Growing up in a quiet, conservative town, I often felt like an outsider in my own community, spending most of my adolescence dreaming about moving to NYC, where surely I would be embraced by tons of like-minded folks. At 18, I moved to New York to pursue a BFA in musical theatre; through this experience I quickly learned that there's more to finding community than simply existing in the same space. I found it difficult to feel comfortable in rehearsal rooms which were overwhelmingly straight, cis, and neurotypical; a lot of the time I was left feeling unsupported in my choices, unheard in my requests for safe practices, or simply confused at the lack of clear directives provided. Out of necessity I learned to adapt to the teachers and directors around me, despite oftentimes feeling that their expectations were not clearly (or kindly) communicated. It is these experiences that greatly shaped my own directing process, as well as my goals for sharing stories that create transformational experiences for viewers and their own communities.

​

My approach to directing and artistic leadership is driven by a commitment to collaboration. My first task as director is to ensure that everyone on my team feels safe, supported, and heard. When working with actors I always aim to provide positive feedback in addition to direct notes; if an actor is ever confused, I do what I can to offset their confusion, rather than setting the antiquated expectation of "figure it out on your own." It is always my goal to find a method that works for everyone, even if it doesn't always make my life easier. In my experience, the best results always come from shows where the director serves as an enthusiastic coach, inspiring collaborators in the rehearsal room to feel that their voice and artistry is valued. As a collaborator, I highly value the feedback of other members involved in any production, as I believe that listening is crucial to be a good and impactful leader; I strive to create space for diverse perspectives to engage with each other, because true collaboration is critical to a show's influence on its audience.

 

I am drawn to a myriad of genres and styles, though I am most passionate about new works. There is something deeply special and fulfilling about bringing text to life, and using my skills to help writers fully realize their work. I have always been passionate about nurturing and championing new plays and playwrights, and it's exciting to play a role in the development of a new show. I enjoy using my skills to put together the pieces of the puzzle, and love any topic that presents itself as a challenge; some themes which I particularly enjoy working with as a director are queerness, magic, campy comedy, and any topic which allows for an immersive audience experience.

​

The art and artists that I am passionate about are diverse; it is my goal to create theatre that doesn't only look like the world we live in, but looks like the world that we wish to live in. As a queer non-binary director, I am deeply committed to an inclusive and equitable theater that invites everyone to the table and brings underrepresented stories and voices to the centerstage. I am committed to creating theatre that is anti-racist, accessible, and queer. As I continue to foster more new work by emerging artists, I hope that in doing so I can create opportunities to work alongside more queer, trans, and neurodivergent artists; through theatre, I hope that we can build a community which allows us and our audiences to feel seen and heard.