#theatredirector

lil introduction: my name’s lake and i’m from nyc! i’m a college student who’s double majoring in theatre and neuroscience and minoring in english (if you ask me about any of these you have my heart). i’m a complete nerd and wouldn’t have it any other way. i’m fluent in english and hebrew and am learning ASL. i’m also a dancer, singer/songwriter, highly opinionated book reader, and anti-capitalist. i’ll probably talk about all of the things (and more) on here. i also post about my chem, phan, nerdfighteria, and general emo things lol. and i deeply care about politics! if you don’t fw leftism gtfo.

Hometown?  

Ann Arbor, MI. 

Where are you now?  

Brooklyn, NY.

What's your current project? 

Directing the world premiere of I Am Nobody by Greg Kotis at The Tank. 

Why and how did you get into theatre?  

I think it had something to do with being raised Catholic (costumes, ritual, stage) and watching Funny Girl over 100 times as a tween. Then I somehow convinced my parents to let me major in it at USC.  

What is your directing dream project?   

I Am Nobody is a dream project because I get to work with terrific collaborators on a new, wild show at The Tank -- which allows us all complete creative freedom.   

What kind of theatre excites you? 

Theatre that is surprising, I like to watch people succeed onstage whatever the parameters of the world they are in.  I also have a sweet tooth for the sensational.   

What do you want to change about theatre today?  

There are fewer smaller theaters doing new plays.  At The Tank we are doing 13 coproductions of world-premiere plays this year -- I want to get plays out of drawers and see them made by removing the obstacle of money where we can.   

What is your opinion on getting a directing MFA?    

I got my MFA from Brooklyn College and it opened up an entire world for me.  I met Mac Wellman there who is now a frequent collaborator.  And a world of other playwrights, and Sarah Benson from Soho Rep.  I also learned how to stand up for my own aesthetics.  I wouldn't have my own theater now had I not gone. That said, I didn't leave NYC to do it.  It was important to me to stay here and be a part of the work happening here rather than leaving.  In directing I would say there are a lot of reasons folks get MFAs and you should if you want. 

Who are your theatrical heroes?  

Mac Wellman, Susan Bernfield, Linda Chapman, Ariane Mnouchkine, Tony Kushner, Liz LeCompte, Richard Foreman, Greg Kotis and Ayun Halliday, all the kids still moving to New York who make their way to The Tank...is this list boring yet?  

Any advice for directors just starting out?  

Say yes.  You don't need to have all the answers all the time.  Everyone is afraid of looking like an asshole.  You need to make a space where everyone can fuck up and fall on their faces (including you) or you won't get anywhere. Make your own rules in the spirit of love and collaboration.  Don't wait for a pat on the back that is never coming.  Get in there and get wild.  

Plugs!

I’m the Artistic Director of The Tank.  

I Am Nobody runs at The Tank March 5 - 29. 

Other upcoming projects:  

Nine Dreams: Blake and The Apocalypse by writer Nick Flynn for CounterCurrent Houston

WHEN WE WENT ELECTRONIC by Caitlyn Saylor Stephens at ART HOUSE Jersey City March 19 - April 5. 

Hometown?

I grew up between Italy and the US. 

Where are you now? 

NYC.

What's your current project?

A series of LGBTQ devised performance art & video projects. 

Why and how did you get into theatre?

One of my first theatre experiences was working with Ellen Stewart (La MaMa Founding Artistic Director) just after graduating from performance studies. This was in 2000.

What is your directing dream project? 

Site-specific(s) events and happenings (several galleries and public space come to mind). 

What kind of theatre excites you? 

Performance art, site-specific, performance installation, radical storytelling, interactive & intimate projects that feel immediate, personal, up close.

What do you want to change about theatre today?

Thought-provoking and interactive.

What is your opinion on getting a directing MFA? 

Pursue any MFA in the Arts if:

you want to teach - mostly; and only pursue this path if it’s financially sustainable, & it doesn’t impact your life and creative practice. If you get a scholarship that will allow you to graduate debt-free and allow you to pursue your directing dream project(s) – then go for it.

Who are your theatrical heroes? 

Samuel Beckett and Eugenio Barba.

Any advice for directors just starting out? 

Assist on projects; travel and meet likely-minded artists. Don’t forget to develop your own creative and producing practice with likely-minded artists and collaborators. Find the courage to put yourself out there.

Plugs!

I am artistic director with Pioneers Go East Collective. We create and produce interactive high-energy performance art and video to share stories of vulnerability, courage and pride.

My creative practice (performance/ writing/ video-making) has developed collaboratively over the past decade. When I founded Pioneers Go East Collective 8 years ago, I wanted to broaden my perspective on stories and experiences focused on social issues, to start a conversation with other likely-minded artists. I started devising performance with the collective, including Daniel Diaz, and Philip Treviño who are Pioneers’ lead artists and collaborators.