Oh, So She Directs Too!
Another passion of mine is directing. For the past five years, I've been professionally directing Children's Theatre. I've directed over approximately 85 students from ages 9 to17. This particular grouping of students over the past years have trusted me with putting up their productions. I like to keep the environment collaborative, creative, focused, but still fun!
I treat them as the professional actor's that they are. They learn full productions in about 10 weekdays (with one weekend of tech). The magnitude of their work should not be scaled down just because of their age.
As a former child actor myself, I remember being extremely invested in the arts, (I mean I went to college for it, hello!) and while there, I wasn't being taken seriously even though I KNEW I had found my passion - which was performing.
My goals are for each of my campers to gain confidence in themselves both, to learn that they can trust their instincts and intuition, and to believe in themselves 100% no matter what they choose to pursue in life.
In about ten years, these will be fun summer memories that they had when they were children. For others, these summers may have been their spark to pursue this career whether it be onstage or offstage in a professional setting.
Surprise, Surprise! Surprise, SUPRIIIIISE!
In March of 2025, I was on the National Tour of Come From Away as Hannah & Others. When touring, there are chances for you to voluntarily sign up for Q+A's with students. Since I work with kids and was once a kid coming to see tours traveling through my town, I was always eager to sign up for these events. One random day, I got an email saying that a group of students were coming for a Q+A and that I was selected to be the one to speak to them. However, we never do these events by ourselves; so after asking fellow cast mates if they were also joining, none of them had a CLUE as to what I was talking about.
​
So when the show ended, I got out of wig, mics, and costumes to go meet these "kids" and lo and behold, it was MY CAMP PENDRAGON GROUP! They organized a trip to come and surprise me at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, NY.
A True Honor.
This year, I came in to direct my fifth camp show and my kids pulled off ANOTHER surprise of a lifetime. Recently, Pendragon Theatre finished their new building. Along with a new location, people were presented with the chance to have their name permanently placed onto a seat in the house. Since I was out on tour, I missed the deadline. Fun Fact: My plan was to dedicate a chair to my campers. Little did I know, they had spent an entire summer putting their savings as well as bits of their paychecks together to buy a seat that was dedicated to ME from THEM. It's been an honor directing this wonderful group of tiny humans. They WILL be the change that we need to see in this world. You can quote me on that.
Aaron Marbone,
Adirondack Daily Enterprise
"When asked what has kept them com-
ing back each year, they spoke in unison:
“HK.”
Zobel said Wall makes it really easy for
them to feel comfortable in getting into
their roles. And fun, Estling added.
“She’s easy to talk to,” Haney said.
She said Wall does not put a separation
between actors and director. She treats
them as co-workers working together on
the project."
​
Interviewee's: Mason Anthony Estling, Gwen Haney & Eloise Zobel
Noah Cranker
Previous Camper
“HK, our director, always
slays. Every single time,”
Noah Cranker, 16, said.
Coral and Rafa Unfiltered
I was featured on two of my camper's podcast. Yeah, now is the time to get jealous!
​​​
That episode is linked below!
Click the image to listen!
​
Podcast Hosts: Rafaela DeMartis & Coral Palyswiat