Great to meet you!
Sarah Sapperstein (she/her) is a Chicago-based vocalist and performer known for her character comedy, resonant drama, and versatility in a wide variety of genres. Celebrating 20 years of performing in Chicago, Sarah has appeared in more than 100 theatre, musical theatre, opera, and cabaret productions. Originally from Baltimore, she holds degrees from University of Redlands and University of Chicago.
A frequenter of Chicago’s black box circuit, Sarah is a company member of Redtwist Theatre in the Edgewater neighborhood. She also feels at home on large-scale stages, and has appeared as part of productions with Lyric Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, and on stage at Chicago’s Symphony Center and Auditorium Theatre. She enjoys deeply collaborative and learning processes, including student/pro joint projects and community and park district productions.
Sarah came to acting through music, reflected in her musicality of particularly poetic or elevated text. This has led her to a dramatic focus on authors such as Tennessee Williams (Catherine: Suddenly Last Summer and Margaret: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Arthur Miller (American Clock, Death of a Salesman), and the Greeks. With an undergraduate degree in Classical and Near Eastern Studies, her affinity for dramaturgy and literary interpretation of classics, as well as retellings of ancient myth and literature, support her unique insight into these works. She’s been featured as part of classic theatre panel discussions, devised productions, and Jeff-recognized performances celebrating interpretation of Greek works.
One review commenting “That lady knows how to sell a song!”, Sarah appreciates the opportunity to bring storytelling and audience impact to the vocal stage. Originally trained in classical voice, she prides herself on being as much a dramatic vocalist as a singing actor. Sarah loves inspiring others to become connected to opera, operetta, and cabaret through performances that center expression, communication, and audience impact.
With a text- and score-driven interpretation of music, Sarah has reveled in performing 7 musicals by Stephen Sondheim—a total of 12 productions. She also finds herself frequenting new interpretations of musical roles traditionally played by male singers and actors, including turns as both Simon and Judas in Weber’s Jesus Christ Superstar, and the Emcee in Cabaret.
Contact
Reach out for booking and inquiries. I look forward to collaborating with you!