Fun, Experienced Coach for Actors, Writers & English Students

Sami P.

I earned my BA in Theater Arts at Brandeis University, graduating summa cum laude, and am the co-author of Speak the Speech! Shakespeare’s Monologues Illuminated (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2002), which Sir Derek Jacobi called “a fabulous book, gloriously packed with information.” I coach actors of all ages in both contemporary and early modern acting. A testimonial from a happy student: “Sami is the best acting coach I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Thanks to her help, I was able to get into every graduate acting program I was aiming for. I felt supported in every step of my journey...I always felt comfortable trying, failing, and asking questions until it was perfect. My best decision in my audition process was bringing her on as my coach.”

I earned a second BA in English & American Literature; I was admitted to the Writing Track and received high honors for my thesis work.

Later, I was as a volunteer Librarian and eventually Head Librarian at an NYC elementary school, where I also served on the SLT for two years. These experiences and the research I did as the co-“with” credit on the guidebook for parents, School Happens (Authorhouse, 2020), have given me the ability to teach a wide range of ages in the areas of reading, writing, and English Lit. My extensive research on Shakespearean texts makes me a particularly helpful to students tackling Shakespeare in English class.

I hold an MFA in Film from Columbia University, where I studied both screenwriting and directing and served as TA to Annette Insdorf. I’ve taught film as an afterschool activity to middle schoolers and mentored it for high schoolers. I love helping young people shape their stories and realize their visions.