We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Samantha Russell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Samantha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Since the start of my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a number of meaningful projects. All of them have ignited me in some way or taught me to look at the world from a different perspective. As of late, I have been working on the set of Hauntology, in which an older sister takes her runaway sibling on a road trip to share the chilling tales of their hometown. In my role as the older sister Jazmin, I have been surrounded by so much love and joy from the crew and cast. There is a huge difference between working in film and television and working in theater. Theatre is a marathon, you have time to pace yourself and develop, learn, and grow. Film is like a sprint, everything is fast paced with many moving parts and you need to come with your character already developed. With all that in mind sometimes film sets can feel very tense and stressful because everyone is focused on getting all the shots in a limited amount of time. So kindness can go out the window sometimes. However working on Hauntology, everyone has been so positive and giving to one another. Everyone on set is working together to make sure the film is successful. I have enjoyed the process so much and I will be saddened when it ends.

Here is a link to the film, highlighting the entire cast and crew.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11790352/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Samantha Elizabeth Russell is a Cincinnati, Ohio Native. Her love for the arts began at an early age, writing songs and choreographing dance routines with her cousins. Her dancing career continued in High School as she performed competitively and choreographed several musicals; OKLAHOMA, RAGTIME, and SOUTH PACIFIC.

Samantha attended the University of Cincinnati, where she continued to perform in talent shows and step competitions with her sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho. Inc. Upon graduating with intent to go into the field of Marketing, she caught the acting bug and joined Cincinnati Black Theatre Company. There she performed in productions such as THE COLOR PURPLE as Nettie and SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY as Maggie.

She has since appeared in various play/film festivals, feature films, traveling theatre tours, commercials, regional theatre and has won best actress in a feature film for her role as Beth Booth in A TOUCH OF STARDUST. Some of her favorite productions include; CORETTA SCOTT KING AND THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, THE DANCING PRINCESSES, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, and OTHER BOTHER, Performance Gallery. She later went on to earn her Masters in acting at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England where she currently resides.

In 2022, Samantha received the Broadway World Award for Best Performer for her performance in I SHALL NOT BE MOVED. A one-woman show that tells the story of Betty Daniels Rosemond, a national civil rights pioneer whose journey as a Freedom Rider during the 1960s was beautiful, horrifying, and trailblazing.

She is also the lead character Jazmin Price in a film called HAUNTOLOGY, co staring alongside Jaidyn Triplett, Naomi Grossman and Samantha Robinson. The film is set to release fall 2023.

For more information on Samantha please follow the links below.

Samantha’s personal website

https://www.samanthaerussell.com/what-s-she-up-to

Samantha’s IMDB profile

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6631371/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the freedom that comes with making your own decisions. With some careers many decisions are based on entities greater than yourself, but when you are the creative you have a bit more autonomy.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

As an actor, I find many people try to diminish my success because my career does not reflect their personal opinions of what an actor is. People believe that if you are not a famous actor, then you can’t possibly be a working actor. BUT DEFINITELY I AM. I am a member of both acting unions in America (SAG-AFTRA and AEA), plus in the UK I am eligible to be a member of the equity union. During my over ten years as a professional artist, I have met more goals than I ever thought possible. People need to understand that this career isn’t a sprint, but a marathon.      

Contact Info:

• Website: www.samanthaerussell.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_bams/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samtheactress/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoi-_EsrpLfk78gGv1NS8AA
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6631371/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
• https://www.lastlooksbeauty.com/