Rachel Bash once roamed the green lungs of the Oregon forest and now, since August of 2020, wanders the prairies of Nebraska. But you can’t keep her away from Intertwined! Having been a member of the planning committee, a story coach, and a storyteller, Rachel is thrilled to be invited to participate again from two hours in the future. Aside from long walks, Rachel loves trying out new recipes, nesting, and (always) books.

Martha Benson is a second year Master’s student in the Nonprofit Management program with certificates in Women’s Studies and Arts Management.  A professional actor, director and company founder, Martha spent 10 years in New York City pursuing a theater career that brought together her love of Shakespeare to her dedication to social activism and queer representation.  In her spare time, Martha enjoys archery, hiking, and petting all the dogs in the dog park.

Sarah Blanchard has been at the University of Oregon for almost a decade; shortly after receiving her bachelor’s degrees in 2017 she was hired on as a staff member at the Holden Center where she coordinates leadership and service programming for students on campus. She has been involved with Intertwined for the past four years – as a storyteller, story coach, and member of the planning committee. She highly encourages all students (and staff) to consider becoming a storyteller for Intertwined, as it is such a transformative and empowering process. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, tea drinking, and piano playing.

Eric Braman (they/them) is a poet, playwright, theatre maker, and arts administrator. They have been seen performing at Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Oregon Country Fair, Bigfoot Regional Poetry Slam, Arts Alive! Corvallis, and more. A graduate of the PPPM Masters in Nonprofit Management program, they were a member of the Rehearsals for Life troupe in their time at UO and supported the creation of the premier Intertwined. They’re excited to be back as a story coach this year!

Emily (they/she) is originally from Washington State and received her Master in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon in 2021. Their passions lie in storytelling, art for social change, and co-creating solutions to big problems through authentic community engagement. This is her third year being involved with Intertwined, previously having been a storyteller and planning committee member. Now, Emily works for United Way of Lane County and serves on the board of Oregon Contemporary Theatre. They live in Springfield with their partner, Damien, and two furballs, Loki and Rogue.

Alexis Drakatos (she/hers) works in the Office of the Dean of Students coordinating the substance abuse prevention and education program. She loves reading celebrity autobiographies, taking her dog Bandit on long walks along the river, and has been making a monthly playlists of newly discovered songs and artists since December of 2014.

Rory Godek is a second year undergraduate student at University of Oregon majoring in Sociology and Global Studies with big dreams for her future career in addressing mental health inequities. They are involved with Rehearsals for Life and are working closely with Abigail Leeder to organize this year’s Intertwined event as the Student Director.  In her free time, you can find Rory adventuring outside; whether it be rock climbing, hiking, exploring downtown, or sunbathing on the minimal sunny Oregon days.

Abigail Leeder serves as the director of experiential prevention initiatives with the Office of the Dean of Students at UO. She is the director of Rehearsals for Life graduate student theatre troupe and loves working with storytelling and interactive theatre as tools for personal growth and social change. Co-creating Intertwined with a group of talented and passionate people is always a highlight of her year. 

Bailee Magee (She/Her) is a second-year graduate student in the Conflict and Dispute Resolution Master’s Program. Upon graduating, she plans to pursue her passion for social justice by obtaining her J.D. at the San Francisco School of Law. Bailee is the current student director for Rehearsals for Life in which she has written and shared one of her own personal storytelling pieces about her experiences with domestic violence. She has chosen to become involved in Intertwined as a story coach and is excited to approach the process from a different perspective. 

Anna Mills (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Oregon double-majoring in Public Relations and Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies who is inspired by the everyday altruism in her local communities. Last year Anna was able to participate in Intertwined as a storyteller while using her background in poetry as her medium for talking about mental health challenges. This year Anna is superpumped working as a story coach and helping her storyteller find a creative outlet that feels authentic. Around this time of the year amidst school and job applications, you’ll usually find her soaking sun under cherry blossom trees with a good book in hand.

Jessica Ruth Baker (she/hers) is a UO alumna who graduated in 2019 with her master’s degree in nonprofit management and graduate certificate in arts management. She is currently serving as the interim executive director of the Very Little Theatre, one of the oldest continuously-running community theatres in the country. UO Intertwined is very close to her heart, as she was a story coach twice while in grad school and has taken on that role several times since graduating. Jessica has been acting since she was five, and at the age of 12 she apprenticed to a master storyteller in Egypt for one unforgettable year. She hopes you enjoy the performance, and please support local theatre in Eugene!