Personal Statement
Having a vision is the firstmost spark of creation in theatre. The glimpse into those possibilities of what a production could make an audience feel, consider, and take action towards is a portion of the creative process that causes synapses of effects far after the curtains close. At times it feels that studying and executing those visions in costume and scenery are one shade of color from telling the story differently- and it is true. The precision in research and execution it takes to tell a story with integrity is precious to me and I am conscious of how linking imaginations of a creative team is vital to bringing a show to life. The obstacles in being both socially conscious and historically true are many, however, the flexibility it requires in art is a skill I do not fear but rather embrace. My training and explorative experiences in art for the past 8+ years have shown me my passions in costume and set creation, performance, writing, and directing. The goals I have to be multifaceted in my passions are centered in seeing the value of building each skill through experience. I strive to become a Costume Designer and eventually, the creator and Artistic Director of an arts plaza. This journey sees far and does not end with me.
The interconnectedness of Art is what drives me to create. The vastness of human behavior and the ability to connect people of different backgrounds into a story are what makes design the junction of storytelling.
As a soul always drawn towards teaching methods and creative patterns, I have found ways to express myself since childhood. I’ve always been influenced by the arts; church choirs and community theatre as a child being vivid memories. In my teenage years I was afforded the life changing experience of studying theatre in a facility inspired by the teachings of Paul Baker, where his writings on the Integration of Abilities sparked a mind opening drive that has blossomed into my journey through art. In attending a visual and performing arts high school I participated in over 30 productions, where I learned an abundance of reasons for expression and regularly trained in design. My foundations of construction and proper method were enhanced from production to production. My collegiate undergraduate experience allowed me to be the Lead Designer for 3 mainstage productions, in addition to having the opportunity to work under the tutelage and collaboration of Julie Wenn- one of the leading Designers in the city of New Orleans. These hands-on experiences have shown me the variety of ways a production can come into fruition and the one thing that always foundationally stays consistent: having a story and a vision.
Being a part of a plethora of productions over the years has taught me many things about myself, creative processes, and what I feel can always be contributed to any given community. I have learned the value of teamwork and how to give attention towards learning each position in a part of a team. My passions have transitioned from being focused on leading a group to learning and experiencing each individual contribution in creating a team, how one works together, and what pushes them to create. This is foundational to me because I have grown up observing my mom as a teacher, an experimenter, and a caterer to two completely different children. I know that it can be difficult to see all angles of a situation, and I value the time it takes to understand that. My parents were consistent in teaching us the things we were not going to experience in school. A creative process is rooted in giving time to the things that build any experience. I often initiate my own creative process by asking “Who is in the room?”. The characters and the dramaturgy, the artists and the impression, the values and the vision- what and how will we create with our unique backgrounds? “Who will be in the room?”: the patrons and their families, the students and their teachers, other artists and their experiences- what affects them and what can they gain from seeing this production? Design is bringing a piece from each of those people and ideals together and pattern it in story telling. Each and every community is deserving of art and its experiences. I believe everyone should be afforded the opportunity to see, feel, and hear in the ways that they can. In rooms that I am in, I ask how we can be more accessible to patrons because I have seen the ways theatres have made efforts to be accessible to me and my family. My leadership abilities have been strengthened by the opportunities I take to branch out into the community and learn about everyone around, including myself.
I chose Theatre Arts Technology and Design as my concentration in my Bachelor of Arts because I know it is a solid foundation to be flexible in my work as well as the potential to build in graduate courses. Post-graduation in the fall of 2021, I intend to continue honing the skill sets that I have developed in different ways for the past 15 years by exploring a Masters Degree in Design and Production and taking Psychology courses. My interests in traveling and freelancing in my globally demanding field are a few things that I have planned to strengthen my relationships with artistic communities outside of my own. I am confident that my experiences and education will continue to propel me into my next chapters. In further experiences I will ultimately move back to my hometown to create my dream community arts plaza; a campus of freedom- with a proscenium theater including an industrial creative load in space, black box theatre that doubles as an art gallery, a radio station and recording studio, and lastly an amphitheater. To be free is to follow the purest intentions of your heart, and that becomes the core to the beacon of life and livelihood.
Artist Statement
“Becoming a Becomer”
by Joe Burch III
What we see, feel, hear, process, touch, and explore as artists are all parts of the journey we take an audience on. We have the opportunities to create a presentation that resonates with an audience and becomes a part of who they were, what they feel, or who they become. This process gives way to people of all backgrounds and abilities to experience something bigger than us all- Art.
As a multifaceted artist, I consider myself to be a two dimensional to three dimensional visual artist, and a potential visionary. Studying theatre for the past eight years has allowed me the tools to create atmospheres and bring life to dreams. Obscurities and intricacies are what I crave as an artist. What makes art so complex, are the ways that it can be changed with the precious drop of a needle. I enjoy the originality of new works, but also the ability to create twists to pre-existing works to complement the message. Flexibility lives in execution and design and allows work to breathe day in and day out. From the design on a dinner plate in any random home to the design of the world’s largest tapestry in Peru- there was a sketch that started it all and a pattern that pushed it forward. It wasn’t until I experienced pure art in community theatres that I realized what storytelling does- it allows one to believe. I believe that stories do not simply happen, they evolve.
Art is a challenging profession where corporatization can skew the intention of beauty, however, the essence of art is to create an environment that places the audience in a different headspace. I don’t create to influence, but to allow new and organic conversations to happen with an impartial perspective. To begin my processes, I recognize the depth of primary resources and the reach of the subject at hand. For costumes and cosplay, I start by researching the origins of the subject in which I will be bringing into fruition, to understand the era or fantasy realm, noting the intricacies of the clothing styles or accessories. In scenic pieces, I must switch my thought process towards understanding a bit more of the scheme of feelings an environment radiates from the stretch of the wall to the colors of the sky and into the weather. When performing, I notate every idea to experiment with variation, meticulously crafting the best way to execute the objectives I’ve noted. These methods are foundation to my process to curate something that is considerate of every department. It takes time and trial and exploration to create these worlds, and I appreciate each step of the way for its journey. I want an audience to become curious of what each aspect may have felt like for the artists as much as we are curious of what they may feel.
I grow each day looking to find the pattern in evolution, but I have learned it does not exist. What does exist is passion, and the pattern of passion is evolution. My immediate goal is to find a mentor who sees me and my vision- to continuously evolve and cause others to find art in their lives. Currently, I am utilizing the skills I have developed as a technician to strive towards enhancing my professional and performance capabilities. I’m looking towards creating experimental content: as a technician and continuing to stockpile my work within my digital and physical portfolios, creating reels of my monologue portfolio and recordings of children’s books, songs, and music videos. A larger next step in my journey is learning how to confidently self-promote and network in settings slightly out of my direct field and comfort zone. I enjoy understanding others, so Psychology is somewhere in my life’s journey. These steps will become the canvas for one of my dreams of being a LCS Sportscaster. Art recognized me at a young age and I will recognize it for all of its beauties.