Maria: “A teacher of mine who found out I had the ability to perform in 4th grade. I had a friend who was very musical herself who told me about an audition for a musical and encouraged me to audition. To my surprise, I happened to get the lead role in this small production. I played Mother Nature and the other children were animals. I acted and sang a few songs, one of which was a piece that was sort of the theme of the show, where I explained how the world was created and why. My parents came to see me perform and were flabbergasted; they had no idea I had this ability. I enjoyed that experience so much that I started doing more things, getting more solos, getting acting work, etc. Along the way, I had many teachers that were influential, seeing and pointing out my talents and championing those talents telling me “You can do this. You have the ability”.”

Maria: “For me it’s hard because I love the stage, but I also enjoy many mediums for different reasons. Recently, singing has been my favorite. When I’m singing for God- whether it’s a song I’ve written or not- I feel fully alive and like I’m fully being used. My abilities are being transformed and used on a spiritual plane. I love being the conduit that God is working through, especially in live performance because it’s immediate and the feedback from the audience is as well. I also love directing, even though it’s really difficult at times. I feel like I’m able to be that teacher who inspired me when I was young.”

Maria: “After having a deeper conversion in my life when I was thirty, it was very clear that the Lord was bringing me and directing me to things that were faith-based. I wasn’t searching for it. It was just there. It’s where I was spending my time, that’s where my heart was and I was seeking relationships where I could talk about God more with those I worked with. Doors kept opening and I was eventually led into a faith-based company. Anything I’m going to work on will have a faith element, whether it’s obvious in the script or not.”

“As far as the creative process, as long as my prayer life is at the center of everything I’m doing, I trust that the Holy Spirit will guide me and is working through me in those moments. I believe all creativity comes from the Holy Spirit.”

Maria: “I was hired to direct a play in Los Angeles for the G.K. Chesterton Theater Company. Their focus was on telling stories of people who were on their way to becoming saints or who have lived lives of heroic virtue. I started with directing the play and then they asked me to come on as the Artistic Director. I did that for a few years, then had gotten hired by another company to play St. Faustina for 4 years in a play. After that, I was exhausted (in a beautiful way) and took some time off to rest. When I felt called back, I asked the founder of the theater company if I could take over the company as the founder was older and not able to continue in his role. I had started to produce plays again with the company, Jonathan Roumie and I did a Passion play together (which is a film on our website), then COVID hit. We were about to do our second year of The Passion play and it was closed down. I pivoted and created short films on the lives of the saints. I’m the President of the company and have had volunteers and help come and go as the needs of the company have changed. I will always gladly connect with someone who wants to be on mission with me through the company and its use of performing arts to bring the Gospel to life.”

Maria: “A husband and wife that I know are friends with ValLimar Jansen (who plays Sr. Thea Bowman in the show). She comes to St. Louis periodically for a group she meets with and they- as a team- were determined to bring this show to St. Louis. The couple that ValLimar and I know introduced us to each other, suggesting that I produce the play. I watched a video of the show and prayed about whether or not the Lord was calling me to be involved. While waiting for an answer, I ran into a few people who had spoken with me about Sr. Thea when- up to that point- I hadn’t known much about her. I had said, “Ok, God, I see what you’re doing” and joyfully got involved with the show and agreed to produce it.”

“Another reason why I wanted to be involved is because my husband and I are parishioners at a predominately African-American parish. Being asked to be a part of this play goes hand-in-hand in some ways with my family’s parish life and involvement at our parish, St. Peter Claiver. I love the worship we’re doing at our parish. When hearing Sr. Thea’s address to the USCCB bishops near the end of her life, she says “bring your full selves to worship”. I turned to my husband and said “that’s what I love about our parish”. When we sing in the choir, we’re singing, moving, bringing our whole self to the worship of God and feeling alive in my worship there.”

Maria: “Two things: Realising the talents that we have are gifts from God. In the context of auditions, for example, if I could have more deeply understood at a younger age that what I have been given isn’t mine but is meant to be given away then I think that would have given me some kind of peace and I may have stopped putting so much pressure on myself. Secondly, with great gifts comes great responsibility. I think we have to be mindful of the things we choose to do and the parts we decide to play, not only for the sake of our own souls but also how they are going to affect the audiences that view it. It can be very difficult to make it in this business financially, but don’t let desperation lead you into compromising situations.”