How did you first get involved in theatre?
In high school, even thought I yearned to be on stage, I was too terrified to audition! I was on the stage crew for the all-school musical. One day before rehearsal, my friends and I were clowning around, acting out scenes from the show. The drama teacher pulled me aside and said, “You should be ON stage. That was really good.”
That same teacher talked me into auditioning for the next play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” I was terrified at the audition and was hoping that maybe I could be cast as a fairy — I figured I could handle a few lines. When I saw I had been cast as Hermia, one of the romantic leads, I felt both exhilarated and as though I might vomit. The show went well, and I’m happy that my first stage role was such a wonderful one.
Why acting?
I enjoy acting because, contrary to popular opinion, it’s not about showing off and being an extrovert. It’s about people, relationships with each other, with the world, and with ourselves. Good theatre should make you think and feel. I love the focus and thoughtfulness required to build a character just as much as I love performing.
Can you tell me an interesting or amusing theatre story?
In college, I was in a production of The Merchant of Venice. One night during the courtroom scene, the actor playing Shylock knelt and engaged in some impressively loud flatulence. Everyone on stage was trying so hard to stifle their laughter, which was made even harder when the front row got the giggles over Shylock’s gassiness. Suffice to say, it detracted from Portia’s Quality of Mercy speech that night.
Do you have any favorite actors or actresses you admire?
Several. A few favorites are Kevin Kline, Cate Blanchett, Phillip Seymour-Hoffman, Annette Benning, Rachel Griffiths… those are just a few off the top of my head.
Are there qualities in your character that you also see in yourself?
Picking a favorite previous is impossible. I’ve been lucky to have several wonderful, but very different roles. My top three: Juliet in Immortal Longings, Catherine in Proof & Rita in Prelude to a Kiss
When I’m of the appropriate age, I’d love to play Maureen in The Beauty Queen of Leenane
Are there qualities in your character that you also see in yourself?
I’m in love. I think the similarities cease there though. Princessery is difficult to match in real life. Haha
Kayla Samoy 