Despite its namesake, The Moot Point Project is anything but irrelevant.
The Moot Point Project is a theater company based in Denver started by two UNC graduates, Megan Dille and True Smith. During their time at UNC, Dille and Smith both separately founded ongoing theater programs at UNC: “Shenanigans” (Dille), and “Directors Inspiring Riveting Theatre”, commonly referred to as DIRT (Smith).
Using the leadership experience and ambition learned here at UNC, Dille and Smith were inspired to create the company as a way to break the bounds of traditional theater and prove they are “a moot point” by providing unique and unusual theater to the Front Range.
The duo wrapped their first project titled “White Rabbit Red Rabbit” written by Nassim Soleimanpour, which is a one-person production with is no director, no rehearsals and the actors aren't allowed to read the script before performing a single time.
The show featured three actors in its run at The Moot Point Project. Anders Arneson; a recent UNC musical theater graduate, Shelly Gaza; equity actor and acting professor at UNC, and José Davíd Reynoza; UNC’s Assistant Director of Diversity & Access.
“I feel infinitely grateful to have experienced their unforgettable performances; every show was genuinely the first and only of its kind,” said Smith.
The Moot Point Project gives a platform to stories that promote a sense of community and empathy. Smith and Dille were inspired by their passion for the conflicts and genocide happening in Palestine and saw this company as a way to make a difference. The duo used their latest show to fundraise for the Ashtar Theater, a local Palestinian theater group that provides support to those in their community that are facing trauma and impacts from the war.
“We feel honored to have produced a show that touched the audience and our actors while creating a global impact," Smith said. "This is the start of more good we hope to fuel.”
The passion for storytelling and creating change is what really lets The Moot Point Project shine. The drive and ambition of Dille and Smith combined with the motivational message behind the project creates an inspiring story for up-and-coming theater and non theater students alike.
When asked to share some encouraging words to current students, Smith advised them to step out of their comfort zones.
“Be afraid! If you aren't a little on edge, maybe you aren't taking a big enough risk!" Smith explained. "Do the thing you have always wanted to do, but you keep telling yourself you aren't ready for it. Especially in an educational setting, it's the prime time to take advantage of every opportunity and to be a little afraid because you have people who care about you. It's a valuable community that is not the same once you leave college, so enjoy it and make every moment worth it."
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