Tonight (November 19th) is going to be a very special night for this young lady, Samarah Conley because she is starring in her first movie with the Hallmark Network! Last Vermont Christmas premieres on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Network tonight, and I am honored to share my recent Q & A session with this young actress!
Photo by Jimi Ferrara
RH: Why did you decide to become an actress?
SC: I decided to become an actress because I enjoy entertaining people, making them happy and putting smiles on their faces. I also want to inspire other people to go after their dreams.
Photo by Brian Friedman
What kind of training have you had?
I have taken several TV workshops with well-known casting directors, a Broadway workshop, a workshop for commercials and a master monologue class with Mitchell Gossett. I also work with my acting coach Renae Baker in person and via Facetime on occasion. I’ve attended several musical theater workshops as well. I also have been taking vocal and piano lessons for six years.
How old were you when you booked your first professional role and what are your memories of that role?
I booked my first professional role when I was seven for a national commercial for Aerogarden by Miracle Gro. Something I remember from that shoot was having to eat tomatoes. I am not a fan of tomatoes, so I pretended to eat them, but as each take ended, I would spit the tomato out into my screen mom’s hand. She was really cool about it!
What have been some of your favorite roles of yours that have already come out? Why do those stand out?
Some of my favorite roles include playing the daughter in the short film entitled Shattered, which was originally filmed as a PSA for Amudim, a Jewish crisis organization. Also, playing Irene in a short independent film entitled Reversed Destiny. Shattered allowed me to realize that acting with only emotion and facial expressions without dialog can be very powerful. Reversed Destiny taught me further that it does not matter what race a person is as we are all the same. Both short films won many awards at film festivals. Shattered can be seen on YouTube and Reversed Destiny can be seen on Amazon Prime.
How familiar were you and your family with Hallmark movies before booking Last Vermont Christmas?
My mom was very familiar with their movies; however, I was not very familiar at all with them. After booking Last Vermont Christmas, I found out that my aunt and uncle were very into Hallmark Christmas Movies.
Samarah Conley, Rachel Rhodes-Devey Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Mar Vista Entertainment
Please tell us about your role in Last Vermont Christmas and how that character relates to the overall story? Any favorite behind-the-scenes moments?
I play the role of Ivy, who is the daughter of single mom Megan played by Erin Cahill. We travel to Vermont from our home in Texas to be with my grandparents and aunts for Christmas, which is the Marvin Family tradition.
Rachel Rhodes-Devey, Rob Figueroa, Samarah Conley, Justin Bruening, Erin Cahill Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Mar Vista Entertainment
A few of my favorite behind-the-scenes moments included singing and playing piano for some of the cast and crew and enjoying hand-painted sugar cookies made by my dear friend Donna Weber that Erin Cahill and Justin Bruening surprised the cast and crew with when we wrapped.
Any other upcoming roles or works you can mention?
How Am I Doing
The next role I have coming up is to play Becka, the lead character’s daughter, in a made for TV pilot entitled How Am I Doing written by Ken Perlstein.
How does school work for you when you’re working?
Ann Osmond, Samarah Conley, Jim O’Hare Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Mar Vista Entertainment
I attend public school and when I am on sets for short periods of time, my parents work with my teachers to make sure I don’t miss any work. For bigger productions like Last Vermont Christmas, a tutor is on set with me. The tutor works with my teachers to get their weekly lesson plans so I can keep up with my classes. I had to do a minimum of three hours of school per day, which was often broken up between shooting scenes and wardrobe changes.
Rob Figueroa, Samarah Conley, Justin Bruening, Erin Cahill Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Mar Vista Entertainment
How do you remain positive and away from negativity in today’s society?
I do my best to stay away from negative situations, people and energy. I surround myself with positive people and activities such as singing, dancing, writing, playing piano, crocheting and reading.
What special holiday traditions are your favorites for you and your family?
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, and we always get together with my family, which is a lot of fun. Mine and my uncle’s birthday are at the end of November so celebrating our birthdays and Thanksgiving together is exciting.
What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite Christmas movie is Last Vermont Christmas because I am in it along with a really talented cast.
While I have yet to see this amazing young industry professional in action, I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to feature her here today! I appreciate the fact that at such a young age, she is remarkably grounded, and it is evident that she truly appreciates every opportunity she has been given. And from what I can tell, her role is vital to the overall story that viewers will see tonight. So please consider tuning in, if you are in the U.S., to the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries network tonight (November 19th) for the premiere that will definitely be a memorable evening for this young starlet–Last Vermont Christmas. (Unfortunately, there are no showings scheduled for Canada as of now.) Additionally, please consider checking out Samarah at the links below and following her where applicable as she does an excellent job of keeping fans aware of her upcoming works and more. I have no doubt that we have not seen the last of the radiant and gifted Samarah, and I can only hope that 2019 will bring even more incredible opportunities for this young lady!
FOLLOW SAMARAH
Samarah Conley Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Mar Vista Entertainment
Erin Cahill, Samarah Conley Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Mar Vista Entertainment
