AINSLEY COX
Theatre Artist
About
Ainsley Cox, although most of the theatre world calls them Ace, is a theatre artist based out of the Twin Cities, where their love of theatre bloomed. She is currently a senior at Gustavus Adolphus College, studying Theatre, Psychology, and Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. There she has worked in many roles, including Stage Managing Gustavus' first musical production since 2019 and scenic designing for the United States debut of Martin Crimp's Fewer Emergencies. In high school, Ainsley was a production intern at the Southern Theater (Minneapolis) and a Technical Theatre Counselor at De La Salle High School. Last summer, they Stage Managed Off-Broadway Musical Theatre's production of The Sound of Music, and worked as a Box Officer for the Minnesota Fringe Festival.
Sharing Stories
Community Collaboration
Intentional Imagery
Artist Statement
From a young age, stories have captured my attention. My childhood existed from pages of writing, imaginative recreations, and dozens of costume changes. I spent my days recreating Broadway shows in my living room and frantically scribbling my latest novel idea in torn notebooks. Stories are my lifeblood, and my creative work flows from them.
As a stage manager, I understand that storytelling is a collaborative process. Each individual has a unique piece of the larger puzzle, and it is my job to ensure everyone contributes to creating the intended image. I work hard to foster a community where art emerges from intense collaboration, and conversation is the foundation of every piece.
My management style takes a person-first approach. Theatre requires a community, and as a stage manager, I am responsible for maintaining a safe, welcoming, and accessible workplace. I stay current on the latest accessibility requirements and always ensure I structure my information in a way that is easy to read, readily available, and concise. Theatre is born from teamwork.
While collaboration remains at the forefront of my creative process, I also rely on striking visual images and themes. I spend a substantial amount of time analyzing pieces to uncover the hidden threads that connect the audience to the story. As a scenic designer, I seek to elevate the story through visual motifs and powerful imagery. The set creates the world the characters inhabit, and each informs the other. I love diving into the details of a realm, asking questions about specific cultural aspects, beliefs, and values inherent in the society I and the rest of the production team wish to create. I strive to create art that feels lived in and breathes alongside the actors.
Theatre is a unique storytelling medium. It is a place of momentary imagination, born from hundreds of life experiences. It is living history. I am a writer, and theatre is my pen.