Meet Haley Sanders | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Haley Sanders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Haley, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When I first started out, I didn’t know what my mission was when pursuing a career as an actor. I didn’t know why I felt drawn to it, I just knew it is where I was supposed to be. After working in the industry for a while, I have discovered a few reasons why I will continue to pursue this career. I believe in telling the stories that need to be told. I have the opportunity to be a voice for someone who can’t tell their own story themselves. I have the ability to give people a safe space to feel, and process their emotions and experiences. I create a safe space for the audience to experience something that they wouldn’t be able to experience otherwise. As an actor, I have the opportunity to remind people that they are not alone, and that they are accepted and loved, and that being who they are is enough. That is a huge responsibility that I don’t take lightly.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It definitely wasn’t easy to get to where I am today. My interest in becoming an actor started when I was thirteen, but I was too scared to tell anyone because it wasn’t something anyone else was interested in around me. My high school theatre teacher never cast me in any of the shows. I was only encouraged to work as a Stage Manager, or the Tech Crew. She didn’t believe in me at all, and didn’t support me pursuing it in college. I did it anyway, auditioning for schools my senior year, and was accepted into a BFA program. When I chose to attend that school, I faced a lot of backlash from friends and strangers alike, who were constantly making judgments about my intelligence and my career choice. It was very difficult to stay strong in my decision when it felt like everyone around me thought my decision was stupid. But I stayed strong and had an amazing time as an acting and theatre for youth major. I was then introduced to one of my other passions: performing for and teaching children. Children’s theatre has a piece of my heart forever. I started my acting career performing for thousands of children. The highlight of my career was performing as Ramona in a Ramona and Beezus story. The interactions I had with the kids after each show were life changing. I realized that through my performance as Ramona, they felt seen and heard. Making a difference in a child’s life through theatre is a lifelong goal of mine.

What led me to pursue a film career was COVID. The pandemic shut things down when I was a junior in college, and pursuing a theatre degree online is just not possible. All of my theatre classes basically became film classes. However, I am very grateful that that happened, because it opened my mind to a whole other opportunity to act professionally, and make a difference in the lives of the people around me. Even in college, I didn’t have the support of my professors when I told them i wanted to pursue film. But I did it anyway.

I’ve learned that no one cares more about your career than you. My advice is to keep your blinders on. Run your race. Celebrate your wins. Celebrate others’ successes. Build your community, and make sure it’s composed of people who lift you up and continuously support you. Learn to celebrate where you are today, and give yourself credit for all the hard work you’ve done to get to that place. It’s an incredibly difficult career choice, but it’s what lights my soul on fire, and gives me more joy than I ever could’ve imagined.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve only lived in Atlanta for a year and a half, so I’m sure my answers will change soon. But for now, I spend many of my days working on the second level of Ponce City Market. I love Thai food, so 26 Thai is one of my favorite restaurants. I’ve been to multiple locations. I enjoy going for walks in Piedmont Park, or along the Beltline. One of my new favorite restaurants is called Kura Sushi, and it’s one of those revolving sushi bars. I am constantly seeing movies for $7 on Tuesdays at any AMC location. And you can usually find me attending early screenings and premiere’s at AMC and Regal cinemas, The Plaza or the Tara Theatre.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I want to dedicate my shoutout to my parents, who supported my goal of pursuing my passion in college. I know a lot of friends whose parents either wouldn’t help pay for college because they chose a performance major, or didn’t allow them to choose acting as their major in college. So, I appreciate my parents’ willingness to support what i knew i wanted to do with my life. Thank you.

Second, the only reason I got introduced to acting in film was because I wasn’t cast in shows as a freshmen. That led me to audition for projects that the film department was producing, and the rest is history. I am very thankful that I was able to find film early on in college, and discover what I’d end up doing professionally.

Third, I want to thank the acting community here in Atlanta. It is honestly my favorite part of living here. The entertainment industry in Atlanta is incredibly welcoming. Thank you to all the people I’ve met and made connections with over the past year of a half of living here.

I honestly didn’t have any mentors over the years encouraging me to pursue this as a career. I am including that in my answer to this question because I know there are actors that may not believe in themselves enough to make that move or commit to pursuing acting as their career, and may be waiting for someone to give them the go-ahead. Don’t wait for anyone to tell you acting is a real career. It is, and I encourage you to take that leap of faith. It’s worth it. If performing is what lights your soul on fire, do it.

Website: https://haleylsanders.squarespace.com

Instagram: @Haleylsanders

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haley.sanders.52035?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: IMDb: imdb.me/haleysanders