I caught up with Jennifer Steele-Saunders, co-founder of the Seaside Repertory Theatre and woman extraordinaire, for this week's SoWal Scene Q & A.
You are a founding member of the Seaside Repertory Theatre. When and how did it all begin?
Craige Hoover and I both had family homes in the area, his in Seaside and mine in Grayton Beach. We had never met, which was odd, but being a theatre “person,” I had several mutual friends who kept telling me I needed to meet this guy who wanted to start a theatre in Seaside. We finally met early in 2000 after he had already laid some of the groundwork with Robert Davis and started to form a Board. I did not want to miss out on the chance to start a professional theatre in the place I had always wanted to live. So I resigned from my job at a theatre in Atlanta and moved down later that year, and we began raising money. Our first show was in May 2001, and now the Rep is beginning its 8th season.
Why Seaside?
We needed the stability of Seaside, which had already established itself as a cultural center. Although we had a lot of support from residents and businesses in Seaside, it took a long time for the whole community to really understand that we were a non-profit organization and a separate entity from any Seaside corporation. Seaside has been kind to us, and I don’t think at the time we could have survived, let alone grown, anywhere else.
The Rep has grown into an incredibly successful community theatre, attracting talent from all around the country. How did you guys nurture it to being what it is today?
I think for several years we were just in survival mode. We were young and had a lot of passion and energy. The community put so much faith in us through their financial and moral support, and I’ll be forever grateful. We have been blessed with directors and actors who continually return to work with us, but it might just be the beach!
You are an actress - do you participate in any of the productions at the Rep?
I have performed in many shows, but the one I receive the most comments on is “Always…Patsy Cline.”
Any plans for expansion or other changes and/or additions at the Rep in the near or distant future?
I have actually resigned my position as managing director and have taken on a consultant role with the Rep through my newly formed company, The Saunders Group. It was a big decision, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with other groups, like the Cultural Arts Association, while continuing my support and involvement of the Rep, which will always be my “baby.”
You are on the Walton County TDC's committee for Arts and Culture. When did that form and what is the committee's purpose?
The Arts & Culture committee has just been combined with the Nature Based Tourism committee to be called the New Product Development Committee. Its purpose is to work in partnership with community and government entities to seek innovative ways to enhance visual and performing arts programs in Walton County. It also promotes beyond the beach opportunities, like nature-based tourism, cultural heritage tourism and rural tourism. The Artist of the Year program is a part of this plan.
Mom, consultant to the Seaside Rep, singer, real estate agent, advocate for the arts and cultural community in SoWal, actress ... I'm impressed! How do you manage it all?
I have always enjoyed making things happen, and I love having a full life. I have, however, been known to over-commit myself, and that is something I’m trying to improve about myself.
You know, you do things for different reasons during different parts of your life, but I find myself in a place now where I just want to do the best I can to strengthen the arts in my community while taking the best possible care of my family and myself. That is all.
Any exciting Arts and Cultural events coming to SoWal you want to share with us?
I have the fortune of working with the Cultural Arts Association to produce ArtsQuest this year, which is the 20th anniversary. I absolutely love this organization – they have the most inspired group of volunteers – it’s unbelievable. I think the week of May 4 – 11 is going to be a time of great celebration, and many key players in the founding of ArtsQuest will be honored.
The Rep is beginning something new this year – the Starlight Film Series. They will show independent films every Sunday on the Lyceum Lawn in Seaside, beginning March 16. Admission is $5.
Thanks, Jennifer!
