Hometown: Waimea, Hawaii
Education: Currently a sophomore studying Visual and Dramatic Narrative at University of Redlands in the Johnson Center for Integrative Studies
Favorite Credits: Rodger in Grease (Kahilu Theatre), Mr. Mushink in Little Shop of Horrors (University of Redlands), George Gibbs in Our Town (Dramatiques).
Why theater?: Creating living and breathing substance—something that can be examined, questioned, loved, and forever lasting… that is what theatre is to me.
Tell us about Flat Fish: When Willy goes missing, his older sister Jill goes on a quest to bring him home. By reading the journal he left behind, Jill comes to understand her brother's misguided search for love--and, ultimately, uncovers not only the answers that Willy has been looking for, but makes unprecedented discoveries about herself. Through witnessing the complicated and unpredictable past of Willy, as Jill unfolds her disregarded issues, Flat Fish tells a haunting story of family, connection, and love.
What inspired you to write Flat Fish?: In a short story that my dear friend wrote, she said that when she lost her mother, she lost her soulmate. Something about that line stuck with me, uncomfortably. Her concept of a soulmate did not fit in with what I have always known and wanted it to be. As the famous saying goes: write what you know -- but if you only do that, then you’ll never learn. So I decided to write a story about what made me uncomfortable.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Any theatre that addresses connection speaks to me. I think connection is the most beautiful part of existence, and I think every form of theatre intentionally and unintentionally explores it. William Shakespeare. He has written thirty-seven plays. Thirty-seven, all of which get performed. If he taught me anything, it’s to just keep writing, writing, writing.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: My sister. I think the way siblings connect is so odd and particular that I want to see how it affects the breath and life of a show.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Company.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Jennifer Aniston stars in "Wait, what?"
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Sam Shepard’s Fool for Love. I want to see the original blend of realism and fantasy, and especially the audience’s reactions to the deep, real, and incestuous love that is right in front of them.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Board games. I own too many. When packing for college I dedicated one suitcase for clothes and the other for games. I regret that.
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Political activism.
What’s up next?: This upcoming spring, I will be performing as Horatio in my university’s production of Big Brother Hamlet, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The cast will also be traveling to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland to perform in theSpace venue!
For more on Flat Fish, visit http://www.blackcoffeeproductions.org/flat-fish