Sommer Austin is an artistic director for Triton College’s theater department. She created the Tritonysia Play Festival at the college.
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?
A: I went to school in West Des Moines, Iowa. I went to elementary and high school there. I went to University of Iowa for undergrad. I went to University of Wisconsin-Madison for graduate school.
Q: When did you become interested in theater?
A: I started doing theater in high school. I was an art major in college, and I decided to switch to theater. I really like visual art, as well.
Q: When did you start working at Triton College?
A: I started working there five years ago. I started in the fall of 2012. My husband and I were hired at the same time.
Q: What are your responsibilities at Triton?
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A: I’m an adjunct teacher in the theater department. I teach intro to acting, acting II, intro to theater and I’m the artistic director for the theater, too. I direct one play a year.
Q: Tell me about Tritonysia.
A: I started Tritonysia last year. It’s a play festival made of 10-minute plays. They’re plays written, directed and acted by the Triton community. I wanted more people on campus to know that the theater existed.
Q: How was Tritonyia last year?
A: It was a huge success. We got a lot of students who had never seen a play at Triton. This is going to be our second year having it.
Q: Tell me about your theater company No Shame Theatre Chicago.
A: We have a lot of playwrights and artists. We put a lot of work into the Chicago theater community.
Q: What advice would you give someone who wants to be an actor?
A: I would say to not give up. Being involved in theater at a community college shows that students can act. It is possible. It gives students experience and that confidence.
Q: What’s your favorite play?
A: My favorite play is “Death of a Salesman.”
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.