Deb Sambol made her formal theatre debut with ACT 2 Theatre just a couple of months ago. Now she’s back in action playing the role of Nicolette (Sal’s wife, Maria’s mother) in Holy Cannoli. Here’s her theatre story.
I think I’ve always been a theater geek. I can remember being one of the only kids in grade school to come in all excited over some performance I watched on the Tony Awards, most of them looking at me like I was an alien or something. I took some drama classes in high school but never even went out for school plays. Something always got in the way, usually boys…of course.
After years of bopping around the country, I settled back at home and started a family. My youngest showed interest in theater so I went on the hunt for something for him to get involved with and found the Jigsaw Theater. From that moment on, I was a Theater Mom! I was the one backstage helping, going over lines, making sure he ‘had this’.
Like most kids, he and his brother grew up, becoming more self-sufficient, so I found myself with time on my hands. Time I could use to do the things I’ve always wanted to do. One of those things was comedy. I heard about an improv comedy workshop being held locally so on a whim, I went. It was a blast! When a troupe was formed, I tried out and made it. It was the coolest thing, being on stage acting goofy. People actually liked it and they laughed at me. They laughed! I had the bug, the ‘being on stage’ bug.
I had always wanted to get involved with community theater but lacked the confidence to just do it and after my experience with the improv troupe I wanted to try even more things. I found the perfect opportunity with ACT 2’s Polterguest, a one-act play. I had met the director, Lydia Mong, during my early days as a Theater Mom when she was the ‘Wicked Witch’ in ACT 2’s Hansel and Gretel with my son Luke, ‘Gingerbread Boy #1’. We remained friends throughout the years so when she put the word out that she was directing her first play and was looking for actors I decided to go for it. Much to my surprise, I was cast as ‘Madame Zandra’! I didn’t throw up or pee myself on stage so I thought yeah, I can do this!
When the opportunity came up again, this time with another first time director and new friend Susan Capicotto Nichols, to audition for a loud, middle aged, Catholic, Italian, NY mom in Holy Cannoli, how could I not audition? When my son and other theater kids throughout the years would tell me they felt like they were part of a family, I now know what they meant. I just didn’t know that family was going to be so much fun.
You’re in the theatre tribe now, Deb! And we’re glad you are!
Photo of Deb Sambol by Laura J. Meese.