Offstage Director’s Note

I tend to say that I'm someone who lives my life in quotes. I look to them for encouragement in times of need. Some favorites this year have been "What a difficult thing to do, but what a great thing to try to do," (Howard Ashman), and "Impossible things are happening every day" (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella). This year, I've been lucky enough to work with an amazing group of artists who give me new inspiration each day, from reminders that it's okay to still be a "work in progress," to being proud of "living in between the lines," to the ever-needed encouragement "don't be afraid to face the edge" (Sabrina Caputo, Marifé Quesada, Isha Narayanan).  

The company of Offstage has been like none I could have ever dreamed of, bringing their own wisdom and creativity to the table throughout the entire process to help us produce such a powerful show. This piece would never be where it is today if it weren't for this fearless and gifted team, and I cannot thank them enough for all of their incredible work.

Last May, when Matthew, President and Producer of Tisch New Theatre, brought me on board as TNT's Vice President and Artistic Curator, I remember being overwhelmed as we began to discuss the 2020-2021 season. The task of figuring out this year seemed difficult, if not impossible. Special thanks to Matthew, I can't imagine having made this show with anyone else by my side. 

We wanted to create something that the world needed to hear, something important for the moment we were living in. The past year has brought so much with it, and many reckonings that have long been needed in the performing arts industry but also the world. 

On June 5, 2020, I called Matthew with an idea – we would put on a show that would invite artists to come together to write music about their identities, in whatever way felt most wholeheartedly true to themselves and how they would want their stories told. I wanted to give people a chance to create a song that they would always know was for and about them –  something that could make them, and hopefully so many others, feel seen. The idea I put forth on that call would become Offstage, where our goal would be to tell stories too often left off the stage, and bring them into the spotlight. 

In making this show, we have achieved that goal and so much more. Not only has this process been transformative for so many of us involved in making it come to life, but I believe fervently in the impact it will soon have on those able to see it. I hope that Offstage will give people that song that makes them feel seen, that moment that makes them feel understood, that spark that lets them know their story is worth telling, and that we want to hear it.