Haley Bennett Instagram – Joe and I had the privilege of making the musical “Cyrano” with an incredible group of filmmakers on the island of Sicily alongside MGM and Working Title Films. Cyrano was made and released during Covid. My journey with the project, which began as a developmental stage production, and I as a volunteer to read as Roxanne. It was a week long, intimate workshop in New York City. Erica Schmitt the writer/director conducting the very modern stage adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac. Members of the band The National were also in the room developing original music for the piece. As was Peter Dinklage, Erica’s husband, reading as Cyrano. After that week long exploration, I was truly shocked to be asked by director, Erica, to be a part of the stage production at Goodspeed theatre in Connecticut the following year. The musical continued to do a run off Broadway, which I was deeply disappointed not to be a part of, but I had just given birth to my daughter. Amazingly, Joe had seen the Goodspeed production, he absolutely loved it. Wept through the whole thing each time. After having seen the production multiple times, he invited several studio executives to see it, who mutually loved it. The next thing I knew, we were making a major motion picture. There were SO many logistical challenges, but that didn’t stop us from making the film with love, with so many people we love, including our three -year-old, darling Virginia. Joe says that maybe the whole thing was rushed and we should’ve indeed waited. Maybe the timing was off, but it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I think it brought people a lot of joy and will continue to do so. Such an vivid evolution to me, from woman-child to woman to mother. Understanding my worth, living my truth, and learning to trust myself. I am still growing, listening, reaching, and often feel I am getting it all wrong. When I doubt myself and start to feel like I am blowing in the wind, I remind myself of these experiences, and how far I have come. As a person and a creative entity. I am so grateful to be here, to be alive, to express myself, whatever state I am in.