Spotlight On...Nora McNally

Peter McNally and Santa Claus also pictured

Name: Nora McNally

Hometown: Takoma Park, MD

Education: BA in Theatre, concentration in Design and Production, from Fordham College at Lincoln Center.

Favorite Credits: Independents (FringeNYC'12); 24 Hour Plays: Nationals; 24 Hour Plays on Broadway; Words, Razors, and the Wounded Heart, Desire! [A Varsouviana] (LTR/Horse Trade)

Why theater?: There are few things in life that are assured, but the possibility to produce theatre exists no matter what. You can always make it happen, and it always will happen. That's empowering.

Tell us about How LTR Stole Christmas: It’s a three night chaotic Christmas spectacular comprised of elf choirs, alien Christmas trees, holiday sweater stripteases, a reenactment of the Hanukah story, staged readings of the worst-ever TV holiday specials, and what will likely be highly unwholesome holiday magic. And eggnog.

What inspired you to create How LTR Stole Christmas?: We know all these ultra-talented people; some of them are very jolly and some of them are very grouchy. We really wanted the opportunity to work with as many of our peers as possible, collaborate with new people, and introduce some of our favorite collaborators to one another under not too-serious circumstances. And fuck around in Santa suits. It's a win/win.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: In general, I want my world to be rocked. I like experiences that blow my mind, and then put it back together again. I'm a big fan of rule breaking. As a producer, a lot of my inspiration comes from TV shows because the story lines can be absolutely absurd, but the production value is so high that the story still works. I’ve been watching a lot of "Scandal" and "Homeland" recently. Neither have very much Christmas cheer, so I think I'm working under the “equal and opposite” reaction principal right now. #science

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: John Mulaney. And Santa Claus.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I just saw the Yeezus Tour with Kendrick Lamar, and it was hands down the best performance I've seen all year. But also Julius Caesar at St. Anne's, Fun Home at The Public, and Marie Antoinette at SoHo Rep - none of which I think are perfect. But they’re cool (and isn’t that really the point?!).

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: "Creating and Avoiding Crisis Since 1990", starring Allison Janney. Directed by Baz Lurhman. Original score by Jay-Z and Aloe Blacc.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: childrenwithswag.tumblr.com and also Popeye’s.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: An expedition coordinator. Like for climbing mount Everest. I hate hiking—but I am fascinated by the medical needs of those situations, and I would be really good at the planning. Or a wedding planner.

What’s up next?: LTR is about to start a month long workshop of new play by Peter Gil-Sheridan, which will receive a full production at the Kraine in April. I've a got a couple of personal projects with some awesome people and a few more LTR projects lined up to start in the new year....STAY TUNED!