"Sisterly: A Memory Play," written by UNC-Chapel Hill student Alexandra LaGrand, is being performed by LAB! Theatre from Feb. 3-5. Staff writer Krupa Kaneria interviewed Samantha Yancey, a producer of the show, about her thoughts and inspiration about the play.
The Daily Tar Heel: How did you personally get involved with LAB! Theatre?
Samantha Yancey: When I got to campus at the beginning of my first year, I knew I wanted to be involved in student theater in some capacity. I had never stage managed before, but there was a low-commitment stage managing position open with LAB!, and I figured, "Why not try something new?" I fell in love with LAB! as a company, and I ended up stage managing for another production, and I have been an executive producer on the board since last May.
DTH: What was it like being a producer and producing this show?
SY: This is actually my first time producing a main stage production and it has been really interesting to discover all that producing a show entails. While I may not be in the room for long rehearsals every night, I have to make sure we have a room to rehearse in and make sure the cast and director have the things they need to have a smooth rehearsal process and show.
DTH: How is this show different than maybe some of the other shows that you have worked on?
SY: I've been really fortunate to work on a lot of different student scripts in some capacity, but there's something really special about this production. There's so much passion behind every word of this script, and every person involved in this process is so incredibly dedicated to the project. It's really incredible to watch all of this come together.
DTH: How did you decide to put on this show?
SY: We were actually looking to add a third show to our spring season back in November, and Alexandra asked one of the other producers if we'd consider her script. (The producer) sent it to me and I sat down to read a few pages before an appointment, and I ended up being late to the appointment because I couldn't put it down. I was immediately hooked, and I knew I had to be a part of bringing it to life.