Backstage Pass

Artist Statement

Backstage Pass documents the theater community at Liberty High School in Renton, Washington and the ritual of the high school play. Richard Hornby said, “Theater, in which actors take on changing roles, has among its many functions the examination of identity.” Students are provided an opportunity to test and play with other personalities and personas through assigned roles and assumed responsibilities. While the culminating performance is the overarching objective, what the audience witnesses is a small percentage of the collective time and effort.

Theater kids were my daughter’s tribe, and she introduced me to this world. Witnessing its impact on her identity, I became interested in what it means to be seen in a community. In adolescence, academic drive, athletic ability, and extracurricular activities define personal and social identities. Theater brings together a cross section of students. It attracts those who seek the spotlight on stage and those who remain behind the scenes to shine the light on others.

By capturing fleeting moments behind the scenes, my images pull back the curtain on this hidden ephemeral world.