We were lucky to catch up with Samantha Ambler recently and have shared our conversation below.
Samantha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I ever worked on was Steel Magnolias in 2023. My husband had passed away a little over a year before, and I was finding it difficult to be an only parent and find time for theater. I took a chance and auditioned and landed the dream role of M’Lynn. I found myself amongst the most wonderful women I have encountered in the arts. I had a director that checked in with me nightly, to ask “you’re sure you want to open this wound for everyone to see?”, as I processed my grief on stage. And I had five women, with no egos, no competition, just pure support and love. That production was the most meaningful to me because of those women. When the show was over I knew I wasn’t ready to let go of them. That’s why Christa (Collier, my co-founder) and I formed Magnolia Productions. We knew we found something special that we were unwilling to part with. And you can see that love onstage.
Right now we are working on a reunion show. We are taking that same cast that made this all happen and presenting a brand new play. It’s the first time it’s being done in the Northeast US and we are so excited! We are working with this amazing playwright, James Cougar Canfield, on Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII. So all the Magnolias are playing the wives of the king. We meet him in the afterlife and he has to answer for what he has done. It’s a lot of fun. Part light show and rock concert it’s great theater! And the gang is back together again.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Magnolia Productions was started in 2024. We produce live theatrical productions. We strive to bring stories about women, by women and for women to the stage. We are an all-female run company. Our founders Samantha Ambler and Christa Collier, have extensive acting backgrounds having worked in community, off Broadway and regional theater companies. The two joined forces to create Magnolia.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think the best means to support artists is to simply show up. When you see a gallery exhibit, a musical performance, a play-go see it! Take a chance and venture into a new venue. Artists of all types struggle to be seen and to find their audiences. And when you do see something new, tell everyone you know about it. In our crazy digital world word of mouth is still our best advertising.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The goal of Magnolia is to provide a place for women to find their voices. Be it through writing, performing, producing, directing-women, especially those of us from Gen X and older, have for far too long been made to feel like our voices, our journeys don’t matter. We want to hear those voices. We want to tell those stories. We want to celebrate those women.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.magnoliaproductions.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnoliaproductionsnj
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559049615422
- Other: https://magnoliaproduction.ludus.com
Image Credits
Photos by Nicolle Langlois