The Deepest Breath Premieres: A Conversation with Director, Cheyenne Mesura
After years in the making/incubation process, Treehouse Shakers has brought our LGBTQIA+ programming to the forefront. This past year, we were able to add an incredible member full-time to both our administrative and our artistic team, Cheyenne Mesura. Last Summer, Cheyenne, who had previously worked as our Education Coordinator, began working again with Treehouse Shakers as the Program Director of LGBTQIA+ programming. We wanted to implement the Branching OUT school programming in-person, while also begin the artistic work on The Deepest Breath. The Deepest Breath, the play, based on the Y/A book by Meg Grehan, was an idea Cheyenne had which they approached me about 2 years ago during the pandemic. Since then, I was able to secure the rights for the book, find necessary funding, and Treehouse Shakers began the exciting journey of producing the play. This month, this beautiful and necessary piece for ages 9-13, premieres. I asked Cheyenne a few questions about the making of The Deepest Breath and the challenges. Their answers are below.
As an artist, what do you find the most valuable about working on a piece like The Deepest Breath that not only explores identity for a young person, but also anxiety?
The best part of working on the Deepest Breath was getting to create with other queer artists. The relationships I have with my cast and the choreographer, are so special and I’m grateful to have been fostering a rehearsal space that was so honest. I think the most important thing when creating is authenticity and working with actors who have shared identities and experiences to the script and also each other just help create a positive and empowering space.
Walking into the project, I wanted to make sure that my actors felt empowered with the choices that they made so that young people would also feel that same sense of empowerment by seeing the show and I think together we’ve found that by forming our own little community in rehearsal.
Why is the Deepest Breath an important show for young people to see? Why did you choose this book to create a show from?
I read this book in the pandemic and fell in love with it. It was such a beautifully written book that I immediately saw as a show. I felt so much love from this book and I wanted to share that with others. It felt so much more positive and normal to be Queer when I was reading this book than other books and movies I’ve watched. I felt that the main character’s view of themselves was so much more the focus rather than how other people responded to a character for being Queer. I believe in a future where “coming out” isn’t automatically associated with getting bullied or rejected from those you love. The first adult I came out to when I was 20 simply looked at me, smiled and said “you know who you are” and just that simple comment made me dream of a world where people aren’t scared of how others are going to respond when they share a piece of them with the world. So my goal with creating Queer theater for kids, is to help give them that response. So that through theater, they can feel like someone is walking right next to them saying, “You know who you are, and nothing about you is undeserving of love."
What do you hope young people leave with after seeing the show?
I hope that anyone who sees the show feels that they are 100% allowed to take up space and authentically be themselves in this world. I am tired of the world making LGBTQIA+ folks feel small and that they don’t belong in certain places. WE DO! We exist and we should get to live our lives with joy and without fear. I hope others in the community feel celebrated and heard when they see this show.
What has made this process stand out from other processes?
Being the director, I got the freedom to explore what I wanted the process to look like. I wanted to do things differently and work from the framework that prioritized mental health and really celebrated who each actor is as a person. I don’t believe that it’s possible to separate yourself from the art when your identity is the center of the project. I always encouraged my actors to ask questions and talk openly about what they bring into the space each day is showing up in their work. Since we worked on the project in rehearsal over 7 months, I prioritized building relationships and getting to know my actors as people and not just performers and that truly allowed for space to focus on specific moments for longer periods of time and bring out more emotion from the script.
Thank You Cheyenne for bringing this work to life!
The Deepest Breath premieres March 30-April 2, 2023
Tickets Can Be Purchased HERE
Photos by Matt Dixon (he/him)
For Ages 9-13
Treehouse Shakers' The Deepest Breath, is for ages 9-13 and their families. Based on the book by Meg Grehan, adapted/directed by Cheyenne Mesura, with choreography by Ashley Chavonne in collaboration with the performers, The Deepest Breath centers on Stevie, a young girl who LOVES to read. After realizing that there are so many things to learn about, Stevie experiences anxiety. As her anxious thoughts take over, Stevie focuses on learning about EVERY creature in the ocean in hope that she can unravel her thoughts and make sense of these new feelings. There is just one thing that Stevie can’t stop thinking about…why does she get a fizzy feeling in her stomach when she looks at her friend Chloe?
Audiences are invited to join Stevie on a bubbling, aquatic adventure of acceptance and self-love as her curiosity leads her to uncover more about the world and herself. Told through original theater and dance, The Deepest Breath is an inquisitive and honest story that welcomes young people to be brave in a world full of unknowns. Join Treehouse Shakers’ for this new premiere that celebrates LGBTQIA+ identities.
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Treehouse Shakers’ The Deepest Breath
Based on the Book by Meg Grehan
Adapted for Stage & Directed by Cheyenne Mesura
Choreography By Ashley Chavonne,
In collaboration with the Performers
Aria Publicover, Barry J. Gold, Ella Leh, Olivia St. Peter
Original Music by Martyn Axe
Costumes by Patti Gilstrap
Scenic Design by Skylar Back
Lighting by Jacob Zedak
This program is made possible, in part, by Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) project of Tides Center, public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Individual Contributions to Treehouse Shakers. This event is presented by Treehouse Shakers.
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