Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Simone. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Samantha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents have done so many things right that have had a positive impact on my life and career. First, my parents always let me and my sister do what we loved. Whether that was dance, sports, or acting for me, or drums, horse back riding or cooking for my sister – they allowed us to go after our passions. If we ever said, “Mom and Dad I don’t want to do this anymore” they also supported that choice. We truly got to decide what we wanted to do in our free time. Second, my parents were real with me. Growing up I was always artistic – between dance team and theater most of my time was focused in the arts. My parents never sugar coated anything for me – I knew this was a hard career, I knew I would have to work hard, I knew I would need to make sacrifices, and I knew I would be challenged every day. But I also knew I was talented, I had their full support and they would always have my back no matter what. Third, my parents knew their boundaries. My mom would have been a FIERCE stage mom if she allowed herself to, but she took a step back and really followed my lead in the career. My dad is so good with people and negotiating – I always joked when he retired he could be my agent. When I was a kid living in the UK I had an agent and booked a pilot TV series, but shortly after that filmed we got news we were moving back to the US. My agent at the time offered to sign me in LA but we were moving to NJ – my parents said no because they weren’t ready for that kind of lifestyle with two kids. At the time I was annoyed…but I was 12. Now 31 year old me is thankful for all the choices they made to get me to where I am today.

Samantha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! My name is Samantha Simone, but my friends call me Sam. I got in to the business of acting young, at the age of 10. I booked my first TV show at that age and quite literally fell in love with the craft on set. From 10 years old until now, I have worked professionally on television shows, movies, commercials, theater, and voice over. I hold an MFA in Acting from Columbia University. In addition to my own career I am a strong advocate for my students and making sure they have the skills needed to work professionally as well. I am a college professor at Rider University in the BFA Acting program, Ramapo College of NJ, and Bergen Community College. I am also a private acting coach for children of all ages! I think what sets me aside from other educators and coaches is I am very real with my students and clients – I answer questions with honesty and I do not hide anything from my students. I meet each child or young adult where they are at and help them achieve their own individual goals as opposed to setting goals for them. I am their biggest champion and provide them with opportunities outside of the classroom (working as a PA, background acting, etc.). I am most proud of the fact that I have been a working actor since I was a kid and even when times get hard, the business is shut down due to a pandemic, or a strike, that I stay passionate and positive. I am able to help my students and clients with that mindset as well. I also am proud of setting realistic goals for myself and my career, not beating myself up, and being confident in who I am.

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.

I think the biggest thing non-creatives struggle to understand is how creatives make a living. I constantly get asked “what do you do when you aren’t acting.” For me a goal was to always be working in the arts or something arts adjacent. No one can control how many gigs they book as an actor, but you can control maintaining your network, staying in touch with people, booking the room, and being professional. When I am not acting I am so lucky to have a second passion, which is teaching. I learn as much from my students as they do from me and it really helps me stay creatively fulfilled, passionate in my own career, and excited to share my stories to help my students.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Working with others! I absolutely love getting to meet new people on every show, set, class, etc. I love watching talented people do what they do best and trying new methods. I always thought actors had to be so serious all the time – but I was working on a set of a serious project and in between takes the actors would laugh and joke and then just drop right back in to the emotional scene when cameras were rolling. I thought to myself, “wow – okay maybe I should try that” and over the years I have now developed a craft where I can cry on camera fairly easily, and connect to larger emotions but then once the scene is over come out of that feeling quickly as well. It’s a blessing to be able to meet and make life long relationships with people who you met on a show, or making a film. This industry is all about connections – and I love getting to meet people from all different backgrounds, but who share the same passion and goals that I have.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.samanthanicolesimone.com
• Instagram: samsimone30
• Facebook: Sam Simone
• Linkedin: Samantha Simone
• Twitter: N/A
• Youtube: N/A
• Yelp: N/A
• Soundcloud: N/A

Image Credits

Headshot: SoVane Photography