We were lucky to catch up with Mariah Ghant recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Mariah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My mom did almost everything right. Things I wish she had done include: making me do competitive cheerleading so I could be on the hit Netflix show CHEER, send me to poker camp (I did almost every other kind of camp) so I could be a talented gambler now, and teaching me how to hack into the mainframe.

I kid. Those three things would have likely been my own demise (but oh how powerful I would feel doing them!!). My mom is simply amazing. She raised me on her own, and was truly the most supportive. She’d shuttle me to and from band practice, dance classes, theater rehearsals, and nights spent at the mall doing typical annoying teenager things.

And despite being a techie forward person, she always encouraged my own artistic dreams and desires. In these last few years of my developing into my career, she’s been the first person to provide me advice along the way. She’s listened to my late night phone calls riddled with exhaustion and worry. And most importantly she’s loved me fiercely. I simply couldn’t imagine being as confident of a person as I am without her being my biggest cheerleader along the way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a creative across many different disciplines. I grew up taking dance classes in almost every genre. I’ve taught dance and also take on some choreography opportunities as they arise. While I spend much more time in the theatre realm, dance has really been the place of had the most release, joy, and restoration.

I’ve been performing in plays since I was about five. Along the way, I’ve found acting, directing, writing, improv, dramaturgy, and now administration and producing.

Im currently the Producing Artistic Director for Delaware Shakespeare. I started

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I’ve been so inspired by Afro-Futurism. Author’s like Octavia Butler and even August Wilson (he’s an Afro-Futurist TRUST), have encouraged me to explore beyond the typical and to imagine a world that is expansive and full of possibility. They uplift collaboration and keeping your values central to your identity. And in reading adrienne marie brown, I’ve seen how those themes can directly impact decisions I make as a leader and a changemaker. It doesn’t always feel like I’m making massive strides, but when I zoom out and think through a lens of expansiveness, it’s easier to see how my work and choices stand out amidst the daily grind.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Support art! I know it sounds simple, but it really is the main way to keep it alive. When people understand just how impactful art can be, it allows it to continue to be seen as valuable by those around. So much of my current work revolves around bringing art to people and places where arts access is minimal. We believe that having this kind of meaningful connection through art is a right and not a privilege. So I must encourage folks to go and see, share, buy, and donate to art and artists!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mariahghant.com
• Instagram: @emgeewillikers
• Linkedin: Mariah Ghant

Image Credits

Alessandra Nicole
Kristen Finger
Emilie Krause
Bryant Edwards