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One Table followed up on its first success at the Rusty Goat with a show at Cider and Cedar in Tacoma. Directed again by Derek Nunn and Masahiro Sugano, the performers this time around were Sameer Arshad, Natasha Nelina, John Dugaw, Jesse Hinds, and Joshua Sembly.
Scene 1, written and directed by Masahiro Sugano: While planning a gala for The Grand Cinema, an Arab man (Sameer Arshad) and a Jewish woman (Natasha Nelina) discover how much they have in common, having grown up feeling like outsiders in their home countries and in the US.
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Sameer Arshad is a Persian-Turk-Arab-Indian-Pakistani playwright, writer, actor, animator, film-maker, comic maker and visual artist based in Seattle. Several of Sameer’s plays, short and long, have received productions in the Seattle area (Crewmates, 2018, Annex Theatre; Millennitopia, 2017, 14/48 Nordo; Anything Can Write A Play, 2024, 14/48 Projects: Can We Abolish ICE Now?, 2024, 14/48 Projects). Sameer has also acted in several productions in the Seattle Area as well, with Centerstage Theatre (10 Acrobats), Macha Theatre Works (What to expect when you’re simulating?) Parley Productions (The List) and SOAC (Real Talk). Sameer is a trained linguist and also provides services in cultural consulting and dialect training.
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Natasha Nelina is a licensed psychotherapist based in Tacoma. She was born in the Soviet Union which she left in 1989 with her 9-year old son. As a daughter of a psychologist and an actor, she has always been interested in the healing power of theater. She uses experiential therapeutic methods, such as Psychodrama to help her clients heal and find new creative solutions and ways of being which align with their true essence. Contact her at natashanelina1@gmail.com.
Scene 2, written and performed by John Dugaw: A tough guy actor (John Dugaw) takes a call from his mom while auditioning for the role of Sherlock Holmes
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John Dugaw has warm baritone vocals with an easy smile and hair that can go from friendly neighbor to axe murderer deranged with a quick swish of the hands. He has a natural encourager/cheerleader personality with a passion for bringing characters to life.
Scene 3, written and directed by Derek Nunn: A humorous look at self-discovery as a man who has lost his memory (Jesse Hinds) must rely on flash cards to reconnect with an old friend (Joshua Sembly).
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Jesse Hinds worked in theater arts in the PNW for over a decade, splitting his time between acting, directing, and fight choreography for stage and film. His work with Engaged Theater company, bringing Shakespeare to prisons in Western Washington, cemented his lifelong belief in the transformative power of live theater, particularly in alternate settings. He is a Grit City native, living in town with his wife, two sons, two cats, and puppy.
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Joshua Sembly is originally from New Castle, DE. He has a background in construction but is passionate about the arts. Joshua enjoys skateboarding, playing drums, watching films, reading comics, and visiting art exhibitions. Currently residing in Tacoma, WA, he is studying to be a cybersecurity analyst and is making his acting debut.
