ARTIST STATEMENT

I have always believed in the transformative power of the written word. From my earliest days in the theatre, my mentors instilled in me the importance of honoring the text, particularly when approaching dramatic interpretation. This belief continues to be central to my directing philosophy. I take great joy in dissecting the script with actors, encouraging open dialogue and collaborative exploration, so that we arrive at authentic and creative choices grounded in a deeper understanding of the playwright’s intent.

Directing and training actors remain the driving forces behind my artistic journey. There is no greater fulfillment for me than witnessing an actor evolve and breathe life into a role. The process of translating a script from page to stage—of watching disparate elements coalesce into a living, breathing performance—continues to inspire and energize me.

I also hold firm to the belief that less is more. Having grown up in a developing country, I have learned to work within limitations, often staging productions with minimal resources. These constraints taught me to value simplicity and to embrace the power of the empty space. In my experience, a bare stage creates a unique intimacy where vulnerability takes center stage, allowing the text and the actor’s craft to shine without distraction.

I believe theatre possesses a unique capacity to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level. One of the most profound moments in my directing career came after a performance of a play that explored mental health and suicide—subjects often shrouded in stigma in my cultural context. An audience member approached me after the show, sharing that the performance had given him a new perspective on his own struggles and helped him reconsider a difficult decision. That encounter was a powerful affirmation of theatre’s potential to heal, provoke, and transform. It confirmed for me that directing is not merely a vocation, but a calling—to give voice to the unheard, to shed light on the overlooked, and to create space for empathy, reflection, and change.

The stage is sacred. It reveals the deepest truths of the human condition, inviting both artist and audience into a shared space of vulnerability and revelation.