Breaking Out of the Habit

We recently sat down with Nunsense director L.Sam Samano to discuss the project and to find out just exactly what goes on underneath the theatrical scapular. Here's your behind the scenes interview:

Rogue: What are the main reasons you wanted to direct Nunsense?

Samano: To build and strengthen relationships and have fun doing it, to foster growth of a fledgling production company that promotes diversity and to coach, to unite a creative cast and crew to provide an outlet for audiences to forget some of their day to day stresses and allow artists to share their craft. In turn, each entity shares their energy and brings a canvas of talent to life.

Rogue: How did you feel when you were approached to spearhead the project?

Samano: Very excited to bring a show together that holds a very special place in my heart. It is also an opportunity for my stage manager and I to come full circle in reuniting our relationship.

Rogue: Why is Nunsense so special to you?

Samano: When I did this production in the past, I had the opportunity to work [on stage] with amazing actresses. Their friendships are still an important piece of my life. I want to be the conduit for others to have the same opportunity.

Rogue: How is repeating a productions different for you in terms of the creative process vs the creative process for a new production?

Samano: A new medium on an old canvas.

Rogue: Can you elaborate on that?

Samano: I think of productions as portraits or paintings. When you are the actor, you are the paint or any other type of medium. The director is the painter, creating depth and feeling with strokes of the brush, blending and adding colors as needed. I get to be the painter this time around, attempting to create work of art with my actresses and musicians.

Rogue: One last question- How do you think theater as an art form contributes to our community and what will it take for theater to survive with the current economic environment causing funds for the arts being pulled (not just in our own neighborhood, but over the country)?

Samano: Theater as an art contributes in many ways. It builds interpersonal ties and promotes volunteering. It increases opportunities for self expression and growth, directly reducing delinquency in youth. Audiences that go to theater find increased opportunities for stress free enjoyment. It promotes over all well being, mentally, physically and within communities.

The presence of artists and arts organizations increases individual opportunity and propensity to arts involvement, which directly further promotes art. And of course, fiscally, art draws people in. Tourists, visitors and families attend arts events. Further local spending in conjunction with arts events has an indirect multiplier effect. A family attending a musical more likely to get a meal at a nearby restaurant before the show begins, tourists and visitors are likely to grab a drink at a local pub before heading home. Everyone becomes a good neighbor. 

Rogue: Thank you for your time today. We are looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Samano: Thank you!

Nunsense opens August 10 at 7:00PM. Tickets are $19.50 for Adults - $16.50 for Students/Seniors/Military - $11.50 for Youth 12 & younger.  Group prices are available - click here or contact the Everett Historic box office at: (425) 258-6766 to purchase.