No More Waiting is a show devised by the ensemble as part of The Cathedral of All Souls' Third Annual Lenten Arts Series showing on Sunday, April 3 at 4:00pm.
Every worker in this country will experience struggles within our capitalistic system. But what does it take to change that? Inspired by the Great Resignation Movement and recent worker strikes, experience stories of people who share one thing in common: a desire to see a kind and empathic workplace environment.
We reached out to Dakota Mann, the director of this production to find out more about him and his experience working on this production.
1. What do you think audiences will be thinking about on the way home from this performance?
I want audiences to think about their own role in society and examine internally the pressure placed on their economic standing. I also hope that afterwards, they see the struggles that others are going through because of the pressure and choose to help them out.
2. Do you feel that this performance is important given today’s social climate? Why?
The whole reason this show is being devised is to help moderate a discussion about our social climate. Last year saw a rise of underappreciated workers deciding that they've had enough with the bullshit put onto them by unfocused/uncaring upper management in order to help out overstimulated clientele with exaggerated, asinine requests in the fastest time possible, and thus the workers decided to leave en masse. This has become known as the "Great Resignation" movement.
If unchecked, our country's economic structure will only lead to it becoming corroded by the toxic elements that currently plague the workers who keep the cogs turning. We need to isolate the issues and protect the workers.
3. What's your favorite line in the show? Why?
This is a devised piece, where the whole ensemble is working together to create the performance, so the no line will be finalized up until the end of March. That being said, "My dad helps people and has a cool job. My mom is a mom and she does yoga sometimes." is a line that will be tough to beat.
4. What are 5 songs you feel represent the mood of this show?
16 Tons - Tom Morello: the Nightwatchmen
The Chemical Worker's Song (Process Man) - Great Big Sea
Take 'Em Down - Dropkick Murphys
To Be Poor is A Crime - Freddie McGregor
Talkin' Bout a Revolution - Tracy Chapman
How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live? - Ry Cooder
Also anything by Pete Seeger and Judy Collins
5. How is working with The Magnetic different from working with other theatres?
My history with The Magnetic Theatre has been formative to my growth as a theatre artist. This will be the tenth production I will have worked with the company, with my first show with them was all the way back to June 2016. No other theatre has given me more encouragement and motivation to keep going forward and improve my craft. From the sage wisdom I received from Steve Samuels of Magnetic past, to the trust and support gifted to me from the current co-artistic directors, Katie Jones and Jess Johnson; I appreciate being able to keep working with them on exciting original works and immensely grateful for the opportunities that help me find my voice as an artist.
Biography
Dakota Mann has worked throughout the WNC region, as an actor/director/stage manager with theatres such as HART, The Magnetic Theatre, Montford Park Players, and The Sublime Theater and Press, as well as performing overseas at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He received a B.A. in Drama from the UNC – Asheville. Previous directing experiences include "Three Rings, No Diamonds" and "(Un)Scripted" for the 2021 Magnetic One-Act Play Festival, and "Cliff Hanger" for the 2020 SETC 10 Minute Play Festival.
No More Waiting is showing at The Cathedral of All Souls' on Sunday, April 3 at 4:00pm. Streaming options are also available. Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/3KwcOsr