The Del Shakes Artistic Squad is a rotating collective of artists that is part of the creative leadership of the company. You can read more about the Squad here. Artists serve two-year terms. Each year, we welcome two artists on, as two artists rotate off.
In January 2022, we had our first planned rotation. Newton Buchanan and Emily Schuman rotated off the Squad. We’re so grateful to Newton and Emily for all they shared with Del Shakes in 2020 and 2021. They both will continue to be very important members of the Del Shakes family.
Del Shakes is excited to welcome Mariah Ghant and Eric Mills to the Squad, joining current members Rachel O’Hanlon-Rodriguez and Izzy Sazak. Mariah and Eric most recently appeared as Titania and Oberon in Del Shakes’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Rodney Square.
Here’s a few words from, and about, our new Squad members.
MARIAH: I am so excited to be joining the Artistic Squad with Del Shakes! I am most looking forward to working closely with such talented and creative artists. I am always in awe of the connection Del Shakes has and is continuing to push for with the community, and I’m so happy to be a part of it in this way! I’m craving the opportunities for the Squad to come together and use our different experiences to brainstorm new and invigorating programming and continue to bring Shakespeare and theater to the Delaware community and beyond.
ERIC: Working with Delaware Shakespeare has always made me feel as if I am part of a team striving to do real service for the community. To have the opportunity to be a part of that team over the next few years as we continue to evolve and serve is an honor and a challenge I look forward to.
DAVID STRADLEY, PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Mariah and Eric have become cherished members of the Del Shakes over the last two years. They both taught for us virtually during the height of the pandemic, and then played major roles in our first full production since COVID when they delighted audience members as Titania and Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Rodney Square. They will be terrific contributors as Del Shakes evolves its practice of collective artistic leadership with the Squad.
Learn more about Mariah and Eric!
MARIAH GHANT
Originally from the suburbs of Chicago and an alumna of Vassar College, Mariah relocated to Philly in 2018 for the Arden Professional Apprenticeship (Class 26 WOOT!). When not working at the Wilma Theater as their Artistic Administrator, she also enjoys acting, dancing, teaching, writing poetry, and watching terrible reality TV. Mariah continues to pursue her passion for creating art that is accessible for all and provides opportunities for those otherwise underrepresented to have a voice. For Del Shakes, Mariah has taught residencies with Sankofa Cultural Arts Center, City of Wilmington/Hicks Community Center, Choir School of Delaware, and the Teen Warehouse, and has appeared in “Shakespeare, Poe & Fiends” and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Learn more about her at her website mariahghant.com and explore her poetry writing on Instagram @mariah.g.poetry
ERIC MILLS
Eric is an actor and teaching artist. For Del Shakes, he has appeared in Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and “Shakespeare, Poe & Fiends.” He has also taught for Del Shakes in our Juvenile Justice program as well The Bridge and a residency with Choir School of Delaware, Recent additional credits: Alien 8 (Drexel Co-op Theater Company), The Sea Voyage (PAC), King Lear (Shakespeare in Clark Park), Tis Pity She’s A Whore (PAC), Best of Cocktail Plays ( Juniper Prod), Much Ado About Nothing (Delaware Shakespeare). Favorite Regional credits: Two Trains Running (Langston Hughes Theater), The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat (Classical Theater of Harlem), Our Country’s Good (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Macbeth (LATC). Eric studied at American Conservatory Theater and Syracuse University. Follow @eric_s_mills
