TESTIMONIALS
from actors
“I have always admired Rebecca’s directorial instincts - her work is visually engaging, dynamic, and full of rich textures. But where she really shines is as a leader and a co-creator. Time and time again I have watched Rebecca inspire others (actors, designers) to do their best work and then better. I think she inspires such commitment from her people because she commits so wholeheartedly herself. In doing so, she earns our trust very quickly - we trust her vision, we trust her honesty, and we trust her to take care of us. The work that takes place in such a room is wonderful to be a part of. ”
Kaylyn as Masha in Three Sisters at Columbia University in 2019. Photo by Monica Giordano.
Mike as Vershinin in Three Sisters at Columbia University in 209. Photo by Monica Giordano.
Mike as Vershinin and Kaylyn as Masha in Three Sisters at Columbia University in 2019. Photo by Monica Giordano.
“Rebecca is a genuinely collaborative director. She invites, coaxes, and inspires the best from everyone in the room, and creates the show from those contributions. It was a genuine pleasure to be a part of that kind of process and to witness Rebecca’s mind at work.”
“Working on Three Sisters under Rebecca’s directorship was an artistic oasis that I treasured and hope to once again return. She was a generous listener and so open to receive what it was that I brought to my role without forcing upon me some preconception or derivative archetype. She granted me the time and patience to explore the text and my character in my own body and voice but was always ready with an INCREDIBLE reservoir of research and inspiration to freshly fuel a scene or moment that was giving me difficulty. Whether the scene called for intense drama or joyous levity, Rebecca was encouraging and able to give structure to the work so that I could find strength in truth and story-telling throughout rehearsal and performance. Through her immense knowledge of technique and artistic instinct, she developed a process that was safe and freed me from the trap of being too in my head when working on a well-known text. If you’ve got material of any nature, get at her - now! She’s got the stuff to dig and build together. Cannot endorse highly enough.”
David as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice at Columbia University in 2020. Photo by Monica Giordano.
Shari as Mrs. Givings in In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) at The Footlight Club in 2018.
“Rebecca’s a skilled director and collaborator, and working with her has been one of the most fruitful collaborations of my career. She shepherded a project of mine from its conceptualization through development, revision, experimentation, all the way through production, and I couldn’t imagine doing it without her expertise to lean on. I’d encourage any opportunity to collaborate with her at any step of the creative process; from audition prep through text analysis, brainstorming sessions through final fine-tuning, her perspective was an invaluable asset to have at my side. www.tylerravelson.com”
Emily as Irina in Three Sisters at Columbia University in 2019. Photo by Monica Giordano.
“I have grown tremendously as a performer in the time I’ve spent working with Rebecca. She takes such care to make sure everyone feels safe and valued, while at the same time encouraging them to take creative risks and make exciting discoveries. She’s an incredibly generous collaborator and knows how to build on what artists bring to the table as individuals. She has a real talent for bringing out the best in people and showcasing what makes each of us unique. Being a part of her process is a rewarding and enriching experience that is not to be missed.”
Maria playing bandura in the chorus of The Bacchae at Columbia University, December 2018.
“Rebecca is a sensitive, collaborative, and astute director, open to many methods of working and easy to communicate with. She brought a sense of musicality to the text and to overall pacing which was informative for me as an actor. When it came to intimate moments (of which there were many in this production), she created a safe space in which to explore and discover. If you’re looking for intelligent critique, intuitive exploration, and a decisive eye, work with Rebecca!”
Tyler as Lancelot Gobbo (and others) in The Merchant of Venice at Columbia University in 2020. Photo by Monica Giordano.
“Rebecca’s vision, decision-making, and ability to communicate with actors are remarkable. She grew my performance into something phenomenal with deftness and compassion. Rebecca is an immensely talented director. Working with her is is precisely the kind of joy and challenge I seek as an actor!”
Trysten in Massenet’s Cendrillon with Opera del West at the Boston Center for the Arts in 2019.
“It is always a pleasure to work with Rebecca — not only because of her incredible artistic vision but because she inspires confidence and risk-taking by creating a safe space that brings out people’s unique voices. She never misses a beat, seamlessly helping you find the truth of the moment while contextualizing your performance physically, musically, spatially, textually, and most importantly, how your performance fits into the world in which it will be presented. “Why now?” is a question Rebecca always answers to encourage the urgency and relevance of your artistic work. I highly recommend working with her!
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from singers
“When it comes to directing for singers, Rebecca has a full understanding of the task at hand. Her instinct for story-telling leads the way, but you always feel a sense of flexibility and are given permission to play. As a collaborative director, Rebecca will do the work to help you attain a full picture of the world you’re inhabiting together as well as inspire you to delve into the very core of your character and their needs. Also, she is a true joy of a human! I would highly recommend working with Rebecca to any performer and can’t wait for my own next opportunity.”
JoAnna as Le Prince Charmant in Cendrillon with Opera del West at the Boston Center for the Arts in 2019.
JoAnna as Le Prince Charmant in Cendrillon with Opera del West at the Boston Center for the Arts in 2019.
“Rebecca is a strong leader with an incredible talent for storytelling. Her ideas are fresh and innovative, and her ability to pull together a room of actors is uncanny. From day one in our process for Cendrillon, she built a trusting and loving community. It made taking risks and being vulnerable so easy, and imbued us all with a sense of resiliency in the face of challenges.
Rebecca’s insights and guidance were invaluable to my growth as a singing-actor. I left the experience more confident in my ability to explore, discover, play, and make bold choices. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her and look forward to any opportunity to work with her again!”
Jenn as Donna Elvira in NEMPAC Opera Projects production of Don Giovanni in Faneuil Hall’s Great Hall in 2018.
“Rebecca Miller Kratzer is a fabulous director. There have been few times in my performance career where I have truly clicked with an opera director and one of those times was when I had the pleasure of working with Rebecca. We worked together when she cast me as the role of Prince Charmant in Opera del West’s production of Cendrillon in Boston, MA. She is an incredible listener and shows great empathy for artists, which makes her a fantastic director and leader in my opinion. She has incredible vision and a true knack for storytelling that she executes superbly due to her being highly organized and effectively communicative. Having worked with her mentor, Anne Bogart, in Boston Lyric Opera’s critically acclaimed production of The Handmaid’s Tale I see Rebecca as a true prodigy of her style of directing and it is very exciting. I hope that I have the opportunity to work with Rebecca again in the future – Rebecca Miller Kratzer is a name to watch!”
Jessica as Le Prince Charmant in Cendrillon with Opera del West at the Boston Center for the Arts in 2019.
from directors, producers, and dramaturgs
“Rebecca’s guidance was instrumental to the preproduction process of my most recent production. Together, we discussed concepts and worked through text. She is nurturing and encouraging, asks important questions and offers wonderful ideas to support your vision. I gained enormous confidence in my preparation process and owe much of that to her expertise. I highly recommend every young director work with Rebecca!”
“Rebecca is a true mentor. She is somehow simultaneously incredibly emotionally intuitive, nurturing, and patient, while being a firm, rigorous, and motivational in inspiring those she works with to stretch their imagination, ability, capacity to be the best thinkers, creators, artists, etc. they can be. She certainly has done that for me, and I would not be where I am in my career without her mentorship.
Rebecca knows storytelling, and more importantly, she knows how to articulate vision as a storyteller. Working as her assistant director for many years, I came to learn the most from Rebecca by watching her work. She is the true embodiment of practicing what she preaches, modeling best practices and demonstrating a true, secure sense of self. Her methods of teaching come from her own lived experiences as a successful, innovative director with a sheer fortitude in her own practice.
Rebecca is an excellent, focused, dramaturgical thinker. She is always working to clarify and unpack complex issues and ideas; this dedication toward precision and clarity is represented in all aspects of her life, from her stagings to her work as an administrator and organizer, to even her fabulous, crisp sense of personal style!”
“Rebecca is one of the most talented directors I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Her thoughtfulness, instincts, and structure will help to advance the skills of any young actor. I’ve seen first hand the impact she can have on a single actor within a one-hour rehearsal period, the improvements were incredible. Rebecca is not just a good coach, but she is deeply compassionate and cares about both the work and the growth of everyone she works with. I highly recommend Rebecca as a coach for anyone looking to hone their skills, grow, and improve.”
“Rebecca is one of the most attuned, supportive, and impressive directors I have ever worked with, both as a performer and member of her team. Watching her work in the room is so exciting, because she has an amazing power of intuition that helps each actor feel valued and pushed to the best of their abilities. She understands that individuals work in different ways, and is able to immediately make each person feel comfortable and communicated with such that she is able to help them go beyond what they might think their potential is. Her artistic vision is always remarkably creative and unique, and working with her is joyful and inspiring. Anyone who works with her will come out a better performer and theater-maker, always. ”
“I produced a play that Rebecca directed during a time where I was preparing to direct my first play, and I asked her if she minded if I observed her throughout the entire process as I felt watching various directors’ work would be a great learning tool for me. Rebecca enthusiastically agreed and was very encouraging. From the very first auditions, through production meetings, rehearsals and the run of the play, I was constantly learning, both by observation, and as Rebecca would talk to me about her process, or ask my thoughts. One of the most valuable things I learned from Rebecca was how to direct a monologue, which served me incredibly well as the first play I directed featured several. Her manner in working with the actors, both accomplished or those in need of some extra support was always so professional and supportive. She had a very clear vision and knew what she wanted to see, but was very open to other viewpoints from actors, or her crew that it truly was a collaborative process led by a strong leader.
I have worked with many directors, with a wide range of styles and proficiencies, and I learn something from each one, but the mentoring I received from Rebecca was invaluable, and definitively shaped for the better, the director I have become.”