Sam Finger
I am an emerging actor/playwright from Telluride, Colorado, and a proud graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, in Seattle Washington, with a BFA in Acting and Original Works.
I spent most of my childhood climbing mountains, building homes for little creatures out of sticks and leaves, and pretending that every boulder was a stage. The inner performer in me meshed with my surroundings; each animal had a story I could re-enact, the waterfalls made for dramatic entrances and exits, and the moon hung in the sky like a spotlight. This is what happens when an aspiring performer grows up in the rural mountains of Colorado. Much of my work is inspired by nature, from my playwriting to my devising and creation work. There is always an added sprinkle of some earthly magic, from writing plays with talking, mythical animals, or acting like a spider while performing a monologue; I am always drawing from my roots, which, more times than not, comes back to the little girl running through the forest. I believe that we are inherently connected to nature, as our bodies and minds shift with the tumultuous sea, the heat of a raging fire, and the soft glow of dew in the morning. Our environment controls us on an external and internal level, and this is where I gather most of my inspiration for my art.
As an artist/citizen, I am driven to tell the stories of those who often feel marginalized, overshadowed, or underrepresented. I am specifically interested in portraying the unique, multi-faceted stories and voices of women. I believe that art and theatre should allow the unseen to feel seen, represented, and celebrated. I attempt to write plays and create art entrenched in layers of possibility, just like life seems to be. I examine the profoundly disheartening, gruesome, and taboo elements of our lives, along with the hopeful, exciting, and rewarding parts.
As an actor, I aim to story-tell with authenticity and an open heart. Some of my roles include "Agnes" in "She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms" directed by Sophie Franco, (Cornish College of The Arts, CCA) "Chorus" in "Trojan Woman" directed by Sheila Daniels, (CCA) "Caroline Bingley, Amy March, and River Sister" in a voiceover production of "You On The Moors Now" directed by Kate Myre, (CCA.) In addition, my new play, "The Smallest Wolves," was selected in the 2021 New Play Festival at Cornish College of The Arts.
I am still in flux, re-imagining and changing what type of artist I want to be day-to-day, but I feel excited to continue creating, exploring, and storytelling.
