Mara's Treehouse

I've been creating and shaping Treehouse Shakers for 26 years. And over these 26 years, I have written, directed or produced over 20 original shows. When I started the company with my friend/business/creative partner, Emily Bunning, theater was a man's world. Men were the directors. The majority of plays, that were the industry standards, written by men. I had been raised on the writings by men. Executive and Artistic Directors were men. Directors were men. Producers were men. Presented choreographers were primarily men. Theater felt like an uphill battle. Auditions were men behind tables. Men seemed more connected, able to network faster than I could. Oftentimes, if I was in a room full of male colleagues, they talked over me. Through me. I was the girl. Blaringly aware of my gender. When I landed one of my very first big professional NYC Acting jobs, the director, a man, left me Hershey kisses in my dressing room before the performances. Every time we were at a big celebratio...