like Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin; “Three Backyards” with Elias Koteas and Edie Falco; “Speechless” with Academy Award winner Holly Hunter and “Lipstick Jungle” with former teenage heart-throb, Brooke Shields.
His sophisticated and calm approach also earned him an appearance in “Law and Order SVU”, and “Cop Shop” with Academy Award winner, Richard Dreyfuss. He has also acted in more than a dozen independent films.
In 2010, Shivraj gave directing a try with his debut film “Till I Find A Place”, which was shot in Guyana and earned favourable reviews.
He then displayed his many talents as he acted, produced and directed “A Jasmine For A Gardener”, “Brown Sugar Too Bitter For Me”, and “Forgotten Promise”.
He had said that his accomplishments of being part of the industry were no walk in the Botanical Gardens.
“There were born Americans who had all the requirements to enter the industry, but were never able to make it as far as I had gone. I couldn’t believe how blessed I was. But it is still so difficult to make a living in acting, a profession that is considered the most competitive in the world and has a 95 per cent unemployment rate.”
Some of his other memorable works in Guyana include the popular comedy-‘Laugh till yuh belly buss’ and ‘Text me’.
In his interview with Kaieteur News back in 2012, he categorically stated, “I have always done acting for the love of it. Love for the art and the craft. It was never for the show for me – even though that comes with it naturally. I sincerely hope that I can provide opportunities for young people in Guyana with the same desire.”