We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elijah Schreiner . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elijah below.
Elijah , so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
I think that often, we dont take the time to think about what other people are going though – sonder right. The knowledge that everyone around you isn’t a “NPC” they have a life just as rich and complex as your own. For me growing up my life certainly wasn’t as bad as others, but I had my share of things that weren’t great. I struggled with my identity from a young age. During play I was always a boy – I wanted a boys name, I wanted to wake up from the nightmare that was my body. I got involved in theater when I was around 10 – and I found that I could “pretend” to be a boy without any questions that was the role I was cast in.
Theater became my safe space where I could be myself. My first nickname in that community “Spot” totally gender neutral and liberating.
So though that safety I think I was able to realize that while not everyone around me had the same struggle – they certainly had their struggle and so were all in the same boat at the end of the day.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Currently I am the Assistant Principal of Technical Theater at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. I am a freelance Lighting Designer on the side (and sometimes at school). I love getting to work with the next generation of theater artists, their excitement and curiosity keeps me engaged in the work, and certainly keeps me on my toes. My work in school is like a bit of a life hack – we’re doing theater, but I have a steady pay check – and I get to work with these kids and create a safe space for them as they need it. Theater was there for me as I was growing up and finding myself and I love that I get to be there for others.
Having said that… I love lighting just as much and am starting to branch out to design more, developing my portfolio more, do more outside art and theater making.
Contact Info:
- Website: Elijahjschreiner.com
Image Credits
Daniel Radar, Matthew Septimus
