On today’s podcast, I met with Kash Goins before a rehearsal of the GoKash OnSTAGE production of 74 Seconds…toJudgement, in residence at Arden Theatre Company. The Philadelphia based African American theatre company, established in 2008 by producer Kash Goins, seeks to make space for stories that speak to our collective state of being. We use our passion to reach out, sometimes in desperation, to build understanding and connect the humanity we all share. We seek to help stimulate dialogue which heals and enlightens. GoKash OnSTAGE presents independent, published and world premiere theatre productions.

ABOUT 74 SECONDS…TO JUDGEMENT

What is “Justifiable Homicide”? What roles do paranoia, race, and fear play in a split decision to kill? Should social class, personal histories, or individual assumptions factor into a months’ long evaluation of justice? Is there enough space for the application of law in a killing which takes seconds to commit? Who are we, who decide? How are we to decide?

In the next installment of his justice series, “Seventy IV Seconds… to judgment”, Kash Goins introduces us to a jury of 6 who have been deadlocked for over a week. In an attempt to uncover the truth buried in the facts as presented in the case, the youngest juror who is not much different than a central figure in the killing, offers a unique tactic. An exercise purposed to move the jury beyond feelings which are buried beneath the cover of what they’ve come to accept as their personal truths. To be heard. To listen. To process the law as instructed.

On today’s podcast, Dany Guy talks about his time at Interact Theatre Company as Director of Operations as he begins to transition into his new role as Managing Director of 11th Hour Theatre Company. From Intern to Director, Dany’s growth is similar and so valuable to our community and that is why we gave him time to talk about it.

ABOUT DANY GUY

Hails from Massachusetts and started with InterAct as a production intern for the 2009/2010 season. As an intern, he assistant stage managed the Barrymore-nominated production of Lee Blessing’s WHEN WE GO UPON THE SEA, which was moved Off-Broadway to 59E59 Theatre. This is his 7th season working with InterAct. Other Philadelphia credits include: Tribe of Fools ZOMBIES…WITH GUNS!, TWO STREET, ANTIHERO, SHUT YOUR WORMHOLE, HEAVY METAL DANCE FAG (Production Manager) and DRACULA (Stage Manager); Shakespeare in Clark Park: WINTER’S TALE (Production Manager); Simpatico Theatre Project THE AMISH PROJECT (Lighting Designer), THE LYSISTRATA PROJECT, A BRIGHT NEW BOISE, THE BLACK MONK, THE MEEP PROJECT (Production Manager); Enchantment Theater Company’s THE VELVETEEN RABBIT national tour and HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON (rehearsal A.S.M. and A.D.). He currently serves on the board of Tribe of Fools and as a Barrymore Nominator. Daniel graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2008 and recently received his M.S. in Arts Administration in June from the Drexel University Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, where he was the 2014 recipient of the Karen Murdoch Scholarship for Visionary Leadership in the Arts.

Eppchez!, who plays Max in Simpatico Theatre Company's production of Taylor Mac's Hir, is a nonbinary transgender Latinx performer who brings a wealth of talents to Philadelphia.

An Amherst, Massachusetts, native, Eppchez! (who uses the pronouns ey and eir) has worked with Pig Iron Theatre Company, the Mediums, and other groups with a focus on devising new work. Ey studied theater and writing at Wesleyan University. A playwright, choreographer, director, designer, puppeteer, songwriter, and vocalist, ey is also artistic director/conductor of Alma’s Engine, a process-focused creative ministry and self-producing platform for realizing eir work in music and theater. Among eir works is the album Self-Realized-Nation; A Song Cycle of the Occupation (2013), the original plays Junk Redemption (2012) and They Extract! (2014 and 2016), and a site-specific musical staged in Bartram’s Garden, Train-ing: A Duet (2017).

To read Wendy Rosenfield's review of Hir, click here.

On May 15, 2017, Broad Street Review, in cooperation with the University of the Arts' Corzo Center for the Creative Economy and with support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, hosted a panel discussion titled Arts Funding: Who Should Pay? Initially, the discussion was supposed to examine funding in light of impending cuts to the federal arts budget; surprisingly, those cuts didn't happen. Even more surprising, our panelists mostly looked at the NEA as a nice bonus, but nothing to hang their shingles on.

Different disciplines, similar issues

Listen in as moderator and Broad Street Review editor-in-chief Wendy Rosenfield, Art Sanctuary executive director Valerie Gay, PHIT Comedy founder Greg Maughan, Art-Reach executive director John Orr, Headlong Dance Theater co-founder and co-director Amy Smith, and WRTI host, composer, and frequent BSR contributor Kile Smith discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with running an arts-focused business and watching its bottom line.

If you enjoy what you hear and read here at BSR, why not help us meet our arts funding challenges and make a donation or become a Friends of BSR member? Donate here.