Shannon Franklin. If you’ve recently received a call about one of our Sunset shows being rescheduled or cancelled, you have probably spoken with our fantastic box office representative, Shannon, now in the Sunset Spotlight.
- When did you first become involved at Sunset Playhouse and what areas have you been involved with here at the Playhouse?
I started volunteering at Sunset last August at the beginning of Hairspray. I graduated with an art major in 2018 and I had really been missing larger outlets for creativity and, having been consistently involved in theater since I was a kid, it just made sense. I started painting sets and doing run crew. I was hired as a front of house and box office manager shortly after that and, while I don’t have much time for run crew, I still love to help with set painting and occasionally construction. I’ve been able to help with some of the sets for the Jr. productions and I recently helped with a light hang for Noises Off.
- If you are working on a Sunset show right now, what is your role?
My role right now is keeping in contact with patrons! I look forward to being able to paint sets again, but in the meantime I’m doing my best to make sure our patrons have up-to-date information about our 19/20 and 20/21 seasons.
- If an actor, what has been your favorite role to date and what is your dream role? If a Production Team member, which show have you most enjoyed working on? What show would you like to do in the future?
I think Hairspray will always stand out to me, since it was my first show, but I also adored working on Mamma Mia. And, while there are plenty of shows I’d love to see at Sunset, I’d especially like to see our approach to Legally Blonde.
- What do you enjoy most about the Sunset?
I have met so many amazing people since I started working and volunteering here. There’s a real community that comes together around shared spaces for art and Sunset is no different. I’ve met people who have lived so many different lives that have led them to Sunset and it makes me even happier to have found it too.
- When not at Sunset, how do you spend your time?
I find it hard to not be doing something in my downtime. I cook and bake a lot, I read and listen to audiobooks and podcasts, or watch TV and movies. I like researching and learning new things or just hanging out with friends and family – including our dogs and cats. I’m often sketching, knitting or embroidering, or playing video games. I find a way to make sure my hands are always occupied!
- What is your favorite color/food/movie/TV show/book/musical or play?
Favorites are always hard for me, I tend to say that I like a lot of different things for different reasons, so I’ll just say what I’m currently into: Blue is always a top contender for favorite color; I’ve been really into making galettes lately – I made an asparagus and potato one last week with fresh garlic; whenever people ask about movies I tend to revert to saying Josie and the Pussycats, which I loved and still love dearly; I just finished watching Galavant (again); I also finished listening to the audiobook for The Last Time I Lied, which is a great suspense novel from Riley Sager; I’ve had a lot of songs from the Heathers musical stuck in my head lately, if that counts!
- What is your favorite quote?
There’s two sentences from Susan Sontag’s commencement address at Vassar College that have stuck with me ever since I first heard them: “Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention.”
- Any other comments?
I just really hope everyone is doing well. Being at Sunset without volunteers, cast and crew, and patrons bustling around isn’t the same. Sunset, to me, seems to be made up of the people who put so much love and care, and take so much joy, from what goes on here. I look forward to the day we can open our doors and welcome everyone back.