“In my experience, theatre people understand as well as anyone that if you want to do something you can’t wait around and hope that someone will offer you that opportunity.”

“We have always pledged our allegiance to the collective experience of a moment. I wish for us to not lose sight of that.”

“When I look at the people around me, the artists, many of whom I love and admire, I’m trying to make some space for these individuals, and to create opportunities for them to make connection possible in their work despite the many obstacles at this time.”

“Create your own demo reel, read as many plays as you can, watch what you can on-line, research actors who have come before you, read biographies. Be ready. When this opens up again, in whatever shape that takes, you don’t want to be scrambling.”

“Some theatre-makers have possibly been naïve, going "We're going to figure out how performance could work on social media!" as if there weren't an established ecosystem of performers doing that already. But one piece that I have enjoyed is using social to complement the production as outreach and behind-the-scenes process, generating interest in the art of theatre itself. I hope that continues.”

“It’s also been extremely difficult to talk about the future when things are so uncertain, even more as an incoming Artistic Director trying to learn the workings of an organization. I am at a place now when I have begun to embrace the uncertainty and have a sense of acceptance of the moment we are in.”

“The joy, the electricity that I feel when I’m on stage, on set, on a Zoom call with my scene partner. It doesn’t matter if we are inside, if we’re connected in some way, I’m feeling it,”

“Our stories are medicine and storytellers are the vessels of that medicine. It doesn’t matter how the story is told, just that it is told. And that can never be taken away.”

“My parents were quite artistic so it appears that I’ve followed suit. The way we tell stories may differ, but we need to tell them. This will never be destroyed.”

“I love hearing a thousand people laughing at once or hearing them all sigh together – or cry together and then pass Kleenexes down the row.”

“Although this pandemic really does suck, we have a lot to be grateful for if we just slow down and appreciate all of the small ways that we are privileged. COVID can’t take away the little things.”

“I constantly dream I’m onstage in something I’ve never rehearsed and don’t know, and all this plays on my mind. I wonder, when we ever come back if I’ll be able to still do it which, of course, I will because it’s in my bones. It’s hard not to have the fear at 4 am.”

“There is nothing like a gathering of people focused on a singular story that may or may not go flawlessly that I can’t find anywhere else. Sometimes it’s more fun when things DO go wrong in live performance. No one gets hurt and it’s usually delightful to see the recovery.”

“Live storytelling is what has always drawn me to theatre as an artist, and this will never be destroyed.”

“Part of me is still not accepting and that we will come back as normal as normal can be. Part of me thinks there’s going to be a season next season. Part of me says there will be people who will come through our doors and sit side by side. And it’s just not going to happen. That uncertainty is killing the vibe.  No clear answers with very conflicting events that are very confusing. It’s also scary because what do we follow?  What do we do?”

“I love the theatre and what I do. The conditions under which we do this work are toxic and deadly. And there’s no reason for it.”

“Be your own creator. I’m starting to recently discover that it is in creating things that makes me, ME. Creating makes me love what I do. It could turn very grim for all artists.  For new graduates, don’t depend on other sources or companies to give you a platform. Create a platform yourself.  We’re seeing it online, You Tube, streaming.”

“It takes a full heart to be in this profession, and it’s what keeps me going in an industry full of obstacles. Story telling is powerful, it changes hearts and minds. I truly believe that, and I want to continue doing it. Art connects us all to humanity, it is worth doing.”

“Drew has proudly been a part of what he refers to as the contemporary Native Literary Renascence. In the world of prose, he enjoys spreading the boundaries of what is considered Indigenous literature.”

“I would encourage all young artists to remember they have a voice, and to not be silent, and to never be silent.”