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Quills & Queues: Peets finds fulfillment on the stage Grace Peets photo by Jake Hastings Thursday Oct 13, 2016 at 11:53 AM Oct 13, 2016 at 11:54 AM Jeffrey Gillespie Grace Peets is part of a new group of young actors who are taking the Rogue Valley by storm. I caught up with her in between various engagements at Camelot Theatre and Ashland Contemporary Theatre to talk about the joys and challenges of being an emerging artist in Southern Oregon. JG: Grace, thanks for visiting with us. You've been in numerous productions at Camelot and recently with ACT in Livia Genise's presentation of "Chess." Tell us a little bit about your best and most challenging experiences in the theater? GP: Theater has always been an outlet for me to express myself creatively and connect with others, as well as myself. The things I love most about performing is the chance to disconnect from the world around us, and be transported into something entirely different in which we create. It is the chance to try out different personas and express our deepest vulnerabilities in a safe space with others whom we connect with, which is truly a special thing. Each performance is special because so much thought, feeling, time and effort go into making something special for all who come to see it. To be able to take the audience to a different place in their hearts, too; make them feel something real and forget about their worries for a night while they sit and laugh, cry, feel something. I love doing that for people. It can be challenging to put yourself out there and perform for people because sometimes you question yourself. But ultimately it pays off. People appreciate the efforts you put forward, and a lot of the time come away from a performance with gratitude and enjoyment. It makes me feel fulfilled to be able to put something out there that is good and positive. Humanity can do beautiful things, and it’s important to remember that we have that power and to do that for others. JG: How did you end up in the theater in the Rogue Valley? Who were some of your mentors and what specifically made you fall in love with performance? GP: I began at the Camelot Conservatory at age 15. I had never dabbled in theater before this, and found a strong connection with theater during this time and was encouraged to pursue it. I’ve had amazing mentors, specifically Renee Hewitt, Laura Derocher, Rebecca Campbell and Livia Genise. They encouraged me and I continued to study music classically in high school and competed classically for a few years. I loved the challenging aspects of studying opera, and continued my training at SOU in the vocal department. The theory teachers and vocal coaches at SOU were also super encouraging. What made me fall in love with performing was discovering the chance to able to free yourself onstage in safe place, and to be able to make something beautiful that ultimately comes from inside of you. It is the ultimate form of self-expression. No matter what emotion you’re feeling on a given day, you can express that through music and connect with so many people through this, to also help them feel something, too. Plus, it is amazingly fun to dress up in beautiful costumes and do silly, sometimes ridiculous things onstage with your friends. And to sing beautiful music and songs. Just a blast and so thankful I get to experience this in my life. JG: What are the unique challenges for you as a young artist in this part of the world? What would you like to see from audiences and art patrons to support young artists in the Valley? GP: I have found that there is a lack of support for arts in schools. I believe exposing children to arts early on is crucial, because it teaches self-expression and connection, which are so important for ourselves. Drama classes are being cut, funding for the arts is hard to find at times, and it sometimes feels like we have to fight to keep the arts in schools alive. I would love to see the arts more widely accepted and supported in the academic world and give young people the chance to experience something amazing. If it weren’t for my exposure to the arts, I would feel like a different person. I can only imagine what it could do for others as well. Performing has so many amazing aspects to it, although there are some challenges as well. Personally, it can be daunting to not feel discouraged at times while creating something to show to others. Because art is subjective, sometimes you worry whether the majority of the people will like and accept what you have to show them. Ultimately expressing the most genuine form of yourself is usually key, although that can be scary as well. Creating a support system and surrounding yourself with amazing people who will love and support you no matter what is so important, and that goes for your acting friends onstage as well. Building that trust between onstage relationships is so important. As an audience member, it’s important to remember this and support the individual efforts of the artist, no matter what talent level or age. JG: How do you support your art and what are your other passions? GP: Supporting the arts is so important! Going to see shows that friends and family are in, donating when you can, giving words of encouragement and promoting shows and individual artists are all ways to support. Aside from performing and theater, I love to write my own music and lyrics, as well as poetry. I find inspiration from other artists and musicians which sparks something inside of me and inspires me to try and create something too which I can share. It’s like a treasure hunt for the perfect inspiration. Food, friends and family, kids, nature, photography and makeup/styling are also passions of mine! Ashland resident Jeffrey Gillespie is a Daily Tidings columnist, arts reviewer and freelance writer. Email him at [email protected]