Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heather Wallen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Heather thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Near the end of my undergrad journey, around the time I was planning my wedding and dealing with trying to learn an incredibly creative/immersive/collaborative process ONLINE during covid and trying to graduate on time… I had this idea. I first word vomited the idea passionately at my partner Ryan. Who blinked at me several times, then probably said some supportive things and then I let them go back to sleep, so that I could plot and plan and research. The idea was this- a Theatre space that was a hub of creativity, continuing education, and exploration. Something where people could learn the ‘rules’ of art- so that they could spend some time breaking them. (Gotta learn the box before you can think outside of it). I wanted to collaborate with artists of different mediums, I wanted to add new play development oportunities. I wanted the works we chose to be something people in our creative community wanted to work on and what they needed in order to continue developing their skills. The art would serve the creatives first, and the audience a very close second. Weird concept, I know, because where’s the money in that right? -but when the actors are having fun, growing, glowing about a work they are passionate and in tune with- the audience can feel it, they roll with it, enjoy the show, and everybody wins. When theatre artists are proud of what they create they shout it from the rooftops, people hear it, and people come to support it. In any way possible I wanted to give back to my community and any community we traveled to. I wanted to bring awareness to the needs of the community and shine light on the things we believed in. 2021 was an ambitious year for me (And for Ryan, who willingly and wholeheartedly came along with me). I celebrated my 30th Birthday, a week later graduated from Towson University, two weeks(ish) after that Married the love of my life, and then about a week after that held auditions for the very first show produced by The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company. Our first show was ‘Romeo & Juliet’. In the hopes of making it more accessible, I decided to put a folk punk spin on it. Ryan and two other actors (who would each become integral parts of Roving Peregrine’s growth in their own ways) made it a weird (but wonderful) sort of musical. We pulled an amazing show together on a dime (primarily creating the set out of our leftover wedding decor), met some amazing and lasting friends and collaborators, and made some really good art. We made our money back with a little pocket change left over, and started working with The Apollo Civic Theatre, who lent us space and some supplies to keep doing the thing we loved. We did a few events, performed original shows at a local school, but primarily stuck to summer shows that I paid for out of my own pocket. I wanted what we were building to work, I knew it was worth the risk, and we kept growing. This past Fall we ambitiously decided to grow once again. We were going to do our first full mainstage season. Through that planning process we made some great connections with some wonderful people and places. One evening I took another leap and I messaged Laura Bakin (Of The Black Box Youth Playhouse), and asked if she had a place for us there. Apparently she was excited to hear from me, and long story longer- Peregrine was set to bring ‘The Masque of Beauty & The Beast’ to The Black Box Arts Center. In January we announced a full on collaboration with four theatre companies in the space, Peregrine being one of them. This year I threw myself head first into my work at the Black Box and I’ve barely stopped to breathe. We put on a powerful show by Aly Kantor called “You Enter The Tavern” and officially began our work with new plays by being the world premiere. Peregrine became an official nonprofit organization. Our board of directors almost tripled in size. We now have a strong team of 13 who are a diverse group of talented, smart, amazing, dedicated, creative- pretty much all the good adjectives- people. Peregrine’s mission has resonated with people, and they’ve found us, and they’ve followed us. Stayed around since the beginning. Left and come back for more. Learned some things and moved on. Taught us some things and moved on. This isn’t MY thing anymore. It’s OUR thing, and I’m so proud of that. In June, almost exactly three years after I first took my first leap of trust and audacity- mixed it with a bit of hope, tenacity, and stubbornness- and created this amazing DIY on a dime, radical exercise in trusting the process-Peregrine evolved again. Laura had decided that (come July 1st 2024) she would like to retire from The Black Box Youth Playhouse, and she’d like to pass on The Black Box Arts Center (and most things in it) to me in order to expand what Roving Peregrine is capable of. The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company now has a permanent home. From the little theatre company that could, to the (I mean still pretty little if I’m honest theatre company that CAN, we’re doing pretty alright. It will take the continued generous support of the Shepherdstown Community as well as our created community to keep it all going. I took a leap of trust and a giant risk and it’s paid off amazingly. I get to follow my dreams and get to support others that are trying to do the same. That’s not the end yet, this past June I took yet another risk and leap of trust. I decided to do a 6 week intensive masters program at Hollins University. I will be there studying for several summers and I am counting on my board to keep the place afloat while I’m gone. This summer it paid off. I’m supported and I’m free to keep taking risks.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I started my undergrad journey as an English major. Long story short I was ‘tricked’ into taking a theatre course that was actually a full on play and after that I was hooked. I went on to start producing my own works and then transfered into another program to get my BA in Theatre studies. Along the way I saw a need in my theatre community for something different and because of this I started The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company. We started off doing Shakespeare and moved on to things I had written and then continued on to do works by other Playwrights creating new work. I have always been passionate about art. I have always wanted to lift up my friends and colleagues and show the world what they are capable of. I’ve always wanted to give ‘permission’ to artists who feel like they need permission to do what they do. Creativity is so important, Art is so important. It makes us human and it brings us together. Theatre and art is how I communicate with the world and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Neil Gaiman gave a commencement speech in 2012 that was later shortened and turned into a book illustrated by Chris Riddell. It’s called ‘Make Good Art’ and because of it that phrase has become my constant mantra.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Buy art prints from the college student having their first art show. Go see community theatre productions. Tip buskers. If you can’t spend the money, spend your time. Comment, share, compliment, send messages of support. Encourage people to make art. And to make art just for the sake of making art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Rovingperegrinetheatre.org
- Instagram: Rovingperegrinetheatre
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRovingPeregrine?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Image Credits
Chris Leatherman
Rachel Crumley