DIRECTING

Reva loves the exploration of new, underserved, and reimagined work that explores our socio-political and socio-cultural systems, especially those that amplify the stories of marginalized people and communities. She is passionate about works that promote reflection, self-discovery, growth, and ultimately, therapy through theatre.

Reva utilizes a mix of social horror, whimsy, and environmental theatre to ease audiences into more difficult topics and include them in the world of the story. Environmental theatre creates community by eliminating the distinction between the actor’s space and the audience; thus, enhancing an audience member’s connection to the material as well as their fellow patrons, and leaving them thinking critically about the world and their place in it.

  Work that uses magic or mysticism to examine the world is particularly exciting. It is important to be able to find joy and love at the heart of every piece. Magic helps us to lean into whimsy and more easily embrace the love when we find it. Reva is similarly attracted to stories that reveal the messy details of trauma, growth, and change. Through these examinations, she hopes to promote social change and humanistic understanding.

Their ultimate goal as a director is to activate artists and audiences alike to join the fight against oppression. Through collaborative play, explorative movement, thoughtful conversation, dramaturgical lore creation, and world-building, Reva works to tell meaningful stories that enrich communities and leave audiences thinking.

Portfolio

A Hit Dog Will Holler by Inda Craig Galvan - Azuka Theatre

When I directed a hit dog will holler, I aimed to trap the audience in the space with Gina, an agoraphobe who has been hiding indoors due to the terrifying reality of living while Black in America. I wanted audiences to experience life under a microscope of expectation and fear as Gina had. My hope was that this visceral experience would activate audiences and leave them thinking critically about the people in their own lives who may be performing strength.

*This pRoduction recieved 4 Barrymore award Nominations

Tuck Everlasting by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle - Centre Theater

This version of Tuck centers on a predominantly Black experience as we learn about the value of seizing the day, dealing with grief by honoring the dead, and making new friends in tough times with Winnie. We may find by the end that a life well lived is the highest honor and the best reward for having lived it.

Find yourself in this community or discover your community here in us. You fit here, we all do. I encourage you to keep in mind that community is a beautiful, life-affirming thing. We are stronger, healthier, and braver when we stand in solidarity with one another. To be truly seen and see others is one of life’s great adventures. You definitely don’t want to miss it.

*This production received 1 Barrymore Award nomination

MAN OF LA MANCHIN by Nick Jonzcak - Cannonball Festival

Man of La Manchin is a violent and campy musical romp that explores what it might look like to eat the rich, for real. We follow Sweety, a DC waitress, on the journey of her rage-filled breakdown after kidnapping Senator Joe Manchin, chopping off his leg, and chowing down.

Man of La Manchin asks us to reflect on the dangerous state of American politics and the profit-over-people mentality that has kept millions of Americans oppressed for decades. Using a mix of horror and comedy, Man of La Manchin asks the question if not eating the rich - then what? What can we do right now?

pROMISE TO POTTSTOWN BY BRIE KNIGHT- STEEL RIVER PLAYHOUSE

Promise to Pottstown examines some of the trials of the last 4 years in Pottstown and how this community rallied together to keep going during some of our most tumultuous times. This play, written by Brie Knight, takes the accounts of actual Pottstonians about their 2020 experiences and reimagines them narratively. mY GOAL WAS TO BRING THE AUDIENCE INTO THE STREETS OF POTTSTOWN And invite them to play with us together.

OVERWINTER BY mACKENZIE RAINE kIRKMAN - aZUKA tHEATRE

Two bee researchers discover that one of their bees might have intelligence far beyond the norm. Between the impossibility of what is most definitely happening and the fear of what the world will do when it learns, the researchers and the bee try to figure out the best solution and realize some things are inextricably at odds.

pURE wHITe BY LEX THAMMAVONG(rEADING) - Philadelphia Asia Performing Artists

Pure White follows a group of interconnected, lost souls as they struggle with addiction and grapple with questions of morality, worth, faith, companionship, and identity on their journey through purgatory.

Masc by Ang(ela) Bey (Readings) - Azuka Theatre/Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival

Masc explores the intersection of race and gender identity. What defines a “Black Woman” or a “Black Man” and how do our trans allies fit in such rigid boxes? As we travel through magical memories, commune with ancestors, and visits with Oprah, we may find the wholeness we have been looking for all along. 

In this reading, I worked to amplify the human connections and keep the pacing quick and upbeat. I allowed the audience to revel in the comical moments before hitting them with the trickier internal moments of growth and self-discovery. 

A Complicated Hope by John Maybe (Reading) - Fulton Theatre

A Complicated Hope explores the relationship between a man, his late lover, his lover’s wife, and his lover’s daughter as they all grapple with love, loss, and regret. A Complicated Hope makes plain our universal need for community, love, and belonging.

“I had the honor of working with Reva Stover on the directed reading of my play, A Complicated Hope. From the pre-event call, I knew right away that she was a Director with great vision and empathy, bringing a visual interpretation to my script and challenging me to see my work in a new way. At the event itself, I learned so much about both my play and the art of directing as I watched her expertly work with the cast and production team. In the talkback, her insights about the world of the play and her support of me as a writer created the perfect environment to make edits to my work that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. It’d be such a privilege to work with her again in the future.”

- John Maybe, playwright

Nappy Truths by Dr. Kimmika Williams Witherspoon (REading)- First World Theatre

Nappy Truths explores Black womanhood across generations. We follow a number of interconnected Black women as they face the struggles of identity, belonging, love, and societal pressure. Through their trials, we find that they are stronger, better, and wiser together.