Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Washington.
Amanda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The arts, theatre specifically has always played a big part in my life. At a young age, my parents had me in dance classes and private piano lessons. As I got older, I moved away from dance and started to focus on theatre. By the time I was in 7th grade, I was participating in school plays, singing in the choir and practicing for piano recitals. Clearly, I was dedicated to the arts…
In 2008, I auditioned for DeKalb School of the Arts. High school was a really peculiar time in my life (just like many people). I was a student, but I was also treated as an artist taking classes that would soon form the bases for my future endeavors. It was really a well-rounded experience because I was able to work in every field with theatre for at least one semester. It wasn’t until my senior year that one of my friends had written a little five-minute skit and asked me to direct it, that I really paid attention to what it meant to direct. And even at that point, all I thought a director did was tell people where to go. Oh, how little I knew!
By the time I graduated from high school, I knew that theatre was the career/job that I wanted to have for the rest of my life. I just wasn’t exactly sure what area in theatre. I had always been a performer whether it was singing or acting. So that is what I decided to major in during college. Yet, halfway through my sophomore year, the joy I found in performing was waning. For some reason, my mind said “Try directing! You might like it.”
I took some initiative and asked my professor, Elisa Carlson if I could assistant direct for her upcoming show Nightingale Rose by Patricia Henritze. This is when I truly looked at directing as more than someone telling a person where to move on stage. I got to see the whole picture of the production, from the performing to the design, and it was fascinating! My undergraduate study did not have a directing degree, but my teachers were willing to have me in the room during rehearsals which was invaluable because I learned what to look for, how to shape a performance in order for it to become an intriguing story and not just a performance.
Fast-forward to my senior year, my friends and I decided to mount a production of Tomas and the Library Lady by Jose Cruz Gonzalez that would tour around to the elementary schools in Gainesville, Georgia. Boy, was that an experience. As I mentioned earlier, I had an assistant directed on multiple projects, interned on professional projects, and been a bystander at rehearsals. But personally, I don’t think anything can prepare a director for their first project. Because it’s such a trial and learning type of experience. Thankfully I had some great mentors that were able to give advice for when I felt like a deer in headlights. This experience taught me that I needed more knowledge (Can a person ever really have enough?) in directing for theatre.
That experience led to me applying to graduate programs for directing. I got accepted to the University of Southern Mississippi. This program has really pushed me, from directing small projects, to my upcoming first mainstage project, Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage. As I look back and think about what the younger Amanda wanted to accomplish, I can proudly say the majority of things have been achieved. But I think it would be pretty naïve of me to say that I have learned all that I want to learn and accomplished everything that I want to accomplish. I’m still young! I have so many goals set for myself when it comes to directing. Such as owning a touring theatre company that caters to young audiences. I am happy for the stepping stones that I have taken, but I cannot wait to follow more and even create some of my own for others to follow.
Has it been a smooth road?
Personally, for me, the road has not been smooth, adventurous, but definitely not smooth. The reason being is that sometimes I would be so overcome with fear that I would shut down. It was different types of fear such as: failing, being humiliated, not knowing what I was doing, doing things by myself, the list could truly go on forever. However, one of the ways I combat that is by saying to myself “The worst anyone can ever say to me is ‘no’ and it is what I do with that ‘no’ that matters the most.” In theatre “no” is an everyday word, if I associate a negative connotation with that word then I will never want to try. However, if I just let it roll off my back and try again or attack the goal/situation from a different angle then eventually, I’m going to achieve what I set out to do.
My dad tells my sister and me to “Go out and win!” At first, I took the word win for its literal interpretation. Now, I see that expression as saying go out and try, even if I’m scared or not completely confident in what I am doing. Some of my best moments in theatre so far have been from just trying and seeing what happens. The winning came from me trying. It was a bonus that the idea or action was successful.
My advice to young women would be don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You have the power just like anyone else to be great, so don’t let fear or the need of confirmation from others hold you back.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Earlier, I talked about opening my own theatre company. The goal of the company is to take theatre to schools that are in rural communities in the Southeast region that don’t have the opportunities to see theatre with all of its glitz and glamour like many metropolitan areas. However, that is something that I want to focus on down the line a few years after I finish graduate school.
I’m in my second year of a three-year graduate directing program and afterwards, I want to freelance direct. Preferably directing shows that are for young audiences, but also explore diverse backgrounds. It is extremely important to me that young minds see various backgrounds not only in the classroom but on stage. It helps them learn how to interact with a person who is from a different background than themselves.
Something that I am starting to realize about my style of directing is that I like simple. Meaning I don’t have to use the most elaborate methods to get the story across. In October of 2018, I directed Gay H. Hammond’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and the set consisted of a bare stage, acting blocks, and a few props. The audience loved it. People bought into the idea that at any moment an inanimate object could become a living thing. To me, the best theatre asks the audience to use their imagination instead of everything being put in front of the audience to see. Granted I do like spectacle, but I only want to use it to make a powerful statement, then it will truly mean something to the audience.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I believe that a woman can be well positioned for any opportunity. As long as they are willing to create an opportunity for themselves. Many times people wait around for perfect moments to present themselves. The perfect moment hardly ever comes! Create your own opportunity. If a woman doesn’t see a position available in the field that she wants, then create the position. In some cases that may mean stepping out on your own to make your way. Like my dad says: “Go out there and win!” It will be hard, but in the end, it will be well worth the work.
Contact Info:
- Email: a.g.washington64@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Jason Vail Photography, KK Photography
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