Observe. Listen. Discover.
Inspiration
Starting a career in the theatre was never what I imagined for myself (despite being posed to be the prodigal nepo-baby; see below my uncle, James, already teaching me how to mug for the camera!). I went to public school my whole life and there was a theatre program and there were arts programs, but I turned away from those programs in high school… I did not have the courage to pursue a career in the arts. I was very shy and very introverted. While I took a lot of creative writing classes, I found critics totally devastating and humiliating.
I spent my twenties pursuing life in wilderness adventure activities because it rebuilt my self-esteem one cell at a time, because I found that if I could be brave and I could be strong physically, then everything else would eventually catch up. I’m really glad that at nineteen, I made that strange and difficult decision. I grew up on the East Coast but I moved myself to the West Coast. I pursued this thing and this life. I became an Outward Bound instructor and there’s not a day that doesn’t go by where I don’t draw from having have that experience. I think I didn’t know who I was until I escaped the trappings of what I thought I was supposed to be
Special thanks to Victoria Myers for usage of interview material from The Interval, 3/27/2017.
By the time I found a space in the theater, (or rather, it found me, thanks to happenstance, the Intiman Theater in Seattle, and one Bartlett Sher!), I realized approaching the theatrical canon often started with mining the work for data and information about the writer, the society they existed in, and the cultural moment; a skill set I was already well-versed in. I think I’ve just always been somebody who’s really attracted to, or really dedicated to trying to live my life as fully as I can in the present moment. I try to follow the energy of that and try to stay open to those opportunities and take the work as I need to.
Process
“BE A KEEN OBSERVER OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.”
What defines a success is more fluid than we tend to believe— I see my role as being a facilitator of conversations around the work, whether that be with actors, my creative team, or the audience. The process is driven by active dialogue and conversation to create something bigger than ourselves. Ego and fear are killers of process; they rob us of a shared communal opportunity at discovery. It’s imperative everyone in the room stays open to exploration and isn’t trying to work out everything in advance. We have to commit to being fully present with one another.
“When I’m directing, I don’t draw my inspiration from other theater,
I draw it from music, nature, architecture, the visual arts,
the world around me,
and then those are imbued in the piece.”
collaboration
Nothing is made in isolation. Below are some of my closest collaborators whose work has challenged, inspired, and delighted me time and time again.
SARNA LAPINE: "I like to say Laura Penn & Bart Sherr opened the door and gave me my first opportunities to work in the theater, but my friendship and collaboration with MIKIKO SUZUKI ADAMS is what has made me stay."
SARNA & MIKIKO have worked together for nearly twenty years and over a dozen productions, not only nationwide, but worldwide.
SARNA LAPINE: "KATE HAMILL engages in any work at multiple levels-- she’s thinking about the original piece, and pulling it out of history and into the present with present day attitudes and questions and humor. Her spirit and intellect, precision and wit are an endless delight to be in a room with."
KATE & SARNA have collaborated on two different premieres of Kate's work, and are currently developing with Deaf West Theater a production of her adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility.
“I had the pleasure and joy of working with Sarna on a production of Sweeney Todd at Signature Theater in the DC area. She is very smart and fearless! She brought insightful ideas to the table and collaborated with the best idea, always winning. Sarna has a keen eye for the truth and honesty in storytelling. We laughed a lot and found the comedy in the midst of finding humanity in the tragic story of Sweeney. I truly look forward to our next collaboration.”
“Sarna is a fierce collaborator who always comes from a place of intense passion for the work that is contagious and inspiring. Her meticulousness in the room helps focus in on the core of the storytelling, helping me as a composer and lyricist to find clarity in what can often feel like a cloud of ideas."
“I’m beyond grateful to call Sarna Lapine a collaborator and friend of mine. She truly champions other artists.
When I’ve worked with her as a performer, I feel her passion for the material and the joy and laughter she values in the rehearsal process. She went out of her way to let me know my efforts and energy, onstage and off, had made a positive impact on the company, and I still carry that as a point of pride.
Moving to the other side of the table as her assistant director has been such a gratifying experience. I have learned so much from watching a piece through her eyes. While maintaining a clear vision, she values input from the entire team, knowing that she’s assembled artists that all care about making a show the best it can possibly be.
Sarna has opened so many doors for me, both by trusting me enough to bring me onboard for different projects, but also by her encouragement and investment in me as an artist. She’s broadened my own belief in what’s possible for my career, and I know I’m not the only one. I see her mentor young artists through her teaching and development work. We’re all very lucky to have a force like Sarna on our team.”
olivia wilusz, performer & director
“The biggest advantage and perk of working with Sarna Lapine is that you don't just get a director. You are afforded a dramaturg, a troubleshooter, and one of the best sounding boards you could ever dream of bouncing things off of. The way she works with writers is close, never rushed, and always to service the creative endeavor at hand. She treats actors with reverence and respect and can play to a myriad of their strengths. One specific thing I admire about Sarna is her architectural-like focus when it comes to making new art. With a skillful eye for structure, Sarna is a secret weapon for making your script, rehearsal, and show process earthquake-proof. A true joy to be around, Sarna is a wit-filled professional storymaker who infuses the spirit of play into her incredible work.”
“Sarna’s passion and enthusiasm for the work is infectious. She comes impeccably prepared to every process with a singular vision and a clear sense of purpose, in relentless pursuit of making every moment special. Sarna cares deeply about the work and why we are doing it, but is equally interested in the people with whom she has chosen to collaborate. She keeps the atmosphere light, but is all business and supremely focused when it counts. Sarna is a fantastic leader, and it’s always a gift to be in a room of her making.”
