Tag: expectations

Rapture, Blister, Burn – Get to Know Anya Kremenetsky

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20% Theatre Company is thrilled to present Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage April 26 – May 10, 2014. Over the past few weeks, we have given you the chance to learn a little bit about the artists involved in this production. In this final interview for Rapture, meet our show director, Anya Kremenetsky!

Director
Director

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? How/when/why did you get into theatre?  

Theater is something that’s always been part of my life…I remember my parents taking me to shows at The Children’s Theater…I was completely enchanted and wanted to be up there doing what they were doing.  I think I was in my first play at the age of six.  I started out as an actor, and became interested in directing once I realized that I had a hard time focusing only on the role I was playing.  I  wanted to be involved in all the elements of the production from start to finish, and in the creation and shaping of the show as a whole.  I studied at George Washington University in DC and the Atlantic Theater Company in NYC, and have been working in the Twin Cities as a freelance director/teaching artist since I settled back home in 2007.  Last summer I joined the History Theatre staff as Artistic Associate.

Have you worked with 20% Theatre Twin Cities in the past? How and in what capacity?

I’ve been a company member of 20% since 2008, and have worked on three productions as assistant director: Standards of Care, Perfect Pie, and Where We’re Born.

Tell us what originally drew you to the Rapture, Blister, Burn script. Why did you want to direct it?

I was drawn in right away by Gionfriddo’s dry wit…it’s my kind of humor…and if a play has me laughing in the first few pages, I’m hooked.  As I kept reading, I had this eerie feeling that she had broken into my apartment and read my journals…the characters in her play articulate things that I’ve been thinking and writing about in recent years…

I can relate very much to what they are experiencing…i.e. Catherine realizing that she’s devoted her entire life to her career, and now, facing the possibility of losing her mother…wondering if there’s some “wisdom in the natural order” – creating a new family to replace the one you lose.

These women are finding that the theories and ideals they’ve long held about how to structure their lives and build relationships don’t always work in practice.  They need to find ways to be realistic while NOT losing sight of their ideals.  I have not yet reached a point in my life where I can look back and lament the roads not taken.  I’m grateful to be in a place where I’m forging those roads and have the freedom to build the kind of life I want to live.  Sometimes that freedom can be terrifying and the pressure to make all these decisions paralyzing!  But I’m not complaining, as I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What do you hope the audience will walk away from this production knowing, feeling, thinking, etc.?

Gionfriddo crams a LOT of food for thought into this play.  It’s very dense material, which is why it’s been fascinating to dig into throughout the rehearsal process.  Every audience member will walk away with something different – moments that pop, lines that strike a nerve, kernels of wisdom they might apply to their current experience… I don’t believe this play has any set message to instill into the audience…  for me, it’s a play about questions – not answers.  I hope the audience leaves the theater with much to think about and much to laugh about.

Rapture, Blister, Burn is often called “a feminist play.” How would you describe the play? How do you feel about feminism and what it signifies today?

I don’t know what “feminist play” really means (I suppose it could mean different things to different people) and it seems like too simple a term to describe Rapture, Blister, Burn.  This is a play that explores a number of issues and choices women face in different realms:  career, relationships, family, sexuality, etc.  Gionfriddo examines these issues in the context of the feminist movement, and how it has evolved over the decades.

This play is not only about the experience of women, though – it touches on a number of universal themes:  “The grass is always greener on the other side,” what drives our life choices, how we find our unique way to happiness and fulfillment, the search for rules & theories to make all these decisions easier…   The one male character in the play experiences these things as thoroughly as the female characters do.

How do I feel about feminism? 

Interestingly, that’s something I’ve never really thought much about before starting work on this play.  Third-wave feminist writers Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards said it best:  “The presence of feminism in our lives is taken for granted. For our generation, feminism is like fluoride. We scarcely notice we have it – it’s simply in the water.”

Though I’ve taken feminism for granted, I’ve never questioned whether I am a feminist.   I was having dinner with my dad and my grandma the other day, and I was telling them about this play…they asked me if I define myself as a feminist.  I said, “I don’t see how I could have the career I have right now and NOT be a feminist.”

I’ve heard negative perceptions of feminism expressed in the news recently, with prominent women declaring themselves not to be feminists because being a feminist is “too extreme.”  I’ve never seen feminism as a negative or extreme thing – I’ve found it to be a self-evident thing.  I believe the backlash is due to a misunderstanding of what feminism is.

It’s not about putting men down or pushing men away.  There’s nothing in feminism that’s inherently anti-male.  Pro-female does not mean anti-male.

Merriam-Webster defines feminism as:  “The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.”

That’s it.  Maybe some people would feel more comfortable re-naming that belief  to some word that sounds more gender-neutral.  Continuing to refer to it as feminism, however, serves as an acknowledgement of how things used to be, an appreciation of the progress that’s been made, and a reminder of how much work there is still to be done toward women’s rights.

What else do you do in the world, outside of theatre and/or working on this production?

My entire work life is wrapped up in theater in one way or another (and this I’m grateful for.)  Sometimes it feels like theater IS my life – especially in the non-summer months…and I have to remember to find balance and not get burned out.  Once the warm weather rolls around, though – I try to be outside as much as possible.  I’ve avoided committing to fringe shows and other summer productions for that very reason.  In the summer, I want to spend my time hiking, paddleboarding, camping, rollerblading, you name it – as long as it involves fresh air.

 

Rapture, Blister, Burn – Get to Know Rachel Finch

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20% Theatre Company is thrilled to present Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage April 26 – May 10, 2014. Here is your chance to learn a little bit about the artists involved in this production. Stay tuned for more interviews from our designers and director. Before we open the show, hear from our last actor, Rachel Finch!

Actor
Actor

Can you tell us a little but about yourself and your background? How/when/why did you get into theatre? 

I got cast in a play in second grade. The Brave Little Tailor. It was all downhill from there. 🙂 Kidding. I got into it in High School. That was where I fit in. I made the decision to major in Theater Performance at Viterbo University, and I’ve been enjoying the TC theater scene ever since.

Tell us a little about the character you will be playing in Rapture, Blister, Burn.

Avery is so much fun to play – she’s got a LOT of attitude, and says exactly what she thinks. Other people might see her as rude, but she’s just really, really honest, and she misses nothing. Like it or not, you are going to get the truth from this girl.  She’s still figuring out what she wants, and really is in a place where she has a lot of freedom, but is maybe longing for some of the security that comes with a steady relationship. Learning that she doesn’t actually have all the answers throws her for a loop towards the end of the show, and we see her grapple with that too.

In what ways do you personally relate to this character?

I’m definitely in a place in my life where some of the big choices (family, marriage, career) are on my mind a lot. Even though she’s a lot younger than I am, Avery still has all those options in front of her too, and is deciding what path to take. And like Avery, I’m kinda fuzzy on what it would mean to call myself a “feminist” in 2014.

What is exciting about your character? What are some of the challenges that you, as an actor, are facing in portraying this character?

Her honesty and humor are my favorite things. You always know where you stand. The challenge for me here is playing someone who is so intelligent, but also really young. Avery struggles with things that aren’t clear cut, like the How-To’s of successfully navigating a long distance relationship with her boyfriend.

Rapture, Blister, Burn is often called “a feminist play”. How would you describe the play? How do you feel about feminism and what it signifies today?

This is a really hard question because there is SO MUCH in this script to talk about. I keep telling Anya that the talk-backs are going to be 4 hours long. Feminism is really personal – even in rehearsals, its hard to explain how you feel about it without referencing your own life experience. Our careers, our relationships, family life – these are the things we use to define our value. So it is really personal, and people get really defensive over labels like “Just a Housewife” or “Lonely Career Woman” and with good reason, because this is who we are. This show asks those hard questions about what should you pursue, and what will you give up to get it?

How do you personally balance the expectations of being female in our society with the concepts of feminism in your daily life?

I think being a “feminist” has a looser definition than it has had in the past. I love being a woman, think one of the best things is about it is claiming that right to choose your own path and not apologize for it. I get tripped up, however, over the Miley Cyruses of the world. Is that feminism, because its her choice to dress in skimpy clothes and twerk her ass off? Or is she simply creating a cheap image of women as sex objects to get media attention? There are arguments on both sides. The other aspect of feminism that I see is really body-focused. Fat-shaming, Skinny-shaming, Dove Ads versus Victoria’s Secret models: what is the image of a “real” woman? There’s a lot of conflict over this as well. Randy said this in rehearsal and I think it kinda sums it up: you see a female celebrity on the cover of People Magazine with an article about an unflattering photo of themselves in a bathing suit. In the article, they all say “This is my body and I’m proud of it!”…. and then they lose 20 pounds. We’re torn between wanting to embrace our bodies as they are, and also wanting to fit society’s standards of beauty. We’re a work in progress.

What else do you do in the world, outside of theatre and/or working on this production?

I work in Human Resources at Twin Cities Public Television. I’m a novice runner, and starting to train for the Women Rock 1/2 Marathon in August.

Favorite restaurant to eat out at in the Twin Cities?

Salut Bar American. Fabulous wine, and really good beef. When I want a hamburger or steak, this is where I go.

How did you get to Minneapolis? (Where did you grow up? Where are you from?)

I grew up in Blaine, and while I still go there to visit my parents, I never want to live in a suburb again. I’m a city girl, and I have an apartment on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. I’ve lived in London and New Zealand as well.

Do you have any pets?

I have a tuxedo cat named Groucho, and I am absolutely smitten with him. I was always a dog person, and now I’m one of those women with a picture of her cat on her desk at work. How did this happen?

Rapture, Blister, Burn – Get to Know Christine Sweet

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20% Theatre Company is thrilled to present Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage April 26 – May 10, 2014. Opening night is less than a week away! We are giving you the chance to learn a little bit about the artists involved in this production. Meet Christine Sweet in this interview!

Actor
Actor

Can you tell us a little but about yourself and your background? How/when/why did you get into theatre? 

I was in an acting apprentice program in Boston many years ago. At age 25 I chose a different career path, radio broadcasting. I didn’t formally return to theater, i.e., auditioning, till a few years ago when I was cast in Freshwater Theatre Company’s Desperation Panties, directed by Claire Avitabile. Since then I’ve had roles in several Twin Cities theater productions, and it’s been like coming home. I am absolutely thrilled to be part of 20% Theatre’s production of Rapture, Blister, Burn.

Tell us a little about the character you will be playing in Rapture, Blister, Burn.

Alice is the 70-ish mother of the lead character, Catherine. She has recently had a heart attack but does not want to be fussed over. She is devoted to her daughter and only child, whom she gave birth to later in life, and her goal is Catherine’s happiness and comfort. Unlike her daughter she’s not highly educated nor career-driven, but she’s perceptive and independent and I don’t think she could have raised a child like Catherine without possessing those traits. She’s enjoyed being a mother and has accepted her traditional role, but some of her advice for Catherine is a little surprising nonetheless. I imagine that Alice had quite an independent life as a single woman before she married and became a mother.In what ways do you personally relate to this character?Alice is a character from my mother’s generation, or the generation between my mother’s and mine. I’m a Boomer who came of age during a time of tremendous social change, including the women’s movement this play references, and my goals were facilitated by the feminism of that time. My life has been very different from my mother’s. However, I’m quite familiar with a lot of the traditional expectations of women that Alice represents, because those influenced my childhood and early adolescence as well.

Rapture, Blister, Burn is often called “a feminist play”. How would you describe the play? How do you feel about feminism and what it signifies today?  

Rather than a “feminist play”, I would call it a play about feminism. It’s also about anti-feminism. And the consequences of both – yes, there’s something for everyone here! And it’s not just for women! The play offers no pat conclusions but reflects back to us, through the views and experiences of three generations, the complexities of the places in which we continue to find ourselves. While it is a comedy, working on RBB has stimulated deep discussion among our cast and director, and I’m sure it will do so among audiences.

Personally, I owe some of my significant career opportunities in a male-dominated field to feminism. Regardless, it has not been an easy ride. There were few women in radio when I started, and it was uncharted territory. I could write a book. Maybe I will someday. I feel concerned when I hear some young women today wishing not to be identified as feminist, or with what they think the word means – I admit I’m not sure what it means to them. Feminism was and is about freedom and equal rights. It concerns me that we are still in danger of losing some of the rights gained by the women’s movement, even as we often take them for granted now. The sense of deja vu and “didn’t we already fight this battle?” is stunning and frequently discouraging. Like the civil rights movement of the 1950s and ’60s, the struggle continues even while on the surface, so much progress has been made.

How do you personally balance the expectations of being female in our society with the concepts of feminism in your daily life?

Wow, I have so much to say about this, I couldn’t possibly cover it all here. The short version is, my life experiences have confirmed over and over that being true to myself is the most important thing to me. The point of feminism is having the freedom to do that, whatever it entails for me as a woman and whether or not all my desires coincide with feminist principles. Being told I can’t do something – a career, a sport, etc. – because I’m female was and is one of the most hurtful things I’ve ever heard in my life. But I never took it to heart, and feminism has helped me in that. Today in our society the opposite message is more prevalent, and I’m very glad of that.

What else do you do in the world, outside of theatre and/or working on this production?

I still work in radio, now as a producer after many years as an on-air host.

How did you get to Minneapolis? (Where did you grow up? Where are you from?)

I grew up in the Boston MA area and moved to Chicago in my late 20’s for a radio job. I’ve lived in the Twin Cities for over 30 years, having come here to work for MPR.

Rapture, Blister, Burn – Get to Know Kelli Gorr

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20% Theatre Company is thrilled to present Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage April 26 – May 10, 2014. In the weeks leading up to the show, we are giving you the chance to learn a little bit about the artists involved in this production. In this interview, meet actor, Kelli Gorr!

Actor
Actor

Can you tell us a little but about yourself and your background? How/when/why did you get into theatre?

Hi, my name is Kelli and I’m a recovering radio announcer. I spent 14 years as a DJ and talk show host in St. Cloud, MN. Now I lead Cargill’s Information Protection training and awareness activities globally.

I’ve been on stage since I was little. Dance. Theatre. Emcee. (You haven’t lived until you’ve emceed a Stearns Country Dairy Princess Pageant). Theatre is a hobby of mine and competes with dancing, biking, reading and watching films. Mostly I just like the applause.

Tell us a little about the character you will be playing in Rapture, Blister, Burn.

Gwen is a housewife (which is a rare breed these days). She dropped out of graduate school, married and started a family. Now at 40, with a failing marriage she wonders if she would have been happier if she had taken a different path. Gwen is not shy about letting others know how they fall short. She is the quintessential nag.

In what ways do you personally relate to this character?

One of the things I relate to is Gwen’s struggle to be happy with her life – to find contentment. Gwen struggles to find contentment and is often pushing and pulling those around her to do more and do it better. For me it’s a reminder to focus on what you have instead of what you lack.

What is exciting about your character? What are some of the challenges that you, as an actor, are facing in portraying this character?

Gwen is often oblivious to her selfishness. Playing some of those scenes with a straight face…that’s tough.

Rapture, Blister, Burn is often called “a feminist play”. How would you describe the play? How do you feel about feminism and what it signifies today?

Before this play I think I’d given roughly thirty seconds of thought in my life to feminism. I think the thought was, “Why would someone burn their bra?”

In my defense…

I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in a country and time where it’s never occurred to me that I wouldn’t have the same opportunities as a man. I thank those who have done the hard work and crusading to make that possible. Maybe a woman not even thinking there are barriers to do and be whatever she likes is a measure of their hard work. That said, the play has definitely been an education.

What else do you do in the world, outside of theatre and/or working on this production?

My fiancée, Joel and I live in St. Paul, where we bought a home from 1887, which means lots of home improvement. This is the year I get the jungle (that is our yard) under control.  Bring on spring. When we’re not working on the house we’re seeing films, biking and boarding together (that’s a longboard skateboard for him) and seeing good Twin Cities theatre.

Favorite restaurant to eat out at in the Twin Cities?

Too tough. Too many I’d like to try again.

How did you get to Minneapolis? (Where did you grow up? Where are you from?)

I grew up in White Bear Lake, just north of St. Paul. I’ve also lived in Rice Lake, WI and St. Cloud, MN.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, two cats and a dog. Sméagol and Precious are our two cats and Chiyo is our long-haired Chihuahua. If you don’t like pets, I probably don’t trust you.

 

Rapture, Blister, Burn – Get to Know Randy Funk

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20% Theatre Company is thrilled to present Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage April 26 – May 10, 2014. In the weeks leading up to the show, we are giving you the chance to learn a little bit about the artists involved in this production. In this interview, meet Randy Funk!

Actor
Actor


Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? How/when/why did you get into theatre?

I started acting when I was in junior high school. I majored in theatre at Mankato State University (I know, I know.  But it was Mankato State when I went there and it will always be Mankato State to me.) I ran a theatre company called Pigs Eye Theatre for about five years, which gave me the opportunity to do some directing and writing as well.

Tell us a little about the character you will be playing in Rapture, Blister, Burn.

Don is a dean at what he describes as a fourth rate liberal arts college. He’s been married to Gwen for a number of years and has settled into a comfortable, if somewhat unfulfilling, life. He’s someone with great intelligence, but without the drive to do much more than what he’s doing.

In what ways do you personally relate to this character?

There are a lot of ways in which I relate to Don, but most of them are things I’d be more comfortable keeping to myself. Still, I can say we’re both at an age where you can’t help but look back and wonder, “What if I had done that instead of this?” or “What if this had happened to me rather than that?” But I’m a little more content with things than Don. I guess the best way to describe it is: I don’t have Don’s life, but I can see it from where I’m sitting.

What is exciting about your character? What are some of the challenges that you, as an actor, are facing in portraying this character?

Well, like I said, I relate to Don.  There are a lot of little moments where I think, “Wow, I’ve had that thought.” or “Jeez, I’ve had that said to me.” The challenge is not flinching when those things you relate to take you into uncomfortable areas. I mean, looking at yourself in the mirror can be nice, but maybe not when you’re naked.

Rapture, Blister, Burn is often called “a feminist play”. How would you describe the play? How do you feel about feminism and what it signifies today?

I think it’s a play that brings up and covers a lot of facets of feminism without telling the audience what its supposed to feel or think.  It’s a play that’s meant to be enjoyed, but also one that facilitates discussion.  I think feminism still has a very important role to play in our society. As long as there are people out there who will challenge a woman’s right to choose, who will question whether rape is really THAT bad, who, in general, are still willing to treat women as second class citizens, then feminism will be a much needed voice in the discussion.

How do you personally balance being male in our society with the concepts of feminism?

I think feminism makes me a better man.  Pure and simple.

What else do you do in the world, outside of theatre and/or working on this production?

I want to write mysteries when I grow up. That’s the thing I most want to do.  Also, I’m working on getting my son to brush his teeth without me ordering him to.

Favorite breakfast food?

An earth breakfast (hash browns and onions mixed into scrambled eggs and topped with cheese.)  Great, now I’m hungry.

How did you get to Minneapolis? (Where did you grow up? Where are you from?)

I grew up in Hibbing.  My family moved to the Cities area when I was a junior in high school.

Current favorite song or band?

This might sound weird, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but until a few months ago, I’d never heard “Heroin” by The Velvet Underground or Patti Smith’s version of “Gloria”.  Now I’m pretty much obsessed with both of them.  Oh, and I want Oasis to get back together.  Who can I talk to about that?

 

Rapture, Blister, Burn – Get to Know Renee Werbowski

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20% Theatre Company is thrilled to present Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage April 26 – May 10, 2014. In the weeks leading up to the show, we are giving you the chance to learn a little bit about the artists involved in the creation of this production. For this interview, we’d love for you to meet actor, Renee Werbowski.

Renee Werbowski_2895
Actor

Can you tell us a little but about yourself and your background? How/when/why did you get into theatre?

I have a Theatre degree from Augsburg College. Though, at first, I figured I’d better study something “serious”, so I thought I’d be a chem major- get a lucrative job in the cosmetics industry.  Ha!  That lasted exactly a day and a half, because though I made good grades in math/science in HS, I dropped my first chem class (it was way way, way over my head) and swapped it for a film class (this was a suggestion from my French TA).  And who was I kidding anyway~ I’ve always wanted to be an actress.  I used to do commercials into the mirror for various products in the bathroom when I was only 5.  I’d do Cher impersonations for my babysitters.  I got a tape recorder for Christmas one year and did Soap Operas, commercials, man-on-the-street interviews and variety shows on it. Somebody somewhere has evidence of this on cassette tape.

The first show I got cast in after college was A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the MN Shakespeare Co.  After that, I sort of “fell into” VO work and commercials~ what I wanted to do all along.

Tell us a little about the character you will be playing in Rapture, Blister, Burn.

My character is Catherine, and she is having a midlife crisis of identity and maturity.  She’s missing a feeling of comfort and “home” in her life.  She’s having trouble coping with these feelings.  And, she isn’t thinking clearly about the solutions, to this loneliness, that present themselves to her.

In what ways do you personally relate to this character?

I can relate to Catherine in how I can find myself wanting something- missing something but upon review, I see that I haven’t put forth any energy at all into attaining that thing.

What is exciting about your character? What are some of the challenges that you, as an actor, are facing in portraying this character?

Its going to be challenging to play an accomplished, confident person who is also at the most vulnerable point in her life so far.  There are layers here, layers and layers that have to be included in the performance.

Rapture, Blister, Burn is often called “a feminist play”. How would you describe the play? How do you feel about feminism and what it signifies today?

This play IS a feminist play.  It discusses the past and the current state of feminism.  It explores, in a very funny and intelligent way, the newest frontiers in feminism and where we all fit into it.

How do you personally balance the expectations of being female in our society with the concepts of feminism in your daily life?

Well in the beginning, I was very attached to the idea that I had to make the exact same financial contribution as my mate and he should do the exact same amount of laundry (Avery’s 50/50 theory). However, I have tended over the years to take the female house-stuff role.   This arrangement has just happened to settle that way~or did it?  Good question for discussion later.  Though my husband is 100% supportive of my two freelance jobs, what I still struggle with as a woman is reminding myself that housework IS a valuable contribution.  The money I make IS a contribution.  And, to beware of when I start to think that presenting beauty/sexiness is surmount to anything else I have to present (at a party or an audition).  That notion still creeps into my mind alot and produces so much anxiety.  And now that I’m getting older, it’s even more important that I keep that sh… stuff in check!

What else do you do in the world, outside of theatre and/or working on this production?

I am also a fitness instructor and personal trainer.  These days, I teach mostly Yoga.

Favorite restaurant to eat out at in the Twin Cities?

Yes, all of ’em.  I hate to cook.

Where did you grow up? Where are you from?

I have always lived in St.Paul/Mpls.

Do you have any pets?

I have no pets (though we will get a dog. when we’re really ready. it’s a huge responsibility.)

Rapture, Blister, Burn – Get to Know Courtney Schmitz

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20% Theatre Company is thrilled to present Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo at the Minneapolis Theatre Garage April 26 – May 10, 2014. In the weeks leading up to the show, we are giving you the chance to learn a little bit about the artists involved in this production. This week, meet Courntney Schmitz!

Courtney Schmitz - Lighting Designer
Lighting Designer

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? How/when/why did you get into theatre?  

Born and raised in Mississippi, where I started attending a theatre camp in the summers (my parents had to get rid of me for a few weeks somehow). I was a terrible actor, but when I got to take the stagecraft class that was attached to the camp, I realized I belonged off of the stage instead of on it. The rest is lighting design history.

Tell us how you originally got involved with 20% Theatre Company?

Rachael Rhoades. ‘Nough said.

What are you designing in this show? As a designer, what do you find most exciting about working with this script/production?

I am designing the lights for Rapture, Blister, Burn. I think the most exciting aspect is simply working on a script that, until coming on board for the show, I was completely unfamiliar with. I get to explore a new world and ask questions that I perhaps have never really asked before.

What is your favorite genre or type of theater to design? What are some plays on your design “dream list”?

As long as it’s not musical theatre, I’m happy to design a show; I’ll find my hook into the scipt one way or another. The two plays on the top of my design dream list are Bent and Orestes 2.0.

Rapture, Blister, Burn is often called “a feminist play”. How would you describe the play? How do you feel about feminism and what it signifies today?

Feminist play is pretty accurate in a broad sense of the phrase. How I feel about feminism and that whole conversation is pretty broad and complicated, but suffice it to say that I believe we each embody our own definition of feminism.

How do you personally balance the expectations of being female in our society with the concepts of feminism in your daily life?

I just do me.

What else do you do in the world, outside of theatre and/or working on this production?

In the very small amount of free time that I have, you will either find me camped out in front of my tv watching something on netflix or you will find me belly up to a bar. In the winter, I’ve recently taken up snowboarding. And in the summer, I’m on a kickball team (Go Mighty Mullets!).

Favorite guilty pleasure snack?

Nilla Wafers

How did you get to Minneapolis? (Where did you grow up? Where are you from?)

Grew up in Mississippi. Did undergrad at University of Southern Mississippi, which led to me going to grad school at the University of Iowa. After that, I spent two years in Florida with all those retired Northerners. Then I realized, I need to move where I can find a constant stream of design gigs. So two years ago, I found myself in Minneapolis. It was a good decision. Except for these horrible winters and all the “you betchas”.

If you could snap your fingers and be anywhere in the world for a no-stress vacation, where would you choose to go at this moment?

Any beach, anywhere: Mexico, the Caribbean, South America. Doesn’t really matter, as long as there is sand, sun, and little cocktails with umbrellas in them.