Meet Trudy Bruner, Director of Anne of Green Gables!

When did you decide to become a director and why?

My Mom read to us when we were young children and it’s from her I learned to love stories and storytelling; once I started reading I literally never wanted to put my book down—I read all the time.  One evening when I was a freshman at Georgia Southern College I literally wandered into what I thought was the empty theater building.  When I heard voices coming from the auditorium I took the staircase to the balcony and secretly watched a rehearsal of Death of a Salesman.  The idea that you could put stories on a stage and share them with everyone in the same room at the same time was a revelation to me and from that moment I have been in love with theatre.

What kind of education prepared you for this career?

I went on to earn a Master’s of Fine Arts in Acting/Directing from University of Georgia and kept trying to learn and experience everything I could about the art form.  Along with teaching and working some in professional theatre, much of what I learned came from volunteering in community theatres in Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.

What is your favorite part about directing Anne of Green Gables?

My favorite part of directing Anne of Green Gables is the people here at Orlando REP.  The production team and the cast are talented, generous, collaborative and a joy to work with.  Decades ago I spent a lot of time at the Civic Theatre of Central Florida where I acted, directed and was on staff as Director of Theatre for Young People.  Now Orlando Family Stage is one of the leading Theatre for Young Audiences companies in the country and the welcome I’ve received from everyone who works here has made me feel like I’m back home again.

What are three words you would use to describe the production?

  • Delightful
  • Imaginative
  • Relevant

Who is your ‘bosom friend’? 

If I have to name just one—my daughter, Emily Bruner.

 

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Anne of Green Gables has public performances February 1- 23, 2020. Visit the event webpage for tickets!

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