Interview with Nilaja Sun

Nilaja Sun takes some time to talk to Voice about Pike St., inspirations, and to give advice to young people.

Interview with Nilaja Sun

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

I am Nilaja Sun, from the Lower East Side of NYC. Most known for my solo piece No Child… which followed a teaching artist in a high school in the South Bronx, I enjoyed an exciting and successful run at the Fringe in 2010, produced by the Barrow St. Theatre. I also have a recurring role in the TV show "Madam Secretary" as the treasonous best friend of the Secretary of State.

How would you describe your show?

Pike St. is a solo piece about a day in the life of a family in the Lower East Side during a disastrous hurricane.

Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

Having had so much fun in 2010 at the Fringe with No Child…, I definitely made it a goal to come back with Scott Morfee and the Barrow St. Theatre with this newest piece.

What differentiates it from other festivals?

Though I don't frequent festivals around the world, what feels so great about the Fringe is the knowledge that while I'm performing on stage, there are hundreds of other performers doing the exact same thing at the exact same time around the city. It's like I am in a tremendously powerful energy grid of theatre and it is life changing. Also, many audience members come from far and wide because they deeply love theatre and are there to enjoy every show. No sourpusses in the front row, which is a true bonus.

Do you think the Fringe has changed over the years? If so, how? Are these changes positive or negative?

I shall see once I get there. One thing I do know, it's on every theatre-maker's bucket list!

What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?

I have a deep love for physical comedy. Watching tons of TV as a child, Carol Burnett, Eddie Murphy, Benny Hill, Whoopi Goldberg and Jim Carey were my obsessions.

If you didn't have your current job, what would you probably be doing?

I would love to be the person at the airport who shuttles the elderly from gate to gate. I'm super protective of the elderly when I'm out and about and I love to hear stories about the old days and how they persevered. Once they start talking about how inferior our generation is, I'm out. Ok, so maybe I'd last a day in that job, but I'd be happy.

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

See answer above, love me some old folk stories!

What is your earliest childhood art memory?

Taking piano classes from a fierce Russian teacher at the Henry St. Settlement. Her fingers stunk like cigarettes and she made me cry every class but her passion was infectious and I went back for more every week.

Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?

I am, and have always been, a super private person and when I'm doing a run of my solo work, I'm so focused on the show every day and days off, that I sometimes need to be reminded to live a little and go out. I try my best not to comment on everything because lately in America, it's easy to comment on something every five minutes. I try to let my art be my social commentary.

Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?

As an American, I always want to create work that reminds the world that people of colour have been great contributors to American history, culture, and tradition and that our stories exist and matter.

Describe the last year in 5 words or less.

Creativity, work ethic, shocking, heartbreaking, resist.

If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?

I always want to work with everyone all the time because I love studying people, so that's a hard one and on any given day I'm obsessed with Malala Yousafzai, Oprah, Michelle and Barack Obama and Beyonce. Can I smash them together to work with Beylala ObamWinfrey? Then, my life would be set!


Pike St. is performing at Summerhall at 15:00 on 4th – 27th (not 8th, 15th, 22nd). For tickets and more information visit the Ed Fringe website.

Author

Tom Inniss

Tom Inniss Voice Team

Tom is the Editor of Voice. He is a politics graduate and holds a masters in journalism, with particular interest in youth political engagement and technology. He is also a mentor to our Voice Contributors, and champions our festivals programme, including the reporter team at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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