Sarah Fisch, portrait by Sergio Cristóbal Mata
Meet Sarah Fisch
Sarah Fisch is an actor, writer, stand-up comic, and all around colorful gal. She plays the role of Barb in Joel Drake Johnson’s FOUR PLACES opening June 13th with The Surround Project.
Asking Sarah questions is like fishing in a barrel at the carnival, you know you’re going to come out with something (interesting, imaginative) every time. Let’s get started:
Sarah, what is your routine? How do you prepare your work for the theatre?
I like to go into a black hole of research about whatever the play is about – or whatever it is I think it’s about. For The Cherry Orchard, I read Russian history. For Four Places, I live with my parents.
You’re an artist with many outlets for your creativity, what other artists inspire you?
There’s a young comic named Aparna Nancherla I think everybody should watch. She’s completely unique and I love everything she’s done so far. Jules Buck Jones is a great painter. I’m listening to a lot of Cate LeBon.
Why did you decide to work with The Surround Project on FOUR PLACES?
Originally, the level of commitment to issues of mental health, done with a fully dramatized and humanistic approach rather than a didactic one, attracted me. The actual process opens you up to hard and scary stuff, which is rewarding but harder to prepare for.
What about the play surprises you?
The conflict is never just one thing. It’s recursive and cumulative and unstoppable. It doesn’t dissipate.
What do you recognize as true about the play?
That a majority of our adaptive mechanisms hurt us.
What do you hope the audience notices about the story?
That is doesn’t end, really.
We’re asking each artist on the team the questions from Bernard Pivot’s famous questionnaire to take a peek into your mind.
What is your favorite word?
Kamama; it’s Cherokee. It means elephant, and butterfly.
What is your least favorite word?
scrape
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Misdirection and unexpected juxtapositions
What turns you off?
Feeling trapped
What is your favorite curse word?
Motherfucker
What sound or noise do you love?
Thunder
What sound or noise do you hate?
Unnecessary electronic beeping
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Diplomacy
What profession would you not like to do?
Law enforcement
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
“Psych!”
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