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

Hi Connor, how do you think about risk?
Risk is a vital part of theatre-making. The ‘liveness’ of theatre is in itself a risky experience. I love it when theatre artists capitalize on the ephemerality and immediacy of the art form- at any moment something spectacular could happen, or something could fail spectacularly. I am interested in creating work where there is huge potential for failure.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a theatre-maker. Sometimes that means directing, often that means designing, and on occasion that means performing. I try to create experiences that exploit and celebrate the ‘liveness’ of theatre for all its communal possibilities. I am always interested in events that could only happen in a particular space and time with a particular group of people.
In 2019, I founded Nervous Theatre, a nomadic theatrical collective with Annabella Joy and Dylan Whelan. The three of us studied theatre together at The Boston Conservatory. Shortly after graduating the three of us were looking for a way to keep making work together, so we remounted a production which we had created in college. That first project (a touring production of Jean Genet’s The Maids) kickstarted Nervous Theatre and brought us to Bozeman, MT where our company has put down roots.
Creating a company, building audiences, and convincing venues give our non-traditional work a home has not been easy. But in keeping the focus on creating exciting, adventurous theatre, we have gained support from our community and other arts organizations who are hungry for the type of work we make.

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.
Most likely we’re going to grab coffee at Rockford or Roly-Poly Coffee Co. Then float the Madison River, or drive to Fairy Lake. Maybe hike Sacagawea Peak?
Or we’ll just hang around downtown Bozeman.
Dinner at Thai Basil of course. Plonk if we’re feeling fancy.

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?
The artists at Nervous Theatre where I serve as artistic director. I work with my best friends, who also just happen to be the most inspiring performers I’ve ever known. Our rehearsal processes at Nervous Theatre rely on devising techniques and improvisation, so the actors are constantly coming up with moments of magic in the room. I am always blown away by my collaborators and how they shape our work.

Website: connorberkompas.com

Instagram: @nervous.theatre

Other: nervoustheatre.com

Image Credits
GemDeCreme

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