We are happy to have Samantha
Phillips-Norton teaching Theatre
Appreciation for the Division of Theatre & Dance this fall while Professor
Krupp is on sabbatical. Sam is a regular collaborator with the division. She taught
Stage Combat for theatre students and was the fight choreographer for last fall’s
BU Players production of Macbeth. We asked her five questions.
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| Fight rehearsal for Macbeth choreographed by Sam Norton. |
How did you first become
interested in theatre?
I first became interested in theatre in Rota Spain where my
Father was stationed. My parents had a wild pack of friends, both military and
native, who jumped on the idea to start a local community theatre. My Father
was the leading force in this endeavour since he had more "theatrical
training" than the others, meaning he had once dressed in drag to do a
radio play when stationed in Antartica.
I remember the sensation of being bewitched watching my Mother and
Father performing Shakespeare.
What is your favorite
thing about theatre?
My favorite thing about theatre is Samuel Tayor Coleridge's
coined phrase, "suspension of disbelief"- (1817 Biographia
Literania): "[...] to transfer from our inward nature a human interest and
a semblance of truth sufficient to procure for these shadows of imagination
that willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic
faith." There is nothing like that
moment we find ourselves 'inside' the story. It's a very elusive victory for
the actor and their audience.
What's one of your favorite
shows you have ever worked on?
I was cast in the American Repertory Theatre's national tour
of Shlemiel the First. It was my
first time working with an ensemble of real pros., Robert Brustein, Hankus
Netsky, Robert Israel, Catherine Zuber, and David Gordon. David Gordon directed
the musical to the break-neck tempos of Klezmer music. In addition to
understudying the two female leads, my job was to replace, without
interruption, any 'wise men' who left the stage with a stunt dummy. I loved the
speed and precision of the exchanges. Also exciting was the opportunity to
perform the lead female part for a weekend and being cast in the Broadway(bound),
production.
What’s one show you would
love to work on someday?
Mrs. Peachum in Brecht's Threepenny
Opera, (hint, hint). Any play Mark Rylance is in, (like his upcoming
production, Nice Fish) or ANYTHING
Dame Judi Dench is doing- like The
Winter's Tale at the Garrick theatre in London. It's not so much the role
that I desire, it's the dream of working with extremely talented artists.
If you were a fruit
of vegetable, what would it be? Why?
If I were a fruit it would have to be the banana. As a
banana, kids love you. It's also one of the fruits they often have a hard time
pronouncing- which can be funny and endearing. Grown-ups think you're funny.
They use your skin for pratfalls.The polar opposite of the popular banana is my favorite
vegetable-the brussel sprout. It is one of the most hated vegetables in
America. I am the brussel sprout. Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside with
a surprisingly nutty flavor. Even the most ardent loather can be converted when
they pay attention to we're prepared. We are secretly delicious.
Samantha Phillips-Norton holds an MFA in Opera and Theatre from the
University of Maryland College Park, and is an Affiliate Artist with The
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Recently at
BTE, Samantha
played Jean in Good People, Mrs. Billiams in A Very Special Christmas Special
and the Musician/Judge in The Merchant of Venice.
