Former area radio personality, proud native St. Louisan Sharon Hunter returned to her roots to open a new theater company last fall, after spreading her wings for more than a decade in New York City.
“I wanted to create a theater company that would focus on issues and topics that were relevant to our times,” she said of Moonstone Theatre Company, which was set to debut its first production this summer before the uncertain times surrounding the coronavirus pandemic came along.
Moonstone’s slate of shows for the first season shines a spotlight on mental illness, and “The House of Blue Leaves” by John Guare, a comedy that includes insight into how a family deals with mental illness, was originally scheduled for July, as the company’s debut performance. It has now been postponed to run July 1 to 18, 2021.
“I feel the topic of mental illness is not touched upon or discussed often,” Hunter said. “Each season, I plan to put a spotlight on a different topic or issue, and program the shows accordingly.”
Moonstone’s first production is now set to be a Neil Simon comedy Nov. 5 through 22 at The Marcelle.
An educator and businesswoman with a master’s degree in theater education from Fontbonne University, as well as a singer, director, actress and producer, Hunter said she is able to utilize all of her skills as the artistic director and producer of Moonstone.
“I have always been a creative artist, a businessperson and writer. Running a theater company and producing, while still acting and directing occasionally, blends all my talents and experience. For the first time in my life, I am utilizing all of it,” Hunter said. “Going forward, I hope to continue teaching drama, along with other instructors, by offering adult and children’s classes through Moonstone Theatre Company.”
Today’s world also calls for flexibility, and Hunter saw the need for a little collaboration – for Moonstone and all regional theater companies – to band together to find solutions for theaters to viably continue to fulfill their mission. She responded by forming the St. Louis Theatre Community Task Force to collaborate on issues like how to proceed with auditions, rehearsals, performances, seating arrangements, etc.
“I wanted to compare ideas and brainstorm on how we could find another way to do these things, and keep our actors, creative team and audiences safe. I know we will have to come up with alternative ways as we face a new normal in theater – and in everyday life,” she said.
Hunter previously acted and directed in St. Louis at The New Jewish Theatre, Spotlight Productions and Hot House Theatre, and spent a year touring with the Imaginary Theatre Company for The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. She spent 10 years in New York directing and producing, and acting in off-Broadway and festival shows, such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “Bad Seed” and “The House of Bernarda Alba.” She also performed her own one-woman cabaret show at the Metropolitan Room.
A multi-talented person, she landed a few small parts in TV and film, and has done voice work for nearly 30 years. She was an on-air personality, host of the local “Pillow Talk,” news director, producer and anchor at Y98 and KEZK in St. Louis, and WREC in Memphis, Tennessee.
Hunter said she has always loved St. Louis, and continued to keep up with what was happening even while living away.
“I saw how so many women were running theater companies and enjoying bigger roles in theater. I feel like this is the right time to bring all I’ve learned and experienced elsewhere back to my hometown,” she said. “I’m looking at work I can produce that will help reach audiences in a way that spotlights our humanity and diversity and strength, especially now, as we face life during and beyond a pandemic.”
“I believe we have to proceed slowly and safely as we navigate alternative ways of performing. But I know wholeheartedly that we will get back to live performances, even though we have already seen virtual performances become necessary because actors and creatives need an outlet to that effect,” she said.
She believes as we go forward, we might see more of a mix of both live and virtual performances than we did before.
“It is all about blazing a path that is different and exciting. We must be challenged in that direction,” she said.
“St. Louis is filled with warm, wonderful and smart people. There is a lot to do here and as big of a sports town as it is, it is also very big on the arts and theater. We have amazing teachers and schools that are helping guide the next generation of performers. I am grateful to have learned, performed and taught here.”
And in case you are wondering, the name “Moonstone” also comes from a combination of things – Hunter’s love of the moon, from which she gains inspiration, and her admiration for her former New York City acting coach, Peter Flint (flint is a type of stone). The two came together, forming Moonstone.
Moonstone’s office is located at the Centene Center for the Arts at 3547 Olive Street in St. Louis. For more information, visit moonstonetheatrecompany.com or call (314) 707-1134. The theater company’s productions are performed at various venues around the area.
Photos courtesy of Sharon Hunter
