In Spring 2024 as a part of the Empty Space Project through the Northwestern MFA Directing program, I began to develop

Hamlet: a collision.

This piece is more than a remounting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it is a ritual of grief conceived in collaboration with members of the NU MFA Acting Class of 2025: Avi Aharoni, Isaiah Alexander, Capri Geared-O’Connell, Alex O’Shea, and Jordan Taylor. We used my performance methodology (Collision) to explore our connections with the mourning that undoes Denmark in the play.  

What emerged was a visceral physical rendering of the final act of the play that culminated in the ensemble sharing moments of resilience with the audience. The simple act of vulnerability between performers and audience, spurred by an personal investigation of text, empowered audiences to share their stories with each other.

We didn’t just stage one of Shakespeare’s most lauded plays, we created community around our collective perseverance and hope that we could continue to chart a path forward together.

I do not feel like the work of Hamlet: a collision is done, and I am seeking opportunities to continue to develop this piece.