“Great theatre is about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasize about a world we aspire to.”

-Willem Dafoe

I am a theatre nerd. If you’ve read my short author bio at the end of the digital version of Rachel and the Mighty Arm that Built Egypt, the bio here on my website, or my author bios on Amazon or Goodreads then you know I have a B.A. in Theatre Arts.

Theatre degree = giant theatre nerd.

I could talk for days about musical theatre—how much it has influenced society and how much it has been influenced by society. I would happily discuss American Melodrama with you or Russian Realism. Even though I am no longer a student or pursuing a career in the theatre I still read plays for the pure enjoyment of it and to stay up-to-date on what’s happening on Broadway.

I love theatre.

You say, “But, M.E. this is your website about your writing—what does theatre have to do with that?”

That’s easy. Theatre is storytelling. It is a tool to help shape the world. Through theatre we can draw attention to difficult subjects, reframe perspectives, shine a light on whatever needs illumination. Theatre lives in the same realm as books. It can also teach and bring people together. Like books or any art form, theatre is powerful. As playwright Bertolt Brecht said, “Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.” Whatever your art it is a tool for change.

My vocation is writing, but my roots are theatre. This blog post is mostly just a warning that my bios aren’t the last time you’ll be hearing about theatre from me. I’m certain it will come up again in future blog posts. And I will definitely be tweeting about the Tony Awards come Sunday.