Hometown: Hood River, Oregon
Education: B.A. Theatre Arts & Biological Anthropology University of Oregon
Favorite Credits: Too Many Lenas 3: Let Them Eat Cake! It always leads to the best conversations and questions.
Why theater?: Theatre is the only place I've encountered where my random knowledge and freaky analysis skills are needed and even celebrated. So I guess for me theatre has been this incredibly welcoming, healing, and empowering experience. I want to create an experience like that for others as well.
Tell us about Too Many Lenas 3: Too Many Lenas 3: Let Them Eat Cake! uses Lena Dunham as an impetus to discuss issues of authenticity, 'art', and the post crash - post graduate experience. It's shallow, and meaningless, and totally derivative; until it's you at brunch with your friends last Sunday. It will catch you off guard, it will make you laugh, and make "Girls" look like Sunday School.
What is it like being a part of Too Many Lenas 3?: It's amazing. I work with the most talented artists I have ever had the good fortune to engage with. Also, it's ridiculous. David Bernstein is steering this ever expanding behemoth of Zeitgeist laced cruise missiles illegally obtained for the hipster liberation front. Except, he's usually out of the country, so he's steering it essentially blind. This process is only maintained by sheer force of artistic will and the aesthetic of tightly controlled stream of consciousness chaos. It's like going on a violent bender through Bushwick with Zac Efron. If Zac Efron was Lena Dunham.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I am drawn to either history driven pieces with contemporary relevance or extremely experimental theatre that seeks to alter our perceptions. Arcadia by Tom Stoppard and Bushwick drag queens like Merrie Cherry are good examples. Similarly I am inspired by intriguing historical figures such as Aphra Behn or Quentin Crisp, or instigating contemporaries like Justin Vivian Bond or Caryl Churchill. I am inspired by those who question with reckless abandon and violent passion.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Tom Stoppard.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Well, Too Many Lenas 3: Let Them Eat Cake! obviously, but also A Map to Somewhere Else at The 133rd Street Arts Center Lab. It explores some very intriguing issues and plays with reality in a way I can't resist.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Tilda Swinton in "Are you actually wearing that?" or "Grandma Blazers Attack!"
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Grandma Blazers, definitely. They don't match anything, but always manage to look amazing.
What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: "Settle Down" by Kimbra
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: I actually also do work as a biological anthropologist, usually in human remains recovery.
What’s up next?: I have just moved to LA! I want to explore applying dramaturgy to film, and take advantage of the more numerous anthropology opportunities.
For more visit http://dramaturgytea.com/
