This session shifted our focus toward imagination, authorship, and the future of the ensemble’s creative work.

After gathering and checking in, many members transitioned into Volunteer Appreciation Event rehearsal, leaving a smaller group to reflect on the summer program. What followed was a rich and generative conversation about what the ensemble values most in their creative process.

“I like that we get to write our own pieces. There are no shows where we get to write,” one ensemble member shared, grounding the conversation in the importance of authorship and ownership. The group explored how to build on that strength, with suggestions to make the final performance feel more structured and production-driven.

An exciting idea emerged: a larger original play interwoven with “commercial breaks” featuring original writing. These pieces would explore themes of love, loss, grief, struggle, happiness, and overcoming. With support from Aupperlee, the group discussed using guiding questions to help generate writing, ensuring that everyone has a point of entry into the creative process.

The room was filled with storytelling. An ensemble member shared writing and even broke into song, creating a moment of play and connection. Others reflected on past seasons and the desire to balance heavier themes with humor and lightness. “I like funny things,” one participant noted, reminding us of the importance of joy alongside truth.

By the end of the session, the group was already thinking ahead—imagining a model where a writer or small team develops a piece over the course of the season. The foundation for this summer’s work is beginning to take shape, rooted in collaboration, creativity, and the voices of the ensemble.