Theatre Director

Directing Statement

Theatre has been a major part of my life since I was eleven when I first watched the 2004 film, "The Phantom of the Opera." In awe, I whispered to myself, "that's what I want to do." I didn't know what that entirely meant then, but that film awakened something in me that has gotten me to where I am today. Although there have been failures, doubts, and fears if what I am doing is "right," I have always come back stronger than before.

To me, theatre is more than just entertainment. Theatre can change lives and communities. Theatre is a tool to educate, inspire, and create empathy and a more profound sense of purpose. When I read a script, I look for the central theme and try to convey that message to the audience through script analysis, character work, and technical teamwork. As a director, my job is finished when the audience can take a production's lessons home and spread them into their own lives to create a better world.

-Melissa Tarduno