"Guardians of Gaia"
an environmentally themed show conceived, co-written, directed and produced
by Angela Bennett of Roots Productions
Co-written and originally performed by The Pacha Mamas
We launched this show in 2016 as part of Atlanta's 7 Stages Homebrew program. Since then, we've produced a couple showcases with the help of Gateway Productions, receiving positive feedback on new adaptations as we prepare to take the production/project into middle schools as an assembly in 2019. We are currently collaborating with experts on the development of interactive curriculum supplements AND a web-based
Guardians of Gaia Quest as a call to action.
an environmentally themed show conceived, co-written, directed and produced
by Angela Bennett of Roots Productions
Co-written and originally performed by The Pacha Mamas
We launched this show in 2016 as part of Atlanta's 7 Stages Homebrew program. Since then, we've produced a couple showcases with the help of Gateway Productions, receiving positive feedback on new adaptations as we prepare to take the production/project into middle schools as an assembly in 2019. We are currently collaborating with experts on the development of interactive curriculum supplements AND a web-based
Guardians of Gaia Quest as a call to action.
"The stories, characters, and show is strong with intention while offering healing and active movement towards how we as humans can come together and make decisions for the greater good. While it was whimsical and magical, it was grounded and focused; a hard thing to do in a concise and presentational style. Overall, the work was well received and their engagement with our community was phenomenal. I look forward to hearing how this show progresses and evolves throughout it’s lifetime."
(Heidi S Howard, Artistic Director, 7 Stages, Atlanta, GA)
The "Guardians of Gaia" audience is visited by three goddesses who represent different elements of Mother Nature: Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess of the volcano, creator/destroyer of the land; the water sprite of Warm Springs, a daughter of Mother Oshun, goddess of all bodies of fresh water; and, White Buffalo Calf Woman, a goddess of the Sioux/Lakota nation representing the living beings of the earth. These goddesses have come not only to praise and celebrate Mother Nature for all that she does to sustain us but with an important message that will help heal and transform our relationship with Her which in turn will heal and transform ourselves.
THANKS for joining us on the journey! Angela
(Heidi S Howard, Artistic Director, 7 Stages, Atlanta, GA)
The "Guardians of Gaia" audience is visited by three goddesses who represent different elements of Mother Nature: Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess of the volcano, creator/destroyer of the land; the water sprite of Warm Springs, a daughter of Mother Oshun, goddess of all bodies of fresh water; and, White Buffalo Calf Woman, a goddess of the Sioux/Lakota nation representing the living beings of the earth. These goddesses have come not only to praise and celebrate Mother Nature for all that she does to sustain us but with an important message that will help heal and transform our relationship with Her which in turn will heal and transform ourselves.
THANKS for joining us on the journey! Angela
“(These) are visionary artists committed to creating positive change through their art. These talented women produce original work that deserves to be seen and supported. Their inclusion of masks in Guardians of Gaia gave me the opportunity to do a workshop with them to support their desire to incorporate a series of bold theatrical images into the production that would get to the root and the heart of what is troubling Planet Earth and its inhabitants in terms of environmental concerns at this time. It was a pleasure to work with the Pacha Mamas and contribute to development of this production in a small way.“ (Sandra Hughes -Artistic Director, Gateway Productions)
"Home-made" video taken of the "work in progress" presentation at 7 Stages Theatre
Angela (Holley) Bennett: Conceiver, Co-writer, Director, Producer
Award-winning actress and talent scholarship recipient, Angela (Holley) Bennett is a graduate of Michigan State University with a BA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in performance and arts management. Her professional experience includes producing and directing, as well as working as an Actors Equity member. She has received multiple awards and nominations including those from “Creative Loafing Magazine”(Charlotte, NC) for Actress of the Year, Best Actress in a Comedy, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Actress in a Drama for consecutive years. As an entrepreneur she owned Cabaret Creations where she created, and directed musical reviews as well as multiple shows of "Singin Swing" and “Holley’s Follies” to critics’ raves. One of her most ambitious projects to date is her acclaimed tour de force, “Wildwood Flowers: the June Carter Musical” which she conceived, co-wrote, produced and debuted at Opryland’ s Roy Acuff Theater. A subsequent performance of this musical at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC won Creative Loafing's Best Musical of the Year. In the last few years, she has been writing and performing her own music some of which she has recorded with the group: The Pacha Mamas. She has been a member of Alternate Roots , an organization that supports artist activists, and was awarded a project grant from them for the producing some of the music for "Guardians of Gaia".
Vivian Slade: Music Director, Co-writer, Performer
Vivian’s eclectic formal education includes: The University of Siena, Italy (vocal performance); Etruscan Studies at Trinity University in Vescovado di Murlo, Italy (archaeology); Mannes College of Music, New York, NY (vocal performance); Belmont University, Nashville, TN, (vocal performance and composition); BFA in Art History, Cum Laude, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. Slade is a seasoned professional vocalist, guitarist, pianist and composer in multiple musical genres including: jazz, rock, pop, cabaret, folk and children’s music. She has toured the East coast and the South receiving rave reviews and airplay on over 70 college and independent radio stations with subsequent charting to CMJ. Vivian has three solo albums under her belt, in addition to other collaborative music projects. Vivian has extended her performing career into the theatrical world by playing several different characters in productions of Nashville’s acclaimed children’s theatre company, Olde Worlde Theatre. In addition, she has directed children’s choir and recently finished a children’s illustrated audio book and musical entitled The Dragon King.
Dawn Douglas, Performer
Dawn Mahealani Douglas has been entertaining audiences on stage and on camera for over 20 years. She has studied and performed many dance styles, but she fell in love with the dances of Hawaii, Tahiti, and New Zealand after studying at a halau on the island of Oahu. Since launching Mahealani’s Polynesian Entertainment in January 2017, she has booked over 200 shows ranging from family to corporate to public events. Some of her corporate clients include Turner Broadcasting, Chick-fil-A, The Home Depot, Harley-Davidson, Clayton State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Zoo Atlanta, Auburn Parks and Recreation, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta just to name a few. Dawn’s dancing has also been featured on CBS46 and FOX 5 Atlanta. Her family of performers includes female dancers, male fire performers, and children. http://dawnmahealani.com
Catherine Adunni, Performer
Catherine Adunni is in service to the Divine as a powerful medicine mother, claircognizant empath, relationship coach, Tarot coach and mentor. She has hosted several workshops ushering in the Divine Feminine and Masculine through events like Sound baths, Medicine Women -Red Tent, and Shamanic journeys. Since a child , the healing path has been part of Catherine's life and she has evolved her knowledge into her own unique field of medicine work. Through her exploration and studies Catherine has had the opportunity to work with many teachers and study many spiritual practices like Sufism, Taoism, Sukiyo Mahikari, Ifa (Yoruba), Tibetan/Sanskrit chanting, Ausar Auset (Kemetic/Egyptian rituals), and Hermetic Teachings. Her very first teacher Tijuan (Dogon tribe), from Mali West Africa taught her the art of several different methods of divinations and also introduced her to the ancestral spirits of the Nommo (Masters of the water). Catherine's passion is to assist in letting go of destructive programs in order to build a lasting relationship with the higher self and the Divine Source thus creating a harmonious relationship between us and Mother Earth. She is also the founder of Adunni Medicine Music.
Jan Pierce: Middle School Curriculum Developer, Consultant
Jan puts her muscle where her mouth is. She is an advocate for the environment by example. She volunteers with Friends of Chattahoochee Bend State Park, and Chattahoochee Riverkeepers. With FOCBSP, she builds and maintains trails, cleans the river, and shares all the park has to offer. She is blessed to have the opportunity to be on the advisory board for CRK's floating classroom on West Point Lake, teach on said classroom, and help lead Discovery paddle trips on the beloved Chattahoochee River.
In addition, Jan has 25 years of teaching experience in the Coweta County School System, having just recently retired from teaching 6th-grade Earth science, but having experience in all three middle grades, and various curriculum areas including all of the sciences, math, reading, home economics, study skills, character education, family life, and Georgia history. She has coached pep squad, basketball, and currently still coaching soccer.
She is passionate about our planet Earth. It is her mission to not only do her part in protecting Gaia, but to spread the word on how each person can help.
In addition, Jan has 25 years of teaching experience in the Coweta County School System, having just recently retired from teaching 6th-grade Earth science, but having experience in all three middle grades, and various curriculum areas including all of the sciences, math, reading, home economics, study skills, character education, family life, and Georgia history. She has coached pep squad, basketball, and currently still coaching soccer.
She is passionate about our planet Earth. It is her mission to not only do her part in protecting Gaia, but to spread the word on how each person can help.
