Chizo Nwagwu on Michelle Nguyen

Dear Michelle,

You should be incredibly proud of “The Deer Ones”: you brought the audience along from the moment you stepped onstage to be part of Robin’s journey. Entering the theater, the ambiance created with the trees and the lone stump set the stage for a story that we would all be part of.

Despite you mentioning it being your first time performing, you are a natural performer. You found your light as 12-year old Robin, setting the stage with childlike enthusiasm. Robin was fun and goofy, a new friend we all made together. You did an incredible job guiding the audience through the light and heavy parts of the show, and I admired how you bravely tested what the audience’s true response might be. As the show went on, I sensed we as the audience weren’t speaking just to Robin, but also to someone in the room or maybe ourselves.

I connected with your story’s message about the challenge of defying expectations. I left wanting to know more about Remy and what kept you both connected over so many years. I also was curious about what might have happened had we not made the choice we made, but maybe that’s real life. It’s not knowing what’s on the other side until we make the brave choice of choosing ourselves against all odds stacked against us. This message stood out as the narrative glue, offering so much room to expand and play with given that us as audience members lived in Robin’s head.

Another theme that stood out to me was about who gets left behind or comes along when we decide to change the usual rhythm of our lives and relationships. Where do we seek guidance and reflect on what’s needed as we grow older? The subtext of what that felt like lingered on stage.

I loved how you incorporated illustration and moving images to create what felt like a new dimension, distant from Robin’s reality. You’re building a show that’s deeply interested in authenticity, care, and connection. I am really excited to see what you do next with this piece.

Till we meet again in the woods,

Chizo

Michelle Nguyen is the Writer/Producer/Performer of The Deer Ones.

Chizo Nwagwu is a Performer of Brown Sister Twins.