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Nicole C. Limón: I keep in mind sooner or later sitting in rehearsal, and I used to be so grateful to myself, to my ancestors, to my grandmother, to my household, to my mother, for ensuring that I all the time confirmed up as myself. As a result of right here I’m sitting on this rehearsal room, being who I’m, and displaying up one hundred pc as Nicole—authentically Nicole. And that is what I would like for my different teatristas theatre staff neighborhood. In Matriarchy Theatre, you all the time get to point out up as who you might be and you’ll be cared for and you’ll be valued, and you will be seen, and you’ll be liked, and there is a place for you. And we get to create what theatre is. No person’s going to inform us what it’s. We get to say what it’s.
Yura Sapi: You might be listening to Constructing our Personal Tables, a podcast produced for HowlRound Theatre Commons, a free and open platform for theatremakers worldwide. I am your host, Yura Sapi, and I am the founder of assorted organizations and tasks, together with a 501c3 nonprofit, a six hectare farm and meals sovereignty mission, and LGBTQ+ therapeutic and artwork area, and I’ve helped quite a few creatives, leaders, and different founders unleash their excellence into the world by means of my packages, workshops, and training providers.
On this podcast, I am showcasing the excessive vibration options for you, as a visionary chief, to implement into your individual follow and thrive. Keep tuned this season to listen to from different founders who’ve constructed their very own tables for his or her communities and for the world on this evolutionary time on earth. You might be right here for a motive and I’m so honored and grateful to help you in your journey. So keep tuned and revel in.
Group unlocks abundance. We have now gone by means of this within the podcast earlier than. Bonus factors in case you can establish which episode. In immediately’s episode, I received to interview Nicole Limón, and we mentioned all types of management ideas and techniques as regular, actually centering across the alternative that comes from what it means to construct your neighborhood, what it means to help neighborhood, to present and to obtain from neighborhood, and to function from this neighborhood centered manner of management. Nicole is such an incredible instance and function mannequin on this manner together with her new theatre firm, Matriarchy Theatre. Go forward and revel in this episode. We mentioned fundraising methods and ideas, the ability of mantra meditation for you, as a frontrunner and founder, and the journey of discovering your title for the mission or group you might be creating and the journey, general, of what it is like to actually go from an thought to a manifestation of your thought into this 3D earthly realm. So I hope you take pleasure in this superb episode.
Earlier than we get into this episode, go forward and hit subscribe on this podcast. That is one of the best ways to remain up to date on new episodes and it helps construct a thriving planet the place all beings expertise pleasure and concord with one another and Mom Earth. So go forward and hit subscribe and hold this good power flowing.
Welcome to the podcast, Nicole. Thanks a lot for being right here.
Nicole: Thanks for inviting me. I am actually excited to speak to you.
Yura: Sure, me too. So my first query is, inform us about your superhero origin story. So what’s the pivotal second that led you to forge your individual path and construct your individual desk?
Nicole: Yeah, that is an ideal query. I feel it was in all probability each a protracted and quick course of as a result of I used to be raised with such unconditional love in my household. I knew my worth, I knew I used to be liked, I knew I used to be cared for. As a youngster, I felt like I used to be good. I feel once I received to varsity, there was this prompt invisibilization of people that seemed like me and walked by means of the world trying like me, and to me, that was a really sort of shock. I wasn’t used to that kind of an expertise, and that was within the theatre division and never getting forged, not getting referred to as again, simply to do what I really like, which is telling tales.
And really shortly after that, I met a pal and we began our personal little firm and it was referred to as Movimiento Molcajete, and it was a duo—two performers, and we began writing our personal work and touring our personal work, and we realized instantly that there was an viewers for our tales. There was an viewers for individuals who appear like us, that there was no lack of embracing of our tales. And I used to be in all probability in my early twenties on the time, and we did that for a number of years. We have been capable of make a dwelling simply going to small communities, to neighborhood schools, to tribal communities, to festivals and to artwork galleries, et cetera, being invited to share our work. We knew there was worth and that it was instantly for our neighborhood, and I feel that was actually essential.
Quick ahead a few years, I wished to create a bigger theatre firm to present that kind of an expertise to different theatremakers and different people who find themselves simply curious concerning the theatre world or performing or storytelling. And so Matriarchy Theatre was a kernel for a few years earlier than it turned matriarchy in what, 2020, 2021. It was actually simply having different folks be seen, too. So I really feel like that is the superpower is like, I see you and I would like you to see your self. That is the present.
Yura: I really like that. I am interested in having began in 2020, 2021, at this transformative second for the planet and for humanity. Additionally marking a future that is right here and coming when it comes to quite a lot of the shifts that we’ve seen and are going to see for the planet, for people on it, and theatre as a selected neighborhood of that, actually representing the human expertise. So I am interested in this time that you just determined to return out and now, how has that been and what are you reflecting on since that starting?
Nicole: So like I stated, it had been a kernel for a very long time. And really in 2016, I left my full-time gig, my day job the place I used to be making a dwelling and caring for my household and my youngsters, however actually simply not, my soul was not blissful. I had been there for nearly ten years and I left as a result of I wished to only give attention to my artwork and my educating. I used to be additionally educating part-time at Sac State on the time, so working full-time job, educating part-time, doing my theatre. And I simply wished to give attention to constructing my artwork world and actually reconnecting to that. And so my intention was to begin Matriarchy again then. I did not have the title, but. I nonetheless simply knew it was a theatre ensemble or a collective or an organization. I did not know what it was going to be, simply one thing.
And at the moment, my pricey pal and mentor and former professor, Manuel Pickett, requested me to assist him save and maintain his firm, Teatro Espejo, which is celebrating fifty years subsequent 12 months. And he is identical to, I need assistance. And I assumed that was a extremely stunning factor to succeed in out to ask for assist. And he requested me to direct the subsequent essential stage present. He is like, I am drained. As leaders, we’re typically doing this by ourselves, although we’ve lots of people come to the desk to collaborate on a present, behind the scenes, it is typically simply us working it.
So after conversations with him and folks, I made a decision to actually commit a while to that. So I stated, internally, I used to be like, okay, I will give this perhaps 5 years to only assist save this firm. It had been an organization that was part of Sacramento State College on campus till 2012 when he retired. He then moved it out into the neighborhood, and so I helped to create a 501c3, we based a board, I used to be the primary board president, recruiting folks, outreaching, bridging the hole of generations between him and the folks below me, and simply coming, or below the era and actually working to maintain that and develop that whereas nonetheless wanting to begin my firm. I knew that there is a lot worth in Teatro Espejo, and it was the place I used to be born and raised, as a teatrista, and the place I actually discovered about theatre for social change and neighborhood care. And so it was simply such a pleasure and such a ardour to do this.
After which sooner or later round 2020, ’21, when theatre began going into these little podcasts in cubicles, in Zoom rooms, and I feel I directed about three or 4 Zoom performs, I feel I simply lastly had a while to settle as a result of Teatro Espejo had taken a break from being in a theatre. We have been nonetheless doing Zoom theatre, however I had a while, and I feel it was that point that sooner or later the title got here to me. I by no means actually knew what I wished to call the theatre firm, and sooner or later I simply was like Matriarchy Theatre. And so I keep in mind instantly simply doing a search, checking it, googling it, seeing is there already a Matriarchy Theatre? Is there the dot com out there, as a result of I did not need to step on anybody’s toes and I might need to uplift their work. And I used to be stunned that I used to be like, wow, there is not one, but. After all there’s a lot of matriarchy tasks and the whole lot, which is prefer to me, it is neighborhood.
So I instantly went and received the domains, and I keep in mind the subsequent day, throughout the pandemic, there have been, we had the racial rebellion and I used to be supporting quite a lot of my college students of colour who have been going by means of it and themselves turning into leaders and activists and creating organizations round social change and racial injustices and calibrating these injustices. Due to that, I had shaped a gorgeous collective shaped below my pal, Nicole Manker, referred to as The Communities of Shade Collective. And it was primarily adjunct school from the college, and we might meet each week on Zoom, each week for nearly two years. And so the subsequent day that I got here up with the title, I keep in mind assembly with them and I stated, I’ve a reputation for my theatre firm.
They usually have been like, what’s it? And I instructed them, and I simply keep in mind, I nonetheless get a visceral feeling of their response to the title touchdown with such resonance and such energy and the celebration emojis within the zoom window. And I knew I had discovered the fitting factor as a result of it wasn’t only a title, however it was such an intention, such a giant intention. And so that actually, I felt prefer it took that point of the kernel after which these years devoted to Teatro Espejo, for I feel the universe and ancestors to present me the present of Matriarchy Theatre, after which I can go ahead with what my mission is. Yeah.
Yura: That is so stunning, sure, and I really like the whole lot I am listening to bridging this ancestral knowledge, actually, of the ability of a reputation, the ability of receiving a divine data coming by means of that simply is a understanding of when it is the fitting time.
Nicole: Yeah.
Yura: When that data comes by means of, for anyone who’s listening, who perhaps is considering beginning a mission and you do not have the title, but, with the ability to circulation with that, with that journey of getting the title and understanding what it’s that you just’re doing and likewise meant to be doing. After which when it comes by means of, actually going forward and taking the steps to observe this imaginative and prescient. And I really like, too, the providing of neighborhood as part of it, this neighborhood group that you just had been part of in offering an area for others to share and an area so that you can share and be heard.
So I really feel like that is additionally actually essential factor to notice for others who may be on this course of, to actually have that neighborhood, have that area of individuals that you may go to, and share, and rejoice wins, and now have that area to be supported. After which additionally, the ideas I am listening to round, too, going forth and getting these domains and looking out to see if it is one thing that legally, on this manner that we function, different folks have already been doing each for sure, the entire trademark and authorized aspect of it, but in addition the neighborhood aspect of it’s that desirous to uplift what others have already been engaged on. So I simply wished to mirror again all this superb knowledge, recommendations, and expertise that you have gone by means of to share with listeners.
Nicole: Yeah, thanks. It is good to have that as a result of typically we do not see it ourselves. We’re simply within the doing. So within the receiving that, I admire that.
Yura: Yeah, and positively there’s quite a lot of questions that come by means of, and I am certain you continue to have questions. I nonetheless have questions on issues that we’re doing, so it is all the time good to have the ability to discover these areas to ask.
Since you’re listening to this podcast, I will assume that you just care about the way forward for our planet and all beings who reside right here. You’re a visionary chief who sees prospects for our future which are past what others round chances are you’ll be pondering and taking as the established order. You’ve the power to see another choice and see a distinct approach to do issues than earlier than. You are bridging ancestral practices with the trendy, and you understand there is a motive you are right here on this planet, on this physique, with this voice, on this second. So I need to invite you to be a part of our free community of visionaries, an internet platform and neighborhood discussion board cultivated by me, Yura Sapi, to help different visionaries who’re constructing their very own tables.
Be part of us and acquire entry to weekly self-care ideas guided by the astrological occurrences that mirror in our sociopolitical day-to-day, in addition to sources to grant alternatives, enterprise instruments curated so that you can thrive as a brand new earth chief. Get entry to my particular meditations, educating movies, and giveaways for one-on-one teaching periods, programs, and extra. So what are you ready for? Be part of us on the community of visionaries and let’s manifest our thriving planet. The hyperlink to affix shall be pasted within the present notes, and I am unable to wait to fulfill you.
So my subsequent query; think about if you’re giving a pep discuss to this youthful model of your self. What are the phrases of encouragement and knowledge that you’d share?
Nicole: That is such an fascinating query as a result of I really feel like a part of me does that with my college students. Looking back the place we’re capable of see we might have executed X, Y, Z and been simply okay, it wasn’t as scary as I had thought it was. And so I actually attempt to empower my college students with these issues.
So for me, I feel I might’ve instructed my youthful self, significantly perhaps my school age self, is to talk up extra. I feel it was a course of I needed to have for my life as a result of in my actual life, once I’m not in my theatre or my educating, I am fairly introverted. I am very a lot simply sitting again and observing. I can really feel way more comfy talking, perhaps, in entrance of ten thousand folks than on a one-to-one. I’ve gotten a lot better with it, however I feel that is what I might inform my youthful self is to talk up extra. Proper now, for instance, I inform my college students, go discuss to your professors. They’re simply folks they usually need to assist you to. They need to join with you. I inform my son that, too. Go discuss to your academics. Go make a connection. He sees how a lot of a distinction it makes, although it is scary for him to make the connection.
So for me, it is simply making connections, and I feel it is nonetheless a lesson that I am studying, so I can inform folks do that, however nonetheless having to follow that for myself, as a result of I feel one of many issues that we do, I feel as neighborhood of us, I really feel like I am all the time uplifting different folks. I really like that. After which typically I am like, oh, I might uplift myself, too. I can open doorways for myself, as effectively. And so I feel this final 12 months I used to be in a position to do this, and that was in all probability the older model of me telling the youthful model of me, you are able to do this for you, too. You are a part of the neighborhood. You are a part of the neighborhood that you just’re caring for. So yeah, converse up. Converse up.
Yura: Yeah. Properly, inform us extra about what this final 12 months has introduced you.
Nicole: Yeah. Abundance. And I might say in all probability from 2022 and 2023 have been simply overwhelmingly plentiful, and joyous, and simply seeing issues come to fruition and choices coming in, in a manner that I hadn’t actually skilled earlier than. In 2022, I truly, we lastly staged our first full efficiency for Matriarchy Theatre, a play referred to as Quantum by Tara Moses, and it was a gorgeous expertise. And I might say that at the moment, I had lastly launched Matriarchy, stated, we’re right here, we have been born, here is the title. After which I did a small GoFundMe and I hate asking for cash. I am not a great fundraiser, I simply don’t love doing it. And so I put it on the market, which was an enormous ask for me. It is the converse up factor that we did not do too effectively. It did fairly good. We had somewhat little bit of donations and I used to be so grateful for that, however we did not get wherever close to the ask that I hoped for, however we nonetheless ended up getting that by different means.
So sooner or later, the board of Teatro Espejo got here to me and stated, “We wish to fund your first manufacturing for Matriarchy Theatre.” And they also gave me a stunning price range to place this present on, and I assumed that was superb. I cried. I wasn’t anticipating that. I wasn’t anticipating that, and it nonetheless offers me tears. I used to be capable of do each single factor that you want to do for manufacturing. All my artists have been paid, all of the designers and creatives have been paid, we rented the venue, we paid for the rights, we did publicity, the whole lot that below the solar, they even paid me. Teatro Espejo paid me to direct my present for my firm. Which that was not one thing I used to be anticipating. And it was, once more, a present that I did not do issues for Teatro to get issues again like that, however it was simply began. And all of this abundance actually began snowballing in such sudden methods.
I additionally began doing mantras simply round welcoming these issues, and the abundance, and the care, and I am cared for, and the universe will do what’s proper for me so long as I am placing good out into the world. And that was 2022. After which I additionally, as a lot as I do not like asking for cash, I additionally am not likely a giant fan of writing grants as a result of I need to spend that point making my artwork proper. However I did, I lastly utilized for a grant and I acquired an NEA grant, which was enormous. It was in all probability the primary grant I had utilized for in years. And I received the grant and I’ve to present large props to the grant advisor I had talked to previous to making use of. He gave me some actually good recommendation. After which I used to be capable of put that funds in direction of a mission that we placed on stage in 2023.
And a protracted story quick, in 2023, sooner or later, I did that factor the place I took my very own recommendation and spoke up for myself. A director put a name out for a dramaturg locally, and her title is Dina Martinez, and she or he’s such a trailblazer, and such a gorgeous human, and she or he’s a director and an actor. And I instantly answered like, oh, I instructed any individual, and I stated, “I can do it, but in addition there’s this different individual,” I do not like placing myself on the market, however she instantly messaged me again and stated, “I would like you as my dramaturg.”
Yura: That is cool.
Nicole: I do know. As a result of it is, I have been doing dramaturgy for a very long time, however by no means “professionally” or the place I am truly being credited for my work. And so her bringing me on board to do this opened a bunch of doorways for me to proceed doing dramaturgy, to proceed doing my intimacy choreography work. And he or she truly got here to talk to my class the opposite day as a result of I am doing dramaturgy for her manufacturing of Fade proper now. And I instructed her I am all the time opening doorways for folks. And I stated, “I need to thanks a lot for opening doorways for me,” as a result of I am often not placing myself out for alternatives like that. I am all the time simply ensuring that every one my folks have alternatives. And so I stated, “I am so grateful for you, at my ripe outdated age, giving me the prospect to do this.” And in order that’s, to me, that is the neighborhood care. That is the neighborhood care. And it is also a testomony to ladies having one another’s backs. Yeah, ladies of colour, having one another’s backs.
Yura: Matriarchy.
Nicole: It has been an incredible two years.
Yura: Sure. I am so blissful for you.
Nicole: Thanks.
Yura: I really like the whole lot, all of this manifestation work. That is positively one thing that I actually resonate with and perceive. And simply what you have been saying about placing the GoFundMe on the market and nonetheless getting the whole lot you wanted, simply otherwise. So I feel that is a giant a part of a manifestation of when you may have a imaginative and prescient and also you create a plan, with the ability to circulation with what the universe offers you that really can typically be much more than you could possibly have imagined than what you deliberate for.
After which I really like using the mantra meditations. That is one thing additionally that I’ve gotten into and even gotten skilled in, now, is a meditation trainer.
Nicole: Oh, actually?
Yura: Yeah. And the kind of meditation makes use of mantras on this manner.
Nicole: Good.
Yura: As a result of, so among the science, if anyone is , it is referred to as the Reticular Activating System, and mainly, it is this a part of our mind that permits for a kind of sign, a kind of GPS coordinates enter for us. It is like when a canine will get a scent after which is ready to have that scent out there and what it is capable of be searching for and discovering outdoors on the planet. So in that very same manner, once we use mantras, once we use an affirmation, once we visualize one thing very particularly, we’re calling that power into our personal, and due to this fact, begin to discover it when it is round us. So perhaps it all the time was there. Possibly there was all the time somebody who had data or who was the subsequent step to one thing that you just have been searching for, however you by no means had the dialog about it, or perhaps you find yourself going to an occasion that simply intuitively calls to you and also you sit subsequent to the individual that precisely is needing is providing you with what you want.
In order that’s the wonder and the work of this, affirmations of this meditation of this sort of calling and actually focusing in our energy as people. So I am so blissful for you and all the superb success you’ve got had, the abundance, the shift into that perspective. And I additionally will say Tara Moses, superb individual, we have had her on the podcast.
Nicole: So good to speak to.
Yura: So you possibly can take a look at that episode.
Nicole: I completely will. I completely will. We did an interview, or what do you name it, Instagram reside together with her, I feel on opening night time once we did her present. I really like her, yeah. And I’ve learn all of her performs at our NPX. I’ve learn each single one. They’re simply so nice. Yeah.
Yura: Yeah. I additionally would like to faucet extra into the dialog on fundraising, I feel. Yeah. Let’s get into somewhat providing of ideas as a result of you may have some data on grant writing and I can positively share on the person giving. So the crowdfunding, I even have an article that I wrote a pair years in the past interviewing the Motion Theatre Firm and giving ten ideas for crowdfunding campaigns as a result of truly, the profitable campaigns labored in the same manner that you just ended up working with, when it comes to having those that have been already organizations or those that have been already dedicated to the mission earlier than launching the crowdfunding marketing campaign. And this truly features rather a lot in the best way that particular person and fundraising methods and departments work. That is from my learnings from graduate faculty and from working on the Public Theater, truly.
Nicole: Oh, good.
Yura: So there’s mainly technique that goes on earlier than you even go public a few fundraising marketing campaign. So that is the place additionally in case you’re capable of safe an identical present, so somebody who’s going to match a specific amount of donations, you are capable of then truly deliver that in into the crowdfunding area. And lots of people are very motivated by the concept and the understanding that their donation shall be price double, when it comes to if they provide, this cash shall be matched. And so there’s that tip.
There’s additionally letting folks learn about your crowdfunding marketing campaign earlier than you launch it so that you’ve got folks which are already going to donate in these first few days.
Open your self as much as receiving help, receiving knowledge… There’s loads of issues that we are able to flip to individuals who have executed these items, who’ve expertise, who’ve the knowledge and obtain that.
Nicole: I will write the following pointers down. They’re such good ideas.
Yura: Constructing the momentum. I will add the hyperlink within the present notes, as effectively, to this text. Yeah, there’s a lot technique, a lot help that you may have over particular person giving, and actually all of those elements of management. I feel with this neighborhood side, too, for listeners to actually open your self as much as receiving help, receiving knowledge. As leaders, as founders, we are sometimes referred to as to do rather a lot, if not the whole lot. So there’s loads of issues that we are able to flip to individuals who have executed these items, who’ve expertise, who’ve the knowledge and obtain that. So now I will move it to you and if you would like to share among the ideas you bought on grant writing.
Nicole: I might say, as a result of I am not an enormous grant author, and I am not, I might say that exact grant, the rationale that I utilized for it was as a result of it was a person artist grant, and you bought to only suggest the mission you wished to. You did not have to suit right into a field, which, for me, is actually difficult. I would like organizations that I work with to organically create, from the center, what they need, to not attempt to test off bins. And so that is what drew me to that exact grant.
So I had an advising session and getting into, I knew that I had two concepts in thoughts, and I knew that whether or not or not I received the grant, I used to be nonetheless going to do these tasks. And I feel that, for me, was like, we both are going to get this help or we’re not, however we’re nonetheless going to forge ahead and we’ll do the mission, we’ll determine easy methods to do it. So I proposed two tasks, and I spent many of the advising session speaking about one specific mission, and the advisor was so beneficiant with their time and recommendation, and that mission was Quantum by Tara Moses, that was that. I feel it was earlier than I arrange the GoFundMe, I do not keep in mind. And I stated, so I need to do that play. And the very finish, we have been about, our advising session went on for some time as a result of we have been having such an ideal dialog. After which on the finish I stated, “Oh, let me simply let you know about my different thought.” I proposed the concept. And he goes, “That is the one. Apply for that.” And I used to be like, okay.
So he gave me, he talked for me for perhaps a minute after which he needed to go as a result of we had already been going over time, and I used to be like, okay. So I feel one, it was a transparent thought. Two, it was from such an genuine place, and three, it was, I already knew I used to be going to do it no matter whether or not or not I received exterior funding or this specific grant. And that ended up being my mission Simply A Pinch: A Uterus Play about well being advocacy round ladies and girls plus, folks with uteruses, reproductive care at outpatient appointments. And so we received the grant for that. And once more, I knew it was a mission that I used to be going to do regardless as a result of it did not test off bins for others, it was aligned with what we wished to do with Matriarchy Theatre.
Yura: I really like that. It additionally displays again to this manifesting speech I used to be speaking about, when it comes to you may have what you might be desirous to do. And so with that core, you are capable of appeal to the issues that can assist you to by sticking to that, that core factor of what you are seeking to manifest.
And I really like the ideas of seeing in case you’re the fitting match, energetically. You may nearly know whenever you learn an outline, is that this proper for me? Is that this, are they searching for one thing else? Nearly scanning by means of if it is one thing that has some pink flags or there’s all types of issues that you may want to pay attention to whenever you’re making use of for a grant, when it comes to what do they require for the reporting. Equally, the match. An identical side to it the place you want to be elevating funds for it to have the ability to get that, which I feel this additionally ties to your second suggestion round actually understanding that you’ll do a mission and having different choices on the market that may, truly, for lots of grant alternatives, actually help your software as a result of whether or not they have an identical part to it that you just do want to have the ability to produce other funds coming in. But in addition there’s this side of claiming, these are the opposite ways in which we’re getting help for this, these are different companions which are already with us, these are the ways in which we’ll do that. And so quite a lot of occasions, grants and organizations and other people need to help one thing that’s being supported by others. And so becoming a member of in on the neighborhood side of with the ability to co-produce one thing. So yeah, I really like these ideas and I actually hope that it helps for people who find themselves listening.
Nicole: Additionally, I actually love that you just have been speaking about scanning the grant to see if it is best for you. And I feel one of many issues I all the time say, my favourite factor about being an artist is that I get to be round different artists. So once we’re scanning these, quite a lot of occasions I do know that if we aren’t the fitting match, that we’re sending it to different folks as a result of there’s sufficient for everyone. There’s going to be occasions once I do not get the funding, however my pal or organizations that I really like are getting the funding, and I really feel like there’s sufficient for everybody to go round. And so if it isn’t for you, ship it to the individual you suppose it’s, as a result of we’re all working to do the identical factor, which is bringing stunning artwork into the world.
Yura: I really like that. And that goes again to what you have been saying, too, concerning the jobs that come round. It’s stunning. Yeah. I truly, I’ve this community of visionaries, free neighborhood discussion board that I’ve began the place I can put up all types of therapeutic and educating details about such a work for leaders and founders and visionaries, after which additionally, there’s a one for grant alternatives the place I simply put up all types of grant alternatives. I used to have a publication, however this I discovered it somewhat bit simpler for me to only put up it in there after which it’s on there and anybody can see it. The previous historical past, too.
Nicole: I all the time really feel so liked when any individual sends me a hyperlink to a grant. Even when it is, I take a look at it and I am like, oh, it isn’t for me. I simply really feel so liked once they’re like, right here, you may qualify for this. I am like, thanks. I admire you fascinated about me.
Yura: Yeah, it is good power. It is receiving that help, that prayer from one other that you just need to see.
Nicole: That perception and religion in your work, yeah.
Yura: Superb. I’ve one other query for you about your concepts and ideas round the way forward for the theatre business. Because the theatre business evolves, what do you consider it is asking of us as creators and leaders?
Because the theatre world evolves, I do not suppose we reply to it. I feel the theatre world solutions to us.
Nicole: Your questions are so good. I feel the theatre world is such a giant entity as a result of neighborhood is so essential to me. I do not care to reply to the theatre discipline or the theatre world. I care to reply to my neighborhood, and theatre is the means by which we get there. The storytelling is the means by which we get there. I’ll say that as leaders, once I’m fascinated about people who find themselves a part of our neighborhood, whether or not they’re youth, or youthful folks, or older folks, they need us to be, for me, once I’m main, I often begin with: I am fallible. I’ll make errors. I haven’t got all of the solutions, however I do know what my objective is and I do know what my mission is, and I do know that I include good coronary heart to strive to do that factor, and also you’re welcome to return in and produce your power.
So I feel main in a manner the place we’re human and we present up as our genuine selves, and that we’re keen to apologize if we make a mistake, and be that human individual, but in addition attempt to maintain ourselves as much as an ordinary the place it isn’t the common factor that we’re making a mistake, however that we do not have all of the solutions. I feel that is one factor. And I feel one other factor as a frontrunner is to get out of the best way in order that different folks can lead. So I’ve stated since I began Matriarchy is that I am not constructing Matriarchy for me. I am constructing it in order that I may give it away 5, ten years down the street. We have constructed this factor collectively, now take it if you would like it. It is simply carving out an area that we get to collectively create, and in order that we’re main collectively. I may be the one who began the factor, however I am unable to proceed it alone. What’s even the purpose of that?
We discuss typically concerning the notion of decolonization, and I additionally discuss typically a few pre colonized area the place we’re flattening the hierarchy, and that is one thing that I attempt to do inside Matriarchy is we positively have individuals who have roles because the director, or the inventive director, or the lead, or regardless of the case could also be. However relating to the neighborhood care, we attempt to flatten the hierarchy whereas additionally having channels in place ought to, we simply did Simply A Pinch and we had an exquisite artist, Bessie Zolno, are available in and discuss consent, and limits, and psychological well being advocacy, and battle decision. And we had a sequence of, if you’re having a problem and you have not been capable of discuss it out one-on-one, you are going to go to this individual. If it is a problem with Nicole, you possibly can go to the board. In case you have a problem with the board, we do not have a board, we’ve guiding matriarch. You may go to a guiding matriarch. If not, then you possibly can go discuss to Bessie, so that everyone feels really cared for and that they’ve a voice.
And so I feel it is about getting out of the best way of those notions of what’s a frontrunner. Similar to I prefer to get out of the best way with the notions of what’s skilled actor? What’s an expert theatre? My requirements should not the requirements of a PWI. I do not attempt to align to that. Skilled is what we wish it to be, what we wish it to appear like. And in order the theatre world evolves, I do not suppose we reply to it. I feel the theatre world solutions to us, to a sure diploma.
Yura: That is stunning. Thanks a lot. Proper, I’ve yet one more query for you. So reflecting in your journey, what has been essentially the most rewarding side of carving your individual path and constructing your individual desk?
Nicole: Yeah. I might say, man, it has been a protracted journey, however very, very intentional. I feel one of many issues, once we are constructing our personal tables or creating our personal path, it is as a result of we all know that the opposite tables do not match. I did not even need to be on the different tables. You understand what I imply? A variety of us aspire to the X, Y and Z as a result of that is what it appears like. I by no means actually did. I simply wished to point out up as myself. And so I stated no to quite a lot of tasks as a result of they did not align with my core and my coronary heart. And I’ve had conversations with different theatremakers the place it is like they really feel like their profession suffered due to having to say no to issues that they believed in. And I definitely really feel like, yeah, I had an intention to point out up a manner that I wished to point out up. And so I needed to say no to quite a lot of issues.
And I am okay with that as a result of I even have the opposite finish of the spectrum the place I’ve buddies that say they’re doing effectively of their profession, however they needed to compromise who they have been. And they also’re in a spot proper now the place they’re actually, actually going up in opposition to a battle with quite a lot of simply various things, and I feel that we are able to all perceive that. And I did not need that to be my battle. I used to be like, that is not my battle. Why ought to I be battling that once I may be creating one thing stunning? And so for me, the most important reward, and I’ve actually acknowledged this the final couple years as I have been pushing ahead with Matriarchy, and likewise in my freelance work as a director, and a dramaturg, and an intimacy choreographer.
I keep in mind sooner or later sitting in rehearsal and I used to be so grateful to myself, to my ancestors, to my grandmother, to my household, to my mother, for ensuring that I all the time confirmed up as myself. As a result of right here I’m sitting on this rehearsal room being who I’m and displaying up one hundred pc as Nicole— authentically Nicole. It took me a extremely very long time to get right here and get on this room, however I am me. They usually’re embracing me and accepting me and seeing me, as me. And that’s the greatest reward, and that is what I would like for my different teatristas, theatre staff, neighborhood. In Matriarchy Theatre, you all the time get to point out up as who you might be, and you’ll be cared for, and you will be valued, and you will be seen, and you will be liked, and there is a place for you. And we get to create what theatre is. No person’s going to inform us what it’s. We get to say what it’s.
Yura: Sure. Superb. Thanks a lot, Nicole. Sure, everybody, please go forward and observe, subscribe, like, Matriarchy Theatre. You may discover them on Instagram. Proper?
Nicole: Mm-hmm.
Yura: And thanks a lot, once more, for becoming a member of us immediately. It has been such a pleasure and honor.
Nicole: Thanks. It has been such an honor, and I am simply actually grateful for this time with you. Thanks a lot, Yura.
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