This season, we celebrate Ellen’s centennial year – she would
have been 100 on November 7, 2019.
Ellen made her artists feel as if they could conquer the world.
She encouraged them to challenge themselves, not just as
artists, but as human beings who could transcend limitations.
I experienced this as a member of Great Jones Repertory
Company performing The Trojan Women all over the world.
In each place, we experienced the power of the work and the
impact it had on the audience. I portrayed Andromache who
fell to her death by jumping off the balcony into the arms of
my fellow actors, about 15 feet below. Standing at the edge
of the balcony, I was terrified. Yet, Ellen always made you feel
that you could do anything, and she told me to jump. So I
did. I jumped off that balcony for many performances and it
never got any easier, but I will never forget the feeling of that
moment just before the leap. That experience informed how
I work today. Ellen taught me to jump. In turn, I ask La MaMa
artists to jump, and we make that leap together.
As Ellen used to say, ”the is is the was and the was is the is.”
That theory of connection throughout time is the cord that
binds us together. We hope you will join us throughout the
season to celebrate her profound vision and enduring legacy.
Love,
Mia
