We recently connected with Sierra Rosetta and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sierra, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I wonder all the time if I would be happy doing something other than theatre. I was traveling all over the world this summer, and two of my stops were Alaska and Scotland. In Alaska, my colleagues and I would take a water taxi to get to islands where we would go hiking. I told my colleagues that if I wasn’t doing theatre, I would drive a water taxi because it would give me a lot of time to think about theatre as I drove people around. The water and hum of the motor seemed like it would be a nice backdrop for my theatrical imagination to run wild. Later, in Scotland, I was taking a tour of the Scottish Highlands, and we passed by a flock of sheep. Again, I said that if I didn’t work in theatre I would like to be a Shepherd, so that I could have time to be outside and think about theatre, or write stories in my head. This made me realize that theatre is what I was meant to do, and doing anything else doesn’t feel quite like living. Every other job I can imagine doing sounds appealing because I could think about theatre while doing it!

Sierra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Sierra Rosetta, and I am an Ojibwe theatre scholar and artist originally from the tiny town of Trimont, Minnesota. I am an enrolled citizen of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. I am a farmer’s daughter, and grew up on a farm with pigs, sheep, and chickens. My parents are both artistic, and my mom put me in community theatre when I was 4 (even though the cut-off age was 7) because I was a “drama queen” who needed that dramatic outlet. My first role was a 4 of hearts in Alice in Wonderland, where my only lines were screaming “off with their heads!!!” over and over again. I was hooked from the beginning! After that, I wrote plays that my friends would perform at sleepovers, and I would cast them, and tell people where to stand and what to do. I didn’t know at the time that I was also practicing as a director.

After being heavily involved in my high school theatre program, I went on to pursue a BA in Theatre at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. I decided during my freshman year that I wanted to do a PhD in theatre, because of a history/theory of theatre class I took my very first semester with a professor named Dr. Bob Hubbard. That class and professor changed the course of my life and career. I graduated four years later in 2023 with a full-ride to immediately start a PhD in Theatre and Drama at Northwestern University in the fall of 2023. I am currently in my 2nd year researching Native American theatre and dramaturgy. In addition to my scholarly work, I am a freelance playwright, dramaturg, director, and actor. I am the Literary Associate at Native Voices Theater in Los Angelos, where I am in charge of organizing the scripts, playwrights, and dramaturgs for our new play development programs. I recently started a dramaturgy mentorship program at Native Voices for other Native American dramaturgs to work alongside a professional Native dramaturg as they learn and grow their craft.

In terms of what I am the most proud of, I would say how many people I have had the chance to meet and work with during my short career. I am proud to be in community with the people I occupy space with, because there are wonderful artists in this industry who inspire me and impact my work. I have been very fortunate to have excellent mentors both in theatre and academia who have made me the way I am today. Every play/person I work with affects me in some way, and like a good and hearty soup, the more experience I get the more flavors I am able to add into the next project.

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

Go see theatre! Especially post-pandemic shut down, getting out and supporting the theatre industry with your presence is more important than ever. Even if you aren’t familiar with the show, getting out there and experiencing the creative culture of wherever you live is vital. If you are like me and grew up in a small town, support school arts programs and community projects! “Good” theatre is not limited to big cities. There are gifted people everywhere, and theatre is powerful no matter where it is being held.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew earlier that I didn’t have to be afraid of asking for help from people higher up in my field. I always thought I was annoying when I would ask someone to mentor me/assist me in a project. I thought someone was inaccessible if they are well-known. I quickly learned that this is not true! People usually want to help early career artists, because they were once starting out just like I am. It never hurts to ask, people are just people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sierrarosetta.com
• Instagram: @sierra.rosetta

Image Credits

Justin Barben