A Conversation with Kai Sale
Published September 28, 2026
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to see actor Kai Sale perform for the first time in Harlequin Productions' production of Sweat. Just a few weeks later, I feel incredibly fortunate to have the chance to get to know Sale and hear more about his heart for theater.
Now, audiences have the opportunity to see Sale once again on the Harlequin stage, both in Our Town (October 2nd - November 1st) and in a leading role in Sanctuary City (October 9th - 25th). Trust me, you will not want to miss either of these shows!
Giving you a glimpse behind the curtain, I hope you enjoy getting to know Kai Sale as much as I have.
Getting to know Kai
Benton: Where did your love of theater begin?
Sale: “My journey started in a play we made up ourselves in school that was called Fairy Tales and Star Wars. I was a Clone Trooper Captain, and I remember this one scene with Goldilocks where I had to take down the bears. It was so fun! I remember the feeling of wearing those costumes and using those props, and how entertaining it all felt.”
“I really fell in love with acting in third grade at McClane Elementary in a production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory where I played an Oompa Loompa. There was this one little scene where after we were done dancing, we had to run off stage. Every time, I would run off stage too fast and would literally drop my green little fuzzy fedora hat. People would burst out laughing, and I just knew right there that my purpose in life was to make others feel joy.”
“I love making people laugh and react to what is going on; I love being an entertainer! It’s something I always know I will do until I’m dead.”
Benton: Out of all the productions you have done, what is your favorite?
Sale: “Of all time, I would most definitely say playing Daddy Warbucks in Annie. That was my first big lead.”
“I will always remember my mom crying when she watched me in a scene where I was holding Annie and talking about adopting her…that was just a really big moment for me.”
“Second place would be The Book of Will, which I did a couple of years ago at SPSCC. That was my first professional production, and I did it with Brian Tyrrell, who is an excellent director. I love working with him so much! He reached out to me for Sweat, and that is how I made my debut at Harlequin Productions. I was just blown away by the cast I got to work with. Everyone was just so talented! I want to thank Brian so much because he really helped me in my acting journey.”
Benton: What characters do you play in Our Town and Sanctuary City?
Sale: “In Our Town, I’m playing Sam Craig, who is the cousin of Emily. He plays a crucial role in telling the story beginning in Act 3. My second role in Sanctuary City is much bigger, the character B.”
“Karissa Chin and Romero Della Montayo in Sanctuary City are both amazing, talented actors, and I love working with them! Every rehearsal is amazing! This is definitely the biggest project I’ve taken on. It takes place a couple of months after 9/11, and it’s about these two immigrant kids just trying to make it in life while dealing with hardships. It’s drama-filled, it’s heavy… It’s just a lot, but it's amazing. There are so many great moments!”
“There are only three people in this show, and it’s definitely been a challenge for me to get used to this small of a cast, but it’s going really well! Everyone is amazingly talented, and working with Aaron Lamb is such a privilege. He provides such excellent insight and has taught me things that I didn’t know I could do as an actor. Stage Manager Celeste Elaine is incredible as well!”
Benton: I know that Our Town and Sanctuary City in conjunction with each other, what does it feel like to go back and forth between those different dynamics?
Sale: “It’s certainly a challenge for sure because the shows take place in different time periods and my characters are very different from each other, especially in the mannerisms. There’s an emotional difference in depth between them as well. B is a lot younger and confused half the time as he is trying to piece his life together, whereas Sam is a put-together kind of fellow who is doing very well in life.”
“In Our Town, Sam Craig speaks with a certain dialect. The way it’s written is very old-fashioned. B in Sanctuary City talks a lot like me: he interrupts himself a lot, and it’s been funny relating to him on that aspect. In that show, there’s a lot of rapid back and forth.”
“Rehearsals for Our Town are from 6 to 9, and then Sanctuary City is right after from 9 to 11, so switching the same day!”
Benton: Why would you personally advocate for seeing both of these shows?
Sale: “I would personally advocate for seeing both of these shows because they both tie into current events and what’s going on in society, especially in Sanctuary City where my character is afraid of being deported all the time, and how his mom is afraid of staying in the country. A lot of people are going through the same thing in America right now, even in Olympia, WA. It’s ridiculous!”
“Our Town describes the importance of appreciating the smaller things in life and being grateful for every day because you don’t know when it is going to be your last, or when it will be the last time seeing a specific person. We’ve all gone through that where we wake up one day and out of nowhere, someone is gone, and it really sucks.”
“Both of these plays tie into everyday aspects of life in America right now.”
“Also, they’re both excellent productions and the cast and crews are so talented! Watching these shows is worth every cent!”
Benton: Why do you think theater is so important for our everyday lives?
Sale: “I think the arts are just an integral part of human society. I don’t think we would be where we are today without the arts. They allow expressive and creative freedom, and taking that away is taking a part away of humanity.”
“I think the arts are something every kid should have the opportunity to do, whether it’s drawing a stick figure or playing an instrument; every kid should have the right to express themselves through the arts.”
Hurry and purchase your ticket to see Kai Sale in Our Town and in Sanctuary City before these shows sell out!