When most people think of theatre, they think of hit Disney Broadway classics like The Lion King and Wicked. When I think of theatre, I recite:
We are who we are.
We are where we are.
We’re doing what we’re doing.
The time is now.
Neofuturism changed my life, and here’s how.
I came into college looking to pursue a degree in business, but soon missed my passion for the arts that I had grown up with all my life. After switching majors more than a few times, I eventually found myself in the world of theatre, where I met the people who would change my life. A brand new student organization was created in Spring of 2022 called “That’s All There Is”, an experimental, neofuturist-inspired theatre collective. Inspired by the works of Greg Allen in “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” and Italian Futurism, Neofuturism is the epitome of truth. Everything that happens on stage is rooted in passion, authenticity, and realness. Performers tell 30 original plays in 60 minutes – no characters, no illusions, just raw honesty. Witnessing the unlimited creative genius that has been unlocked by viewing these parameters as guides, and not as limitations, has entirely shifted the way I view the world around me. Everything is art, and art is everywhere.
I joined TATI as a lighting designer, and in the blink of an eye, I was producing twelve award-winning shows and stepping into roles I never imagined for myself. Being a stage manager and lighting designer for TATI changed the trajectory of my life; it led me to the world of arts administration. As someone who has always preferred producing over acting, it gives me the opportunity to lead others to success, from ideation through closing night. Art brings people together, and all because of that first pitch meeting, I have met my closest friends, co-created a nonprofit production company, and discovered the work I want to dedicate my life to.
Now, as a graduate student in the Bolz Center for Arts Administration, I’m deepening the skills I stumbled into by instinct: leadership, collaboration, storytelling, and strategic support for artists and organizations. The Bolz Center has given me the language, structure, and intention behind the work I already loved, helping me understand not only what I bring to the field, but how to shape those strengths into a sustainable career in arts leadership. Current and recent experiences with local arts organizations have created these opportunities. I serve as a Lead Front of House Manager for the Hamel Music Center, guiding my team through performances and ensuring an exceptional patron experience. My Applied Learning Placement during Fall 2025 was with Arts for All Wisconsin, as a Productions and External Relations Associate, where I supported accessible arts programming statewide. I also currently assist with publicity for Capital City Theatre and will continue my work with them after graduation. Each role has stretched me in new ways, reinforcing that arts administration thrives at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and community impact.
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