Behind the Scenes with the Milkcrate Monologues

Poet's Return - The Poetry Podcast

The Milkcrate Monologues is a play written by Ron Johnson, known in the acting world as RJ Wayne, and known in the rap world as MC Philasifer. Milkcrate premiered with the Towne Street Theatre in October of 2019 at Stella Adler in Hollywood. After getting to sit down with Ron, who was the mastermind, creator, writer, director, producer, AND a part of the incredible ensemble, he was kind enough to invite me to by a fly on the wall during their cast album recording. There, I got to steal away cast members between recording tracks during their first session in the studio, and with the gracious help of everyone involved, I almost got to sit down with the entire company of actors. I wasn't able to meet with every single member of the cast, which I would have loved, but I consider myself very fortunate to have gotten to speak with seven members of the Monologue crew. They shared their origins, their relationship with Hiphop and Hiphop culture, (which evolved after their education in rap, as given by Philasifer) and also shared how this piece has inspired them. Talking to each of them, I found that it has impassioned all of them to not only own their voices as rappers, but even more importantly, to continue participating in the dialogue. That is the most important thing that Ron stresses: that Hiphop culture is about respecting your responsibility to participate, enter the cypher, join the circle, and spit some truth. ************************************************************************* Now, to kick off our two-part season finale, here is the bonus episode where you get to meet these amazingly talented actors, profound poets, and steadfast proponents for truth. ************************************************************************* Original music by Philasifer "A Proper Introduction" © ************************************************************************* Cast of the Milkcrate Monologues (in order as interviewed on this episode) Shayla Riggens (Hudson-Williams)- MC SHAYTIME @shaylamicole1 Scotty Crowe- MC SEGA @scottycrowe Jacqueline Castaneda- MC LA MALCRIADA @post_moderngirl Cairo Spencer- MC SIR ELOKUENT @theelokuent8 Khaila Monet- MC KILLA KHAI @khailamonet Carlos Diego Mendoza- MC KID TENACIOUS @carlosdmendoza Akshaya (Akshe) Pattanayak- MC A.G.B. (AKSHAYA’S GOT BARS) @imagineaks (writer/featured in finale) RJ Wayne/Ron Johnson- MC PHILASIFER @philasifer ***Cast members not featured on today's episode: Ariella Amar- MC LIONESS Shamari Hudgens- MC B-FLY ***Special thanks to Andrew, Dan, and Estrella @poetsreturn Poet's Return Podcast 2019© @capnbooey ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/poetsreturn/support