What has been your favorite show you’ve worked on so far at your fellowship?

All three of the shows that Studio has done have been really unique so far. I think I will always have a soft spot for the first show I did because I only started stage managing last fall. It’s called The Heart Sellers by Lloyd Suh. It’s just this beautiful, heartwarming story of friendship between two young immigrants, with a poignant message about getting to know people who are different from you. That show was special to me because I got to work on it with one of my closest friends from the AU graduating class last year.

What was it like moving from AU’s smaller theatre community into the larger DC scene?

I’ve been really lucky in that most of the graduating members of my class and all of my close friends have stayed in the area, so the transition for me has been a really supportive one. DC can feel really big, but also it feels pretty small because at AU you have the luxury of getting to see so much theatre. Now, being part of the community, being able to say to someone, “I saw you in that show” and the next thing you know, you’re working with that person for the third time—it’s such a treat. The transition out of AU has been really fun because I get to go out in the world and be an adult artist now, instead of a student artist.

Was there a class at AU that felt especially useful for life after graduation?

I would say Audition Techniques was huge in terms of helping me shift my mindset around what it means to be a performer.

Professor Tara Giordano, when she taught that class for my year, was really intentional with having us constantly read scripts, prepping new material, workshopping, performing, and doing both mock auditions and real auditions for local casting directors. She gave us this gift of thinking of a mantra when you walk into a room. What is the thing that you are exuding as you go in for an audition?

What Tara shared with us was “Welcome to my party.” When you walk into the room to audition, you’re not walking in terrified of what they’re going to think of you. This room is going to be awesome because I’m in it and I’m leading the party. That has been huge for me in terms of thinking about starting a career, which is such a terrifying idea.

You’re also on the board of Wildwood Summer Theatre. What led you there, and what is it like?

Wildwood was founded by a group of high school students who wanted to do theater throughout the summer. The intention is to be a hands-on learning community theater for high school students, college students, young artists, emerging artists, to get to know each other and collaborate over the summer.

I originally did Wildwood in the summer of 2023. I ended up joining pretty last minute as a crew member and then ended up as the backstage ASM, and it was a total blast. On the board specifically, I said I was never going to join the board and then it got to a point where I realized, well, I actually care deeply about this, and I love this community. This summer, our show will be Starkid Productions' The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals running late July through early August!

What is your number one piece of advice for current AU theatre students?

This one is short and sweet. What is meant for you will not pass you by. If you’re doing your best, you can trust that what’s right for you is coming your way. And keep a journal.

Your fellowship has an end date. What’s next for you?

Directly after the fellowship, I’m taking some delayed grad trips, which I’m really excited about. When I get back, I will hopefully be acting and dancing and stage managing in the area. I don’t currently have any shows booked, but if anyone needs a non-equity ASM, I know a really good one. 

Learn more about the AU Theatre/Musical Theatre Program.