Seattle Rep’s Communications Manager Nicole Bearden spoke with beloved local artist and The Heart Sellers director Sunam Ellis about the show, her personal connections to the story, and more 

Nicole Bearden: What first drew you to this play? What made this an exciting choice for you in particular to direct?

Sunam Ellis: My father was stationed in Korea when he met my mother. When they moved to the United States in the 1970s (made possible by the Hart–Celler Act), my mother had to hide or shut down parts of her identity just to make life more comfortable for those around her. My mom is a free spirit. She was pretty young when she came to the U.S., and in many ways grew into an adult in a place that was unfamiliar to her. I wish she had a Luna or a Jane: someone in her life who understood what it was like to leave her country while still figuring out who she was. And even though I’ve been here since I was a toddler, as a Korean-American I still feel like I’m finding my own way, pulled between two cultures. I think that tug-of-war is beautifully explored in this play. 

Also, I love Luna and Jane deeply. They are wise and innocent. They are brave and vulnerable. They are silly, open, and curious. I want to be their friend. I want to be a friend like them. They give me hope.

^{Director Sunam Ellis and members of the creative team at The Heart Sellers Meet & Greet (2025). Photo by Sayed Alamy.} 

SE: The greatest way my acting background informs my directing is my desire to create the space for actors to be in their own process. And I think my acting background opens up different possibilities for communication, because I recognize there are some approaches that just aren’t helpful. It encourages me to be mindful that there are different paths people take in their own creativity. Building this show, I get to play with creative minds who are at the top of their game. So I want to honor what they are bringing, and be respectful of whatever tools they have.

As an actor, I sometimes feel like my only option is to interpret the language of the director the best I can and then adjust my work to their style. But as a director, I recognize I brought these creative artists into this project because of their unique voices. I don’t want anybody to adjust to me. If someone’s process isn’t clear to me, I want to treat it as an invitation to be curious. To use language and prompts that are helpful, constructive, and clear. I want to amplify the voices of these artists and see how they sing together.

NB: How do you see the themes in this show resonating with audiences today?

SE: Immigration is a highly contentious topic right now, so I can see how that might make an audience approach the play with caution. However, this show is all about shedding light on the humanity of two young women who are both grateful for the opportunities afforded them by moving to the U.S. and aware of their status as outsiders. That is a lonely crossroads to be at, and my hope is that the audience can lean into the humanity of what these young women are facing.

I think most of us can remember moments in our lives when we didn’t quite feel at home. Being in a space like that can surface a lot of feelings: fear of the unknown, frustration with the situation, mistrust of the new and different, anger at whatever or whoever brought us into that space. In this play, we see two people working through those complicated feelings. They take a risk, they hope for the best, and take a chance at a possible new friendship. In our current climate it is so easy for me to lean into the negativity. But this play invites me to see a different story, a different way to be in the world—and I’m here for it. 

^{Seattle Rep Artistic Director Dámaso Rodríguez and The Heart Sellers Director Sunam Ellis at the show's Meet and Greet (2025). Photo by Sayed Alamy}

NB: What do you hope audiences take away from this show?

SE: My greatest hope is that this show sends audiences home with a hefty dose of hope. That it ignites a wonderful spark that keeps flickering. Because that’s something I sense people need right now. There is so much tension these days, and it doesn’t seem to take much for a topic to send people into the “us vs. them" mentality. That frame of mind is a real option for Luna and Jane, but we get to see two young women take a different path. 

This show brings out the beauty that is possible when we approach things with generous curiosity, an openness to new perspectives, and a willingness to be vulnerable. I’m well aware that approach doesn’t always work out, and such things won’t always lead to a story like The Heart Sellers. But I want audiences to lean into the hope, because I like to believe that kinder spaces are possible.

See Sunam's work in action in The Heart Sellers, playing Jan. 2–Feb. 1, 2026 at Seattle Rep.

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