As a director, Elena begins with a text-based approach grounded in an essential faith in the capability and intentionality of the playwright. She integrates (slightly butchered but effective) Meisner Technique into almost all her rehearsal processes, encouraging actors to know and trust their gut instincts and somatic responses. Given her training as a dramaturg, it is important to her that all collaborators understand their discipline’s role in telling the story, and how their contributions can change the story being told. Elena cultivates a warm and unashamedly inspired space, like your older sister’s bedroom or the best English class you ever took.