Abigail Riggs
Class of 2021
What was the experience like for you to work on a new play?
It was incredible getting to work on a new show! Personally, I felt as though it gave me the freedom to portray Dove how I felt that they should be without any outside influence. I’ll often look at scenes from shows to help with inspiration and see how they are done, but for this show, I had to rely entirely on personal experiences and other research to truly create and become this unique character.
Why is it important for a character such as Dove to be represented in the play?
The first time I read through Never Have I Ever, I was immediately in awe of Dove: I’ve never had the opportunity to play a nonbinary character before! Although the world as a whole is becoming more progressive, it can still be challenging to find good LGBTQ+ representation in media, especially transgender characters (and specifically ones that fall outside of the binary). While Never Have I Ever focuses primarily on eating disorders and body image, there’s something delightful about having a trans character that’s very comfortable with who they are. LGBTQ+ characters can still be in shows without being the forefront, and I strongly believe that casual representation like that is extremely important in normalizing LGBTQ+ people.
What will you take away from this experience that you’ll bring with you in life or your next play?
I’d definitely like to bring some of Dove’s “I-don’t-give-a-fuck” attitude into my own life! They’re such a bright character who is unabashedly themself, which I really admire. As for future performances, I want to be sure take the time to explore a character’s gender and sexuality (and encourage other people to do the same). It’s an incredibly important part of who someone is and I don’t think it should be ignored or avoided.
The Farm Report 