Breaking Records and Barriers: Maven Isong’s Inspiring Journey

In the ever-evolving world of theatre, where creativity meets perseverance, certain individuals emerge as trailblazers who redefine the boundaries of what’s possible. Today, we spotlight one such visionary: Maven Isong, the brilliant mind behind DAB Playhouse. Recently, Maven shattered expectations—and records—by leading the longest theatre marathon, a remarkable 151+ hours of non-stop performances.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into the story of the founder of DAB Playhouse, exploring the passion, challenges, and triumphs that fueled this incredible achievement. Join us as Maven shares insights about their journey, the making of history, and the legacy they hope to build in the world of performing arts.

Personal Journey and Inspiration  

Interviewer: Hello, Maven. How would you describe yourself in three words?

Maven: God. Audacious. Dreamer.

Interviewer: Interesting! You chose the words carefully. Can you briefly share why these three?

Maven: God because I am my Father’s son and I’m all about his business. Audacious because “if God is for me, who can be against me?” Dreamer because “my God can do exceedingly abundantly more than I can ever dream of imagine.” Basically, I never knew what it meant to have a dream until 2018. Since, then I’ve been living and believing in dreams ‘cause they all come true.

Interviewer: This is truly inspiring. I commend you for this. 

On this note, can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to journey on this current path of yours, which I believe is a dream of yours that is now a reality?

Maven: I used to love acting as a child. It’s all I wanted to do but my mom thought otherwise. My mom wanted me to study engineering. So, I decided to write the JAMB exam and registered for Architecture, as my choice course. All this without her consent. However, I got into school and began to study Estate Management. This got my mom furious. A year later, she passed away. I was shaken. Her sudden death left me broken. 

Fast forward to 2012, I just discovered what a dream was. So, I started pursing my self-discovery and purpose. To do this, I dropped out to give it my all. I began to make researches on Theatre and Film production, learning, relearning and unlearning a lot. Thanks to a friend who pushed me, I founded Dab Playhouse – a dream that I nurture and will never part with. Our vision is to work with over 200 talented actors and stage more than 200 plays by 2026, paving the way to becoming Africa’s most successful and prolific theatre and movie production company.

­Overcoming Challenges and Accountability

Interviewer: Wow! You really did go through a lot to get to where you are now. I bet it wasn’t easy. Apart from the ones mentioned, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in pursuing your dreams and how did you overcome them?

Maven: Masturbation, Womanizing and Gambling. Let’s just say addictions. There was really no way out.

Interviewer: How were you able to overcome them?

Maven: God and hanging around driven people. People who weren’t given to the vices I was struggling with at the time.

Interviewer: So, we can say that with God and connecting with people who were different and staying accountable to them, helped you overcome these challenges?

Maven: Yes, we can.

Interviewer: Knowing the right people is/was one of the great contributors to your growth, who would you say is your greatest inspiration or mentor? Anyone like that?

Maven: My mentor is Gabriel Nkanu. For my inspiration, I’ve got a couple of them. There is Tyler Perry, Lin Manuel Miranda, James Cameron and Pastor Lawrence Agbata. 

Interviewer: A great caliber of people you’ve got there. What would you say make these ones stand out amongst others? 

Maven: Their heart, resilience and love for their craft.

Achievements and Lessons 

Interviewer: Beautiful. Now, let’s talk about your achievements and lessons. What accomplishment are you most proud of and what did you learn from it?

Maven: The ability to inspire over a hundred people to dream big and stage a continuous show for over six days was remarkable. Getting them to commit to the rigorous rehearsal process alone felt like an achievement. This experience taught me that anything is possible with belief and diligence.

Interviewer: Can you share a moment when you faced failure or rejection? How were you able to handle it?

Maven: Failure? I’m sorry to say that I don’t fail. I honestly can’t say I do. Instead, I allow every experience teach me what works and what doesn’t work. This is how I learn and grow. For rejection, I’ve made peace with the fact that I can’t be accepted everywhere. As long as I am doing what’s right, I shouldn’t be bothered.

Interviewer: A beautiful mindset, I must say. It takes a conscious paradigm shift to understand that failure is a concept that only works once you believe in it. To become a successful young person in this field, what would you say are the routines that has kept you diligent and focused on your goals for its achievement?

Maven: My daily routine revolves around exercising, eating, engaging in self-reflection, working, praying, and then repeating the cycle.

Encouraging the youth

Interviewer: As a young person who is walking in the fulfillment of your purpose, what advice will you give to young people who are struggling to find theirs?

Maven: “Whatsoever your hands findeth to do (as long as it is legitimate), do it with all your heart.” Even if it is not your ultimate purpose, it will guide you toward it, as consistency and diligence are skills developed through practice.

Interviewer: Based on your response, how do you think young people can handle peer pressure and stay true to their values?

Maven: Surround yourself with people who embody the values you admire. Peer pressure can be both positive and negative, so being around those with the right principles will inspire and challenge you to grow. After all, iron sharpens iron.

Faith and Personal Values

Interviewer: Right! Thank you for this reminder. Let’s get to talk about your faith and how it has shaped your journey. How would you say your faith influenced your journey into purpose?

Maven: Well, it made me worry less. I realized that my backup and partner is God. So, no need to worry and journey alone when He is there.

Interviewer: How did this help you stay grounded and focused on your identity amidst challenges.

Maven: It was quite easy because, with God, all things are possible, right? As a believer, I firmly believe we have an advantage in life – we never truly lose. Everything works together for the good of those who love God.

Future and Growth

Interviewer: I love this! Thank you for sharing the influence of your faith with us. Now, let’s travel into the future and its growth. What do you see as the most significant opportunities for young people today?

Maven: I would say, content creation especially on YouTube. This is a game changer. I encourage anyone to dive in and seize the endless opportunities available. Trust me, these opportunities are from being exhausted – they’re growing daily as more platforms emerge. Even something as simple as posting for brands can generate significant income.

Interviewer: This is really insightful. A number of persons are still skeptical about choosing this path. Thank you for this enlightenment. By the way, what is one lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life?

Maven: So, one of the funny lessons I have learnt late in life is this: Dreams come true. Wallahi! I didn’t know this until 2018. Practically, I pursue everything with all my energy, at any cost.

Practical Tips and Recommendations 

Interviewer: Can you recommend any book, podcast or resources that have impacted you deeply?

Maven: For books Purpose Driven Life, An Enemy called Average, The Bible and Life without Limits. These books gave me a boost in fulfilling purpose. As for the movies, I will recommend The Greatest Showman, Air and Founders.

Interviewer: Great suggestions! You’ve definitely got a good eye. 

If someone wanted to start making a difference today, what small steps would you suggest?

Maven: Start! Whatever you’re good at, it’s best you just start. Also, be loud about it. Make noise about what you do. 

Interviewer: And is there anything you would like to add to this as your last word to the audience before we draw the curtains of this interview.

Maven: Yeah. I will add this. No matter what life throws at you, it will surely pass. Remember this. So, live in the moment. Enjoy the now. Hope and pray for the future. And not to forget, whatever work that is set before you to do, ensure you doit with all your heart. That’s all.

Interviewer: It was an honor and a pleasure having to get to know you. Thank you for gracing us with your time and presence. We look forward to having you with us. Thank you, Sire.

Maven Isong’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and a vision that transcends the ordinary. As the founder of DAB Playhouse and a record-breaking trailblazer, Maven continues to inspire countless individuals to dream bigger and aim higher. Their story reminds us that with determination and creativity, we can achieve the extraordinary.

We hope this interview has not only given you a glimpse into the world of theatre but also left you inspired to pursue your own dreams with unwavering dedication.

If you’d like to keep up with Maven Isong and their incredible work, be sure to follow them on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.god.maven/profilecard/?igsh=cmxnMHdjcWo1OGps

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078728487920&mibextid=ZbWKwL

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