Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Stark.
Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the small, rural town of Grand Rapids, MI. I started performing on stage at age three as a dancer. At 14, I saw a live play and had that lightbulb epiphany that acting is what I want to do for the rest of my life; that is my purpose. I started taking acting classes at the local GR Civic Theatre and pursued training attaining a B.A. in Theatre and English and a specialty in Shakespeare. I went on to perform regional, touring professional Shakespeare, including off-broadway for over a decade and continued my acting training with The Moscow Art Theatre School, the London Theatre Exchange, and the New York Actor’s Movement Studio to name a few. I also co-founded and ran as executive director of my own 501(c) non-profit theatre company for seven years, entitled The Stark Turn Players. I gained a cult following for our horror parody musical based on classics like Nightmare on Elm Street. We also produced original works by local playwrights. During this time, I also worked as an actor, choreographer, dancer, director, marketing and P.R. person, photographer, producer, and writer.
Yet I had a strong passion for film and tv I hoped to explore, which brought me to LA. I discovered I wanted to go to LA when I was teaching acting at Compass College to film students in MI in 2021. So in 2022, I moved cross country, away from everyone I love to pursue my passion with everything I had. I have been pursuing it ever since. I’ve done background roles in major studio films with Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman and streaming TV and lead and supporting roles in indie films all over the world. I’ve won best actor for my work in the Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival and European Independent Film Awards; as well as Best Shakespearean Actor from Broadway World. Currently, I am a full-time actress, dancer, and model. I am beyond thrilled and excited about multiple, multi-million dollar budget upcoming SAG TV and Film projects I have in the books working with Ascendent Studios Corporation. I am also walking as a featured runway model during the fall cycle of Fashion Week in Milan, Paris, London, NYC, LA, and Miami Swim Week this year. As we speak, I am in Atlanta filming as a featured exotic dancer (I’ve been training in aerial pole for ten months). So living the dream and excited for greater things to come!!
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?
Oh no, not smooth at all! I’ve encountered countless struggles that have strongly challenged my resolve. At age 16 I lost a brother to suicide. I battled with depression and post-traumatic stress so intense that my passion for performing got lost in the darkness. I remember one point where I was so hopeless and I saw the flyer for the NYC Movement Studio – I thought I have to do this; this experience will show me if acting is truly my passion and it did! It was my resurrection that reignited my confidence and assurity that acting was always and will always be my purpose, passion, and greatest joy in life.
As I continued forward, living in a small, rural midwest town proved a huge obstacle. Additionally, my support system saw my passion as an unreliable hobby. I felt tremendous pressure to retain a typical full, secure time job which kept me in corporate marketing for over 10 years. Covid took that safe job away and that was my cue to make the leap. No one was holding me back anymore. I sacrificed everything I had, including my entire savings, to move to LA and pursue acting. It was 1000% worth it and I will take the financial insecurity, the lack of opportunities, worldwide competition, and constant rejection any day in place of the pain of forgoing my dream.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a global, multi-award-winning actor, multi-published, international cover model, and a lifetime dancer and choreographer with over 20 years of industry experience. I often book commercials, film and tv roles, modeling campaigns, and dancing gigs. I specialize in Shakespeare, improv comedy, and aerial pole.
Most proud of:
Stage: Romeo in Romeo and Juliet
Modeling: Fashion Week Featured Runway model in Milan, Paris, London, NYC, LA, and Miami Swim Week
Dance: Devised, Directed, Choreographed, and Produced an original ballet inspired by the myth Halycon
Film/TV: My multiple award-winning performance of the role of Ashley Browner in the multi-film festival award-winning indie film “The Fatal Flaw” by Eric Powerhouse Weber.
Joy sets me apart, I am deeply grateful and dedicated and I believe the power of story is life-changing. I focus on being a positive light to everyone I encounter. I am uniquely energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate and I bring a lot of joy and inspiration to others. People always saw my smile makes their day.
What makes you happy?
Acting. It is the only time in my life I feel 100% comfortable in my skin and intimately connected to God and all of humanity. No feeling on earth is better. It is the feeling of being whole and complete.
Other joys – growing my pole skills, gardening, family, friends, spirituality, travel, reading, holistic healing, any kind of movement – running, hiking, dance, tennis, soccer, horseback riding, yoga, and more!
Finally, seeing and helping other people discover their personal dreams and find the courage to pursue it!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahstarkactor.com
- Instagram: @sarahstarkactressmodel
- Facebook: Sarah Stark: Actor
- Youtube: SarahStarkActressModel
- Other: linktr.ee/sarahstarkactormodel
Image Credits
Daniel Murray – all photos except pole and Milan. IG: edwrds_fine_art_photography
