We were lucky to catch up with Samuel B. Dolman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Samuel B., thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I gained a significant amount of knowledge and experience from attending the Wilkes Academy and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. The teachers and faculty at both institutions taught me invaluable lessons in various aspects of musical theatre, acting for both stage and screen, and navigating the industry. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a performer is the importance of understanding and accepting myself. I’ve come to realize that not getting a role is not a reflection of my worth as an actor, but simply a matter of the casting team looking for a different fit. In retrospect, one thing I wish I had realized earlier is the need to get out of my own way. When I was younger, I developed a persona of being the life of the party, the showman who loves to party and have fun. While that aspect of my personality is true to some extent, I also have an introverted side and a strong work ethic that I didn’t allow myself to fully embrace. By not embracing these aspects of myself, I hindered my ability to tap into my vulnerability and connect with my emotions, which is crucial for an actor. My advice to others would be to not let their social personality dictate their approach to acting. When entering a class or preparing for a role, it’s important to start from a place of authenticity and show your true self. This will help you connect with your character and fellow cast members on a deeper level. Along my journey, I’ve found that effective communication is a vital skill. Being able to engage with different people, understand their perspectives, and effectively express my thoughts and concerns has been invaluable, especially during class discussions and interactions with instructors. Additionally, cultivating empathy is a challenging yet essential skill. Empathizing with the experiences and emotions of others, including the characters I portray, allows me to truly understand and embody their struggles and motivations. For instance, when playing a villain, empathizing with their background and challenges helps me understand their choices, even if they may seem morally questionable or extreme to others.
Samuel B., 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?
I developed a deep love for performing at a young age, particularly after witnessing captivating shows like Slava’s Snow Show. This ignited a passion within me that led me to enroll in a one-day-a-week acting, singing, and dance class at Stagecoach. Although life circumstances caused me to temporarily deviate from this path, my passion for drama never waned. It resurfaced during my GCSEs, and I subsequently auditioned for multiple colleges. Luckily, I was granted a scholarship to a musical theatre program where I honed my skills for four years. After completing my training, I had the incredible opportunity to work in Greece for six months, showcasing my talents in both dance and singing at a hotel. Unfortunately, the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to the entire industry, prompting me to reevaluate my career choices. I decided to focus my training solely on acting and made the bold move to New York, where I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for three years. I recently graduated in March and have since begun collaborating on projects with friends, fellow Academy alumni, teachers, and directors. I am eagerly looking forward to what the future holds. With my wild, creative ideas and a supportive network of friends, I believe that incredible opportunities are on the horizon.
One quality that sets me apart is my unwavering determination. I refuse to give up and firmly believe in my own abilities to succeed in this industry. I will persist until someone else recognizes my potential.
What truly distinguishes me from others is the fact that there is no one else like me. I am Samuel Dolman, with a unique set of experiences, a diverse background, and a distinct persona that I can infuse into any character I portray, drawing from the insights gained from my upbringing and the places I’ve lived.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
There is an important lesson that I have had to unlearn throughout my life: the notion that men should not cry or express their emotions openly. While my mother never enforced this belief, societal norms, schools, and workplaces often create an environment where young boys and later, young adults, feel pressured to suppress their vulnerability and avoid discussing their feelings. The expectation is to always appear strong, even though some people may argue that this pressure doesn’t exist. However, societal influences subtly reinforce the message. Additionally, my personal experience of witnessing my father’s mistreatment of my mother and subsequently being told that I was now the “man of the house” by other male figures in my life further reinforced the idea that I needed to be tough and withhold my emotions. Undoing this conditioning has been an ongoing process for me. As I have grown older, I have realized how much this mindset has hindered my ability to connect with others on a deeper level in real life. It has affected my relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners, as well as my career as an actor and performer. I continue to work on unlearning these harmful beliefs and embracing a healthier and more authentic approach to expressing my emotions daily.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Being a performer, particularly an actor, has been incredibly rewarding for me. It allows me to delve into different aspects of humanity that I may not have otherwise experienced. When I study a character, their background, their way of life, and the circumstances they are in, it gives me a profound understanding of what it means to be human. Interestingly, I often find myself taking on roles that resonate with my own life experiences. It becomes a form of therapy, where I can explore and reflect on similar situations. Sometimes, the characters I portray handle these situations in ways that I may not agree with, but it prompts me to reflect on my own real-life circumstances and make necessary changes.
Additionally, witnessing how these characters’ struggles impact others in a scene allows me to step back and consider how the people in my own life might perceive and feel about the situations I find myself in. It has given me a greater sense of empathy and the ability to truly listen and understand what others are going through.
Moreover, I love the impact that performances can have on an audience. It is truly incredible to be able to captivate and hold the attention of a large group of people, whether it’s 150 or 150,000. In theater, especially, where the performance is live and intimate, you can hear the audience breathe. There is something magical about transporting people away from their own lives for an hour and a half, taking them on a journey through a story that evokes laughter, tears, anger, or even hatred. It allows them to experience and process a range of emotions. This is not only important for entertainment but also for shining a light on important stories and issues that may resonate with the lives of those watching. It empowers them to speak up and address these subjects in their own lives.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @samuel.b.dolman
