Artists Statement
Theatre is an incredibly special medium. It has the ability to captivate and draw you into worlds beyond your imagination. I believe at the heart of theatre, collaboration is what makes it so special. The production team must collaborate to develop a vision for the show, and then in turn must then collaborate with the cast and crew in order to bring that vision to life. People are what make theatre special, and regardless of one's role in the production every role plays a critical part in its success.
Collaboration Philosophy
As a designer, I think the input of the production team, cast and crew is critical to the success of a show. In the early production meetings of the show, I love to discuss any and all ideas about the direction of the lighting design or production, regardless of whose idea it was. I try my best to facilitate the creation of a safe environment where all artists feel free to express ideas. In my opinion, when everyone has a mutual understanding that criticism is not personal, but instead critical of ideas, true artistic creation is possible.
Lighting Philosophy
In a production, light plays a core role. Bad lighting design is distracting and takes away from the performance onstage, however a good lighting design can elevate a show from good to great. My artistic philosophy when it comes to lighting design is to create precise looks that accentuate the action on stage while still providing dynamic looks that take advantage of the set design. Depending on the tone, themes, style, and artistic vision of the director, I may focus on subtle looks and subtle shifts, or I may focus on dramatic changes that capture the emotion of a moment. Regardless of the direction the design takes, my ultimate goal is to help the production team achieve a cohesive production that exceeds all expectations.
Stage Management Philosophy
As a Stage Manager, my number one goal is to ensure the production team is able to have the space needed for the creative process while also facilitating stress free rehearsals (relatively) and an on time production schedule. I believe that it is critical to create a safe, welcoming environment that maximises the production's opportunity for collaboration and growth. It is also important to try to be ahead of the needs of the director to ensure they are able to focus on the details of a show.
Stage Management requires you to anticipate needs and issues and deal with them on the fly, often with a time crunch. These are conditions I thrive in. When I am Stage Managing I am constantly looking for efficient solutions that work for the production team and the company. I prefer to adapt to the workflow of the director and allow them to create in an environment they are comfortable in. Although, I can move along a rehearsal when it comes down to it!
The stage manager's job is a taxing one that is often overlooked, however in my opinion it is one of the most critical, make-or-break positions in a production. Good stage management should take the most serious of problems in stride and turn them into all but minor speed bumps for the production. Throughout the constant chaos of a theater production, the stage manager should be the calm in the storm, providing a steady hand to guide the production to success.