Check Out Sami Stumman’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sami Stumman

Hi Sami, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Expression through the arts has always been a huge outlet for me. As a kid you feel a lot of big emotions you don’t really know how to name, and participating in the arts really gives you a place to channel that and be yourself. I grew up in San Diego doing theater and musical theater. I knew early I loved acting and wanted it to be in my life in some way, but wasn’t quite sure how. Then I saw Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings. I joke that I don’t really remember life before watching those movies (also a huge nerd) but it’s kind of true. Seeing such an expansive and extraordinary world brought to life while watching characters (and actors) deal with very human themes was extremely moving for me. Those movies really inspired me to focus on film and television because it was the first time I saw how much that ability to immerse an audience in a world or story could be effective and create real change. Plus filming on snow capped mountains in New Zealand? Sign me up. My love for film pushed me while going to drama school, where I would often drive up from San Diego to do extra work starting out, just to get a taste of what sets big and small were like. Haven’t looked back since.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Burnout is a very real thing not only in this industry, but also life. One thing I think can be important for artists to learn to work through, and was important for me, is the notion of uncoupling artistry from productivity. This can be tricky when, as an actor, you technically are the commodity and need to produce to also survive. In a society that constantly tells us we’re only worth what we produce, I think it can be more important than ever to challenge or rewrite those narratives. I know now the more specific and confident I am in my own voice, it can allow room for the same in others.

Something that has helped me post pandemic and during the strikes, was revisiting my theater roots by performing in some local theater communities, notably The Revolutionists with Theater40, as well as multiple shows with Open Door Shakespeare. The types of roles I’ve recently played have allowed me to tap back into and expand on the audacious and self-trusting part of my artistry – plus it’s been a blast with some amazing people. Re-incorporating multiple creative outlets like theater, singing, as well as writing, has also allowed me to get really specific about the type of work I want to do and be a part of. I feel like some parts of myself needed to be coaxed out a bit and reclaimed- parts that maybe got unintentionally dimmed along the way. It has been so gratifying including even more of who I am alongside film and television work.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an actor and creative, I have always been very passionate about mental health. I think the arts can just do so much for it because it helps you express and discover things about yourself and the world around you. I am proud that as a storyteller, other themes besides mental health that especially interest me are reclaiming identity. People and society can put their own narratives onto you and it can take a lot to dig through everything others have put on you for years to find, reclaim, or even feel assured of who you are.

I know how much it has meant to me when a story or character has made me feel seen or less alone, and I want to give that back through the stories I help create and characters I play. I want to use my art, ultimately, to help people, to help create and be a part of spaces where others feel they can safely express and be themselves, and come together to make meaningful things.

What are your plans for the future?
Currently in the process of finalizing a feature film script, and I’m doing another show with Open Door Shakespeare. I am also really excited to expand in television and film this year. Specifically, a huge goal of mine is to do a film in Scotland, so putting it out there! I’m grateful to have worked with some truly wonderful people, and am excited to see what opens up going forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @trusamiam

Image Credits
Cathryn Farnsworth
Eric Keitel
Craig Polding
Amanda Lee