Ep 3: Exploring Different Vantage Points – Nurse to Theatre Executive Director (and more)!

Guest: Dori Salois, MSN, RN, Executive Director, Vantage Theatre

Host: Author, Actor, Photographer, Poet Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN

Nursing and the Arts Podcast

Audio link above is provided to listen to Ep3: Exploring Different Vantage Points –

Nurse to Theatre Executive Director (and more)!

With Guest Dori Salois, MSN, RN (left) and Host Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN (right)

Nursing and the Arts is a podcast devoted to Nurses discussing their diverse artistic passions (or endeavors) such as visual arts/photography, journaling, comedy, podcasting, storytelling, writing/poetry, crafting, cooking, dance, theatre, music, film etc.

Join us on today’s 3rd episode of the Nursing and the Arts Podcast for an informative and entertaining discussion with Dori Salois, MSN, RN, Executive Director, Vantage Theatre in San Diego.

In this podcast, Dori talks about her childhood, entry into the world of nursing, and explains how Vantage Theatre is an innovative, provocative, sometimes site-specific theatre that illuminates, enlightens, elevates and entertains audiences (since the 1990’s).

Watch the Nursing and the Arts Podcast (Below)
Ep3 video- Exploring Different Vantage Points-
Nurse to Theatre Executive Director (and more)! with Guest Dori Salois, MSN, RN (left)
and Host Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN

About Dori Salois

Dori Salois the Executive Artistic Director of Vantage Theatre is thrilled to produce Best Laid Plans with this wonderful team and happy to be back at the Tenth where she previously produced Matisse’s story in The Color of Light. She presents professional theatrical productions in new ways, concentrating on presenting original plays, as well as contemporary or classic theatre produced from a different “vantage point” Salois is always seeking to present the “AHA” moment that may awaken and illuminate the self.  Her most recent work as producer and co- director was bringing the new play N to life at Point Loma Playhouse and Tears of War about the plight of women refugees at the Riford. She has also written for the theatre. Her Xmas play She’s at The Library (It’s a Wonderful Life told from Mary’s point of view) was nominated as best production 2021. She partnered with San Diego Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse to present Anna Deavere Smith’s New York production of Let Me Down Easy in association with Arena Stage’s national tour. As a director and producer, Ms. Salois has brought over 35 plays to fruition. As an actor, she was nominated as Best Actress twice in San Diego.  She was the Assoc. producing Director of North Coast Repertory and was instrumental in the creation of NCRT’s 200 seat theatre. She is a coauthor of The Importance of Being Earnest the Musical!, The Holy Man, an adaptation of Susan Trotts novels, and the book for the musical Macgregor  which was presented in London. She has written and directed for television So This is Washington. West of Hedon. Her novel Mrs. Bennet’s Sentiments was chosen as a top fiction pick by People Magazine in 2016

She received her Baccalaureate from Lowell University and her Masters from Georgetown University.

Dori’s Info and Links:

Upcoming Vantage Theatre Production!
Best Laid Plans by Robert Salerno

Vantage Theatre Presents
A World Premiere Production of BEST LAID PLANS by Robert Salerno

Inspired by a true story, a brilliant young architect has surgery for a brain tumor and wakes up unexpectedly blind. Alone, lost and despondent, he cannot envision a path back to life, much less architecture…Then Beethoven shows up!

Featuring Blake Stadnik, the Blind Actor from NBC’s hit series “This Is Us” as Lucas

Blake Stadnik, a well-known blind actor (some might remember him from the series THIS IS US as Jack, Kate’s blind infant who grows up to become a famous rock musician), is playing Lucas, the lead role.  “Lucas’s story is one of transformation after his world comes crashing down. Through facing fear and uncertainty, he discovers a far more compassionate, mindful, and creative version of himself. I’m very excited to help bring him to life.” 

The extra surprise was casting Beethoven. Richard Trujillo, who plays Beethoven, seemed to have such an affinity for the role. We were unaware that he has sclerosis of the cochlear and without special hearing aids is deaf. These brilliant actors demonstrate one of the central themes of the play: that disability does not mean inability.”

With Richard Trujillo as Beethoven, Steve Murdock and Lee Ann Kim.

Directed by Sam Woodhouse

Aug 29-Sept 22, 2024

FRI, SAT at 7:30pm; SAT, SUN at 3:00pm

Located at:

Tenth Avenue Arts Center- 930 10th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Made possible in part by a grant from the Prebys Foundation and The California Arts Council and with the support of the Sofia Hotel

Buy your tickets now for the upcoming event at Vantagetheatre.com at the above links or https://theatrevantage.ticketspice.com/best-laid-plans TICKETS  $30-35.

Vantage Theatre – A 501c (3) non profit theatre                                   

Presenting Theatre from a different “Vantage” point… Experience “AHA” moments to awaken and illuminate the Self!

Vantage Theatre WEBSITE

Vantage Theatre page on FACEBOOK  –  https://www.facebook.com/vantagetheatre  

Vantage Theatre San Diego page on FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/VantageTheatreSanDiego

Vantage Theatre INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/vantagetheatre/

HASHTAGS: #theatre #livetheatre #bestlaidplans #worldpremiere #actorslife #disabledactor #legallyblind #disabledandproud #vantagetheatre #blindness #braille #deafness #beethoven

Also, Dori’s daughter Dominique Salerno is also an actor and comedian in New York. Here is some of Dominique’s information:

The Box Show: https://www.theboxshow.org/

The Box Show Trailer: https://vimeo.com/847685152?share=copy

Some reviews of The Box Show: https://www.theboxshow.org/the-box-show-reviews

Here is a series Dominique Created, Written, and Produced (and appears in as well): “Characteristically” – https://www.characteristicallyseries.com/about

About Susan J. Farese

Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, a native of New Jersey, is the owner/ president of  SJF Communications, San Diego, CA.

Susan has diverse health care experience including military and civilian nursing with clinical, administration/management, staff development, research and consulting roles.

SJF Communications, originally established in 2002 in San Jose, CA, provides services including Public Relations, Publicity, Marketing, Websites, Filmmaking, Acting, Social Media, Writing and Public Speaking, Photography, Mentoring, Coaching and Nurse Consulting services. 

Susan is the author of the book Poetic Expressions in Nursing…Sharing the Caring (1993 and 2021), currently teaches ‘Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku‘ workshops, and has published poetry and articles on a variety of topics. She created and is the Host of the “Nursing and the Arts Podcast” and creator/admin of the Nursing and the Arts Facebook Group

Thank you for joining us to listen to and/or watch the Nursing and the Arts Podcast! Please feel free to like, comment on, share our episode(s), etc.

If you are a nurse (or know of a nurse) who would like to be considered for a “Nursing and the Arts” Podcast interview, please reach out to Susan by email: info@sjfcommunications.com.