Meet Tana Sirois | Actor / Theatre-Maker / Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tana Sirois and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tana, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I think this is a really important question, and one we should be asking more often. I’ve spent much of my career wondering if I should move away from acting and shift towards work that feels more directly concerned with issues of social justice. In an industry that often rewards self-centered behavior, frequently promotes mainstream narratives, and celebrates entertainment for entertainment’s sake, “being an actor” can feel like a frivolous choice. It was only when I began looking at this industry from the perspective of a theatre-maker and arts leader that I began to appreciate the enormity of theatre’s social impact. I hope that my desire to have a positive influence on the world is reflected in the artistic work I’ve chosen to do.

In 2010, I co-founded Dirt [contained] Theatre Company, which makes socially conscious theatre with an absurd twist. We create and produce work in the UK and USA that focuses on environmental issues, the intersection of science and spirituality, and matters of equality. We tend to make work that is centered around the questions we are asking ourselves. In addition to being Co-Artistic Director of Dirt [contained], I’ve spent the last eight years performing Off-Broadway and touring the country with the feminist musical comedy troupe Broad Comedy. We support progressive organizations by performing at fundraisers, and have helped raise over $2,250,000 for Planned Parenthood. I am also a company member of the international movement theatre collective, The How. We are dedicated to taking the emotional temperature of the world and reflecting it in physical form. In the past two years, we’ve devised and produced work in NYC, London and Istanbul.

In 2016, I co-founded a non-profit arts and culture center that would become Culture Lab LIC. The space is made up of two art galleries, a 70-seat theatre, and an outdoor music venue. Culture Lab’s mission has always been to support artists of all mediums by providing space for hundreds of artists to develop and showcase their work each year. In 2022, I left Culture Lab LIC (and NYC) to pursue a Master’s of Science in Creative Arts & Mental Health in London, where I began developing a solo show called “UnTethered”, which is about OCD, queerness, demisexuality and the ever-changing nature of the self.

I think the social impact of my work manifests in two ways: from one angle, I strive to make work that raises awareness around important issues and motivates real political and social change. From the other, I attempt to create artistic environments that provide practical support, collaborative communities, and space for creation.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work varies a lot depending on the project I’m doing and what stage of the process I’m in — I think this is one of the most wonderful things about working as a creative. Some weeks, I will be touring a show across America or performing at a theatre festival in Europe, and other weeks I will be hold up in my room writing scripts, researching venues that support new work, and applying for grants and funding opportunities. I’ve been acting consistently since I was 4 years old, and directing and producing since I was 17, so the project-specific lifestyle feels normal to me, although the nature of this work can make it difficult to feel as though you have ever achieved “success”. As soon as one project wraps, you’re starting over again on a new one, and for me, that always comes with a healthy amount of trepidation, insecurity and overwhelm (and excitement, of course). I think the trick is to give yourself true periods to rest so you can recoup in-between projects. It is very difficult to create from a place of depletion, and I find that my best work happens when I am able to honor the natural ebb and flow of the creative process.

This lifestyle can be challenging. Working as an actor typically requires a fair amount of auditioning, which sets up a recurring dynamic of needing to ask permission for the opportunity to create. I still audition, but knowing I can make my own work has really balanced out this dynamic for me. Having control over my artistic life has allowed me to use my creative voice to pursue projects that center the political and social issues I care deeply about. Of course, working in this industry often requires a large sacrifice of time and energy with little financial reward, but I have found great peace in my commitment to prioritize what is most meaningful to me — in allowing my creative work to be my north star.

I am a little overwhelmed when I look back on all of the shows and production companies that began as tiny creative sparks, and, with a tremendous amount of effort and determination, transformed into meaningful, life-altering adventures. If there is one thing I’m particularly good at, I would say it is making the work happen — taking projects from inception to actualization. Of course there are specific shows and projects that I am exceptionally proud of, (the existence of Culture Lab LIC as a leading-arts organization, for one), but if I am honest with myself, it is the relationships I’ve built and the communities I’ve created along the way that carry my pride. I am surrounded by such an amazing band of brilliant artists who make my life so meaningful and fun. I really can’t imagine a more fulfilling way to spend my time and energy. Perhaps this is why I am drawn to theatre in the first place — because at its core, it is about connection. If you strip away everything else (the creative blocks, the stress of fundraising, the sold out houses, the glowing reviews (or the not-so-glowing reviews), the passionate post-show discussions) — what’s left, is the electric and intoxicating experience of being fully present and connected — with your collaborators on stage, with the audience, and with yourself.

It’s a pretty wild ride, and I feel very lucky to be on it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve been splitting my time between NYC and London for the past year and a half, and at this point, my social life/nightlife is entirely dictated by my friends and their current shows/exhibitions! I really enjoy cooking and hosting, so I must admit I am not very in-the-know when it comes to restaurants and bars. I prefer to prioritize artistic experiences that can influence and inspire my work, and I love to support my friends and collaborators as much as possible.

If someone was visiting NYC, I would bring them to Culture Lab LIC first, to see art exhibitions, outdoor concerts, and new theatrical work. I’d take them to a Margot & The Midnight Tenants concert and to one of The How’s movement theatre shows (both headlined by two of my dearest friends). I’d also see what is playing at St. Ann’s Warehouse and at The Public Theatre.

If I had friends visiting London, I’d take them on a walk around Borough Market and South Bank, before going to see an exhibition at The Tate, a show at The National Theatre, and some late-night improv comedy, (probably by the female-led troupe Yes Queens).

And of course, whether we were in London or NYC, I’d want to end the night dancing!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a shoutout to Maria Swisher, who has been the dirt in my container (or in more professional terms, the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Dirt [contained] Theatre Company), for the past 14 years. I’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible collaborators over the years, but there is something very special about such a long-lasting creative partnership that has weathered so much change. Maria has always challenged and inspired me in equal measure — we have really grown together and encouraged each other to expand.

Website: https://www.tanasirois.com

Instagram: @tana_sirois

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tana-sirois-0ba947109/

Twitter: N/A

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tana.sirois/

Image Credits
The primary profile photo submitted was taken by Skyler Reid. The headshot submitted along with the production photos was taken by Jessica Osber.