Today on the podcast: Mariah Ghant, Assistant Director and Jessica Johnson, playing Papa Ge in Arden Theatre’s production of “Once On This Island”, join us in the virtual studio for a chat between shows. On stage through June 23rd. Here is my interview with Mariah Ghant and Jessica Johnson for Once On This Island. 

The conversation covers the themes of resilience, culture, community, love, and the haves and have-nots. It also delves into the journey of bringing the production to the stage, the impact on the audience, and the specific details and themes within the show. 

Takeaways

Resilience and the journey of bringing a production to the stage

The impact of the show on the audience and the specific themes within the production

Exploration of culture, community, love, and the haves and have-nots within the context of the show The character of Daniel in 'Once on this Island' challenges the audience to consider the complexity of human behavior and the societal influences that shape individuals.

The choreography in the production is a celebration of black joy and showcases a variety of dance styles, bringing a unique and intense level of movement to the musical.

The cast members, including those making their art-in debuts, bring a sense of community, joy, and resilience to the production, creating a memorable and impactful experience for the audience.

The role of the assistant director involves providing an extra set of eyes to ensure the acting elements and the overall storytelling are maintained, as well as preparing understudies for their roles.

The hope for audience takeaways includes experiencing a sense of community, upholding humanity in moments of tragedy, and celebrating the joy and resilience portrayed by the cast.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of the Production Team

03:06 Exploring the Story of 'Once on this Island'

06:10 Comparing 'Once on this Island' to Other Theatrical Pieces

08:48 The Role of Gods and Deities in the Show

12:00 The Impact of 'Once on this Island' on Audiences

15:07 The Journey of Bringing 'Once on this Island' to the Stage

21:05 Relating to the Themes and Characters in 'Once on this Island'

23:28 Exploring the Character of Daniel

26:26 Celebrating Black Joy Through Choreography

31:00 Cast Members and Community Impact

36:26 The Role of the Assistant Director

42:08 Hope for Audience Takeaways