Ellen Mimi Schlecht

Mimi is a multi-hyphenate #wasian theatre artist from Delaware, currently living in Brooklyn! Throughout her life, she has been drawn to theatre as a form of community building. Her artistry is rooted in a deep commitment to collaboration, experimentation, and love. Recently, she has assistant directed Tisch Drama Stage’s production of “RENT”, which highlighted the protest themes within the musical and further explored the Tompkins Square Riots. She also performed in the Verbatim Performance Lab’s “that’s not supposed to be happening”, exploring the struggles and evils of NYC housing. Currently, her fascination lies in the exploration of whether or not art can ever truly be non-political and how art and arts administration can play a role in policy-making and community. Her favorite form of theatre is documentary theatre, but she also loves a classic golden age musical (especially when they are revamped to speak to our current political climate). Mimi loves listening to music, going to museums, and appreciating the many forms of art that naturally exist within the landscape of New York City. Additionally, she has served as a social media intern for the non-profit She Should Run and social media manager for Delaware gubernatorial candidate Matt Meyer. She loves performing, directing, writing, and producing. She hopes to one day release her own music and publish a book. But, her favorite role has always been being an older sister. “Love the art in you, not you in the art.”

www.ellenmimi.com

What drew you to the M.A. in Arts Politics:

Initially I was drawn to the Arts Politics program to continue to explore the relationship between my artistry and the larger community. Additionally, how I can be a resource to uplift underrepresented artists. I believe that this program will help me cultivate my engagement with politically current and socially engaged theatre and performance with a committed group of individuals, allowing me to find where my art sits in both the local and global community.