A View from the Box - The Podcast · Janine Marley

Episode 2 - Natalia Bushnik, Brendan Kinnon, and Kathleen Welch of Spindle Collective and Riot King

·34 min·3 clips

Janine introduces the creative team behind Spindle Collective and their immersive horror theater work based on Romanian folklore.

This episode features host Janine interviewing the creative team behind the theatrical production *Samka*. Her guests are Natalia Bushnik, Brendan Kinnon, and Kathleen Welch from Spindle Collective and Riot King. They discuss their collaborative horror project ahead of its full staging at Black Creek Pioneer Village. *Samka* is based on a character from Romanian folklore, with development beginning roughly four years ago. The project originated from the collaboration between Natalia Bushnik and Brendan Kinnon. Spindle Collective, founded in 2021, is a team of female-identifying and non-binary artists creating immersive horror theater. Their collaborative process focuses on using found spaces and interweaving different storytelling methods. Riot King, founded in 2019, is an experimental arts hub producing theater and community events. Riot King won its first Dora Award in 2024 for *Suddenly Last Summer*. The production of *Samka* previously had a workshop and a run at the Hamilton Fringe in 2022. The team is dedicated to sustainable theater that doesn't negatively impact the land they perform on. They aim to showcase the beauty of the natural world through their art. The folklore creature Samka is described as a shapeshifter who preys on the vulnerable. The play explores themes of community fear and the monster within. The creative process involved extensive workshops to develop the immersive, site-specific world. The upcoming staging is presented as a perfect event for the "spooky season." The conversation is friendly, enthusiastic, and focused on artistic collaboration. The tone is conversational and informative, highlighting the guests' creative journey. This episode would appeal to listeners interested in independent theater, folklore-inspired horror, and sustainable arts production. Those seeking a critical review or a deep dive into the show's plot may find the discussion too process-oriented.

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