Director's Note

“To be truly radical is to make hope possible, not despair convincing.” -Raymond Williams

Here you are, at a theatre performance, thinking that this is the whole point. Here we are, where we intended to arrive all along! Alas, you missed it. (The real work, that is.) The miraculous happened just weeks ago, in this very room. Now, we bear witness. 

Together, in this theater, we shared our stories. We grappled with some of our most vulnerable questions. Cast members confided things previously unspoken. Hearts cracked open, little by little. And with each courageous action, a community was born- one built on redemption, embodiment, and aspirational wholeness. I want to be whole and I want wholeness for you too. But, how?

Oh, yes, and we did make a show. Our script leans on humor and play to invite you into our lived experiences. In our devising work, we embraced the words of poet Toi Derricotte: “Joy is an act of resistance.” We laughed a lot, every day. It buoyed us, kept us from sinking irretrievably to the depths, and brought us back up for air. We hope it provides you deep breathes between the questions and stories too, and perhaps even builds a bridge between your own experiences and ours. 

Thank you for joining this conversation, for partaking of This is My Body.

— Kimberly

Creative Teams Bios

Kimberly LaCroix (Director)
Kimberly has directed musical casts of 75 people, devised new works exploring themes from adolescence to modern sex slavery, and performed her one-woman show, Mzungu Memoirs, for eight years. Her work is rooted in community development, social activism, and the liberatory action of Theatre of the Oppressed. Her recent directing credits include Gordon’s productions of Little Women (2023), The Fantasticks (2023) and Antigone (2019). Kimberly also serves on the nonprofit boards of Wiffletree Works, Inc. and History Alive, Inc. Yet, her most inspired work is alongside her husband, Jacob, as they raise Alice, Margot, Teddy, and Arden together on their homestead, Steady Acre Farm.

Jill Rogati (Design & Direction)
Jill, ’07 Gordon alumni, is a mover and a shaker in the literal sense that she received her master's degree in physical theatre (more formally an MFA in Lecoq-based, Actor-Created, Physical Theatre from LISPA in conjunction with Naropa University, but my goodness that’s a mouthful). As a college adjunct professor and director, she teaches actors how to move and how to move their audience. Most recently she directed the Miser, Men on Boats, and was the movement director for Godspell. Outside of academia she works art department on film sets, consumes and critiques movies with her spouse, and creates plays with her theatre company Soap & Rope. Her most recent show (for babies!) went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in ’23 and had a sold out run! Directing Our Town has been a beautiful challenge and has required Jill to reach deep in to the coffers of her movement training to dig out those dusty mime skills. 

Jess Algard (Technical Director, Production Manager, Lighting Designer)
Jessica is thrilled to be in her sixth year as the Technical Director and Production Manager! Along with this position, she has recently designed the sets for The Tempest, The Fantasticks, and Little Women. As well, she directed Hitler’s Tasters for the Gordon Fringe Festival. Previously she has worked as the TD for Gloucester Stage Company, Master Carpenter at Jean’s Playhouse, Production Manager at Fresh Ink Theatre and designed an escape room at Stained Hourglass Escapes in Salem! She was also the Boston Troupe Director for American Immersion Theatre, directing and performing  interactive mysteries across New England. She is thankful for her husband and parents for being ever-supportive and endlessly loving!

The Gordon College Theatre Arts program is thrilled to share that The Princeton Review recently named Gordon in its top 20 Best College Theater list, based on the rankings of fellow students. We share this honor with all of you who made these productions possible by your participation and attendance. Thank you! Read more about it in The Bell Article here→

Gordon Theatre Mission Statement

Everyone tells stories to understand and to be understood, to reflect, praise and question. Theatre uniquely develops empathy and community by embodying diverse stories. Gordon Theatre approaches learning holistically, helping students discover new passions and cultivate skills that benefit all aspects of life. Whether onstage, backstage or in the classroom, our students thrive in an environment defined by collaberation and curiosity. Graduate with the courage to explore and experiment and the ability to flourish as an artist and Christian. 

A Christian Perspective on the Performings Arts 

As a Christian liberal arts college, Gordon College is committed to producing a wide variety of plays that assess the human condition, raise moral questions and acquaint students with the history of theatre. The words and views expressed in the plays do not necessarily represent the positions or opinions of Gordon College, its faculty, staff, or student body. They are, however, carefully vetted for their power to engage the imagination, challenge assumptions, reflect culture, encourage dialogue, raise questions, and affirm truth.

About the Margaret Jensen Theatre 

The Margaret Jensen Theatre, affectionately known as The Black Box, was designed by Iain Mackintosh, one of the world’s preeminent designers of theatres. Some of his notable theatre designs are The Cottesloe Theatre for The Royal National  Theatre of Great Britain, The Tina Packer Theatre for Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Massachusetts, and the Tricycle Theatre in London. He has remodeled many other theatres, including The Edinburgh Festival Theatre and London’s Royal Court  Theatre. He is a graduate of Worcester College, Oxford, and is the author of Architecture, Actor and Audience.

Interested in Supporting the Arts?

Thank you for coming to see This Is My Body. We are grateful for your support. If you would like to further support the Theatre Arts program here at Gordon, please visit www.gordon.edu/giving to make a gift.