Shipley Alumna Sarah Megan Thomas ’97 recently visited Sunny Greenberg’s American film studies classes to discuss her experience as a professional actress in film and theatre. Sarah, a New York City resident, was in town for the screening of The Little Things, her starring film role debut and a selection of the 16th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival. The film played to sold-out audiences at the National Constitution Center and The Bryn Mawr Film Institute in mid-April.

During her visit, Sarah provided students valuable insight on the differences between acting for film and theatre, the audition process, and what it’s like to work in show business.

“Is it actually possible to make it in this business?” asked one student.

“If you can do something else, don’t get into it,” joked Sarah. Though the odds are stacked against most people—Sarah estimates that only 10% of the actors in New York City actually make a living doing what they really love—she’s proof that it is possible to make it. With some tenacity, confidence, and a lot of hard work—you can be successful. 

The secret to Sarah’s success? “It takes dedication, and a lot of luck,” she said. Sarah has acted in commercials, television shows, films, and in the theatre. She is also the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Thirteenth Night Theatre Company, which has been highly acclaimed for its production of theatrical performances appealing to the twenty- to thirty-something generation.

She left students with one final piece of advice: “Be nice to the person with you in the elevator, because you never know who it is.”

For more information on The Thirteenth Night Theatre Company, visit www.thirteenthnight.com. For more information about The Little Things, visit www.afamilyaffairfilms.com.