Interview
Marya Sea Kaminski C'99
What did you study at Penn?
What types of extra curricular activities were you involved in at
Penn?
-
While I was a student I served on the Quadramics Board,
illustrated the Gen XX magazine, contributed to Voyage Out and
directed, acted or designed an average of two shows each
semester.
What are you up to now?
-
Now I live and work in Seattle. I moved here from New York in
2001 to attend graduate school at the University of Washington.
Upon receiving my MFA in Acting in 2004, I co-founded a theatre
company here called the Washington Ensemble Theatre. Over the
last four years, I've served as Co-artistic director,
Communications Chair, and Literary Manager for the company, as
well as collaborating as a performer, director and playwright.
During that time I've also had several delicious opportunties to
work in the larger Seattle theatre community; I've continued to
create and perform my original solo shows and have worked on
some incredible projects including the first North American
production of My Name is Rachel Corrie at the Seattle Repertory
Theatre. I resigned from the Washington Ensemble Theatre last
spring and am currently preparing to film my first indie feature
in November and starting to develop the first draft of my
collected works.
What did you learn at Penn that has been most useful in your
career?
-
The Theatre Arts program at Penn gave me an incredibly strong
foundation in both theatre theory and contemporary theatre
practices. Because of my understanding of theory, I always feel
like I can place my work in a wider context, that I am in
dialogue with the artists and visionaries that have come before
me. I often feel like that knowledge and education distinguishes
me from other actors and directors working in theatre and film.
I also learned how to produce theatre through my experience in
the the Theatre Arts program and on the Quadramics board. When I
graduated I knew how to design, build, direct, publicize and
budget a project. Those skills have been invaluable to me as
I've cleared a path into this profession. I have never had to
wait around for someone to hire me, I have been able to create
my own opportunities and realize my own ideas.
You are a writer, director, teacher, and a performer. Which is
your favorite and which has been most challenging (and why)?
-
Wow. I don't think I can say which discipline I prefer - I'm
rather dependent and inspired by all of them. I have a short
attention span so it's proven essential for me to be able to
change my focus from project to project, though I do always find
myself returning to my work as a performer. Teaching is probably
the most consistently challenging and also most consistently
rewarding work I do. My students inspire me. Their hunger and
curiosity remind me why I was drawn to the Theatre in the first
place.
What advice would you have for a Tharts major struggling to get
into the industry after graduating?
-
Self-produce. Don't wait around for someone else to decide
you're talented. Make your own work. Put it up. In a theater. In
a bar. In your apartment. Invite your friends. Talk and laugh
about it. Do it again. Find collaborators who challenge you and
who you think are brilliant. Hang out with them all the time.
Say yes to each other's ideas. The trends in the American
Theatre are moving away from the work produced in the regional
theatre system, or even work produced solely in New York. The
future of the American Theatre is being shaped and forged by
small ensembles of artists practicing their craft all across the
country. Find a community to belong to. And then make theatre
for them. They'll show up if you do.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Interview conducted by Alexandra S. Feinson C'11
|
