Meet Clove Love | Multidisciplinary Theatre Artist & Educator

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

Hi Clove, what principle do you value most?
In terms of my theatrical career, I do what I do to contribute to the continuation of live theatrical performance as an art form, in addition to introducing and popularizing movement performance art and intimacy professionalism in production teams and rehearsal rooms. I do not believe theatre will survive doing what it’s always done. I strongly believe theatrical communities need to lean on bright, young, innovative minds to lead them into the future of American theatre. This includes allowing the introduction of new and necessary practices into the work of a theatre artist, including the Director and Actors. As a professional and multidisciplinary theatre artist, I aim to introduce these new concepts and practices to as many of my peers and collaborators as possible.

I also further contribute to the continuation of live theatrical performance with my work as a Theatre Educator and Teaching Artist. Introducing students and young minds to live theatre offers the chance to lengthen the life of live performance for generations to come. Continuing to bring theatrical performance into schools and academic environments proves to many disbelievers that Theatre can teach and aid in development of essential life skills that students can bring with them into the adult world. Theatre helps us explore situations and helps students establish empathy for others as they consume the story being told on stage before them. Theatre is vital to the maintaining of humanity by providing that “third space” that isn’t home or work. A place where people can go to find community, belonging, recognition, love, understanding, and I could go on. Theatre is what saved my own life when I was a young student and I hope bringing theatre to my own students will do the same.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a non-binary Multidisciplinary Theatre Artist working mostly in Denver, CO and the surrounding cities. I am also an artist that lives with both mental and physical disabilities. I work as a Director, Intimacy Director, Playwright, Stage Manager, Teaching Artist, Dramaturg, Assistant Director, House Manager, Production Coordinator, and Theatre Educator. I enjoy working in multiple different theatrical disciplines because I believe it makes me a more well-rounded artist and it also helps me stay employed frequently. If I only did one or two things, I most likely wouldn’t have the amount of gigs booked that I do today. Theatre is my passion and my work and because of that, I want as many experiences on production teams as possible. The more shows I’m a part of, the more experience I have for shows I end up directing and producing myself.

Defining who I was as an artist wasn’t easy. I had a lot of voices that weren’t my own telling me how my career should look and what steps I should take. There were people in my life who would invalidate my identities and didn’t understand that my disabilities did not make me any less capable. I had voices that were saying I wasn’t enough, or that I didn’t deserve what I had. It was hard to decipher these voices into anything meaningful to takeaway, I got lost and all these voices gave me was anxiety and isolation. It took a while to find my own voice again and truly be able to listen to myself and my needs. I’ve had to learn that if I’m hustling for worthiness (changing myself for the sake of others), that environment isn’t right for me. Especially if I am sacrificing my own health to prove something to someone else.
I’ve had to radically accept and let go of things and people that wanted different things for me and my career. But letting go was the best decision I could have made, because it allowed me space to accept all these new and exciting opportunities and meet so many wonderful and talented artists in this theatrical community that accept me for who I am and give me space to be completely myself.

As an artist, I truly hope to leave a lasting impact on my field. I hope to work in and leave my mark on multiple states. I plan to further my education, produce my own productions, and promote consent forward artistry in rehearsal spaces. I aim to be a creator of opportunities for other artists, specifically emerging artists someday. I want to be a part of the continuation of live theatrical performance as we know it….and as we don’t yet know it. I want to be a part of the push towards developing and believing in new works. I want to get the younger generations excited about coming to the theatre. I plan to be an advocate for artists boundaries and accommodations, creating safer rehearsal spaces, and confident performers. I hope to be an example to younger artists that their disability does not mean they are incapable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The first thing we’re doing is checking the local theatre scene for any productions that are happening that week. I would also consider visiting some museums/exhibits; Meow Wolf, Womens’ History Center, DAM, Museum of Illusions. To eat, some of my fav restaurants; Syrup, Steuben’s, Revival, Denver Pizza Company (SO GOOD), Difranco’s, and Curry and Grill 2. To drink, I’d bring them to Retrograde, an awesome hidden speakeasy behind the freezer door of Sweet Action Ice Cream Shop. Then we’d hit up Milk Bar over in the Golden Triangle.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many people have helped me get to where I am today. I had mentors and mentees in my undergraduate program at the University of Northern Colorado, that helped me secure funding for the productions I directed, helped me with technical elements, and gave me an ear when I needed to talk things through. Two artists, collaborators, and good friends of mine that come to mind are Megan Dille and Raya Bradeen. I truly couldn’t have done half the things I did in my undergrad program without their help, talents, and artistry.

Post-grad, I want to shout-out the Diversity in the Arts Internship (DITA) based in Denver. They helped jump-start my career and placed me with a prominent theatrical company in the community that gave me ample experience and connections in my field. It’s through DITA that I crossed paths with Jeannene Bragg and Angela Astle, two amazing directors in the Arts Organization community. They made me feel like my voice and art mattered and was needed. They gave me the motivation to keep going as a theatre and performance artist.

Finally, I must give a huge shout-out to Shifted Lens Theatre Company (SLTC), And Toto too Theatre Company, and Upstart Crow Theatre Company. They are all hosting career debuts of mine in the next few months (Directing debut of a staged reading: Sept. 20th (Shifted Lens), Playwright debut: Sept. 3rd (And Toto too), and Full Directorial debut: May 1-18 (Upstart Crow). These are smaller theatre company’s that have taken a chance on me as a young, emerging theatrical Director and Playwright. They are instrumental in my believing in my voice and talent as an artist.

Website: https://www.cloveslove.com

Instagram: @clovedirects

Twitter: @clovedirects

Image Credits
2. Toni Tresca