We were lucky to catch up with Sandra Powers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

In the unlikeliest of corners, I discovered my guiding lights – mentors who sculpted my path in ways unforeseen. The seeds of my creativity found fertile ground in the encouragement of my 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Ferrer. She didn’t just teach; she nurtured my burgeoning imagination, gifting me the stage of our classroom to unfurl my tales to my fellow classmates.

Then, in the hallowed halls of CalArts, I met a mentor who was more than a custodian of technique; she was a maestro of empathy. She didn’t just refine my style; she lent her ears and eyes to my art, helping me understand who I was as an artist.

And among the industry’s bustling chaos, a producer emerged as a beacon. In her, I found not just a guide but a champion, someone who saw beyond the surface and urged the dormant voice within me to resonate. She instilled in me the valor to voice my aspirations. Through her unwavering support, I discovered the profound strength in leading with empathy, a lesson more potent than any technique or skill.

Sandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

At the tender age of six, I embarked upon my inaugural venture into the realm of entertainment, creating my very first production within the confines of our living room. This spectacle starred none other than myself alongside my younger brother, Mikey for an audience of my parents’ friends. Clad in a motley array of costumes amalgamated from numerous Halloweens past, we endeavored to enact the script I had meticulously crafted. Inspired by the haunting books I voraciously read by R.L. Stine and Goosebumps, our performance sought to evoke an aura of spine-chilling suspense and mystery. I’m still not sure if that landed quite right.

You see, I’ve always had an affinity for the sinister, and the fantastical pervaded all of my creative endeavors. In highschool I adored art class so much that I enrolled at the Massachusetts College of Art to pursue painting. During my first year, I discovered filmmaking in a foundation course and became enamored with the medium. I swiftly honed my skills in iMovie, birthing a plethora of concise yet chilling horror vignettes, starring twine, strawberry jelly, and an assortment of dormitory finds.

Soon after, I changed my major to film, then went on to pursue a MFA in Film at the prestigious California Institute of the Arts. My filmmaking journey at Calarts began as a lone auteur and by my second year had evolved into a formidable ensemble with a fifteen-person crew, two costume designers, a set designer with a team, and a composer working with a small orchestra. My films graced the screens of esteemed film festivals and museums.

After graduating from CalArts, a curious tide swept in— musicians I knew started asking me to create music videos in my distinctive style. Amidst this artistic current, I received a call that the band DeVotchKa sought me as well. As an ardent admirer, I was not just flattered; I was over the moon! Among all the visual tales I’ve spun, the DeVotchKa music video remains a cherished gem, a culmination of pride in our collective artistry and an unparalleled, joyous journey.

Over the years my love for the macabre has only grown stronger. The worlds I conjure are full of enigmatic souls, misfits navigating hauntingly beautiful, decrepit settings. It’s a delicate dance between eerie charm and desolate grandeur—a tapestry I relish crafting.

Recently, my artistic gaze has fixated upon the written word, recognizing its profound capacity to propel storytelling to lofty pinnacles. Within its confines, my narratives breathe and thrive, shaping into more compelling worlds.
I find myself developing ideas for films and tv series, all spooky-comedy, of course.
Moreover, a new chapter unfurls in my artistic saga as I assume the directorial reins for my first theatre show, a musical spectacle called “The Great Soviet Bucket,” a Soviet Cabaret brought to life in partnership with the esteemed Beth Morrison Projects. Poised to grace the stage at the Miami Light Project in February of 2024,

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

As a young Peruvian goth growing-up in Miami, Florida, I found myself an outlier in a sea of vibrant hues. In the midst of a tropical paradise, I gravitated toward the dark places, where the renegades, the rebels, and the nonconformists held court. They were my companions—a tribe of misfits whom I cherished dearly, amidst a society often at odds with embracing differences. My daily attire, always in all black amidst the bright tapestry of high school, incurred the disapproval of parents who clung tightly to societal norms.

Feeling like a a fish out of water serves as the pulsating heartbeat within in my storytelling.
The protagonists that materialize from my imagination bear the indelible mark of the misfit. They traverse realms where the rigid boundaries of societal acceptance hold no sway.
Within their narratives lie a kaleidoscope of experiences, inviting exploration into the complexities of existence beyond conventional acceptance. Through their stories, I seek to weave a tapestry of understanding and empathy, offering solace to those who have felt the sting of societal ostracization. For in the realm of difference resides a poignant beauty, an elegance not confined to the conventional bounds of acceptance. Embracing the oddities, the nonconformities, I find solace in the beauty that thrives within the atypical and the unconventional.

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

Last week’s rehearsals for the Soviet Cabaret held a unique enchantment—an amalgamation of individuals, each wielding an extraordinary tapestry of talents. Amidst the initial awe stemming from the presence of such accomplished artists, the atmosphere transformed as our collective creativity ignited. Within the confines of our rehearsal theater, a palpable electricity surged—an unspoken rapport between musicians, performers, and producers, each igniting sparks in the other. With every passing moment, the piece blossomed, nourished by an unrestrained outpouring of creativity that transformed the room into a sanctum of burgeoning joy.

Presenting our show to a select few for their insights was akin to savoring the dessert after a sumptuous feast. Their sweet validation was recognition for the tireless effort poured into our artistic endeavor throughout the week.

For me, the symbiosis of artistic collaboration is indispensable—a communal journey of creation culminating in the shared revelation with an audience. Feeling the audience respond is an unparalleled experience—it’s a shared emotion that transcends the ordinary cadence of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sandrapowers.com
• Instagram: lil.spooky.powers

Image Credits
Sandra Powers