We look to the past to shape our future. Who are you? Where are you going from here?

I’m Irmak, a recent graduate of Hamilton College, holding a degree in Theatre with minors in Art History and Dance & Movement Studies. I am a passionate young performance-maker, arts administrator and arts educator. I don’t know where I am going after this summer in Maine which makes it all the more exciting, but I will likely be moving to Philly and exploring the theatre and arts scene there! I am hoping to continue creating performances that are challenging and risk-taking professionally and reach diverse and engaged audiences by being a well-rounded arts administrator.

What excites you most about being a part of TAM’s Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight Season?

So many things! Exploring Maine, exploring community through regional theatre, making the classics new again, meeting so many talented and smart people…everything!

We’re all about making old things new and new things classic. Why are you drawn to classic theater? How do you shake it up?

There’s nothing like the pleasure of truly understanding a classical play, and that can only be achieved by approaching it like a new play, just like how their original makers and audiences approached it. I believe the less precious and the more intimate we are with classical works, the more we can make magic happen!

From what sources do you draw your inspiration?

Absolutely anything and everything. I draw inspiration from things my friends say, from thoughts that keep me up at night, from dancing in museums, from sewing 24 bed sheets together and hoping it turns into something, from things that could have happened but never happened, from the act of living itself.

You can have dinner with any three influential people. Who are your dream guests, why them, and what is the topic of conversation?

That’s such a difficult question to answer, I don’t think I can pick three! At the same time, we’ve heard a lot from influential people. I’m more curious about the people we forgot to listen to, people who have failed not for lack of trying but because we didn’t listen, maybe people from cultures I didn’t even know existed or people I would never hear about otherwise. I would be curious what keeps them up at night.

How have the past few years changed your view of making theater and what action are you most proud of?

I didn’t even know I wanted to do theatre a few years ago! I am so proud of the fact that once I discovered the power of theatre I full-heartedly committed myself to it. I am also very proud of the flexible and wacky approach I have developed towards not only theatre but also life as an extension of it.

What’s your super power?

I have an insane memory, I remember everything and I never close tabs in my head. “I don’t remember” is probably my most frequent lie I tell to come across as less creepy. Also, being willing, if not enthusiastic, about ideas and thoughts that make me uncomfortable.