DIRECTING
I firmly believe that directing is the art of visual storytelling and the organization of theatricality to a playwright's words. It is a great passion of mine to bring that story to life. I have always described myself as a "designer's director": I strive to realize a visually gripping world, utilizing costumes, lighting, setting, sound, and all, paying attention to craft a non-verbal througline of the written story. I enjoy directing bare staged readings of new plays, as well as fully realized productions like my work below. I feel most confident and comfortable when collaborating as a true ensemble with the full team. Designers, technicians, actors, playwrights, and stage management all have important, generative contributions to the work.
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL
Drew University Thomas H. Kean Theater
I had the privilege of directing Heathers on my university's Main Stage, in a special arrangement with Samuel French. To date, this was the largest musical my school had ever produced: a cast of 27, a pit of 9 musicians, faculty-designed set, faculty-choreographed, a professional fight choreographer, 11 body mics, and a hazer all came together to make this show a success!
What made this production particularly special was that we were using a never-before-produced version of the script. Kevin Murphy, and alumni of Drew, gave us a new edition of the script to beta test. The edition we used, sans any rewrites, will eventually replace the currently licensed version of the script. There were new bits of dialogue and two new songs that had never been realized outside of a workshop before! It was truly an honor when Mr. Murphy and Mr. O'Keefe, the other writer, were in attendance.
BOYS RULE
Drew University Directing Lab
Boys Rule was a new play written by fellow Drew student Hannah Ponturo, and was my first opportunity to direct a full production solo! This was also my first opportunity work on a full play with a writer in the room. Throughout the process, the script was live; changes were able to be made even beyond opening night. This show was produced on the Main Stage as part of Drew's DirectFest, which is where first-time student directors can showcase their work.
HAMLET
Drew University Thomas H. Kean Theater
I served as Assistant Director on this production of Hamlet, directed by Daniel LaPenta. He has been my advisor since my first year of school, and an insightful directing mentor in the years following. He allowed me a good amount of input on this production; notably, I worked on the scene between Hamlet and Ophelia in Act III and the closet scene with Gertrude and Hamlet. This production was staged at the same time the First Folio edition of Shakespeare's works was displayed on campus, so it was definitely a special run!
KING HEDLEY II
Drew University Thomas H. Kean Theater
This production marked the first time I served as an Assistant Director-- or any sort of directorial role in college. King Hedley II, one of August Wilson's Century Cycle plays, was directed by the late Rodney Gilbert. Memorably, Rodney solicited a lot of my input for design; I credit this experience as the first time I began to think beyond actors, and make choices for the physical world of the play.
