CURRENT MISSION

I am an artist, administrator, activist, and probably most frequently, gadfly.

I am passionate about almost everything I encounter, and I absorb the passion of others. Especially when it comes to arts, urban/social development, and social justice.

I studied theater and acting in Seattle and London before relocating to St Louis to look for America. An impulse to plunge myself in service to humanity eventually led to a major in anthropology and sociology, and my first career in social services.

Meanwhile, a series of incidents, long phone calls, evenings with artists, and a restless mind (as these things usually go) led to a career change. I've made my living in theatre and arts for the past six years, focusing on civic development and cultural vibrancy. Arts AND urban growth? Say it ain't so!

For the past four years, my journey has redirected to focus on the communal health and cultural vibrancy of my adopted hometown of St Louis, as an arts leader and a constantly learning artist focusing primarily on experimental, physical and street theater. I also work for a major documentary film festival.

I work incredibly hard, and am learning to play hard, too.

ABOUT ME

"I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.'" -Kurt Vonnegut, Timequake

Searching for the joie de vivre, and advertently pushing others along the way it seems.

I was born in Denver, raised in Seattle, have spent my adulthood so far in St Louis and will move to Toronto in the fall. I have been very lucky to see many parts of the world, and am hungry to see many more.

PHILOSOPHY

See: All About.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have surfed, have worked the network of Couch Surfers for cultural events (created opportunities), and hope to keep surfing!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've popped into a few places.

I once accidentally ended up at a Rubicks Cube Couchsurfing party and while engaging on a mission to find someone from the opposite side of the world, accidentally found the older brother of a childhood friend who grew up 600 feet away from me...on the other side of the country.

I'm not big into social media so I'm afraid I don't have a ton of contacts/references/things like that - but I am a genuine traveler and am really into what Couchsurfing is all about.

Interests

New experiences. Virtually all of them.

Intense cultural curiosity and fascinating humans.

Socially and culturally inquisitive people, who like to ferment in ideas.

Primates.

And I've recently learned to dance the Blues.

• arts
• theater
• documentaries
• acting
• festivals
• walking
• partying
• surfing
• anthropology
• communications
• sociology

Music, Movies, and Books

Waking Ned Divine and the new Cats movie.

Books by: Spiegelman, Vonnegut, Caryl Churchill, Suzan-Lori Parks, Audre Lorde, adrienne maree brown

Music by: People who break your heart with sounds, such as Pigpen Theatre Company and Sia.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

For one year I made my living as a stilt walker (extra amazing bc I'm not very good at stilt walking).

I also played string games with a little girl on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you the basics of Blues dancing, STL-style

What I Can Share with Hosts

Lots and lots and lots of conversation and rabid curiosity. And a wicked pumpkin pie.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Haiti, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Spain, United Kingdom, United States