We recently connected with Sarah Ceballos and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I have always known I wanted to be an actor since the age of 11. That’s when I got “bit” as they say in the industry, but for me as a child growing up in South Texas as well as being Latina, there are certain roles or societal expectations I thought I had to live up to, and being at that age there is so much you’re already trying to figure out, and I just didn’t have the confidence then to pursue it. Additionally, I had lost my father just 2 years prior. However, performing on stage was the most alive I had felt at the time, it almost felt wrong to be happy.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
So as I previously mentioned, I started acting at 11. I did “Grease” at my local Boys & Girls Club and the thrill of performing on a stage never left me. I acted off and on after high school and I remember wanting to pursue it in college, but UTSA (The University of Texas at San Antonio) didn’t offer it as a major. Fast forward to 2016, I was finishing up my Doctorate and I thought to myself, what is the one thing that remains that I’ve never done? So I looked up local acting coaches in Houston and started to take film classes. My former coach Sara Gaston introduced me to Stella Adler and her method resonated with me, as all of the “methods” or techniques do to some extent. After I finished my Ph.D. I came to New York City on a post-graduation trip and I fell in love with it. I HAD TO come back, so I looked up summer intensives and conservatories. Out of all of them, I considered NYFA (New York Film Academy) and Stella Adler, but only applied to Adler and got in.
The rest was history, I’ve slowly started to carve out my own niche or brand here in the city as an actor as well as a producer. If I could tell the younger version of me that it will always work out the way that it’s supposed to I would. But then again, when you’re passionate about pursuing your dreams, you always think they’ll happen tomorrow or according to a specific plan but all too often it doesn’t turn out that way. Additionally, when you’re young, you always think you know better than God/the universe. I’ve done off-off Broadway & off-Broadway shows as well as performed in short & feature-length films.
The struggle for me, I found and I know this isn’t new to anyone who’s been in the industry for a while its that we’re often put into a box or labeled as one thing or another and I wanted to play roles where I can as Meisner would say myself under “imaginary circumstances”, roles that had depth, versus young ingenue types, or the “soccer mom”. When I got back into acting in 2016 there weren’t enough roles for Latinas with fair skin like me. I either auditioned for Italian or Caucasian roles. I’m also not saying there’s anything wrong with these ethnicities either, I just wanted to be true to myself, and to my culture. If I was offered a Latina role, I would get called in for the drug dealer’s girlfriend, or the maid. It really plagued me for a while, and I thought about quitting. That’s when it hit me, I can do my part to change that, and do my best to portray Latinos in a positive light versus you know “criminals”.
However, I am the type of person who commits to something and really sees it through, additionally, I love acting too much to quit. I recall some of my past coaches always saying to me, that you’re only a failure if you quit. I’ve learned that breaks are almost a must in this business. All of which I express to say that there still isn’t enough Latino representation in film or T.V., but it is changing so that’s the good news! Finally, I just got fed up and started to write my own material. I also wanted to write something that few talk about, or rather films about grief or even mental health still are not the norm. I have met so many folks in my years on this planet who have lost a parent like me or even loved ones who really struggled with the grieving process. I wrote “Hero” to showcase what grief or any kind of trauma really can do to you. There were times that my trauma reared its ugly head in the most untimely of circumstances, so this film was dedicated to those who feel like they’re not seen. Or those who know they need help but are too afraid to ask. The thing with trauma too is that you never really know who’s on your side, or who’s taking advantage and exploiting what you’re going through for their own personal gain. Conversely, you also can’t stay closed off either, you’ll never find those who will truly love you for you. This film is dedicated to them, the underdogs, the never quite-fit-in types, and those who are unable to speak for themselves, it’s okay to not be okay, and seeking help is not a weakness. It takes such an act of courage and bravery to ask for help and not be afraid to be seen for who you truly are. I wish we lived in a world where that got celebrated more often.
I founded my company to celebrate the unsung heroes of the world and really showcase societal issues that many are afraid to address. Ever since I was a little girl I have always been outspoken and curious about why things are the way that they are. I am at a point in my life where I can channel that into creating a better world for us all through my art, whether I’m acting, writing, or producing. I’m also a college professor and I always encourage my students to speak out against the injustices of the world. One voice can create such a lasting ripple effect which is something that should never be underestimated, in fact, it should be encouraged!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The worst thing to happen to me has also been the best thing to happen to me at the same time. Although I didn’t deal with my childhood trauma from losing my father then, it motivated me to go for my heart’s desires because the truth is we really don’t have that much time on this earth. It’s taken a lot of work to overcome feelings of depression, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts that come from that type of loss; not to mention, having to grow up at a young age without ever really knowing who I was then. At that age, I was informed by the world or societal standards versus my own; which I know I’m not alone in that. I think that happens to a lot of us, thank goodness for therapy! Funny business growing up, and unlearning ways that no longer serve you.
What it has taught me is that life is always going to continue to throw curveballs and come at you, especially when you least expect it, The way I look at it is, that you have two options, you can either let it be the best teacher or resist and let it drive you insane. One option provides constant torment and the other eventually provides relief. While dark times are unpleasant, they’re never meant to last and sometimes the only way out is through. Feeling leads to healing, which is something I learned later in life.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I always think back to what I learned during drama school at Stella Adler when we were often told this, “Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one”. The best thing society or better yet the government can do is not cut funding to programs or creative initiatives that provide refuge to so many! I don’t know what I would have done without The Boys & Girls Club. Even now, I can’t imagine my life without the arts. It’s therapy in a way, that contributes to the larger conversation of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Children can benefit from the arts by not only learning how to act but also, learning about teamwork. It’s arts and business, and I think society needs to do better at creating safe spaces for us to do what we do. I think there should be more grants for filmmakers, especially first-time filmmakers, and women of color like me. I struggled so much to finance my film at the beginning, I got it done but still, it shouldn’t be difficult or require a metaphorical act of congress to make a film.
I’m blessed that I live in NYC where the arts are very much supported, but my heart aches for those who don’t have this type of support in smaller cities. Libraries in smaller cities could conduct play readings, host art exhibits, create writing/brainstorming sessions, or even any kind of lab that allows people to explore their artistry. Thank you very much for having me, I’m honored!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.336-films.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/336_films/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/336Films
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/336_films
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCikRs84SxRl_KJOPKyOIWnQ
Image Credits
The on-set photos of Hero were taken by Lea Pfandler.