Leigh Strimbeck is a familiar face in the Capital Region. She is a writer, actor, teacher, director and was part of WAM Theatre’s early years as co-founder. While no longer actively involved with the company, she was instrumental in WAM’s first exciting milestones and remains a staunch supporter of WAM’s work. With WAM in its fifth season, she looks back at how she became involved with the project, muses her female inspirations, and talks about why confidence is such an important characteristic.

How did you become the co-founder of WAM?

As I recall it, Kristen read the book Half The Sky, and we had both seen the same article in the New York Times magazine which was a preview of the book. She called me up and asked me to work with her on starting a company that gave something back, that created opportunity for women in the theater and I was happy to do it.

How do you feel about WAM turning five years old and producing In Darfur, which is the first WAM play to deal more directly with the issues our beneficiaries face every day? 

From the beginning, Kristen has curated selections that are just right for the time and place, and In Darfur is yet another choice that proves that.

What’s your favorite WAM memory?

Getting our first big check, really one of the foundational checks, from the Bob Bacon Fund of my Quaker meeting.  It was such a vote of confidence in the work we were setting out to do, that this work is the work of equality, it is peacemaking work, community building work and artistic work all rolled into one.

What woman inspires you and why?

The list is too long, there are so many women that inspire me every day. But I’d have to put Margaret Sangar at the top of the list, for her work on making birth control a legitimate part of our lives. It’s tragic that there is still any question in this country about access to birth control. Controlling our reproductive lives, and having full access to our reproductive health is critical to women being able to work and participate in our community in the way we choose. It’s better for our families, it’s better for us, it’s better for our partners, and it’s a sex-positive view of the world. She paved the way for all of that.  Molly Smith, Artistic Director of Arena Stage is an inspiration to me, as are two women in my Quaker meeting who are in their 70’s and do so much each day to make the world a better place.

What advice would you give to women who are just starting to establish themselves in their careers on how to claim their places confidently?

The only thing that gives you confidence is knowing what you’re doing, and the only way to do that is to study hard, work hard and then play hard.  Confidence isn’t something you just decide to have, it’s something you earn by taking risks, being willing to fail, and seeking out good counsel along the way. Do every job you commit to well, and it will lead to other opportunities that you might not see at the moment. Every job well done builds confidence.  And I’d also like to quote Sonia Sotomayor here, “Don’t mistake politeness for a lack of strength.”

For more information and to buy tickets for In Darfur, running October 30-November 16, click here.