STC Women in Charge: Samantha K. Wyer

STC
WOMEN IN CHARGE

This fall, more than 50 Washington, D.C. professional theatres are participating in the momentous Women’s Voices Theater Festival, showcasing more than 50 world premiere plays by women. In the spirit of the festival, Shakespeare Theatre Company wants to highlight some of its Women in Charge. Theatre is a collaborative art, and a successful production involves stage managers, scenic designers, administrators and grant writers, costume designers, prop masters, trainers, and so many more. That is why we are taking the opportunity to highlight some of our women behind the scenes who keep our theatre, and the art form, alive.

During the run of Yaël Farber’s Salomé, our contribution to Women’s Voices, we will be publishing interviews with some of the women you will not see onstage, but who keep STC running smoothly. We’re proud to put these wonderful women in the spotlight!

We hope you enjoy the fifth installment, featuring Samantha K. Wyer, STC’s director of education.

AN INTERVIEW WITH SAMANTHA K. WYER

How long have you been working in the arts?
24 Years.

What’s your favorite show that you have helped make happen? Why?
I found when I directed I Am My Own Wife at Arizona Theatre Company, it felt very fulfilling. Guiding the marvelous actor, Bob Sorenson, through 30 plus characters and an important story took my directing work to a new level.

What’s your “dream show” to help make happen? Why?
I’m still waiting patiently to work on/for a production of King Lear. The story is heartbreaking and has some of the most beautiful poetry of Shakespeare woven into a play about fathers and daughters. It slays me.

What do you love about STC?
I love the forward motion from all departments—we are always looking for a new way to share our work, to talk to our community and to lift up the art. Complacency doesn’t happen at STC.

What got you started in the arts?
I played one of the four calling birds in the Christmas show in junior high. The orange one. From then on, I was a theatre kid.

Can you explain your role in the theatre world, for those who might not know?
As Director of Education, I oversee 26 programs, publications, and discussion series on Shakespeare and classical theatre. We have four main focuses: training programs, school programs, audience enrichment, and community engagement, and we work tirelessly to build pathways into our work for all—from the novice to the expert.

What’s the best part about your job?
I have a remarkably talented staff that puts their all into everything we need to accomplish. And we get to change lives every day through the power of theatre. What’s not to love?