"Learn to Celebrate Others' Successes." - Chatting with Sarah Hayes!
I am so happy to introduce you to the talented Sarah Hayes! Sarah is currently performing in Myers Dinner Theatre's Christmas Show Hollywood, Hearth & Home in Indiana where she has also performed in The Savannah Sipping Society (Jinx), Run For Your Wife (Babs), Mamma Mia, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Joseph. Other roles for Ms. Hayes include: Deb in Elf the Musical, Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show, and Cassius in Julius Caesar.
When you see Sarah's name on the playbill, you know you are in for a wonderful performance. She has a wonderful way of bringing a unique flare to her performance which is something you will always remember. I am so honored to have the chance to interview this very talented performer!
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be an actress?
Well, the first time I remember being interested in being in a show was in fifth grade when our class was doing Paul Bunyan and the Blue Ox. My teachers were shocked I wanted to audition because I never spoke in class unless forced to. Haha! I memorized the entire show before we even had auditions, got cast, and was hooked! After that, I did shows in middle school, high school, and even at the professional summer stock company in my hometown (The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre). But I think I really decided "Okay, I'm gonna try to make a living doing this," when I was 19 years old. I had just moved to Arizona, and my choices were getting a job as a bank teller or go to school for theatre. I'm very thankful I chose theatre. I'm terrible at math.
Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the amazing performer you are today?
Oh, so many. In high school, Mrs. Oakley; At The Showboat, Jay Berkow and Greg Harrell; In college, Sandy Elias and Dianne Winslow; At Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, where I work in between contracts as a Bootlegger (performing waitstaff), Brad Hauskins; And most recently, Jeremy Littlejohn, who has given me so many opportunities and challenges as an artist. And my Mama; She's not a performer...though she did once play The Beast in her all-girls school's production of Beauty and the Beast! After an audition in middle school for Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, I was crying and said something like "it felt like whatever I did, Lindsay did it better!"
My mom softly said, "Well, honey, do you think maybe Lindsay deserves the role then?" Now, my twelve-year-old self did not appreciate that at the time. I'm pretty sure I cried harder, but she was right. Lindsay deserved the role. And as I grew up, I realized what an amazing gift my mom gave me in that moment. I'm not always going to be the right person for the role, and that's okay.
We are living in some unprecedented times in the world. For all artists (especially actors) it is definitely a time of uncertainty. What has your everyday routine been like during Quarantine and what are some things you do to keep your spirits up?
I watched a lot of dog videos. Haha! I allowed myself to rest for the first time in a very long time. I video-chatted with friends and family. I binge-watched many shows on Netflix (thanks to my sister, Jen!). I worked on a few shows that never saw the stage, and one show that did (second one pending...don't want to jinx it). I was lucky enough to qualify for unemployment, so I paid my bills early for the first time in like 10 years and finally had enough money to be able to donate to some causes I care about but couldn't afford to support on an actor's salary. I cried. A lot. Then I'd watch more dog videos.
How does it feel to have the chance to perform during these times?
I feel like myself again. For a lot of artists, a huge part of who we are is tied to what we do. I've gone years without much work before, but this was different. There wasn't even the possibility of work. It was heartbreaking. I've always loved performing, but now, knowing that so many artists are unable to create, it makes me appreciate every second I get on that stage even more.
Are there any roles or performances you have done in your career that will always be near and dear to your heart?
Jinx in The Savannah Sipping Society. I actually played Jinx twice this year which is pretty rare in any year let alone 2020. The first time was here at Myers Dinner Theatre. When Jeremy gave me the script to read last year, I immediately connected with this character. Jinx moved around a lot without ever planting roots until she became the caretaker for her older sister with dementia.
I lived that roaming lifestyle for a while, and then I moved back home to stay with my Grandma after my Grandpa passed away unexpectedly. The show felt like a tribute to my Grandma, and the time we shared together in that last year of her life. Having that be the first show after quarantine, this time at Circa, made it even more meaningful. I think every artist will remember their first post-quarantine show.
What advice would you give any young aspiring artists in these challenging times?
Learn to celebrate others' successes. I don't think the days of "is this contract actually going to happen?" are over yet. So, when anyone is able to safely bring a little bit of art into the world, that needs to be celebrated! And even when we're not in the midst of a pandemic, it's a good thing to keep in mind. This will be a very lonely business if you only rejoice when YOU are booked and blessed.
Hollywood, Hearth & Home will be opening at Myers Dinner Theatre on Friday, November 20th and running until December 20th! For more information please visit -https://myersdt.com