Role: Musical and Dance Assistant Director
01
Past experience
Although I have not yet had the opportunity to direct a musical, Matilda is the show I have always wanted to direct. It appeals to me because it combines everything I value as a theatre artist: the opportunity to teach, to create opportunities for other performers to shine, and to challenge myself as both a leader and storyteller. More importantly, I connect deeply with the message at the heart of the musical.
To me, Matilda is more than a story about an extraordinary child—it is a commentary on education and the relationships between students and the adults entrusted with their growth. I interpret the show as a reminder to educators that leadership is most effective when it is built on respect rather than fear. Too often, students are expected to demonstrate maturity, responsibility, and discipline without receiving the same respect in return. This is especially evident in high school, where students are often caught between being treated as children and being expected to act like adults.
Attending a school designed for motivated and academically driven students reinforced this perspective for me. Students who dedicate themselves to learning, take ownership of their education, and strive for excellence deserve to be treated with dignity and trust. More broadly, I believe every student—regardless of age, background, ethnicity, or academic ability—deserves an environment where they are respected and encouraged to succeed.
The central message I take from Matilda is that respect inspires growth. When educators lead by example, encourage curiosity, and treat students with kindness, they create classrooms where young people can thrive. If we want students to become responsible, compassionate, and engaged individuals, we must first model those qualities ourselves. That is the message I would hope to communicate if I were allowed to direct Matilda.
02
Learning Process
Although I had very little experience directing, I understood what it felt like to be an actor. That perspective shaped the way I approached every rehearsal. I empathized with my cast because I could see parts of my own journey in each of them, and watching their confidence and performances grow became one of the most rewarding aspects of the production. At the same time, I worried about becoming too demanding or saying the wrong thing and discouraging someone. I wanted rehearsals to be a place where actors felt supported, challenged, and excited to create.
That fear was tested during tech week. As everyone prepared backstage, conversations naturally grew louder, making it difficult for the production team to work. Without thinking, I called out, "Quiet on stage!" much louder than I had intended. Immediately afterward, I felt guilty, remembering what it was like to be an actor enjoying a moment with friends before a performance. I made sure the cast knew I wasn't upset with them—I simply needed everyone's focus. That experience taught me an important lesson about leadership: being kind and being firm are not opposites. There are moments when a leader must set clear expectations, and doing so with respect allows the entire team to succeed.
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03
Design Process
One of my favorite parts of the directing process was planning each scene with the directing team. We would sit together, listen to the music, and brainstorm every moment before putting anything on its feet. Often, we would close our eyes and imagine what the audience should feel, allowing the music to guide our ideas. This process led to many of my favorite moments in the production, including the staging of "Quiet," the opening and closing numbers, and the storytelling through the acrobat sequences. Rather than simply blocking movement, we focused on creating images and emotions that would support the story.
Looking back, one creative idea I wish we had been able to include involved the overture. I had envisioned using that time before the first scene to give the audience a glimpse into Miss Honey's childhood through a choreographed movement sequence, allowing them to understand her emotional journey before she ever stepped on stage. Unfortunately, when the performance tracks arrived from MTI, they did not include an overture, and we ultimately began the show without that moment. Although it wasn't possible, the experience taught me the importance of preparing creative alternatives and reinforced how even the first few moments before a show begins can have a lasting impact on an audience.
05
End Product
By the end of the production, one of the comments we heard most often from returning audience members was that Matilda was "one of Cadre's best shows." While that was incredibly rewarding to hear, what made me the proudest was the atmosphere we created throughout the rehearsal process. We built a space where actors felt safe to experiment, ask questions, and share their ideas without fear of being wrong. As a team, we challenged our own expectations and continually raised our standards, resulting in a production that exceeded what any of us had imagined at the beginning of rehearsals.
Throughout the process, I constantly reminded the cast not to be afraid to let their characters evolve. I viewed blocking, staging, and even many of my notes as starting points rather than strict rules. If an actor discovered a choice that felt more truthful or found a moment that strengthened the story, I wanted them to explore it. Many of the production's best moments came directly from the creativity of the cast, whose ideas continually inspired me as a director. Their willingness to collaborate created performances that felt fresh and authentic each night. By our final performance, the energy between the actors and the audience was so strong that the show ran nearly three hours, with laughter, applause, and genuine connection filling the theatre. It was a reminder that the best productions are not created by one person—they are built by an ensemble that trusts one another and shares ownership of the story.
