Meet Metcalf Intern Ludmylla Reis
Ludmylla Reis is GCTC’s Metcalf Intern for Artistic Directing. In addition to being one of Ottawa’s most exciting emerging theatre artists, they are one half of TACTICS’ new co-Artistic Directing team alongside Rebecca Benson. As Metcalf Intern, Ludmylla will be working alongside Artistic Director Eric Coates to develop their skills as an artistic leader.
"The joy of working with an intern always lies in the amount of curiosity that they bring to the work,” says Coates. “Ludmylla's curiosity about artistic direction is also supported by serious critical thinking, which creates an exciting learning situation for both of us."
We caught up with Ludmylla to hear more about them and their thoughts on the position.
GCTC: How do you describe yourself and your approach to theatre?
Ludmylla: I live my life with intense curiosity. Curious about the people I interact with, the city I live in, the culture I'm engaging with, the job I'm doing... everything. That trait feeds directly into my approach as a director. I want to know why you do theatre and why you want to make this play. After that conversation I can move into seeing how you can deliver a monologue. To me, theatre has the power to move local audiences and local artists like no other art. We need to tell stories that matter right at this moment and relate directly to the people watching, including their local idiosyncrasies. The ephemerality of theatre to me is a gift, it means that if I learn something new about life, I can incorporate it. If I present in a different city, I incorporate that too. This opportunity of slow and small learning keeps theatre alive and connected.
What do you plan on doing during this internship?
Follow Eric Coates closely! Haha. At the top of my list is to ask Eric everything I can so I access his knowledge acquired throughout years of work. Eric carries a kind presence of encouragement that is admirable. Alongside that I am looking to develop and propose ways that disrupt our current producing system to improve it. I am humbly following the trail of advocates and leaders that have been working on revisions for decades and I'm grateful to bring my newcomer perspective to it too. Being new to something offers you a fresh perspective, which in times of change is an important resource. I also hope to connect emerging local artists to the GCTC!
What is your favourite work of theatre/performance?
I once drove to Montreal to see a Brazilian performance of the Quebecois play Tom at the Farm. It was performed in Portuguese with subtitles and the playwright worked to bring it to the city a couple of times since then. I am hoping for a repeat in 2022! It was not only a powerful rendition of the play but it also reminded me—as a Brazilian and an artist—why I do theatre. One of the unique things about their production was the set design. It consisted only of plastic bags, sand and water. The playwright Michel Marc Bouchard was amazed on how a production that removed all the barns, kitchens, props and walls he wrote in the play was able to fully realize his vision. "They achieved what any other production dreamed of". His words, not mine. I'm paraphrasing, but I swear this was his feeling. I'll never forget what I experienced as an audience and as an artist on that day.