Since graduating from the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) in 2016, Angelique Fustukjian has established herself as a producer, actor, and writer in Los Angeles. Alongside collaborator Matthew Namik, Angelique co‑founded Sunny Gingham, a creative production company and artistic home where they develop original work. Under the Sunny Gingham banner, Angelique and Matthew premiered the original historical drama Our American Tragedy at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, where the production earned praise from reviewers as “a quick, taut, locked-room mystery with excellent performances and great direction.” This spring they’re bringing an expanded version of the production to audiences in Phoenix in partnership with the producers at Banzerini House.
What drew you to the story behind Our American Tragedy, and what can audiences expect from the Phoenix run?
In late 2023, Matt and I were toying with the idea of developing a 2-person comedy for the Hollywood Fringe, but we were stumped on the concept. One evening, a friend of ours shared an image of an intact Our American Cousin ticket to Ford’s Theatre from the night of Lincoln’s assassination. In that moment, it hit us that we’d never once questioned the details of that night. While our history textbooks clearly stated that Lincoln got shot at a theatre by an actor named Booth, not once did they make mention of the 46 real, breathing actors and crew members who were also there to put on a play. We became fascinated by the idea that history is often told via the memories of leaders and celebrity. So what happens when we lift the curtain and look to the everyman left behind in the wake of tragedy? In short, we scrapped the comedy (ah, well) and created an ensemble of 8!
As far as what one can expect, I can confidently say that this is not your typical period drama. The story may live in 1865, but our use of dynamic tech and storytelling will keep audiences on their toes from curtain to close. The mode of a dual timeline allows for audiences to piece together the who, what and why as we wind our way through the evening that infamously becomes Lincoln’s last.
You pursued a BA in Theatre with a minor in Film & Television at TFTV. What inspired you to combine these areas of study, and how has that combination influenced your approach to producing and acting?
The combination of theatre and film came from a desire to create my own opportunities. I found myself struggling to audition, especially in the wake of the pandemic, and at times it felt that the doors I desperately wanted to walk through were never open. To not become stuck in an endless cycle, I carved my own path, which includes everything from writing, production design, editing, prop building, graphic design, and more. While the gigs aren’t always acting, they bring me joy and have allowed me to self-produce theatre in a way I never thought was possible before. As a producer, I approach all projects with a clear scope of what a piece needs to be successful while on a tight budget, and as an actor I push myself to perform without limits. The symbiosis created by how I produce and perform has been fun to discover and fine tune over the last few years.
You co‑founded your production company Sunny Gingham with fellow actor Matthew Namik. How did the collaboration begin, and in what ways did your training and experiences at TFTV prepare you to launch your own creative production company?
Matt and I met in 2019 while both acting in a production of Rumors. We became fast friends, and early in the pandemic found that we were at a similar impasse when it came to the urge to create opportunities for ourselves. Our joint understanding of developing stories, running a film set, and being partial to acting on stage inspired us to huddle these various interests under one umbrella. I’ve learned so much more from being in the real world, but my time at TFTV gave me a strong base for where to start and how to find my niche early on in a very saturated industry.
What advice would you give current TFTV students who aspire to create and produce their own original work or launch their own creative ventures after graduation?
My advice is to say yes to opportunities, even when the path isn’t linear. You may not land an agent right out of college, and that’s okay! The routes to our dream jobs are paved by us. If you are struggling to take a leap of faith for your career, look to your artist community and find someone who both inspires you and holds you accountable. Producing my original work at a professional, indie level is not what I thought I’d be doing 10 years post grad, but I have never been happier. The doors I once struggled to go through are now propped open.
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