The Director Drawn to Difficult Conversations

Meet the Graduating TYA MFA Class
Artists. Educators. Directors. Changemakers. Explore stories from the graduating cohort of the University of Central Florida Theatre for Young Audiences MFA program. Discover the program: UCF Partnership

Meet Maddie Lane

For University of Central Florida Theatre for Young Audiences MFA graduate Maddie Lane, theatre is about more than performance. It is about empathy, emotional intelligence, and telling the kinds of stories that help people feel seen.

As she prepares to graduate, Maddie reflects on how the program transformed not only her artistic practice, but also the way she approaches collaboration, leadership, and the rehearsal room itself.

What drew you to the TYA MFA program?

“I wanted to sharpen my skills as a Teaching Artist and Director.”

That desire evolved into something much deeper over the course of the program.

“When I came into this program, I was really high-strung and always focused on the final product,” Maddie says. “However, as I have journeyed through the past three years, I have learned that focusing on the process actually makes the product so much stronger.”

How has your philosophy as an artist and educator evolved?

For Maddie, growth came through learning to embrace collaboration, flexibility, and even failure.

“Prior to my time in this program, I was not a collaborative Director,” she says candidly. “This program, however, has taught me the importance of collaboration and teamwork, and it is now something I rely on in every way as a Director.”

She also discovered the value of letting go of perfectionism in the rehearsal process.

“I have learned to embrace and LOVE failure,” she says. “Why? Because it teaches me something I did not know before.”

What kinds of stories are most important to you?

Maddie is especially passionate about stories that explore difficult or “taboo” subjects with honesty and care.

“I love telling stories that make an impact,” she says. “It is tackling these kinds of stories that, I believe, help people to feel the most seen.”

That interest became central to both her thesis work and her practical directing experiences during the program.

One of her most meaningful projects was directing Mind Matters, a production featuring teenage performers exploring mental health topics including anxiety, depression, and perfectionism.

“Based on the questions and comments, I could tell the audience really connected to the performance, and it was such a rewarding experience.”

Why does Theatre for Young Audiences matter?

“Our young people are our future,” Maddie says. “The most wonderful thing that theatre involvement cultivates is empathy, which creates a stronger emotional intelligence.”

She believes TYA has the power to shape not only individual lives, but society as a whole.

“TYA has the ability to create that impact, which is an incredible way it can contribute to shaping the world around us.”

Who made an impact on your journey?

Maddie credits Dr. Julia Listengarten as one of the most influential mentors during her time in the program.

“Her wisdom and intelligence has impacted every step I have made,” Maddie says. “She made me see things I would have never seen, which has strengthened my stances, arguments, philosophies, and more.”

She also points to the unique partnership with Orlando Family Stage as a defining part of the graduate experience.

“I think just having the opportunity to be involved with a professional theatre and work directly with them is such a unique experience for a grad program,” she says. “OFS also caters to each graduate student, and pitches opportunities for their specific interests.”

What comes next?

Maddie hopes to continue directing work with high school, college-aged, and adult actors, with a particular interest in emotionally complex and unconventional material.

Long-term, she sees herself leading an organization of her own.

“I have always seen myself being an Artistic Director of a theatre company,” she says. “I have both a creative and analytical brain… which I believe would be perfect for an Artistic Director position.”

And when asked to describe her work in a single word?

“Impactful.”