Meet Arianna Rose | Theatre Writer & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arianna Rose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arianna, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Perseverance and continued application of my craft/learning about my craft. I am a playwright and musical theatre writer, a theatre and music educator, and a visual artist. In each discipline, it’s important to learn everything you can about it, by listening, reading and practicing, and staying up-to-date on current trends; to ensure you are producing work at the highest level of craft, and then learn and implement marketing tools to get your work out into the world. This all takes times, perseverance, the ability to have perspective about your work and to not take rejection personally.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from many is my sheer versatility as a creative. I have been writing songs, musicals and plays of all lengths for many years, and now also work as a dramaturg, assisting others with their theatrical pieces. I’ve also worked for many years as a theatre director and vocal coach. I had a successful career as a theatre and cabaret artist in NYC for many years till moving till Florida. I hold a BA in theatre from Bucknell University and an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. I have taught music, theatre and writing to students from age 4 through seniors in four different states. I’ve successfully coached students in theatre and music into the performing arts schools of their choice in NY and FL. I am currently in my fifth year as an adjunct theatre professor at Broward College and this year was awarded Professor of the Year. I’m a certified Music Improvisation Instructor through Music for People, Inc., and for several years was the chairperson of their Musicianship & Leadership Program. As an arts administrator, I put together and ran many weekend and weeklong workshops for Music for People, as well as arts administration/conference staff positions with The Russian Tea Room Cabaret Room, the Omega Institute for Holistic Arts, Raw Spirit Festival Inc., and the Dramatists Guild of America, Inc. I’m currently going into my third year as the South Florida Ambassador for the Dramatists Guild, assisting our local playwrights. I’m also a certified Raw Vegan Chef and Instructor, and for several years ran a raw food café and monthly potlucks in Long Island, NY. As a visual artist (mixed media, photography, dollhouses, mosaics) my work has been in juried art shows in NY, PA and FL and I’ve taught art classes to children. I’m currently an Affiliate Artist with the Arts Warehouse in Delray Beach, Florida. I’m most proud of my published short play FAMILY BY NUMBERS, as it’s about the life and death of my nephew Zachary. It’s had over 20 productions around the world to date. I love that it keeps Zach’s memory alive and helps others who are dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Whether it’s art, music, theatre, or healthy food, I love assisting others in accessing their creativity and giving them the tools to achieve their dreams.
As a creative, there have been many challenges throughout the years, both financially and dealing with my own procrastination or too much multi-tasking! Balance is key. Keeping myself centered through swimming, bike riding, yoga and walks on the beach is key.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Museums: The Norton, Morikami Museum and Gardens, Boca Museum of Art. MOCA down in Miami Shores. Places to see: anywhere in the Keys! The Deering Estate, Virginia Key, the Monastery in Miami Shores.
Restaurants: all the awesome vegan and vegetarian restaurants in South Florida. A few favorites are Pause-itively Vegan in Deerfield Beach, Darbsters, Planta, Holi Vegan Kitchen in Mimo, Full Bloom, Veg Eats, Christopher’s Kitchen, Parlour Vegan Bakery, Inika Foods.
Beaches: all of them! I’m partial to North Beach of Miami Beach as I lived there for five years, as well as Delray Beach, Hollywood Beach, South Pier Miami Beach, The Keys.
Theatre: Theatrelab @ FAU, Adrienne Arscht Center for the Performing Arts, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Kravis Center, Miami New Drama, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Sandrell Rivers Theatre Miami (Fantasy Theatre Factory) Slow Burn Theatre Co.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
4 years ago I started a playwrights group in South Florida, called Miami New Musicals/Plays on Purpose. We are now beginning our fifth year, and it has expanded to two weekly groups with two different moderators that meet via zoom in the evenings. The playwrights and musical theatre writers that attend the sessions have seen great success as they work on their plays and musicals based on the feedback they receive from the group. The accountability of showing up weekly, whether or not you have work to present that week, has made us close friends and also artists who trust the feedback they are receiving. I credit this group with honing my skills as a theatre writer and as a dramaturg. I also want to give a shout-out to The Dramatists Guild of America, Inc. I am their South Florida ambassador. Marj O-Neill Butler, a Miami resident, is the Representative for the entire state. Together and separately we have put together many seminars for our Dramatists Guild members in Florida, and have learned a great deal about our craft and marketing of our craft and our rights as theatre writers.
Lastly, I want to give a shout-out to Matt Stabile and Theatre Lab @ FAU. I’ve had the good fortune of having four of my short plays workshopped and presented in readings as part of their New Works Festival. Matt has become a mentor, dramaturg and director of my work, and a friend. He is a consummate artist and collaborator. Theatre Lab is the only theatre in South Florida solely dedicated to new theatrical works and I’m proud to be a part of their family of writers.

Website: www.ariannarose.net

Instagram: @ariannarosewritesmusicals

Twitter: @rockawayrose

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ariannarose

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXB__tD5ZBF0Yms3VUFWGBw

Other: Music: http://soundcloud.com/arianna-rose Plays: https://newplayexchange.org/users/24244/arianna-rose (for members)

Image Credits
Gabrielle Tortoledo created the poster art for the Equivalent of Sensation reading.