BWW Interviews: Mandy Seymore-Sensat Gives The Lowdown on Inspiration Stage And SPELLING BEE

The sweaty palms! The compound words! All those weird grammar rules! Yes, it's time for THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE! Inspiration Stage, a theatre group and theatre training program heralded for excellence in performing arts, presents the show this month in it's histroric Sugarland location. Mandy Seymore-Sensat opened Inspiration Stage's doors just two years ago and it's amazing the progress that this theatre company and performing arts school has made. I talked with Ms. Seymore-Sensat about theatre, new ventures, and of course, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE.

BWW: When did you begin thinking about starting a theatre venture like Inspiration Stage?

Mandy Seymore-Sensat: Inspiration Stage is my second theatre venture. My husband and I ran The Slightly Off Center Players in Deer Park for twelve years. We then moved to Florida where I was the Education Director for Ocala Civic Theatre. We moved back home when my mother got her second diagnosis of Breast Cancer. Mom was always my biggest supporter and cheerleader. She really pushed me to open Inspiration Stage. I don't think we would be having this conversation if it wasn't for her love and belief in me. It means a lot more to me now that she is gone - it is our legacy.

As a director, what is the biggest challenge of your job? What has been the most fulfilling part of being the artistic director of a theatre company and school?

Casting is always a huge challenge as a director. Honoring the right actor with the right role, seeing and cultivating that spark of potential, choosing not only someone who is talented, but is also the missing puzzle piece in the landscape of each production. The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing my actors flourish onstage, seeing them get excited about the process and the craft, seeing them believe in their talent as much as I do, seeing their journey.

Inspiration Stage just opened THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Are you a good speller? What appeals to you about this particular show?

Am I a good speller? I am the worst speller! I always have to ask my husband how to spell something- I will type a word out and it just never looks right. The majority of the time it's correct, I just always second guess myself. What appeals? The score and sophistication. It's a musical where adults play children, but they can't be cartoon characters- they have to be sincere and honest in their portrayal. The show started its journey as an improv piece and has grown into a funny and touching examination of what it's like for a child to want to be the best at something. These kids have chosen a National Spelling Bee. I'm always shocked to sit in the audience and hear the laughter, the gasps and see the tears. While directing Putnam, I went to bed every night with the songs in my head and woke up in the same predicament. The music is contagious, the characters lovable and real. This cast has been a dream to work with- we laugh hard and play hard.

You have 2 different casts- a PG-rated version with a teen cast and a PG-13 version with an adult cast. What are the main differences between the two shows?

Inspiration Stage focuses on educational theatre. We strive to entertain, to educate, and to inspire. I've started a protégée program, where I cast an adult show with teen actors and allow my adult actors to mentor the teens. They are at every rehearsal, sometimes standing in for my adult actors if they're absent. It's a joy to see them learning and being pushed to excellence by our very talented cast. I hope they have been inspired. I know they have inspired the adults. They get 3 performances that are rated PG. This allows my very large student and family iStagers to see the show without the language.

What do you look for when you're deciding which shows to do?

There are several things I look for when deciding on a show for Inspiration Stage- things like a good script, name recognition, cast size, production value...the list goes on. The most important thing is that it inspires me. Myself, my team and my students have to be excited about the show. Each show is its own unique process and journey, one that takes time away from schoolwork, family, jobs etc. When they come to Inspiration Stage, they are coming to their home away from home- so it is important to me that their time spent here is in a loving and encouraging environment.

It's 5 years in the future. Where do you want Inspiration Stage to be in terms of growth?

Truthfully I never expected we would grow as fast as we have. Inspiration Stage is two years old in August. I thought it would take us five years to get where we are today. I think it's important to thank several people for our growth. First, my iStage parents for believing in me and the type of theatre I wanted to bring to the Fort Bend area. Their encouragement and positive word of mouth are my biggest champions. Second is my partnership with the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation and the city of Sugar Land. We are the only theatre in Sugar Land and are blessed to be in a beautifully restored historic auditorium. I'm living my dream. I get to do what I love surrounded by a community that supports the arts and a very talented pool of actors. I hope in five years we have continued to bring professional quality shows with a community theatre vibe to Sugar Land and the greater Houston area.

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE runs at Inspiration Stage May 7- May 18. For tickets, go to: http://inspirationstage.com/shows.html.

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