Before joining FrikiNation, a production in National Queer Theater’s Criminal Queerness Festival, I had never stepped into a truly professional performing arts environment. Even finding the rehearsal space felt intimidating: weaving through security, getting lost in the hallways, and finally being helped by a kind actor who pointed me toward the right door. When I walked in, I quickly noticed I was the youngest person there. While I had worked on many theatre projects before, I was used to collaborating with peers my own age. Here, I entered a room full of artists of different backgrounds, ages, and reasons for joining the project.

Though my official title was Assistant Stage Manager, it took time to figure out what that role meant in this specific setting. At first, I felt awkward offering help, unsure how to approach the stage manager or whether I was intruding on the actors’ flow. But gradually, I began to see where my presence could be useful: keeping props in order, smoothing transitions, or anticipating small needs before they arose. With each step, I gained confidence that my contributions weren’t a nuisance but a real part of the collaborative process. By the end of rehearsals, I felt myself settling into the rhythm of the room. What began as hesitation grew into certainty, and I left not just with new skills but with a stronger sense of belonging within a professional, intergenerational community of theatre-makers!

Below are pictures of the rehearsal room (Dramatists Guild room) and one of the prop tables backstage (a major responsibility of mine).