Chicago was my third and final directing project at Boston University. Unfortunately, five weeks into the process, the show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dean of Students shut down all student-run productions and we were forced to cancel the remaining four weeks of rehearsal.

Every time I direct, I try to hone my skills in a new aspect of theatrical production and leadership to make the experience more interesting for myself and the entire company. For Chicago, the focus was on research and dramaturgy. I implemented a dramaturgy team to help guide our understanding of vaudeville, celebrity, crime, and urban living in the 1920s. Research presentations were given to the cast and crew. We used what we learned to inform each person’s performance. We also used the research to create a period-style promotional photoshoot for the show, as seen below.

While Chicago was never performed as it should have been, I still consider it one of my proudest projects. I learned how to lead my team through difficult and extraordinary circumstances.