When I was young, rehearsal gave me something I didn't know I needed: a safe place where I could be myself, where risk and vulnerability were accepted — encouraged! — and in that freedom and safety, I found the cure for my chaotic life. It was many years before I realized that in my directing and teaching work, I was trying to relive that story from the perspective of my mentor; I was building safe spaces and rehearsal processes that could transform fear into hope, and trauma into strength.

In my early career I discovered a tool which would transform my approach in both the rehearsal room and the classroom: the Montessori Method. Dr. Montessori describes a way of teaching which allows for free exploration within bounds, and I immediately saw how this approach could apply to my directing work.