What were your initial thoughts on this play, reading as a director?
I was so grateful to have the opportunity to direct such an incredible piece of work written by an iconic playwrite. I truly admired as the director that Shange gives you so much breathing room to play. The ideal feel of this production was fluidity; but not fluid as in water, more like as fluid as a marble rolling down a wave of amber silk. Because this piece of work is so fluid in its writing I really wanted to be able to portray that within the movement of the play, whether that be a choreographed number, transition, lighting, sound or within the dynamics of a specific monologue. I believe we were able to accomplish that. How are we able to stand apart from other productions of this show and enhance the quality of work and also keep the integrity of the piece in tact? I think one of my favorite mediums used was the music. Using classic Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and other soul musicians allowed the actors to find a rhythm to flow from one piece to another effortlessly no matter the tempo, song, or transition. It gave you a sense of ease and foundation in one minute and havoc and turmoil in the next and it was all justified. The actors in this production ranged from ages 17-60 and these women were ready to get to work! Some whom the stage was like a second home and others who stepped tall in front of an audience for their very first time. My production team as well as the production company were all phenomenal and I look forward to working with them all again.
