Samantha Fox (she/her) is a stage director known for her "generous work – rich in humor and interest" [San Diego Union-Tribune]. While specializing in opera and other works involving classical voice, Fox grew up immersed in a vibrant culture of folk music in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, NC.
Her upbringing has translated into a deep appreciation for an expansive range of musical and artistic styles which has led to a passion for celebrating the nuance and multifaceted nature of artistic identity, both in her own practice and that of her collaborators. A versatile and multidisciplinary practitioner herself, Fox holds experience in devising, script-writing, puppetry, multimedia work, prop-making, set realization, and dramaturgy, and has a zeal for taking on projects both noncanonical and personally unfamiliar.
Fox is excited by distinct creative palettes, things made and changed on stage, the new and the uncommon, and work that disrupts the traditional performer-audience relationship. Always striving to bring a renewed sense of humanity to her work, she is interested in telling stories that are emotionally complex and embrace the imperfections of human nature.
Her approach to directing is fundamentally collaborative, seeking to listen to the ideas of those surrounding the creative process to inform her directorial vision and discover a shared personal significance. Central to this is continuing to answer "Why are we making this production? Here, and now?" She believes that good collaboration also means facilitating trust in the rehearsal room so that those involved feel not only welcomed to share humor and joy together, but also empowered to be vulnerable and take artistic risks.
Fox is committed to being a trustworthy colleague who is guided by integrity, supportive, fun, thoughtful, and can “make it happen.” She is someone who makes the most of the opportunity to work with the group of individuals who are united together uniquely by each production, and with strong roots in devised theatre, Fox often sees her role as that of a curator – discovering and celebrating the various strengths, interests, and experiences brought to the table by the cast and creative team to give a unique voice to the framework of subtext she puts forth.
Fox has collaborated on projects across the United States and internationally in England, France, Hungary, and Mexico, and her recent engagements include work with the Hungarian State Opera, Opera Neo, The University of California San Diego, and New England Conservatory. She holds an MA in Collaborative Theatre from The Guildhall School and a BM in Vocal Performance from The New England Conservatory, under the tutelage of Michael Meraw, and is based in San Diego, CA.
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