My first London (assistant) directing gig

For several years now I have wanted to be a theatre director. And when I arrived in London, eager to make a new start, I decided it was finally time to do something about it.

I do have some experience in directing: I directed and self-produced a relatively large-scale piece for the Ottawa Fringe Festival in 2006; I have directed scenes and short plays in French and English for high school and university classes; and I’ve done a bit of theatre coaching for auditions. But, really, my directing CV is middling compared with some people my age (and younger). I suppose my only real excuse is that I got caught up in arts promotion, which I also love, and allowed myself to be somewhat typecast in the role, thereby inherently preventing myself from pursuing without hesitation my other real passion.

One of my first friends in London told me not to make excuses. She said: tell people you’re a director, full stop. Tell them you’ve come to London to be a director. And then they will take you seriously.

So I did. I put the word ‘Director’ on my business cards. I created a personal website showcasing my theatre credentials. I attended directing workshops and lectures. I even managed to get myself an interview for an Assistant Director position with a rather prominent London theatre — and it was a disaster. Because I was nervous. But I learned a lot from the experience.

And then I met Andy McQuade, Artistic Director of Second Skin Theatre, and now I’m working as Assistant Director on his production of La Chunga by Mario Vargas Llosa. It opens on Tuesday at the Phoenix Artist Club (West End, yo!), and the playwright – a Nobel Prize Laureate – will be there. I’m beyond excited. It’s a beautiful play set in 1950s Peru, perfectly cast, and I think this production is going to be phenomenal. I am very proud to be involved with this show.

So if you’re in London, see you there! xo

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