We were lucky to catch up with Rev. Patricia Cogles recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rev. Patricia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Last night I came home after Theatre Tulsa’s closing show of the musical Hairspray and reflected on how this has got to be one of the most meaningful projects I have done. This show carries a powerful social justice message that is very relevant to today’s society. Being Puerto Rican, I feel the racial disparities that affect communities of color to this day. I think music and dancing have the ability to join people together across racial divides which is why I love Hairspray’s message.

On a personal level, when I auditioned to be in this show I was 3 months postpartum. I knew this would require a lot from my family and my body. Coming into the show as a cover and ensemble member, I knew I was up for a challenge, especially leaving a 4 year old and a baby at home to do an unpaid gig. Shout-out to my wonderful husband for holding down the fort!

I knew dancing for this show would require more of me than previous roles because my body was now different. I took a different approach to postpartum care which included physical therapy and worked hard on getting back into dancing shape. To my surprise, our choreographer was pregnant. We bonded over being able to do hard things like dancing while pregnant, and postpartum. Everyone in this cast was amazing!!! Not only talented but quality people.

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 wear many hats in life, but my favorite one will always be “mom.” Professionally, I currently serve in two roles that bring together my love for creativity, community, and spiritual formation. First, I am a Teaching Artist with Tulsa Theatre Works, where I teach theatre fundamentals to ESL elementary school students. Second, I serve as a Spiritual Life Advisor for young creative people, walking alongside them as they navigate the intersection of artistic expression, personal growth, and spiritual well-being.

As a Spiritual Life Advisor, my role is not to dictate answers, but to serve as a guide, mentor, and companion. I create space for young artists to ask deeper questions, discern meaning, and integrate their inner life with their creative work. This includes listening and reflection, helping them process doubts, hopes, and challenges; offering discernment and clarity as they distinguish between fact and opinion, truth and fear, ego and calling; introducing spiritual practices such as journaling, meditation, prayer, and silence that nurture resilience and imagination; and encouraging them to see their art as a reflection of their values, spirituality, and life story. My goal is to empower young creatives to live and create from a place of authenticity, purpose, and grounded imagination—while also becoming aware of the narratives within their families and communities that shape their artistic journeys.

My own path as an artist and minister has been shaped by both academic and professional experience. I recently graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in Worship, Theology, and the Arts—a journey that deepened my love for God and clarified my calling to serve through creativity, community, and compassion. At the heart of that calling is a desire to bring together creative expression, youth discipleship, and missional service, helping others encounter God through movement, story, and shared experience.

I have been performing for more than a decade, with credits that include Hairspray with Theatre Tulsa (directed by Karlena Riggs, music directed by Jordan Andrews, and choreographed by Joelle Galapate-Kipo) and the POC cast of Little Shop of Horrors with Theatre Tulsa. In dance, I trained under Ballet Teatro Nacional de Puerto Rico and Doris Cáceres, and performed with Juda Dance Ministry of Iglesia Cristiana El Sendero de la Cruz in Puerto Rico. I also hold an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from Oral Roberts University, where some of my favorite productions were Hello, Dolly! and South Pacific.

As I look ahead, I am excited to continue integrating the arts, ministry, and missions—both locally and globally—so that others might encounter God in fresh and embodied ways.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

What is life but a dance full of pivots? A project doesn’t go the way you want? Pivot. The class schedule you want is no longer available? Pivot. Someone forgot to remove a set from the stage? Pivot. Motherhood came sooner than expected? Pivot.

When I was younger I wanted to study Aeronautical Engineering. Then I took a Theatre class in 7th grade and fell in love. That’s when I started taking my dancing more seriously too. Through high school art was still a hobby while I debated if I wanted to join the military or aim for NASA. I ended up auditioning for the University of Puerto Rico’s lyrical theatre and got accepted. I did two years on scholarship with them, and any engineering dreams faded into the background. During that time I also dabbled in student publications within the English department. These experiences changed the trajectory of my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My biggest pivot, however, was motherhood. I didn’t know what that would look like. Would I have to leave all the hard work behind? Would I be able to juggle all the things I did, plus be a good mother? Do I want to stay home or do I want to work? etc. Turns out I found safe spaces for me to keep pursuing my craft and be present with my children. It took time. And all I had to do was ask. I know its a luxury no everyone has, but I am grateful that I have memories of my kids in rehearsal with me and of my eldest dancing in the aisle during our bows at a show because she’s so excited to show mom she learned the choreography.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Fund the arts! (1) pay your artists and (2) fund arts programs at school …. actually, fund schools in general, but that’s a whole different elephant.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ellbawesome
• Linkedin: patriciacogles

Image Credits

Daniel Gutierrez/DGtal Films