We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Danko recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I think it happened slowly for me. I don’t remember a specific moment, but as a kid, I was always doing something creative, like drawing or singing, or making clothes for my Barbies out of weird materials. Luckily, my small town also had a lot of creative outlets. I loved them, but it took me a while to realize a creative path could be a career option. Then, it took a little longer to find the confidence to actually go for it. I’m so glad I did. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.
Sarah, 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?
Professionally, I’m an actor. I started acting at a young age in school plays, and my professional career began in Austin, TX. I had opportunities to play some incredible roles on stage, like Alice in The Drowning Girls (with Theatre En Bloc) and The Pilot in the one-woman play Grounded (with Streetcorner Arts). During that time, I also dipped my toes into the Austin film scene and eventually booked roles on CW’s Walker and AMC’s Fear The Walking Dead. You might also see me in the Jeep ‘Dents” campaign if it’s still running. This year, I’ll make my directorial debut with a short film, called Before Morning. I wrote it with Sarah Saltwick, an Austin-based playwright, I produced it with my partner and a close friend of ours, and I am also starring in it. We’re in post-production now, getting ready to hit the festival circuit. In my personal life, I am restoring an 1883 folk Victorian home with my partner, Eric Zapata. I still love singing, and we both love making things out of materials we have on hand. We always have multiple projects going on at once. Eric also built a werewolf for our film.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I love it. I feel compelled to keep going. Even though it was difficult to find my confidence, once I did, I never looked back. I hope that might inspire people to pursue their own passion — whether professionally or just for fun — because it brings them joy. Undoubtedly, it will bring someone else joy, too.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I am constantly unlearning lessons. I’ve most recently been finding ways to unlearn people pleasing and Imposter Syndrome. Throughout my career, I have had to push myself to say “no,” in certain situations or stand up for creative choices. As a director, it was even more difficult. To allow myself to take up space as the one in charge was challenging. It still is. What helps me in most situations is being okay with getting out of my comfort zone and spending some time alone. During production of Before Morning, I spent time alone every day, connecting with the story and allowing that to ground me. With that connection, being in charge was still a challenge, but an exciting one.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @beforemorningfilm
- Facebook: @beforemorningfilm
Image Credits
Phots taken by: Evelyn Williams, Eric Zapata, and myself (Sarah Danko)
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