MEMBER INTERVIEW #10: DEBARGO SANYAL

Occupation?

Actor. Lover. Fighter.

How long have you been a member of Partial Comfort?

I became a member in July 2008, so it has now been just under two years. Twenty-two months, to be exact.

How did you initially find out about Partial Comfort? What made you decide you wanted to be a member?

Between 2005 and 2007, I had gone to see five different Partial Comfort shows based on recommendations from friends and colleagues--"The Bigger Man", "Baby Girl", "'nami", "Open House" and "Lights Rise on Grace"--and I was really impressed by the quality of the work. The productions were entertaining and engaging, and it was clear that everyone involved--actors, playwrights, designers, producers, directors--was crazy talented and smart. So, then, in 2008, when I was invited to join the company, I was happy to come aboard.  

When people ask you why you want to be a member of an ensemble, what do you usually tell them?

There's a great feeling of camaraderie/fellowship/community that comes with being part of an ensemble.

What are some projects (readings, workshops, plays) that you've enjoyed working on within the company? 

I fondly remember the very first company activity I participated in, which was attending the annual summer retreat in 2008. We were all up at this New England inn/bed-and-breakfast type of place, where we rehearsed and performed readings of a number of new plays, as well as had early morning writing workshops (with Alice Tuan), and late night bonfire chats, and ate great food, and just plain bonded for several days. Most of the men stayed all the way upstairs in this large and comfy attic space where we slept in rows of beds, like the little orphan boys in "The Cider House Rules" movie--I kept waiting for Michael Caine (or perhaps Chad Beckim) to come up every night and say "Good night, you Princes of Maine, you Kings of New England"...   

What do you find inspiring/exciting about being a company member? What do you find challenging and/or what have you learned? 

I am excited by the talents of all the people in this company. And, that, in and of itself, is quite inspiring. In fact, my own, umm, talents, were put to the test last year, when I was given the hilarious challenge of portraying, both, an irate Christian Bale (circa his "Terminator Salvation" on-set rant leaking and going viral) as well as a gigantic dancing remote control (yes, complete with cardboard box costume)--this was all part of Partial Comfort's sketch in the company's "Battle of the Bards" event on February 20, 2009. And, that night, I am happy to report, I learned that I can totally bust a move while dressed in a huge cardboard box. In fact, right here, right now, I am challenging anyone to a cardboard box-costumed dance-off. Bring it. I double dog dare ya.

Talk a little bit about the professional relationships you've formed as a part of this company. 

I have worked with several different company members on a variety of projects all over the city, and I have always had a fantastic experience each time. It is such a treat to collaborate with smart theater artists, and that most certainly includes Partial Comfort folk.

What projects (with the company or outside of the company) have you recently worked on or do you have lined up? 

I have roles in several feature films that have recently been released or will be releasing soon. And I have also been out of town for a couple of months performing in a regional theater production--the world premiere of a remarkably funny and touching new play by Cori Thomas called "When January Feels Like Summer" (this had previously been one of the seven plays that were selected for the Sundance Theater Lab in Utah in July 2008, along with Annie Baker's "Circle Mirror Transformation", Lisa Kron's "The Wake", etc). Cori is a wonderful new playwright, and our production was very well received by critics and audiences alike. I am quite happy to have been a part of it, and I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for this terrific play.

What would you like people to know about Partial Comfort?

If you have not yet seen a Partial Comfort production, you are missing out. So, that said...

Any additional thoughts/comments about any aspect of the company/being a member/other members/NYC theater/etc

...Be sure to come and check out Partial Comfort's 8th season, at The Wild Project--a workshop of Greg Keller's "The Seduction Community" in August 2010, and a production of a new play by Sam Hunter in September 2010.

Comments

[אסתי גינזברג]

I worked with several members of different societies in different projects in different parts of the city, and have always been a great experience every time.

[תאורה לבית]

Informative post about the productions were entertaining and engaging, and it was clear that everyone involved.