Sarah DeSouza-Coelho is a Guyanese-Canadian actor, writer, and creative producer based in Toronto, known for her diverse range of talent and her commitment to authentic storytelling. After attending York University’s prestigious Theatre Program, Sarah took charge of her career, seeking out top acting coaches and securing representation. Her dedication quickly led to roles in award-winning series such as Haphead and Tinder the Web Series, as well as films Moving Boxes and Brotherhood. We caught up for a chat about her career, current projects, and more.
Sarah, thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine! As a Guyanese-Canadian artist, how has your cultural heritage influenced your approach to storytelling and character selection?
Thank you for having me! Growing up as a Guyanese-Canadian, I never saw my culture reflected in the characters and stories on screen that I consumed, which often left me feeling invisible. Even if I happened to see someone that physically looked like me, they often played a stereotype. But I knew I had to stop feeling like my identity was a burden. I started embracing it as a gift, which led me to audition for multi-dimensional characters, finding ways to apply nuances of my culture into my characters and even creating my own work to highlight my heritage.
Your role in Netflix’s new Christmas movie “Hot Frosty” alongside established actors like Lacey Chabert and Lauren Holly marks a significant milestone. What can audiences expect?
Audiences can expect to laugh, cry, and feel comforted. Hot Frosty is like a warm hug on Christmas. Getting to work with such an all-star cast was a dream come true. I learned so much from them. Just like the movie, my experiences on set were one of a kind.
With “Back to One” you’re bringing Indo-Caribbean representation to the screen. What inspired you to create this story, and what challenges have you faced in developing it?
I think after years of playing roles that were not Indo-Caribbean, I realized it was time for a change. And so, I took matters into my own hands and drew on my own personal experiences. Back to One is a dramedy digital series that follows Sarah Rampersaud, a 20-something Guyanese-Canadian girl who quits her 9-5 to become a full-time actress. Throughout the series she navigates the trials and tribulations of the film industry, family expectations, and relationships. We shot a 3-part teaser that’s gotten over 13,000 views so far.
Currently, I’m working with Colrize Productions to secure development funding to get all 6 episodes off the ground. But one of my major challenges is having large institutions invest in a story about a culture that hasn’t really been on the big screen. Since releasing the teaser, I’ve had an outpour of positive messages from viewers of all demographics saying they relate to this as a first-generation or as an artist trying to pursue their dreams. One thing is for sure, I’m not giving up on making this series happen!
How do you balance staying authentic to your cultural roots while navigating industry expectations and stereotypes?
I think finding ways to merge my culture with my art has been the best and most rewarding way to navigate those two worlds whether it’s incorporating elements of my culture into my character’s backstory or finding ways to create my own projects.
From York University’s Theatre program to working with top acting coaches, how has your formal training shaped your artistic perspective?
Despite the ups and downs of this career path, I know I can always come back to the craft of acting to feed my soul. No matter where I’ve trained, coaches have always instilled this notion to never stop learning. Whether it’s picking up an old monologue and hitting record on your camera just for yourself or working on an accent, making an effort to grow empowers me to feel like an artist no matter what the film industry throws my way.
You’ve worked across different mediums – commercials, holiday movies, digital series. How do you approach each format differently as an actor?
Regardless of the medium, I always do the same prep. I make choices about my character’s moment before, what they want in the scene, and how they feel about the other people in the scene. I think applying this consistent method to any character I’m gifted with playing has allowed me to tackle scenes much more confidently.
As an advocate for diversity in entertainment, what changes have you witnessed in the industry, and what progress do you still hope to see?
When I first started out acting professionally in 2014, the amount of roles for people of my skin colour weren’t as vast as what it is now. I think that’s a true testament to the strides the film industry has made in terms of ensuring greater representation on-camera. However, there’s still more work to be done. In fact, we need to see diversity within diversity both on-camera and off- camera. For instance, being Caribbean or South Asian isn’t the monolith we often still see on TV. There are many nuances within one identity, and I hope to be a part of this change.
Your commitment to physical wellness through Pilates and boxing is inspiring. How does this physical discipline influence your creative work?
I love Pilates because it calms my mind and helps me feel grounded, while boxing empowers me to be fierce. Together, they help me feel comfortable in my own body, which in turns allows me to apply a strong composure to my characters.
As a multi-hyphenate artist – actor, writer, and creative producer – how do these different roles inform and enhance each other?
As an Actor first, working with so many scripts over the years and learning what works on paper and doesn’t work on camera, allows me to tackle being a writer with ease. There were so many times when I’d get a script as an Actor and the written dialogue doesn’t sound natural out loud. On top of that, as a Creative Producer, I was able to keep in mind things that an Actor would need on set that other producers may sometimes overlook. I love being a multi-hyphenate and a triple threat in my own right.
Future Vision: What stories do you feel are still untold about the West Indian experience in North America, and how do you hope to contribute to telling them?
I think a lot of people aren’t aware of the deep-rooted history of people within the Caribbean diaspora. As much as I love writing Rom-Coms, I would love to create a story exploring the trials and tribulations of my ancestors.
For young Indo-Caribbean creatives looking to enter the entertainment industry, what advice would you give based on your journey?
Build a network or find a community of artists that make you feel safe and seen. This career path is very untraditional and most likely different from those in our families. So, it’s key to find people who understand you and that you can lean on to make this journey a lot smoother. Embrace what makes you unique. For a really long time I thought I had to hide my ethnicity. But now, I find any chance I can get to incorporate it into my work, and it’s empowered me to be the best artist I can be.
How has Toronto’s artistic community influenced your creative development, and how do you hope to give back to it?
I feel so grateful to have grown up in Toronto, such a diverse and vibrant city in so many ways. The art scene is pretty big here and I’m constantly inspired by the range of artists creating and sharing their work across all mediums. But a lot of the time, productions that are shot in Toronto, mask the city to play another metropolitan place. That’s mainly why my digital series Back to One takes place in Toronto. Over the course of the six episodes, I’m going to incorporate faces and places that make Toronto so special, for the rest of the world to enjoy!
Where can our readers find out more about you?
You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: @sarah_desouza.
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