SARAH CANNON is a two-time Kevin Kline Award Nominee: once for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, and once for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play (for her work as Mary Warren in Muddy Waters Theatre Company's production of The Crucible). This summer she tackles the role of Elizabeth Proctor, her third time performing in The Crucible.
Pictured below: Sarah as Ophelia in Hamlet
PIctured below: as Sister James in Doubt
1. So, Sarah, you will be appearing on stage with one of your former students, Maggie McVey, in The Crucible. How does it make you feel as a teacher and now as a colleague?
When Maggie attended Rosati-Kain High School I could see right away that she was a deeply talented and driven performer. I am so pleased and proud that she has gone on to grow her abilities to become the incredible professional actor she now is. I am truly excited and honored to share the OAT stage with Maggie (even if we don’t have any lines together).
2. Where are you from and how did you decide to spend the summer at OAT?
I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. I left to pursue degrees in both theatre and literature in Evansville, IN (and for a time in Grantham, England). After school I returned to St. Louis where I currently reside with my husband, OAT artistic/producing director, Jason Cannon and our three cats. I decided to spend the summer in Rolla for two reasons. The first is that I LOVE The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I have been in the show twice before but never in this role and I jumped at the chance to do it. The second reason is that I love working with my husband as a director.
3. How did you get in to the theatre?
When I was a kid I used to make all the other neighbor kids help me put on shows in our back yard (we had auditions and everything). Once I got to high school I began to perform in the theatre there and at the nearby all-boys high school. I loved performing so much that I decided to attempt to gain acceptance into The University of Evansville’s theatre program. My double major at the university equipped me to be both a professional actor and a teacher of both theatre and literature.
4. What’s one of your fondest theatrical memories as a performer?
One of my very fondest memories would have to be the opening night of Hamlet in 2006. My husband and I had worked on the cutting of the script together and he also directed the production. Through a series of events beyond anyone’s control Jason also ended up playing the lead role with only a week to rehearse it. The cast members surrounding us are all remarkably talented and wonderful people and it just all came together – in spite of quite a few roadblocks. Hamlet is my favorite play and to be able to have been a part of that production was just…magic.
5. What are you most looking forward to experiencing in Rolla?
I am looking forward to working in that adorable little theatre with all of these talented professionals that have been assembled. I am also looking forward to a pizza from Alex’s, a falafel sandwich at the Giddy Goa, and the bruschetta at Benton Square.
