I believe that the magic of theatre is found in suggestion and suspension of disbelief.  Theatre is at its best when we ask the audience to fill in the spaces, we as artists create. This allows them to reflect on their own experiences to find meaning. Theatre as an art form began with myths and legends around ancient fires. Transformational performances today require little more than this. The imagination and participation of the viewer are what makes theatre an exceptional art form. A personal desire for calm, simplicity and balance carries into my work as a theatre artist. My designs tend to favor simple elegance over spectacle and excess. I have an affinity for intimate venues where the value of quality over quantity can be best expressed. I relate to Robert Edmond Jones who is noted for saying he would rather see great dreams in small spaces than small dreams in great spaces. Beyond the necessary elements of a setting, I allow the style and mood of the text to guide the aesthetic. The stage must be as somber as the dialogue suggests or as full of life as the musical score. Emotional connection, a flair for beauty and a touch of romance helps us to escape the difficulties of life and revel in the wonders of live performance. I take to heart Dostoevsky’s words, “Beauty will save the world.” My hope is to follow this sentiment myself, one stage at a time.