Hi, my name is Daphne Gussler (she/her).

I was born in Kentucky, raised in an interesting crossroads between urban and rural areas. Grappling to make sense of the world, I started telling myself stories. Which of the two ladybugs sitting in front of me was the sweet one, and which was the mischievous one, for example. I was shy and moderately scared of most things, so I got very good at processing the world internally. In my own imagination, I could cook up whatever I wanted without fear.

As I got a bit older, I became more hands-on, creating creatures out of clay, staging lush landscapes, and shooting my characters on camera. When I wasn’t making my mini movies, you could probably find me drawing crazy outfits on even crazier alien-esque models (thank you Grammy for helping me with those) or thrusting myself into the role of a pop star, giving my award show speech.

No matter the medium, I have never been a stranger to spectacle.

Coming into my queerness is where my creativity really began to take shape. Transgender children are forced to live most of their authentic lives in their own imaginations, and I was no exception. Facing adversity for your identity is an incredibly formative experience, and it taught me to stay true to what made me feel special, which, often times, was what made me stand out.

In high school, I entrenched myself in the theatre community, where I was taught to wear every hat and juggle every ball. I learned that my skills were not just limited to devising stories. My experiences and inspirations all swirl together to create a stew only I could cook. I began to lean into using all the spices at my disposal.

I attended Transylvania University, graduating in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Creative Writing. At Transylvania, I continued to grow as a writer and overall theatre practitioner, producing multiple original works during my time there. I learned that no matter the role I play in a production, I am always developing my craft of storytelling. Every day is a new experience, a new page to turn.

After graduation, I decided to leave the south, starting a new chapter in Chicago, Illinois, where I have continued to tell more stories. In December of 2023, I was commissioned by Pocket Theatre VR to devise an original one act play, which was produced in a staged reading, held at The Understudy.

Through it all, I remain steadfast in my commitment to telling universal, yet unique stories infused with an authentic flair and poeticism.