Ms. Sharina Martin is a talented actress who began in theater with an impressive resume which includes performing in roles as Lady Macbeth, Princess Aricia in the critically-acclaimed Fedra, and most recently starring as Pam in Michael R. McGuire’s new play Heartbreaker.  Martin also has projects in the film and television arena.  She's worked on the comedy Reality Check, which was a finalist in the Chicago Comedy TV Pilot Competition and the Los Angeles Independent Television Festival, the film short Requited, and the Midwest-produced Happily After.  I was able to catch up with the young leading lady and ask her about the past, present, and future.


JTt:  Of course I’m going to ask the obvious question first, when did the acting bug first bite you?  And what do you love about it?

Sharina:  I first got into formal acting in high school. You could opt out of afternoon sports if you were in the school’s Shakespeare production and I hated soccer.  I grew to absolutely adore the process of telling a story that resonates today in the most beautiful words from long ago.

JTt:   Other than acting, have you considered other facets of the entertainment industry?  Directing?  Producing? Casting?  And have you done some in the past?

Sharina:  I was lucky enough to go to a great undergrad program (Northwestern University) that stressed the importance of learning all facets of theater; writing, producing and directing have always been a part of the mix for me. There’s a certain power in being able to create work for yourself and bring it to life. Having the tools to do that is really liberating as an artist.

JTt:  So you moved to New York at the beginning of this year.  I’m sure your life has changed dramatically?  What brought on your decision to move from Chicago?

Sharina:  I grew up in Brooklyn, New York; so the move was sort of a homecoming for me. My goal was always to be based in New York, and then travel around the country as work called for it. For instance, I am writing from backstage at American Players Theater in Wisconsin right now.

JTt:  I see you have a blog page on Backstage Unscripted.  You seem to enjoy writing/blogging?  Your blogs are very candid and honest.  How has your blog helped you in your craft?  Or life in general?

Sharina:  It’s a really interesting marker for my progress; I like to check in with myself through the blog, where was I a year ago? Last month?  Actors go through some weird ups and downs, so I kind of have a public record of those for better or worse.

JTt:  Your background appears to be mostly in theatre.  Was it always a goal of yours to gradually move into featured length films?

Sharina:  Not necessarily move into, but add it in, definitely. Theater is my professional home and film offers me the opportunity to hone other skills. Ideally, I’ll be able to make a career chock full of both of them.

JTt:  In your opinion, how is theatre acting different from being on film?

Sharina:  They’re completely different iterations of the same idea.  It’s like sculpture vs. oil based paint. Also, in film, the food is better.

JTt:  Now that you are doing film, do you find it tough being a Black actress?  Would you consider there to be less work or roles for Black women in film versus theatre?

Sharina:  For a long time in theater the stories were being written by educated upper class white men, and the characters they wrote about reflect that. You find the same thing in film. In the last 30 years the people with the ability to tell their stories have started to become far more diverse, and therefore so have the characters.  So it’s getting better, but there is always an awareness that I’m not an upper class white man.

JTt:  What advice would you give to a young African American woman interested in the acting and entertainment industry?

Sharina:  Never play a maid or a hooker unless the character is a lot more than just a maid or a hooker.

JTt:  I’ve seen the trailer for Happily After?  Tell me about your character in the film.

Sharina:  In the film, I play Trisha, a young mother who is recently divorced. She meets this really nice man in a coffee shop one day and decides to get back into the dating game. It really examines the trust that we give to other people when we meet them. You may know nothing about a person, but if the timing is right and they say the right things, they could end up being the most important person in your life. That’s where Trisha is, she’s ready to trust again.

JTt:  What was it like getting prepared for this role?

Sharina:  John (Klein, the director) did a great job of creating a journey for the audience. He was really hands on with the creation of the characters, so we worked hand in hand. It was great to be able to go onto set everyday and fall in love with two wonderful guys.

JTt:  You have two men vying for your affection in this movie.  Has this ever happened to you in real life?

Sharina:  They go to some pretty extreme lengths in the film for my affections, so I’m happy to say no.

JTt:  If you don’t mind me saying, you remind me of one of my favorite actresses growing up – Rae Dawn Chong.  I think it’s that cross-over appeal you seem to have?  Has anyone ever told you that before [that you have cross-over appeal]?

Sharina:  Thanks! Having cross over appeal is such a great way to reach people; I hope it is something I have.

JTt:  What are some of your upcoming projects?

Sharina:  I’ll be doing Shakespeare out here in Wisconsin till October as well as working on a few writing projects, and then I’m heading to the beach for a much needed vacation.

JTt:  What are the projects you wish to do in the future?

Sharina:  There’s nothing specific, I’m excited for whatever comes down the pipeline. I’ve found the most exciting work is the stuff you don’t plan for.

JTt:  Where do you want to be a year from now?

Sharina:  Telling a great story somewhere.