Following the success of her theatrical work NORTH: The Musical, Ashli St. Armant has been named the next Artist-in-Residence at the Chandler Center for the Arts.
Chandler Center for the Arts first began collaborating with St. Armant in 2021, when it joined three other cities nationwide to commission NORTH. As part of that project, St. Armant led extensive community engagement, including student workshops, teacher study guides, and meaningful conversations with local audiences.
Currently, St. Armant’s residency is focused on the development of her new work-in-progress, now titled The Yellowroot: A Juke Joint Cabaret (formerly Ordinary Folks), which is set to premiere in March 2027.
Rooted in storytelling, The Yellowroot brings jazz, blues, and soul to life in a theatrical celebration of African American folklore and music. The work draws inspiration from classic tales like "The Legend of John Henry" and "Brer Rabbit," as well as newly reimagined stories such as “Sukey and the Mermaid.”
"I'm thrilled to bring the heartbeat back to these largely forgotten tales," says St. Armant. "Music is the element that can breathe new life into these folkloric myths, ensuring that these story-songs are remembered and shared for generations to come."
During her residency, St. Armant is deeply involved in all aspects of the creative process, from casting and composition to scenic design and scene workshopping with actors and artists. Her community engagement runs parallel to this work, emphasizing personal storytelling and elevating history and cultural heritage through writing and performance. She leads workshops and hosts conversations with local artists, students, residents, and business owners throughout Chandler.
"I'm so thrilled to deepen this partnership with a city that is so passionate about the arts,” St. Armant adds. "The support here is unmatched, and I'm eager to learn from and work alongside this vibrant microcosm of artists, culture bearers, and community builders. Chandler has quickly become one of my favorite cities."