Introduction
Sam Kissajukian (38) is a comedian and visual artist based in Sydney who's been working professionally as a stand-up comedian for over a decade. He's toured globally in the USA, UK, Europe and around Australia.
In 2021, Sam stopped performing due to a 5 month Bipolar manic episode. In this prolonged episode he made 300 large paintings, documenting his mental states daily. In mid 2022, after recovery, diagnosis and treatment, Sam began performing again as well as holding his first solo exhibition.
Since 2022, Sam’s practice uses a ‘two tier approach’ incorporating storytelling techniques mixed with spoken word and comedic examination of his visual art and practice paired with a curated exhibition. Together these represent broad exploration of the artistic process, mental health and its ties to creativity.
Sam’s since held six solo exhibitions. Arts institutions span Edinburgh's Summerhall UK, NSW’s Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Sydney's Stanley Street Gallery, Adelaide’s Immersive Light & Art, twice at Brisbane Powerhouse and upcoming at New York's Vineyard Theatre.
About Vineyard Theatre
Vineyard Theatre is dedicated to developing and producing new plays and musicals that push the boundaries of what theatre can be and do, and to nurturing a community of fearless theatremakers whose work expands the form, the field, and the larger culture.
The Vineyard has transferred 11 shows to Broadway, seven directly after their acclaimed Vineyard premieres: Lucas Hnath’s Dana H. and Tina Satter’s Is This A Room; Paula Vogel’s Indecent; Nicky Silver’s The Lyons; Kander, Ebb and Thompson’s The Scottsboro Boys; Bell and Bowen’s [title of show]; and Avenue Q by Marx, Lopez and Whitty (Tony Award, Best Musical). Four additional shows launched at The Vineyard have been revived in their first Broadway productions: Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning How I Learned to Drive; Lanie Robertson’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill; Becky Mode’s Fully Committed; and Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Three Tall Women.
From our home in NYC’s Union Square, The Vineyard develops and premieres new plays and musicals which go on to be seen around the country and the world. Recently, Jeremy O. Harris’ play “Daddy” (2019) received its London premiere at the Almeida; Ngozi Anyanwu’s Good Grief (2018) and David Cale’s Harry Clarke (2017) were recorded by Audible; Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Gloria (2014), a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and transferred to Chicago’s Goodman Theatre; Paula Vogel’s Tony Award-winning Indecent (2016) aired on PBS’s “Great Performances” and was one of the most-produced plays nationwide in 2019; Colman Domingo’s Dot (2016) is being adapted into an AMC series; and Is This A Room (2019) is now HBO’s Reality. Our recent world-premiere production of John J. Caswell’s Scene Partners (2023), starring Dianne Wiest, was live-streamed around the world.
Over 41 years, The Vineyard’s work has been recognized with the industry’s highest honors, including Pulitzer Prizes, Tony Awards, a special Drama Desk, Obie, and Lucille Lortel Awards for artistic excellence and support of artists.
Vineyard Theatre’s leadership includes Artistic Directors Sarah Stern and Douglas Aibel.
The Artist's Background
The Concept of the Solo Act
“I’m an ambassador for SANE Australia which is incredible and I work very closely with them. I’m talking about very intense experiences of mental illness and I try to make it fun but you know people do reach out and share their story and I’m not a trained professional. I think people are more isolated than ever and there is a mental health epidemic. My show isn’t just talking about these things but talking about how to talk about them. Showing how it’s OK and it can be funny, even though it’s serious, but that we can discuss it and there are resources,” says Sam Kissajukian.
300 Paintings will play through December 15, 2024. For ticketing information please visit https://vineyardtheatre.org or by calling the box office at 212-353-0303.
Vineyard’s 2024-2025 Season
November 12 - December 15, 2024
300 Paintings
Created and performed by Sam Kissajukian
Presented at Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15th Street, New York, NY
January 11 - February 23, 2025
The Antiquities
By Jordan Harrison
Directed by David Cromer and Caitlin Sullivan
A co-production with Playwrights Horizons and Goodman Theatre
Presented at Playwrights Horizons, 416 West 42nd Street, New York, NY
May 1 - June 8, 2025
Bowl EP
Written and directed by Nazarath Hassan
A co-production with National Black Theatre in association with The New Group
Presented at Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15th Street, New York, NY
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
300 Paintings
Created and Performed by Sam Kissajukian
November 12 - December 15, 2024
Opening Night November 21, 2024
Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15th Street, New York, NY
Ticket Information: https://vineyardtheatre.org
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA
Website: vineyardtheatre.org
Instagram: www.instagram.com/vineyardtheatre
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vineyardtheatrenyc
YouTube: www.youtube.com/vineyardtheatre
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