Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Donohue.
Hi Sam, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From the moment I started training at a studio at the age of 14, I knew dance was truly my “thing.” I really began to discover my sense of belonging in the dance community during my late teens to early twenties (16-21). As a dancer, I feel at home, liberated, and fully myself. Movement ignites my spirit, transporting me to a state of bliss. Though times can be tedious and tough- Life be life in, I truly enjoy digging through them and rediscovering myself on the other end. I love the aspect of discovery as an artist. My journey has been filled with so many “BIG” decisions, life-changing decisions that have shaped me. I have always kept dance at the forefront of those decisions; I ask myself how dance will fit into my life here. Never shying away from calculated risks to pursue my dreams, dance convinced me I could do more, see more, hear more, learn more, feel more, love more, be more – DANCE MORE! This burning passion and desire has driven me through life and continues to do so. My goal has always been to keep loving dance at the top of my priority list. I’ve consistently prioritized my love for dance above all else, swiftly distancing myself from anything that threatens to detract from it. This journey is beautiful, and I cherish it. I cherish dance, and every moment I get to experience this gift, I am learning, growing, and finding ways to continue unfolding the possibilities of experiencing dance through many different avenues.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
What’s a smooth road? The journey has been tough, with lots of potholes, traffic, twists and turns, fender benders, and accidents. The roads have been real rough at moments. I’m grateful for every bump in the road because it has built my character. Going against the grain, following a dream on faith, I moved to LA two days after I graduated high school, all by myself, on my first flight. My first few years in LA were a wild ride. I was 18-20 with no financial support, unable to secure a lease of my own because I had no co-signer, and unable to get a car because I had no co-signers and didn’t make enough to buy one outright. Not only was I figuring out life in a new city, but I was also working through obstacles due to age and finances while chasing a dream. “If there is WILL, there is a way.” I have relied on willpower and faith in my ability to live my dreams. LA is a beautiful beast; it’s a big city and home to the entertainment industry. The city has forced me to grow in the most unexpected ways. The past few years have been spent rediscovering and reclaiming myself. I experienced an unexplainable amount of pain, confusion, shame, and heartache in 2021, leading me to step away from everything I had – home, car, business, and everything I owned aside from my clothes. I knew the next chapter of my life couldn’t bring old energy or toxic memories into it and in all honesty, I had no other choice. I had to remind myself that those were just material items; my hard work and accomplishments aren’t defined by items, but by experiences and impressions left on others. I took some time to be a nomad and find dance in different spaces. I never allowed myself to stop moving, to stop fighting for my dream no matter what I am grieving or going through. Being an artist is hard, being a human is hard, navigating life and making sense of experiences is hard. I have and continue to pray for more opportunities to dance and will continue to give my blood, sweat, and tears to create art. I will always find ways around every obstacle while still prioritizing dance. Dance also provided me with a space to escape the stress caused by life’s obstacles.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a movement artist. Dance! I specialize in freestyle, Krump, Contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and Strength/Conditioning. I’m known for my versatility and knowledge/experience with various styles as a dancer and instructor. I am most proud of all the opportunities I’ve had to share dance with others and be a positive impact on their dance journeys.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
My very first job as a dancer was for SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment (Sesame Place), I dance in costume as Elmo and Abby as well as out of costume in the neighborhood street parade.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamsamdonohue.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamsam_iam_
Image Credits
Liz McKeever
C.em. Shine Photography
Kayte Mae
