Moments we carry
I loved the process of creation. I loved the rehearsal process. I loved that moment in theatre when the audience and the artist are in dialogue, even though only one of those participants is talking during a show. There is a lot to be said about the creation of theatre and how I grew to be the artist I am today. But it is not only the times I was creating something that helped me grow as an artist. And it is not just the classes and teachings. Although both have affected me greatly, there is a whole other part of theatre that stays with me: the relationship between artist and audience member, and the bond between audience members in one moment that will never be recreated.
We Are Here
Because somewhere along the way, I learned the most important thing about this work: no show is ever a solo act. Even a one-person show has a tech director in the wings willing you to succeed. The audience roots for you. The venue roots for you. And if you're as lucky as I am — your actors, designers, ASM, and tech rock stars are right there beside you, every single step of the way.
Leading with Heart: When Passion Becomes Smart Business
I've always been told I have tons of passion. Makes sense - IVP started as a passion project but then grew into a business. And it's there that I've wondered: am I too much passion and not enough business?
I choose people and projects because my heart is affected by both - and because I trust the artists who bring their hearts into the work alongside me. But my brain reminds me to be cautious. To go with the project that brings in more funds. But IVP's biggest project began with a gut feeling and collaborators who came into it with tons of...you guessed it - heart.
Walking In Their Footsteps
I have the honor of playing Ann Kelsey, a brave and intelligent woman who served in Vietnam as an Army librarian. I keep reminding myself that she will actually be in the audience seeing her story told onstage. That feels like such a privilege, to know the person you are portraying is present and trusting you with their memories. You always want to do your character’s justice and tell their stories to the best of your abilities, but this just raises the stakes and makes the experience all the more special.
What does it mean to create something “meaningful?”
I was writing plays about women or women’s events from history. Then I discovered Hallie Flanagan, the Living Newspapers, and their mission and influence on this country. That discovery opened a portal—and sent me into many nights of joyful research.
Documentary Theatre. The forms vary - actors repeating transcripts word for word, one performer embodying every character, or an ensemble building whole communities on stage - but they share one thing: the power to break barriers. Between past and present. Between artist and audience.