“There is more fun to be had.”

A phrase I learned not too long ago, from a very lovely instructor of mine. Such a simple sentiment couldn’t ring more true in my heart. Theatre, art, and music has always been about joy. It has always been about the love of it all — of people, of life, of stories. I keep this phrase fresh in my mind, as a reminder to never stop playing, to never stop trying new things even if they fail, especially when they fail. Don’t get too comfortable; there’s always more to uncover, more fun to be had.

On Performing

I was quite shy as a child — I still am a bit; but I found a deep love of performing at a young age, easing me into extrovertism. It’s not a unique story, I know, but it is one I’m proud to share with countless other theatremakers. A story that is centered in love, joy, and passion. The fundamental drives for all characters. In the end, every story is a love story. It is simply my job to excavate it from the text. From there, I discover who the character is and expand, as needed, from there. At my core, I am a character driven actor. I believe in mining the text for all it’s worth, and then letting it go, allowing the character’s emotions and actual time reactions to my scene partner take hold.

On Writing

There’s a story my mom recounts fondly, of the first story I ever “wrote.” I use quotation marks because I couldn’t actually write at the time — I shoved a pen into her hands and had her play the scribe as I told her my magnum opus. It was about an ant, or so I’ve been told.

Creative storytelling has always been a part of who I am — I may not write about ants anymore (quite the blow to my character, I know), but I continue to have an affinity for the smaller, more mundane aspects of life. I maintain that some of the riches displays of love, growth, character, and connection shine brightest in the quiet, small times. I think smallness if often equated with unimportance, which is a massive disservice. Everything means something Quite Large.

These Small Things fill a larger story usually filled with whimsy, playfulness, or the fantastical — echoing much of my sentiments above. I want to have fun when I’m writing. I want it to move my heart and also my smile, otherwise, why am I doing it?