I strive to embrace every production with open arms and create a space I and others look forward to being in. I hold a firm belief that if I or others are not enjoying working on a production, something has gone horribly wrong. Things may get difficult and situations can become stressful, but if we stop feeling the joy that stems from creation and collaboration, what is the point? As a director, I handle all things, including mistakes, with kindness. I am there to guide the actors and help them discover their characters, not demand respect or shut down others’ ideas. I earn respect from my team by being dependable and organized. A solid structure and clear communication allows for ideas to evolve and collaboration to happen more effectively.

As someone who grew up queer in the small town of St. Clair, Missouri, I know firsthand the value of a supportive environment. Theatre was always the place I could fully embrace my loud and quirky self without fear of being judged or ridiculed by my peers. This is something I try to replicate as I work. Everyone in the room has something to contribute, and their talents and perspective should be uplifted by those around them. I am lucky enough to have parents who never pressured me to fit in or be anything other than myself. Being allowed to embrace what made me “weird” or “different” has also deeply affected my creative choices. When given the option to work on a show that can be described as absurd, whimsical, or otherworldly, I will always jump at the chance. Works that are peculiar and abstract can often reveal far more about our nature and allow us to see things from a different perspective.