Q&A with Samantha Soule
Samantha Soule plays Viola in the Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of Twelfth Night, running December 2, 2008 through January 4, 2009 in Sidney Harman Hall.
Hometown: Acton, MA.
Most recent projects:
Candida by G.B. Shaw, and a new play called The Evildoers by David Adjmi
Favorite role you’ve done:
Hmmm… that’s almost impossible for me to answer! A couple years ago, I played Wren in Lee Blessing’s A Body of Water for Ethan McSweeny at The Old Globe, and I found that deeply moving. At first she was a mystery to me, so angry and violent, but the path backwards within her from this anger to vulnerability and pain was amazing to track and taught me a lot about how close fear and rage are. In Evildoers I played Judy, who was by far the most difficult role I have attempted. A woman without an emotional skin almost, so SO vulnerable and afraid and deeply wounded by the unkindness in the world. It was an unreal experience to play daily. I don’t think any other role has been more demanding and to be asked to work at that level and call upon my own emotions that completely was an experience I will never forget. But it is not just the emotionally charged roles that are rewarding. At New York Theater Workshop I played Sally and Sophie in Paul Rudnick’s Valhalla and that was pure joy. They are two halves of one person in some ways. Sally is beautiful and confident, but vapid, and Sophie is funny and strong, but a suicidal hunchback. Playing that high, wild, madcap comedy was a rare thrill for me and taught me lots on the power of laughter. But I think Viola actually might top my list. I played her my last year at Juilliard and am so honored and thrilled to have more time with her. Shakespeare’s characters are like Rubik’s cubes; you can work on them forever and always learn more. Viola so deep and full of amazing complications. She is at once living a lie and yet cannot help tell the truth. She is both hiding within Cesario and living so fully on the edge and with such unparalleled bravery she astounds me. To have to chance to revisit her at this stage of my life is truly a gift.
What play would you most like to perform in and what character would you like to play?:
This one!
What's on your iPod? (mp3, cd player, etc.):
Bill Evens, Cat Empire, Rufus Wainwright, B.B. King, Oliver Mtukudzi, Amy Winehouse to name a few…
Favorite Shakespearean play:
Honestly, Twelfth Night… or King Lear
Favorite Shakespearean villain:
Lady Macbeth, no question.
Have you had a chance to see D.C.? What’s your favorite spot in the city?:
This is my third time working at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. I love spending time in DC and have actually had time here in all four seasons. In the spring, the FDR Memorial is my favorite, the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin and all the water falls. I love the way you walk THROUGH that memorial instead of just look AT it. In winter, the Botanical Gardens are my favorite spot to sit. In summer, it’s the National Gallery, to escape the humidity and wander through those beautiful galleries, and fall is beautiful all over, but Sunday mornings at Eastern Market are something I always miss when back in NYC.
Why did you want to do this play?:
As I said, having played it as a very young woman I wanted to revisit it and see what it would hold for me a handful of years later… But I would guess I will always take chances to revisit this play. It is such a beautiful journey for all its characters from a world governed by loss and grief to one brought back to life through love that I will always be happy to play any role in it!
What is your favorite scene in Twelfth Night? Why?:
The first scene between Olivia and Viola is my favorite. They are both such amazing women and so deep in grief they have hid themselves away from life, and through this scene the undeniable connection between them sparks the beginning of both women’s desire to live again… granted in a very confused, wonderfully complicated way!
What’s next for you after Twelfth Night?:
Hopefully more work, some travel and my wedding!
Most recent projects:
Candida by G.B. Shaw, and a new play called The Evildoers by David Adjmi
Favorite role you’ve done:
Hmmm… that’s almost impossible for me to answer! A couple years ago, I played Wren in Lee Blessing’s A Body of Water for Ethan McSweeny at The Old Globe, and I found that deeply moving. At first she was a mystery to me, so angry and violent, but the path backwards within her from this anger to vulnerability and pain was amazing to track and taught me a lot about how close fear and rage are. In Evildoers I played Judy, who was by far the most difficult role I have attempted. A woman without an emotional skin almost, so SO vulnerable and afraid and deeply wounded by the unkindness in the world. It was an unreal experience to play daily. I don’t think any other role has been more demanding and to be asked to work at that level and call upon my own emotions that completely was an experience I will never forget. But it is not just the emotionally charged roles that are rewarding. At New York Theater Workshop I played Sally and Sophie in Paul Rudnick’s Valhalla and that was pure joy. They are two halves of one person in some ways. Sally is beautiful and confident, but vapid, and Sophie is funny and strong, but a suicidal hunchback. Playing that high, wild, madcap comedy was a rare thrill for me and taught me lots on the power of laughter. But I think Viola actually might top my list. I played her my last year at Juilliard and am so honored and thrilled to have more time with her. Shakespeare’s characters are like Rubik’s cubes; you can work on them forever and always learn more. Viola so deep and full of amazing complications. She is at once living a lie and yet cannot help tell the truth. She is both hiding within Cesario and living so fully on the edge and with such unparalleled bravery she astounds me. To have to chance to revisit her at this stage of my life is truly a gift.
What play would you most like to perform in and what character would you like to play?:
This one!
What's on your iPod? (mp3, cd player, etc.):
Bill Evens, Cat Empire, Rufus Wainwright, B.B. King, Oliver Mtukudzi, Amy Winehouse to name a few…
Favorite Shakespearean play:
Honestly, Twelfth Night… or King Lear
Favorite Shakespearean villain:
Lady Macbeth, no question.
Have you had a chance to see D.C.? What’s your favorite spot in the city?:
This is my third time working at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. I love spending time in DC and have actually had time here in all four seasons. In the spring, the FDR Memorial is my favorite, the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin and all the water falls. I love the way you walk THROUGH that memorial instead of just look AT it. In winter, the Botanical Gardens are my favorite spot to sit. In summer, it’s the National Gallery, to escape the humidity and wander through those beautiful galleries, and fall is beautiful all over, but Sunday mornings at Eastern Market are something I always miss when back in NYC.
Why did you want to do this play?:
As I said, having played it as a very young woman I wanted to revisit it and see what it would hold for me a handful of years later… But I would guess I will always take chances to revisit this play. It is such a beautiful journey for all its characters from a world governed by loss and grief to one brought back to life through love that I will always be happy to play any role in it!
What is your favorite scene in Twelfth Night? Why?:
The first scene between Olivia and Viola is my favorite. They are both such amazing women and so deep in grief they have hid themselves away from life, and through this scene the undeniable connection between them sparks the beginning of both women’s desire to live again… granted in a very confused, wonderfully complicated way!
What’s next for you after Twelfth Night?:
Hopefully more work, some travel and my wedding!
Labels: Rebecca Bayla Taichman, Samantha Soule, Shakespeare, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Theatre
posted by Shakespeare Theatre Company at 10:17 AM
1 Comments:
How long did it take to stage the scene of partial nudity without showing the whole audience?
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