Sang S. Kim is a well known face in the local theater scene, best known for working with groups like Thunderbird Theater Company and Killing My Lobster. March 2012 will mark Sang’s SF Theater Pub debut and so we thought we’d take a moment to chat with our new collaborator and find out more about who he is, what he does, and why he’s doing it with us!
So which Ode are you writing and what qualifies you to write this particular ode?
I’m writing three Odes: Choreographer, Light Designer and Actor. I am not qualified for any of these positions which inversely makes me qualified to “ode” about how amazing the people are who perform these roles.
Have you ever written an Ode, or any poetry for that matter, before?
I worked on Literary magazines briefly where I butchered a lot of Spenserian sonnets. They were all very emo before the word emo existed. My girlfriend at the time dumped me and it was the early nineties so I was listening way too much of Alphaville and the Cure.
Tell us more about your background in the local theater scene. Who have you worked with and what have you done there?
I’ve loitered mostly with Thunderbird Theatre, Killing My Lobster and my own sketch project Serve By Expiration. I’ve also been lucky to work frequently with Playground, Asian American Theater and Actors Ensemble of Berkeley and pretty much any theater company that’s having an open invite wrap party. I’m happy to just be a writer and writer only these days but I was in a PianoFight show once where Claire Rice directed Matt Gunnison (her husband) and me sexually role-playing. My therapist and I are still working through that experience.
How did you get involved with Theater Pub?
How could I not get involved? Theater Pub employs 95 percent of my Facebook friends. I can’t afford to be de-friended. Have you actually logged into Google Plus?
What about being involved with Theater Pub is exciting or interesting for you, especially since this is your first time?
I’ve been stalking Theater Pub since it started. I can’t think of another creative outlet where a gaggle of talented people are so invested in making each other look good every month. Performance feeds off an audience and I’ve been looking forward to being on the other side of a Theater Pub audience.
Is there anything that’s daunting or troublesome?
Troublesome no. But daunting yes. Too many people I respect and admire are involved in Theater Pub. My hunger for validation is quite sad and insatiable.
Is there something you’d like to see or do at Theater Pub in the future?
Out of pure self interest, probably sketch comedy or stand-up. How about a parody of a Theater Pub Award Show? It could last 5 hours long and the In Memoriam could be all the improv groups that didn’t make it this year.
What else are you working on these days?
Trying a dramatic play for once. Also giving non theater projects a go such as screenplays, teleplays etc.
What are you most looking forward to in this year’s Bay Area Theater scene?
Too many. A lot of groups and festivals have been on fire the last few years (BOA, Custom Made, Sketchfest, SF Fringe, etc). I’m going to have to start paying full price for once instead of scavenging on Goldstar.
What’s your favorite beer?
You know what’s sad? I spent the most time thinking about this question than the nine before it. Let’s just go ahead and say Guiness. That’s a safe choice. It’s like the Mitt Romney of stouts.
Don’t miss The Odes of March, on Monday, March 19th, at the Cafe Royale! Showtime is 8 PM and as usual it’s all free, but we encourage you to get to the bar early as we tend to get very full. See you there!
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