Taking on extracurricular activities as a full-time student proves a daunting task, but for Aleph Katz, ambition to pursue new projects comes naturally.
This fall, humanities junior Katz, a published author and playwright, will direct a production of “Be More Chill” for the University Theater Guild (UTG). The UTG will also present a production of her original play, “A Mind of My Own,” at the end of October.
In high school, Katz said her main focus beyond academics was her passion for theater and writing, which led her to become a professional in both areas. Her passion also gave way to her interest in publishing and producing her work.
“There was a point in high school where I was spending four hours a day in the library writing,” Katz said. “I just got what I needed to do done, and really (sat) down and got into these imaginary worlds.”
Katz said seeing her work on stage proves interesting as a playwright because the show changes depending on the cast and crew. For the production of her play “A Mind of My Own,” Katz said that she lets the cast and crew construe the play without her direction because she wants to see her work produced naturally.
“I’m in the vicinity pretty often because I’m directing another show, (so) whenever we’ll take breaks, I’ll stop and then I’ll watch (but) I try not to step on anyone’s toes,” Katz said. “I have fun not being involved because I get to see the final product and however they interpret it without knowing anything but the material.”
Alysha Allgood, advertising senior and UTG member, said she met Katz when the two performed a UTG production of “The Evil Dead.” Katz said Allgood teamed up with her as a co-writer as she adapted “A Mind of My Own” from one act to two acts, and the duo completed the revision over the summer. Allgood said she admires Katz’s ambition to spread her work and credits it for the production of the project.
“She’s a genuinely ambitious person that is constantly putting herself out there and trying new things,” Allgood said. “She’s not afraid to go out there and do the work necessary to make sure everyone sees what she cares about and the things she’s made.”
Ty Langley, social justice springboard fellow at Texas Hillel, serves as Katz’s supervisor in her leadership role with Challah for Hunger, a program raising money to feed the food-insecure in Austin. Langley said she could feel Katz’s passion for her work.
Langley said, “She’s really excited at the opportunity to bring her work to life in this way. She’s really passionate about directing the play, and I know that she takes a lot of pride in everything that she’s written. She’s phenomenal and we’re really proud of her.”
“A Mind of My Own” will be shown Oct. 27-29 in the art history building (ART) room 1.102. “Be More Chill” will be shown on Nov. 9-12th, location TBD.
Katz said she’s equally excited to see both of the UTG productions she’s associated with, and she thinks the work both teams put into the play will pay off for the audience.
“As a playwright, I’m most excited to see the interpretation of a play that I worked hard on and people have been really passionate about for the past few months,” Katz said. “As a director I’m really excited to see all of the work that the team has put into making a really good show.”
