On-the-Rag Dolls by Allison Fradkin
On-the-Rag Dolls uses comedy to interrogate how young girls are taught to understand their bodies, their futures, and their value. What drew me to this play is how boldly it takes on purity culture while letting the characters remain funny, curious, and deeply human. The humor is sharp, but it never punches down. Instead, it exposes how language, religion, and expectation can shape identity long before choice enters the picture.
My approach to directing this piece centers on contrast. The play lives in the tension between innocence and awareness, obedience and resistance. I work with the actors to treat the girls’ beliefs as real and urgent, even when the dialogue is heightened or absurd. The stakes are always emotional, not ironic. By grounding the performances in sincerity, the comedy becomes a vehicle for something more unsettling and revealing.
I was drawn to this play for the way it reclaims conversations that are often treated as shameful or taboo. Menstruation, desire, and autonomy are framed here as sources of confusion but also possibility. The bedroom setting becomes a site of both indoctrination and discovery, where friendship allows the girls to test ideas, push back, and imagine alternatives together.
Soy Vey by Claire Katz-Mariani
Liberty and Justice for Paul by Isabel Brodsky
Both Soy Vey! and Liberty and Justice for Paul were part of This Is Art. Directing these pieces gave me the chance to explore very different comedic approaches. In Soy Vey! we focused on chaotic timing and absurd technical mishaps, while Liberty and Justice for Paul leaned into heightened, surreal energy. I worked with the actors to embrace the physicality, trust the rhythm of each scene, and let the humor come naturally from the characters’ choices and relationships.
Friends with Guns by Stephanie Alison Walker
"How do we stay connected when every conversation feels combustible?..."
Don't Ask Don't Tell - Classic Case Productions
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is a sketch show that uses comedy to explore queer experiences and identity. The performers bring their characters to life fully, and my focus as a director was on keeping the timing tight, the energy high, and letting the humor come from real stakes. I wanted the show to feel alive and human, letting the audience laugh while still connecting to the heart of each story. It was a joy to work with these performers and watch the piece come together as both sharp and heartfelt.