Guillermo Avilés-Rodríguez

As I transition into the leadership of Eagle Rock Stage a respect for diversity and a reverence for orthodoxy comes with me. I recognize the efforts of my predecessors and I believe that great progress will only be achieved by building upon the existing foundation that has been laid by the ones who have come before me. I am confident in my ability to not only maintain the wonderful theater tradition that exists at Eagle Rock now but also cultivate it and make it bear even more fruit.

I come into Eagle Rock with many years of experience producing theater at all levels and in all environments. I have been blessed with the opportunity to participate in theater in many far-flung locations and in many different capacities. My training from the beginning had a performance focus but as I progressed in my career I developed a reverence for the work that goes on behind the scenes. From the building of the set to the plugging in of lights, I understand theater to be much more than just acting.

Truly understanding theater requires not only an intellectual approach, but a kinesthetic, and affective one as well. Students must think, act and feel if they are to truly develop on the stage that is life. A Theater class must offer all three of these approaches in order for students to truly absorb the awesome power that comes from a community that hand-crafts a play in this age of mass production. As a teacher it is my duty to bring this perspective to life for all my students regardless of ability, desire to learn, or talent level. I understand the importance of challenging students to be artists, advocates, and critics in our world regardless of challenges and obstacles.

I embrace this challenge of teaching all my students because I have witnessed amazing teachers who provided me with a rigorous education, a deep-rooted moral code, and an irrepressible work ethic. To a great extent I am a teacher today because of the impressions they made. My teacher’s selfless actions and rigorous training have made artists out of even their poorest students. It is my dream to build upon the knowledge my teachers gave me, and to do my part to fan the flame of learning and inquiry. As theater students we are a part of a long tradition, from the first Greek Theater Festivals to today’s theater has been a way for people to come together in a community and see themselves as they truly are. If we understand this, then the need to work diligently to represent as truthful a portrait of humanity as possible will be sacrosanct. And finally, I believe in using drama to help youth channel energies into productive endeavors, as well as a socially conscious, process oriented approach to theater creation.