Meet our Make a Difference (M.A.D.) Fellows

Make a Difference > Meet our M.A.D. Fellows - Ada Chang, Dani Chaparro, Evan Favela, Linda Girón, Erolina Kamburova, Stephanie Lapides, Ann Liu

Erolina Kamburova

What’s your theatre origin story?

Joining theatre was actually my 10 year old self’s solution to having too many answers to “what would you like to be when you grow up?” I figured, if I’m an actor, I can embody every profession on my list. Little did I know that a quick and simple solution would end up becoming a passion.

What made you want to be a M.A.D. fellow? Why Shotgun Players?

I found out about the M.A.D. fellowship program while performing in Iron Shoes at Shotgun last season. I was looking for an internship between high school and college and was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. I had taken photography and journalism in high school and wanted to expand on that through graphic design. The marketing and communications fellowship seemed perfect for developing my design skills, but also getting introduced to the marketing and strategy aspect. I loved my time with Shotgun at the beginning of last year and was thrilled at the idea of coming back to its warm environment for round two: behind the scenes.

What is your favorite Shotgun play, and why?

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Erika Chong Shuch. That was the first production I saw at Shotgun, and I remember being completely immersed in every aspect of it. What stood out to me in particular was the lighting design by Allen Willner and its transportive way to the underworld. I kept leaning forward in my seat just to see if I could catch another detail.

What is one cool thing you learned or hope to learn from your fellowship?

Having predominantly been a performer, I’m looking to expand my horizons and delve into other aspects of the arts. During Iron Shoes, I was fascinated by Shotgun’s unique intimacy with their patrons and the number of people that came out to see it. I want to know how those relationships are formed and how a show is publicized and framed so that people read about it and say, “yes, I want to go to that one.”

What is the one play that you would love for Shotgun to produce?

Pericles. It left an impression on me at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2015, and I’m curious where Shotgun would take it—I already know it’s somewhere I don’t expect.

What is one thing people wouldn’t know just by looking at you?

I’ve been Balkan folk dancing since I was born.