Assistant Director Katja Rivera describes early experiences and her approach to directing.

INTERVIEW

SF Shakes: How did you get into theater?

Rivera:  When I was 10,  I saw my cousin do a play and I wanted to do it, too. I started in high school and then realized I loved it and pursued it.

SF Shakes: How did you discover that directing was how you wanted to interact with these?

Rivera: I directed my first play probably when I was eight or nine-years-old. I didn’t direct again until high school. I had back surgery (for scoliosis) and was in a body cast, so my drama teacher said I wasn’t going to get to act . In order to do a show, I had to direct. 

That’s how I first started directing, but then I didn’t really start directing until about 18 or 19 years ago. 

SF Shakes: You’ve mentioned before how your approach to directing is not very academic compared to others. How does that show up in your process?

Rivera: I do weird things! I ask actors to bring in theme songs. Sometimes I’ll ask them to do collages. I don’t do very much tablework. I want people to think on their feet and not get in their heads. I do dramaturgical research, but I tend to throw it all out. It’s more of an intuitive heart-centered approach to theater.

SF Shakes: What has the journey with SF Shakes been like, from directing tour to assistant directing this summer to directing Free Shakespeare in the Park next year. 

Rivera: It’s a ride. It’s a wild ride. You’re working with a very concise performance time. Tour isn’t just doing a show like Free Shakespeare, doing a show in parks, outdoors. There is that whole time element for the tour; it’s directing a cast and a whole alternate cast, getting them ready to do this show in 45 minutes, for four months, all over the state of California. 

I feel like it’s more holistic, actually. I was involved with a lot more of the production.

SF Shakes: What kind of theater are you most interested in, and how does that inform your directing style?

Rivera: I’m most interested in Latine playwrights and uplifting them, and particularly new work, but also work that hasn’t been done that much. Two years ago, I did Lorca, but it was a play that hasn’t been done very much. I really love José Rivera. His was one of the first plays I directed professionally, and I got to direct one of his playsagain. I’d like to direct more of his work. 

I want to honor the playwrights’ intentions and their vision. The difference with Shakespeare is, I don’t have to care about that, so I can cut the bejesus out of it, and interpret it in a way that, to me, feels alive.

SF Shakes: What has it been like assistant directing for The Two Gentlemen of Verona this year?

Rivera: It’s been fun! I love that there is responsibility, but it isn’t the responsibility you have as a director. I’ve enjoyed having this learning year. I’ve learned a lot from Ely. He’s really thorough and very organized, and has a real big brain. It’s been great to be around his big brain and absorb it. We’ve got a great cast and crew, and so it’s just been fun being in the room.