Interview with Camilla Ross: Co-Founder of Emerson Theatre Collaborative
Living Theatre Artistic Director, Brad Burgess, and company members Jerry Goralnick and Emma Sue Harris are currently in Sedona, AZ rehearsing for an upcoming production of INDECENT by Paula Vogel, directed by Gabrielle Kurlander and produced by Emerson Theatre Collaborative. We asked co-founder of Emerson Theatre Collaborative, Camilla Ross, to talk to us about her work and her motivation behind this production. Next week, we’ll hear from director Gabrielle Kurlander.
What is Emerson Theater Collaborative? Can you tell me a little more about the company history and mission?
ETC was established on April 4, 2008, as all women founded company that produces original, innovative and thought-provoking theater to serve southeastern CT, and since 2016, Sedona, Arizona (Village of Oak Creek) and the surrounding areas. ETC received its 501(c)(3) non-profit status on July 24, 2009.
The Emerson Theater Collaborative (ETC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to serve youth, under-represented communities and artists with an emphasis on diversity, by producing innovative and thought-provoking theater both in southeastern Connecticut and Sedona, Arizona. ETC explores timely themes and issues through new, original works and modern theatrical classics. We develop and nurture both emerging and professional artists and collaborates across the artistic disciplines. Our goals include reaching youth through educational theatrical programming, supporting local communities by providing free admission to low-income families, and donating profits to humanitarian causes. For more information, go to our website.
Emerson Theater Collaborative has produced over 45 productions in 15 years. I am blessed to have done the work and I really enjoy allowing people to see the human condition upfront and personal.
Our Vision: Developing and producing innovative theater with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, youth, and the under-represented with both emerging and professional artists.
Why Indecent? And Why Sedona What do you hope comes out of bringing this productions to this place at this moment?
Indecent was born out of a young man’s passion to see this play produced. So many people come to me as a producer and ask for Emerson Theater Collaborative to produce works they feel important. The message of the play Indecent speaks in so many ways and its message is important. It resonates in this time and in this moment not only for Sedona but for other states around this country.
There is something to said for this country when people are banning books, hating on people for how they were born, or their religion, or sexual orientation. History doesn’t repeat itself; people repeat history. American must come to grips with itself and its history. It never has and It’s time to atone for this country’s past.
We need start educating our children and all people about the truth of this country. We can only heal if the truth is acknowledge. Facts don’t lie but people do. Theatre is my platform and I use it to tell the stories of my people, and to honor God with my work.
I want people to be mindful that words are powerful! We can speak and think things into existence by the fact that we all are God’s Children. The Energy within is as powerful as you can imagine. I often ask people how they use their energy. Do you use it to love or hate. It matters. How we treat others can ripple out and have an effect for generations to come.
I wear a t-shirt that says Humans Come in all Colors! And with that said, we are spirits having an earthly experience to learn to not only love but serve others in such a way that we all heal. We are not alone. There is a force much larger than all of us - I know. I have felt it. It has guided me through some of the most difficult moments on my journey. It’s the creative force that fuels me.
Can you tell me about your personal values and artistic mission? How do your personal values and artistic mission inform the work you do.
I have always been compassionate towards people.
I was raised to work hard and to know that life can be hard, but you have to keep moving and persevere. It’s in the persevering that you find out who you are.
I am loyal as a friend and my choice circle of friends is very small. There’s a reason for that. I am secure know that it’s enough for me. I am introverted but I am extroverted when I feel a connection with a person- that also fuels my work. I respect my elders and I really try to be loving towards people. I recognize the imperfections in myself, and I try honor those imperfections. Because no one is perfect. I’ve lived a life recognizing that the color of my skin plays a factor in how some may treat me and because of that I have spent my life’s work emphasizing, through theatre, the importance of all people.
I want America to see its imperfections and atone for them. No one gets to choose how they’re born but they do get to choose how they treat others.
I am humble and creative, and I try to inspire others to see their value and to know we all are important. My faith impacts all that I do, and my artistic mission shapes the work that I do because I want people to take the work I do home with them. I want them to sit with it and find out what moves them to change their perspective and take an action to correct it. Each of us has a choice. I choose to change the world by showing people that we are more connected than we are different. I think the theatrical works that I have chosen to produce are a direct reflection of my life and the experiences that I have had or have seen others experience.
When I see or have experiences that affect my soul it compels me into action.
Theatre is my life’s passion and work that God has given to me, and I want to honor God by doing this work with my whole heart.
How do you “keep track?”
I write (journal) I take photos and I have scrapbooked. I am poet and a published author.
I choose to love no matter the cost because love is universal. It knows no boundaries and it is the one language that can heal everyone.