SALISBURY — Theater has been a passion for Linda Hunt since she was a kid living in Pittsburgh.

“I used to direct plays with my cousins and sister,” Hunt said.

In the years since, Hunt has acted in more than 30 plays and directed more than 10 college productions.

On May 30, Hunt will become the first African-American woman to direct a play on a commercial stage in Salisbury.

Hunt said theater and the arts are a “continuing theme” in her life.

“It’s not something you turn off and turn on,” Hunt said. “It is who you are. It’s a part of you.”

Hunt started as acting in the 1990s when she was still living in Pittsburgh.

“I love acting. That’s my first love,” Hunt said.

After a suggestion from her mentor — Vernell Lillie of Kuntu Repertory Theater — Hunt got her first shot at directing.

“She opened up that avenue for me. I had been watching her probably for 10 or 15 years at that time,” Hunt said. “So, yeah, that was my first opportunity to direct. And I love it.”

Hunt said directing gives her a chance to see the “evolution” of a production.

“In directing, you get a chance to see the process, but you’re not necessarily a part of it. So you can watch the evolution from beginning to end,” Hunt said. “And when you’re an actor, you’re in it. … You’re trying to discover layers and different dimensions to this character.”

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Hunt moved to Salisbury about 10 years ago to be with her brother, Ray Taylor, the founder and pastor of Outreach Christian Ministries.

Taylor passed away about five years ago, but Hunt remains the director of arts ministry there.

“So we do at least two productions — one at Christmas and one at Easter,” Hunt said.

Hunt was also director of theater arts at Livingstone College until 2013. Since then, she’s tried to stay involved in the community.

“I’ve been at the Meroney in a couple of productions, acting,” Hunt said. “I just try to keep myself busy, going to the National Black Theater Festival and just trying to keep that energy moving.”

The play Hunt is directing next week, which will be performed at Lee Street theatre, is called “AlieNation.” It was written by first-time playwright Susan Lee.

“It looks at Dreamers and that whole situation and, in this political environment, how we’re dealing with immigration,” Hunt said.

Hunt said she thinks the subject matter is important and hopes it will start a conversation.

“Are we going to change the political climate? Maybe not nationally. But I think it can start conversations in churches and with families and friends,” Hunt said. “And as long as we can keep talking, maybe change can happen and (we can) not be so polarized.”

Hunt said there will be talk-backs after each performance of the play moderated by local residents.

“So they’re not just asking actors how did they feel about being in that role. That’s what usually happens. But we’re really going to talk about some of the hard issues that are going to come up,” Hunt said.

Hunt said the production is like “the heart of community theater.”

“There are very experienced actors in this play and there are actors in this play that are doing it for the first time,” Hunt said. “So you get those different levels. And that’s what community theater is supposed to be about.”

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Hunt said she didn’t know she was the first African-American woman to direct on a commercial stage in Salisbury until Lee told her.

“And I was like, ‘Really? You sure?’” Hunt said.

Reid Leonard, resident director of Piedmont Players, said the Meroney and Norvell theaters have had African-American men and women in leadership roles since he started 30 years ago.

But Hunt is likely the first female African-American “flat-out” director — rather than musical director or choreographer — in Salisbury, Leonard said.

Hunt said that although “any first is a landmark,” she hasn’t really thought about the distinction.

“And knowing that doesn’t make a difference, really. You get in there and you do what you do and you hope that people enjoy it and they walk away with something,” Hunt said.

When asked what advice she might give to young people of color interested in creative pursuits, Hunt said, “Just do it.”

“You have one life, and if God’s given you that gift and you have a passion for it, make it happen. It doesn’t have to be on a commercial stage. It can be in your backyard. It could be at your family reunions. It could be at your church,” Hunt said. “Wherever you can make it happen, make it happen for yourself. It can’t hurt.”

“AlieNation” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. May 30-31 Lee Street theatre, 329 N. Lee St.

Tickets are available at the door for a suggested donation of $12.

Contact reporter Jessica Coates at 704-797-4222.