By Vicky Mejia
Lili-Anne Brown‘s highly-anticipated musical adaptation of The Color Purple is on stage at the Goodman now and has been extended by popular demand through August 3! As the cast prepares to bring to the stage this joyous and sensational production, we spoke with actress and former Goodman education programs student Ariya Hawkins to find out what it’s like to work on a beloved musical that brings together fans of all generations. From getting an early foundation in the arts through the Goodman’s summer Education programs, to settling into her career with her mainstage debut in “The Color Purple,” Ariya shares advice for students looking to set out on their own artistic journeys.
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Goodman Theatre: How far back does your relationship with Goodman Theatre date?
Ariya Hawkins: I’ve been coming to the Goodman since the summer of 2013, at age 14 – which makes this my 12th year of being connected with the theater.
Ariya Hawkins was a student in PlayBuild, formerly General Theatre Studies (GTS) program and the Goodman Youth Arts Council (GYAC).
GT: Tell us about your earlier experiences with the Goodman’s education programs.
AH: I began as a student in the General Theatre Studies (GTS) Program, now known as PlayBuild back in 2013. Going into that summer, I didn’t know what to expect, but by the end of it I had built strong friendships, and learned so much about myself, the world around us, and this art form. That program helped me create deeply formative experiences with nearly 80 other teens across the city. After that summer, I absolutely fell in love with the Goodman and the people I learned from here and applied to be a part of the Goodman Youth Arts Council (GYAC) the following school year, and was a member until I started college.
I continued to return to GTS/PlayBuild for three summers in a row, and I was also a member of the Goodman’s first spoken-word poetry ensemble, “Good Eddy” (as a nickname for the Goodman’s Education & Engagement Department) and competed in Louder Than A Bomb poetry slams with the team back in 2015. If I wasn’t at school or at home as a teenager, I was at the Goodman. It was a space where I felt fully seen and safe enough to explore new things. I had a vibrant community of other young artists, some of whom I’ve remained friends with and continue to see thriving in the Chicago Theatre scene and beyond. I had mentors who gave me autonomy, never dismissed me because of my youth or inexperience, and always respected my vision and voice while giving me endless tools to express myself. I had so many artists and educators to model myself after, and witnessed season after season of excellent stories and storytellers. I also gained some of my earliest teaching and facilitation skills from GYAC, which ultimately led me back to serving as a teaching artist for the Goodman for their Disney Musicals in Schools program.
Ariya Hawkins at Goodman Theatre with other teen actors.
GT: Has acting been something you were always interested in?
AH: I’ve known from a very young age that I wanted to be an actor. My parents are both Hip-Hop artists and educators, so I’ve always had a model of what it looks like to be a working creative, and that we can utilize our art for social change. Ever since I was very little, my family noticed that I had a knack for mimicking the adults around me, creating characters, singing songs, and knowing all the lines from my favorite movies word for word (especially Shrek and The Wiz) – so my journey into acting was a natural progression.
Ariya Hawkins performing with classmates.
GT: What advice would you give to students struggling to figure out their own career path?
AH: Go back to what brought you joy as a small child. I think that deep down we’re all aware of our gifts. What brings us joy, what brings us to our flow state, what brings necessary healing and support to others. If you follow that, and avoid getting distracted by what will bring the most money or status or living up to other people’s expectations at the cost of listening to yourself, not only will you create the career you want, you’ll be met with surprises and gifts you couldn’t even imagine for yourself. And your path is not set in stone! Explore what feels right to you at this stage in your life, and if you’re meant to find something new to explore down the line, listen to that desire and go find what’s right for you.
GT: You’re currently playing Olivia/Understudy Nettie/Understudy Doris in The Color Purple. What was your first Color Purple experience (i.e., book, movie, etc.) if any?
AH:I first watched the original film as a teenager and the story was very emotionally rich and impactful, but I hadn’t read the novel until we began preparation for our production. And oh my goodness, if you thought the film was intense, the original novel is a gut-punch and a prayer rolled into one. I was so enthralled, I couldn’t put the book down. The story is such a poignant exploration of the divine and the spiritual journey we take as human beings, through the unimaginable trauma we endure to the pure fulfillment and peace we find through love. And a story that centers the lives of Black women and girls in the early 1900s, giving us a closer look at how our ancestors navigated the world they inhabited, and the love they created in spite of it.
GT: Can you tell us about your current experience with The Color Purple?
AH: I come into work everyday with a profound sense of gratitude for the team I’m a part of! What an overwhelmingly gifted group of artists to observe and create with. The energy in the room is very special, and that’s been cultivated by our director and our entire creative team, the Goodman’s dedicated and gracious staff, and the incredible individuals using their bodies and full hearts to tell this story. The way this piece is taking shape is wonderful, and we’ve had so much space & time in this process to connect with one another on a human level AND accomplish all the work we’ve needed to do, which is rare for a musical where we have so much on our plates. These are such uniquely gifted, goofy, joyful and soulful people, and the perfect community to tell a story with so much pain and so much heart.
GT: How do you hope audiences feel after seeing The Color Purple?
AH: I hope that audiences leave with a new perspective on faith and what it can bring us. This story shows us what happens when we carry faith in ourselves and our capabilities, and when we carry faith in our loved ones and our community. The combination of time, faith, and strength can enact so much change, and so much good, and that is a message that we need now more than ever.
GT: Any words for someone who hasn’t had a The Color Purple experience yet?
AH: What are you waiting for?! Go have your The Color Purple experience! Whether you begin with our production, the original film, or the novel you’ll be taken through a powerful story. You’ll resonate with every character you encounter on some level, no matter who you are. Go take the journey, you will not be disappointed.
Vicky Mejia is the Digital Marketing Associate at Goodman Theatre
