Exclusive Interview: Luke Stout, Director of ‘Do You Feel Anger?’

Opening Friday, July 25 at the Palo Alto Performing Arts Center is the Miscast Theatre company’s production of Do You Feel Anger?, a comedy written by Mara Nelson-Greenberg. It is helmed by Luke Stout, who is making his directorial debut here. He discussed the play with ArtScene SA in this exclusive interview.

ArtScene SA: Tell us about a bit about the play.

Luke Stout: Do You Feel Anger? follows Sofia, an empathy coach who has been hired by a debt collection agency to teach their employees about empathy. However, the more she learns about the office, the more she realizes something insidious lurks underneath its surface that mirrors the issues brought on by her estranged relationship with her parents.

In essence, Do You Feel Anger? asks the question: where do we draw the line between empathizing with people who believe their feelings are more important than others, and realizing that some people’s selfish and harmful behavior will never change? Oftentimes, by empathizing with people who do not reciprocate it, we give them more power over our own lives instead of holding them accountable for their misdeeds.

You’re making you directorial debut here, right? What drew you to the material?

Yes, this is my directorial debut, and what drew me initially to the play was how seamlessly the story flowed from laugh-out-loud funny to gut-punchingly real and, quite frankly, disturbing. The humor makes the serious moments land with the gravity they deserve.

I also think that as artists, we often justify our art by saying we want to create a more empathetic community. And though this play certainly highlights the importance of empathy in society, it also recognizes that empathy is not all sunshine and rainbows and becomes complicated when you have to choose between whom you are empathizing with.

When you cater to one person’s feelings, you have to be careful that you aren’t ignoring someone else’s or even your own — something I often struggle with as I always try to see the best in people and downplay how their flaws affect myself and others. In this way, I relate a lot to Sofia, which is why I felt passionate about telling this story.

How involved were you in the casting process?

Extremely. The team sent out all of the information and sign-up forms, and I watched all of the auditionees perform sides I selected from the show. Along with some opinions from Damaris (Assistant Director) and Ivan (Artistic Director), I made the final list.

What makes play relevant or attractive to San Antonio audiences?

For one… this play is cuckoo. It’s rare to see a play be so bold, intense, and out there, and I can’t wait for San Antonio audiences to mop up all of the delicious chaos this play has in store for them. On the other hand, I know many people will resonate with the play’s themes of empathy, power, and complicity as much as I do. And while the play centers around topics of misogyny and women’s solidarity, I believe the play also extends beyond that, and I hope people, regardless of gender, can empathize with Sofia’s journey and have a new understanding of empathy. After people see the production, I want them to ask themselves the titular question: Do I feel anger? Towards whom? Why?

What do you think about the San Antonio theater scene?

The San Antonio theater scene has so many talented and passionate artists who are putting their all into every production in the hopes of growing the community. At the same time, the quality and scale of many shows are limited by the amount of funds the San Antonio theater community possesses. And while there are a few established theaters in town that do amazing work, there is so much more talent and potential out there to create even better projects and grow the scene. As of now, most people in the theater community do it for their passion for the art alone and have to sustain themselves through other means. The people here are incredible. The culture is incredible. I just wish there were more resources and recognition for all the work San Antonio theater artists do.

Do You Feel Anger? plays from July 25 through Aug. 10 at Palo Alto Performing Arts Center,1400 West Villaret Blvd. Ticketing and showtime information can be found here.

Feature photo: the director at work (courtesy Miscast Theatre Company).