Ionéu at the Athenaeum: Mercy, Myth & A Return to the Stage

The story of Jonah like you’ve never seen it before. On this episode of The Interludes Podcast, Val “The Voice” Johnson sits down with Emma St. Kathryn, first-time director, and Erika Walton Sitzberger, actress and singer, to discuss Ionéu—a bold, reimagined stage production of the prophet Jonah’s tale. Staged at the historic Athenaeum Center in Chicago, Ionéu blends Greek tragedy and folktale to unpack themes of justice, identity, and the transformative power of mercy. Erika shares how returning to the stage as Teller/Giàla has reshaped her creative journey, while Emma opens up about directing her first play and what it means to reinterpret a sacred story for a modern audience. Show Notes: 🎭 Special Guests: • Emma St. Kathryn – Director, debuting with Ionéu • Erika Walton Sitzberger – Actress & singer portraying Teller/Giàla 🎤 In This Episode: • Reimagining Jonah: breaking the Sunday school mold • Erika’s return to the stage and the emotional preparation behind her roles • Emma’s first-time directing experience and vision for this ambitious production • A powerful behind-the-scenes journey and a documentary in the works • Why Ionéu matters now more than ever 🎟️ Get Tickets: Catch Ionéu live at the historic Athenaeum Center through June 22nd 🔗 https://athenaeumcenter.org/events/2025/ioneu/ 📲 Follow & Connect: • Erika Walton Sitzberger on IG: @bluebirdsingingtoday • Athenaeum on Facebook: facebook.com/athenaeumcenter • Athenaeum on Instagram: @theathenaeum_chicago ✨ Calling All Aspiring Entrepreneurs Say ya’ll… my morning routine will never be the same. I recently joined an online community that has truly changed my life! Every weekday, I connect with hundreds of entrepreneurs inside The Morning Meetup—a powerful space for live coaching, mentorship, accountability, and real growth. The content is 🔥 and the monthly themes keep the momentum strong. 💼 Ready to elevate your business and mindset? Join now for just $97/month and thank me later → 🔗 Click here to join The Morning Meetup 🌐 Stay Connected with Pure Lighthouse Media Platforms 📡 Brand New Website: www.purelighthousemedia.com 📰 Read the Blog + LinkedIn Newsletter 🎉 Support the Movement: Patreon.com/interludes 📺 Catch LIVE Weekly Episodes: • Mondays – The Pull-Up Podcast Show with Coach Tony Thompson • Tuesdays – Interludes Extra Presents Talk On Tuesdays ⏰ Both at 8PM CST / 9PM EST / 6PM PST