Calling home

Having launched some of our best-known artists, Massive Theatre Company marks 35 years. Its founder Sam Scott shares her inspirations.

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Samantha Scott set up the Maidment Youth Theatre in 1991, later renaming it Massive Theatre Company to reflect productions made by emerging and professional actors. Over the years, Massive has been the launchpad for some of our most acclaimed performers - Beulah Koale, Miriama McDowell, Kura Forrester, Madeleine Sami, Bree Peters, Dominic Ona-Ariki, Rachel House, Theo David and Scotty Cotter among them.

The company celebrates its 35th anniversary with Home Made, a love letter to the places and people we call home. Here, director Sam Scott takes time out from rehearsals and a busy schedule of workshops in schools and in the community to answer questions about what makes her tick.

What is your earliest memory?

My mum coming to get me after an afternoon sleep - maybe I was a toddler - the room was very golden and my mum so soothing.

What did you want to be when you were a kid and how did it change over time?

I wanted to be a singer when I was very young, as we always had music in the house and I just loved singing and pretending I had a live audience. We owned a record of Jesus Christ Superstar and I just loved the soundtrack as well as other musicals and groups through the 1970s and 80s. I remember performances all over our house with my sister and friends. As time went on, I thought I might be a nurse, then an actor, a teaching artist and a director.

When are you happiest?