Cast Interview: Jai MacDonald

The reTHiNK Grant team fired a few questions at the cast of reTHiNK Possible Worlds. Here is what Jai MacDonald had to say...

What is your role in the show?

The Rebel. My character has struggled with the whole concept of fitting in to normal and is someone who prefers to give up on normal and celebrate their own way of being. Not always an easy path.  

What is reTHiNK Possible Worlds and what is it about?

To me it is a show that journeys into a world of awareness of the mind. It captures the ill fate and the humourous, the struggles and the joys of having a mind that can seem out of whack to some. It de-stigmatises mental unwellness and raises awareness by sharing experiences from our own point of views relating to this subject. And it is done in a very unique way that only the Literatti can do and perform.

How do you relate to the themes in the show?

My Dad experiences chronic depression. He lives with us in our family home and he has his ups and downs quite often. For this show I used him as a model to delve into what he tells me and the struggles he faces experiencing depression. It became quite personal and with the piece I wrote, it combined his experiences with a little of mine creating a fictional tale that he can enjoy and relate to.

What has it been like creating this production?

I have been gutted and unfortunate to not be as involved in the collaborative process of the show as I would have liked. Being involved in another project, Rising Voices, took up most of my time. It’s been really good to be able to be part of the project in a way that suits my availability at the moment.  Other projects seem to have an ‘in or out’ attitude, but in this collaboration everyone has worked hard to include as many people who want to be involved as possible, regardless of their current situation. Being with the group and seeing what they have done and planned is always a pleasure. I mean this time round we have had competitions, workshops and a bigger landscape for the show. Some great sponsors have come on board and it is always exciting. Also, the theme is quite closely related to members of the troupe so it is cool to hear the passion of personal events and experiences come to life through the words spoken. It is very exciting! I’ve never worked with dancers like this before.

What can an audience member expect to encounter?

The Literatti always breaks the boundaries of spoken work performance. When you attend, expect to have your mind warped and your stereotypical thinking blown to pieces. You will encounter various characters that may make you laugh, cry, relate and at times leave you speechless. You will be thinking about the theme a little more (because I did) and hopefully, leave the show with a new appreciation and awareness for those that live this theme of mental awareness everyday. 

Why do you think people should make sure they see reTHiNK Possible Worlds?

For awareness, but not just for mental-health awareness. It is awareness that the theme of mental health does not have to be doom and gloom. It can be highlighted by the strengths many people receive while struggling with it. reTHiNK Possible Worlds will entertain as well as teach. It will be a whole new take on performance as this theme is in some circles taboo. Plus anyone that does attend I can guarantee will have a ball as the way the show is performed will be new to a lot of people…and it is just too cool not to see it.

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Jai MacDonald has been a performance poet in the public eye since 2008. He first encountered The Literatti at their 'Growl' show with Def Jam Poet Nikki Patin. Since then he has won multiple Poetry Slams including winning The Auckland Reader’s and Writer’s Festival 2009 Poetry Idol. He has been a member of The Literatti since 2010 performing in Echoing The Ghosts and One Question.  He is also the co-founder of the 2011 Rising Voices Program and Poetry Slam that performed at the Auckland Town Hall and a member of the South Auckland Poets Collective. 

reTHiNK Possible Worlds is a multimedia theatre experience that unites spoken word poetry with dance, live music, visual art and film to explore the journey of multiple characters as they navigate their way through the challenges of life and rethink their possible worlds. Tickets are onsale now at www.theliteratti.com