In a world hungry for authentic stories, producer-singer-songwriter Morgan Clae is answering the call with her upcoming audio musical drama series, LUNAIIRA: Soul’s Rift. This is a heartfelt celebration of voices that deserve to be heard and stories that need to be told. What began as an ambitious 100-day musical writing challenge in 2023 has blossomed into something beautifully significant.
Collaborating with childhood best friend and artist Samantha Timple, Clae has crafted LUNAIIRA: Soul’s Rift—a fully-scored high fantasy musical that uplifts powerful femmes and folx of color, queer romance, and the timeless journey of finding purpose in challenging times.
For Clae, the decision to move forward was driven by urgency and determination to tell stories with purpose. “I just wanted to make something and I was tired of waiting for someday…someone’s going to hand it to you and say here you now get to make this project,” she explains.
The message became clear, “we just need to make something we need to start and we’ve opened doors for ourselves.” Her philosophy is refreshingly direct, “I don’t want to wait 20 years and then be given something like I want to make it now.”
A Story Born from Love and Understanding
As a BIPOC queer creator, Clae brings a lived authenticity to her storytelling—there is a well of understanding of what it means to seek belonging in spaces where voices like hers have been underrepresented. LUNAIIRA’s narrative is set twenty-eight years after a devastating war, where magic has found “harmony” but true understanding remains a work in progress. This absolutely reflects the real-world journey of communities building bridges and finding their place in an evolving world that often times still carry scars from many generations past.
The story follows Ziraiah and Princess Shiaari, whose intertwined lives are forever changed by a life-shattering revelation during the summer solstice. Their journey becomes a beautiful metaphor for growth, choice, and the courage to embrace change and fight for what truly matters. Even if that means stepping into the unknown.
When it comes to representation, Clae is intentional about how these characters exist in their world. “It is a very, like very, queer people of color led; but, that does not drive the story at all. Like that they’re just existing in the high fantasy space, which I feel like we’re not always given that opportunity. We don’t see that a lot,” she notes.
The project represents something deeply personal:”these are the characters we never got to see the characters that we wish existed the stories that we have always wanted.” Ziraiah, in particular, embodies the complexity Clae has long sought in representation.
“Zariah is like the Disney princess that I’ve always wanted to see on screen… she is soft and she cries but then she has these moments of like badassery but then she also has these moments of intense anger,” Clae describes, painting a picture of a character who defies traditional archetypes.
Building Community Through Storytelling
The magic of LUNAIIRA extends beyond its fictional realm into the very real community Clae has lovingly assembled. The cast is a beautiful tapestry of talent, each bringing their own gifts and perspectives to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
Sariah Cali, drawn to storytelling’s transformative power, lends her voice to help bring this “beautiful world to life.” Benjamin Callins, a Métis/Cree and transgender actor known for his breakout role in Netflix’s The Dragon Prince, brings authentic representation that resonates with heart and truth. Voice acting veteran, Brandon McInnis, known for bringing life to Apollo in EPIC: The Musical and Gyutaro in Demon Slayer among over 170 roles, adds his considerable talents to this meaningful project.
And blending it all together as the voice director and taking on the role of Maira is the remarkable Cristina Vee. Vee is a veteran voice actor from Los Angeles with over 550 credits spanning animation, video games, and more, Vee is most beloved for voicing the titular character in the multibillion-dollar franchise, Miraculous Ladybug. Beyond her extensive acting work, she writes and performs music for various game titles and has built a community of 2 million followers across her social media platforms.
The people behind the project – cast, crew, and the Kickstarter backers – are all coming together to build this community to create a community that celebrates diverse voices and the magic they create together.
Overcoming Industry Resistance
Clae’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. The traditional industry response has been consistently discouraging: “for me at every turn I have been told nobody wants you being vulnerable on the internet… this type of music isn’t for anyone like and then just finding thousands of people who are screaming this is exactly what I’ve been looking for,” she reflects.
The contrast between industry gatekeepers and audience response couldn’t be starker: “so many people say you can’t do a thing but then have so many other people say please make this thing.” This disconnect between industry expectations and audience hunger has become a driving force for the project, proving that meaningful stories find their audience when creators are brave enough to share them.
Stories for Everyone
Perhaps most beautiful is Clae’s decision to release all eight episodes for free on major podcast platforms. In a time when so much content is behind paywalls, this choice represents something profound—ensuring that meaningful stories are accessible for all.
This reflects the deeper values embedded in the project: that powerful stories belong to everyone. It’s a model that prioritizes community connection with impact, suggesting new possibilities for how creators can reach and nurture their audiences while staying true to their values.
More Than Entertainment: A Celebration
Clae describes LUNAIIRA as “more than a show—it’s a movement for those told their stories don’t sell and a tribute to her communities that have proved otherwise.” This beautiful framing transforms the project from entertainment into something deeper—a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling to heal and inspire.
The response from supporters has been overwhelming and validating. “It means everything to us… the fact that so many people are like we want this we want what you’re we are going to support you in this we are here for you,” Clae shares. The impact goes beyond professional success: “the fact that there are all these people like screaming at us no we also want that…is life-changing.”
For Clae, the community response represents something profound about shared experience: “very different when there’s a lot of people saying like I feel this too I’ve been through this too I also don’t feel that I’m being heard.”
Significantly, the musical offers hope and validation for audiences who have longed to see themselves reflected in fantasy worlds, while creating space for stories that have been waiting to be told. Through its blend of high fantasy wonder and grounded emotional themes, LUNAIIRA offers something precious: entertainment that uplifts while it enchants.
Investing in Stories That Matter
Currently seeking funding through Kickstarter, LUNAIIRA represents an opportunity for supporters to directly nurture the kind of storytelling the world needs more of. Every contribution becomes a vote of confidence in diverse voices and meaningful narratives.
For Clae, known for her viral series transforming iconic movie and TV scenes into songs, this project represents the beautiful evolution of her artistry—from reimagining existing narratives to creating entirely new worlds where voices like hers shine brightly at the center. Check out how you can help bring it to life by clicking here!
Looking Forward with Hope
Chiefly, as LUNAIIRA moves toward production, it stands as beautiful proof that when creators from all communities are supported and celebrated, they don’t just tell their own stories—they expand what storytelling can be. The project suggests a future where diversity isn’t an addition or afterthought, but the rich foundation upon which compelling narratives are built.
In a world that needs more connection, understanding, and hope, LUNAIIRA: Soul’s Rift offers both escapism and inspiration. It reminds us that sometimes the most powerful act is simply sharing your truth and lifting others up to share theirs.
The harmony is building, and Morgan Clae is composing a song we all need to hear. We at Gurus want to amplify all artists.
Want to learn more or even become a part of LUNAIIRA? Check out the magic here!
Want more of Morgan Clae? Check out her “A Day in the Life of a Guru” Article here!
