“If Aili had been my high school football coach, I would be in the NFL right now.” Student Cast Member, excerpt from Copenhagen, Hiram College
“My favorite part was getting to work with Aili. It was very interesting to see how someone outside of EMU does theatre. I really appreciated all of her hard work and her expectations of me.”–Student Cast Member, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Eastern Mennonite University.
I enjoy directing student actors. I have lots of fun watching them grow, develop, and move out in the world. We do some great shows, but the most important thing is that the students learn things and grow as artists. I like to cast people in roles that they can learn from.
“If I had problems, I let Aili know, and she took time to make sure I was understanding and getting help.”–Student Cast Member, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Eastern Mennonite University.
“I must commend Aili for the way she approached the intimacy of the Benedick-Beatrice relationship. I felt incredibly safe and supported and respected and I cannot thank her enough for that. That support helped me make better decisions on stage.”– Student Cast Member, Much Ado About Nothing, American Shakespeare Center Theater Camp
In addition to directing, I lead workshops on Shakespeare in performance, and theater history as a living art.
“I learned how to read and perform Shakespeare—and to understand what I was saying.”–Student Cast Member, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Eastern Mennonite University.
“Aili was excellent at creating a supportive environment, and I loved the way she responded to us and used our ideas.” — Student Cast Member,Much Ado About Nothing, American Shakespeare Center Theater Camp
“Since Shakespeare wrote the play in verse, I had to make sure that I had the iambic pentameter down. I couldn’t get the fluidity down, so Aili had all of us that couldn’t get it, stomp around saying our lines. Nevertheless, it worked.” –Student Cast Member, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Eastern Mennonite University.
“My favorite part of this process was working with a talented, open-minded director who was not only focused on us processing the show, but also us processing life.”–Student Cast Member, JB, Eastern Mennonite University
“My favorite part…was the creative freedom I was given to try/experiment with different blocking and emotions during the rehearsal process.”–Student Cast Member, JB, Eastern Mennonite University
“My favorite part of bringing JB to the stage was without a doubt the experience of working with Aili. She is a fantastic director who is really different from all the directors that I have worked with before. Her passion for theater, especially unique forms, inspires me in a lot of ways.”–Student Cast Member, JB, Eastern Mennonite University
If you would like to bring me in as a guest artist, please contact me!