Fast Forward Friday with Ludovica Villar-Hauser

For this week’s Fast Forward Friday, we interviewed theater director-artistic director-dramaturg Ludovica Villar-Hauser. Ludovica has directed a wide range of plays on diverse topics, most recently She Calls Me Firefly, which just completed a run at the SoHo Playhouse. Alongside her directorial career, Ludovica is founder and artistic director of Parity Productions. She is a recipient of NYWA’s Galaxy Award, and has served on the Board of the League of Professional Theatre Women since 2009. To learn more, visit www.parityproductions.org

Q: What are you currently working on? Tell us about it.

I recently directed the world premiere of Teresa Lotz’s She Calls Me Firefly. My company, Parity Productions, has been developing this play for the past few years with New Perspectives Theatre Company and we are thrilled that we had our world premiere at SoHo Playhouse.

Q: What was the inspiration and impetus for doing this project?

When I first read the play, I was struck by how an emerging playwright could have such an extraordinary understanding of the human condition. She Calls Me Firefly speaks innately to how we can be hurt, live through it and — despite copious scars — learn the importance of positive and unconditional love. In short, despite bad odds, we can become better. The subject matter is entirely relevant on many different levels — it delves deeply into the culture of sexual abuse and the generational effects that ignorance and silence can have on a family. In addition, Teresa Lotz takes on a dynamic model of non-linear storytelling, which is thrilling. For subject matter that would often be portrayed in a dark manner, it is ultimately a story that is filled with ingenuity, humor, light, and, most importantly, hope for all its characters.

Q: What keeps you motivated and inspired as an artist?

It’s something that I can’t put into words. It really just lives inside.

Q: What other projects would you like to tell us about?

We are currently developing Melisa Annis’s Charlie’s Waiting, which is one of our 2017 Annual Parity Commission winning plays. Melisa has been working through rewrites and we just recently had a closed reading that received wonderful feedback. Here is the description of the play:

The night before their wedding, Louise is busy with all the planning while her fiancée Kelly busies herself feeding the goats. Everything is blissfully exciting until a friend from Kelly’s past shows up with an unexpected wedding present and threatens to derail Louise’s hopes for the future she so carefully planned.

Q: What is one instance of knowing you are living in your vision?

When I start dreaming about projects.

Q: If there were no barriers to entry, what is one thing you would be doing?

I would definitely be directing most of the time.

Q: What has been big your biggest obstacle in achieving your vision?

Myself — An innate lack of confidence. But it is changing as I get older.

Q: What do you do to stay connected to your creative self?

Meditation — though not enough of it! I enjoy seeing other work. And developing new work.

Q: If you could let go of something that has held you back, what would it be?

The producing side of things.

Q: What is your favorite piece of art?

Anything by Sylvia Sleigh. Parity received an endowment of her work a few years ago. Her art is particularly inspiring to me because it equalized men and women, and reversed stereotypical artistic themes by featuring nude men in poses that were traditionally associated with women.

Q: What person do you most admire, living or dead?

I admire many. Nelson Mandela. Gloria Steinem.

Q: If you could be known and celebrated for one thing, what would it be?

Directing and Advocacy. Sorry that’s two things, but for me they’re so intimately and necessarily connected.

Q: If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?Tireless.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?

Chocolates. And massages.

Q: If you could sit down with yourself 15 years ago, what would you say?

Let go of everything that doesn’t serve you and focus on what you really want and what makes you happy. 

Q: Where would you most like to live?

NYC and London.

Q: What is your idea of success?

Happiness.

Q: What is your idea of happiness?

Directing!