Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Thornell.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Thanks to a full dance class at Dripping Springs High School, I got placed in my alternative creative elective: Theater. My second choice changed everything for me. Six plays and two musicals later, I graduated high school with a whole new plan – to be a professional artist. I withdrew all of my pre-med college applications and began reapplying to film schools. I ended up at UT Austin with degrees in Radio, Television and Film (with a specialization in screenwriting) and Journalism.
When I graduated, I knew that an office job would never let me take auditions in the middle of the day or spontaneously accept film opportunities, so I decided to start freelancing. What began as one-off blog posts and poorly shot YouTube videos grew into a roster of over 40 marketing and project management clients over the years. I even had a two year stint working in PR.
I crafted my day job around my passion, working as my own boss and setting my own hours in order to remain flexible for artistic pursuits. I never imagined I’d be able to keep myself afloat for so long, or that I would enjoy my day to day work so much!
As it turns out, I am one of those rare creatives who completely identifies as Type A. I can balance a roster of clients and execute their initiatives on time – whether it be building a launching a new website, coordinating a fundraising event or consistently churning out social content – all while remaining an active part in Austin’s film and comedy world.
So I have two distinct parts of my life: the entrepreneurial marketer whose super power is organization, communication and seeing campaigns through from end to end; and the actress/artist who does weekly improv shows, regularly books regional and national commercials and just starred in a feature film that she helped write!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
People often say “you’re your own worst critic.” Well my worst critic is harsher than yours!!! (It’s not a competition.)
I am an extremely “success” oriented, enneagram 3, Virgo – which for all of you rolling your eyes and wondering “what’s that supposed to mean” – it means that in my mind, I still haven’t “made it”. Could I define what “making it” means? Absolutely not. But straddling the two worlds of building a career and being an artist has made it so that I’m never FULLY going for either one. I’m too logical to not have a fallback plan or a day job, yet too creative to give up on art. The result is that I constantly change my mind about which of the two means more to me.
As an actress, it’s been really difficult throughout the years to subject myself to an industry that has to decide to let you in. There aren’t many jobs out there like that – where you’re constantly applying and rarely getting chosen. Unless you want to be your own writer, producer, director, and DP, you need other folks to do the thing. So acting is a lot of NOT acting. It’s waiting. It’s rejection.
I’ve essentially built my career around this process, allowing myself the flexibility and freedom to keep trying. But the flexibility of freelancing has huge drawbacks! My work can be very overwhelming at times, churning out client demands as a one woman operation. Other times, it’s inconsistent and dead. The money is never constant.
Not to mention, getting a traditional job is incredibly tough when you’ve been a consultation since day one.
So in short, no. It hasn’t been easy! But I’m really proud of all that I’ve been able to accomplish in both arenas by sticking with it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What I love most in the world is performance. There’s a part of me that really comes alive when I get to play pretend or put on a show of some kind.
As an actress, I trained for almost 9 years here in Austin with a Meisner coach named Laurel Vouvray (iykyk). Reading people’s behavior is at the core of what she teaches and the skills I built during my time with her are still at the center of everything I do.
I started taking improv, a lifelong goal of mine, in 2018. I graduated from ColdTowne Theater and immediately hit the ground running, performing weekly. I’ve been at it ever since.
I play a weekly show here in Austin with my troupe All Night, All Night, All Night and it’s the most proud I’ve ever been of a show. I’m lucky to be a part of it. I consider every member of the group to be one of my closest friends and it’s an honor to get on stage with them every Sunday night.
I love playing grounded, absurd characters and exploring comedy through physical choices. I approach improv through an actor’s lens, finding detailed point of views and high stakes relationship the most delicious to play.
It’s because of that specific niche in my performance style that I decide to start training with the Groundlings in Los Angeles. They’re known for having a character focus, as opposed to emphasizing premise, game or form. I’ve gone out three separate times to complete the basic, intermediate and improv lab courses in the Groundlings Core Track and absolutely LOVED it.
I think that my acting background sets me apart in the improv community and my improv experience gives me an edge in the acting world. I love the intersection of the two and have explored the magic that comes about when they intermingle with my writing partner, Steve Sanders.
Together, we’ve made two short films exploring how improv can heighten and improve comedy on camera. Our first short, Crab Claw, was based off a sketch that Steve wrote that we loosely riffed on during shooting. Our second film, Everybody’s Sad, was almost entirely improvised.
After the two shorts had successful festival circuit runs, we decided to make a feature. We just wrapped on production of an absurd, dark comedy called In Waves a few weeks ago! This is my first feature film script to write that’s made it to production and I play the lead so I’m VERY pumped. Check us out on Instagram (@inwavesmovie) for more info!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think that most people who watch me perform on stage or screen would be surprised to know that I still get in my head. I carry myself with a fair amount of confidence as a performer and a person. I try to throw myself into situations with a fearless attitude.
I do still second guess my choices and moves in shows, wonder if I’m good enough for certain roles, and spiral about my art. I think that’s universal for artists. I am also always looking for more friendships and community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahyoakley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahkthorn/
