Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Hafey.
Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
First and foremost, I am an Australian-American. I was born in Australia but have spent a large part of my life traveling two and from both countries as my grandma is American and so my father grew up initially in the States before relocating to Australia. My mother, however, was born and raised in Australia. I suppose it’s rather late now in this conversation, but I should also tell you my name:
Most people know me as “Sam Hafey,” but my full name is Samantha A Hafey-Bagg! But most people struggle to get the concept of a double barrel last name, so in my performance endeavors I end up going by the stage name ‘Samantha Hafey’. For the sake of this more intimate conversation, I’ll let you into the aspects of my life behind the scenes, away from the ‘traditional’ stage and to a place where both the elements of my personality coincide {art AND health/fitness}, just like my double-barreled last name Hafey-Bagg!
Where do I start?
Well…my background is in sports. My pa (grandfather) was a famous AFL sports coach and motivational speaker from Australia who won 4 premierships during his time coaching. As such, you can imagine the energy of my family-we were all, to say the least, very active and positive! My parents also both studied sports science and had a strong inclination for analyzing movement and active practices. My brother and I grew up engaging heavily in Surf Life Saving (SLS). I will try my best to describe what this sport and training entails, as it is here, I’d like to start for the basis of my introduction:
Basically, I have observed that SLS does not really exist in San Diego. The closest thing I can compare it to is Lifeguarding. However, we actually have community clubs where people volunteer their time to learn, develop and train to be able to garner a greater understanding for how to be safe by the water. Kids can engage as young as 7 years old, participating in a water safety program, in the hope of following through to become a ‘cadet’ (lifesaver in training) and eventually a lifeguard if they pass rigorous testing and fitness exams.
This is a whole culture and community, and myself, my brother and my two parents were heavily involved in the ‘club.’ Not only do you have the opportunity to develop your skills socially, but you also have the option to compete. Life-Saving in Australia is a very competitive sport and a very demanding one considering it takes place in an environment that is constantly changing; it could be scorching hot one second and raining the next, it could be gentle and tranquil tides, then monstrous swell- but that is also part of the fun when immersed in nature-the excitement of the ‘unknown.’
In regards to the competition component of Life Saving~ activities include: beach sprinting, long-distance sand running, running through water known as ‘wading’ (I know it sounds wild when I re-read it, but it’s really a ‘thing’!), board paddling, ocean swimming, flags (bare with me- you lay down on the sand, leap up at the whistle blow, sprint in the opposite direction and pick up a piece of cut up garden hose known as a ‘flag.’ you do these for a ridiculous number of heats until progressing to the finals, each time the number of ‘flags’ in the sand are reduced to illuminate competition until a winner is produced… I am aware how ridiculous this sounds, but it’s actually both my favourite and best event) and various other group activities; wade relay, beach sprint relay, and aqua cameron (board, swim, run relay). And, of course, the infamous ‘iron person’ (run, swim, run, board, run, ski), which is performed at an elite level in the senior competition tours around Australia.
I was incredibly competitive throughout my entire junior season (U8-U16’s). I went to the State Championships every year of competition; I won medals at a state level every year (beach sprints, long-distance beach run, wade race & flags). I was part of a selected competition squad compromised of the best athletes from the State of Victoria, Australia (where I am from). I also won numerous Club Championships, Bay Swims and was invited to travel inter-State to train with one of the most competitive States in the country. I even got a sports scholarship at my High School thanks to my impressive competition results; this encouraged me to engage with a variety of other sports at a college level: Cross Country, Athletics, Swimming, Surfing, Gymnastics, Volleyball, (Australian) Football, Rugby, Hockey, Triathalons…you name it, I tried it!
Fast forward to now, I live in San Diego, California. I am a professional performer. I offer bespoke ‘holistic performance coaching’ to other creatives. I sing around town in various music groups as a lead vocalist, background vocalist, and session singer. I travel occasionally to LA to audition or act in films…and I even have my own production company whereby I write, direct, create, conceptualize, and perform in original and collaborative works.
So why am I rattling on about all this sport? Am I a professional athlete now? Are competitive sports my life and career? No, not exactly; depends how you look at it (most performers could be considered athletes too!). So why, I hear you ask, is all this sports stuff relevant to where I am now. And how did I end up here?
Considering we don’t have all the time in the world, let me stitch the two aspects together. I come from a competitive sporting background, yes, that means I learnt from an early age how to be motivated and dedicated to a craft, but this isn’t the main reason I mention my upbringing. In engaging with sports, my parents encouraged me to ‘play.’ And it is this joyful sense of exploration, creativity, and resolve (dealing with failure and getting back on the horse!) that has not only made me who I am but has informed my path into the artistic world. My parents showed me: sport and art are not that different. When you view things holistically, like a game plan or strategy, you open yourself up to endless possibilities. The more you experiment, the more you grow. And most importantly, the more fun you have!
Of course, I remember the hard days; the tough days were some of the most informative times. I remember paddling endlessly out to a marker at sea, trying to get out past the break and just getting (for lack of a better term) ‘destroyed.’ Wave after wave, I wouldn’t move anywhere. I’d eventually tire out, float in and sob away to my parents, “I’m never doing this again.” They’d always give me the option to sit out or never come back to the sport again, but they’d also offer an olive branch, and I can’t tell you why, but every time I’d take it in my stride (after much sobbing and a heart to heart). And I recall listen to their great wisdom, which would come in many different forms, depending on my challenge at the time: “Don’t compare yourself to others, Samantha; it’s your race!” “Just work on improving bit by bit!” “Just paddle out quicker, get ahead, then take a breather and enjoy the view.” “Don’t follow the pack. Just because the start line is here, it doesn’t mean you have to enter the water where everyone else does. What happens when you position yourself differently?” “Let the water help you; go with the tide, ride the waves.” At the time, to me, it felt as though they were giving me specific strategies and insight in how to improve my strategy/sporting ability. Now, however, when I reflect with the awareness I have, I realize it was so much more. They were teaching me life lessons about how to cope with rejection, how to reframe success, how to get back up and try again, how to find a passion, spark, and joy in what you do, and how to never give up on your dreams, trusting all the while that what you have at your disposal with lend itself to you-like the rip taking me out past the breaking waves quicker than I could paddle myself! Feel supported by what you already have access to or what is building within you!
It was this framing of the world and this creative, aspirational, and motivational outlook that led me into performance-a field, which many often dabble in because of the challenges associated with it, but one I am lucky enough to call my passion and profession! Whilst I always had an intuitive sense for singing, dancing, and acting growing up, I didn’t really have the formal or technical training many of my (university) peers were gifted at early ages. For some time, I struggled with doubts, I lagged behind the pack, and I felt very inadequate. If I didn’t have the support of my family, that is my parents and my brother, I never would’ve overcome the hurdles of my University studies; I never would have finished two degrees alongside a full-time dance program (BA-theatre & performance and BMUS-contemporary voice), a Cert I & II (Screen Acting), numerous voice trainings (Level 1 & 2 in voice Mechanics), Acting training’s (Meisner, Steppenwolf inspired training, to name a few) and I wouldn’t be here talking to you now about all of this.
I am so certain that my ability to perform, my passion-as nourished by team sports- for connecting with audiences and other cast members/ensembles/musicians/artists…AND my creative, active, playful, and zealous outlook all were grown from the ground up, thanks to my beautiful and supportive family! I would never have been able to come to America to pursue what I believe is more consistent opportunity for myself as a performer had I not engaged with lessons early on from two passionate and loving individuals. I believe this is a gift, one myself and my brother only now are becoming more aware of as being relatively “rare” for most…and so I can’t really begin ‘my story’ without first acknowledging my parents and their ongoing support and love for their children. That is the reason I am able to start writing my story at all.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
MUSIC:
One of the biggest struggles for me was Academic Study. I love learning and developing and really enjoyed my first degree. I studied an Arts Degree specializing in Theatre and Performance. I devoured my materials and loved researching; this style of academia was heavily suited to me.
Then I decided to pursue a second complimentary Degree alongside my studies. I auditioned and got accepted into a BMUS with a focus on Contemporary voice. Completing this degree was one of my own personal biggest achievements to date. I am not mathematical in the slightest, and a large portion of this course was technical and theoretical music. The Jazz theory component of the course, at an elite institution, was heavily favored towards people who had been studying the theory all their life, and generally, this was who was accepted into the course. I was the exception. I did not fit with this way of thinking.
I also did not ‘sound’ pretty or similar to my peers. They had vocal elasticity and musical athleticism like you can’t even imagine. I had a lot of vocal limitations and hurdles as I wasn’t “trained” I came to the institution pretty “green” but passionate.
Suddenly it became hard for me to not compare myself when my assessments were not catered towards my way of ‘thinking’ or my ‘sound.’ I was a lot more vocally rough, intuitive, and innately experimental and I prioritized over all else the “feeling,” which was difficult to put into a rubric.
I could have said, ‘You know what, this isn’t for me,’ but I really wanted to feel a sense of completion. I also really wanted to be able to understand how to communicate on a deeper level with musicians and to not feel ‘intimidated’ or ‘not good enough’ in my field. So, I decided to continue my studies, despite the immense learning and processing challenges.
I did indeed work hard; I took time off from university and developed a production company and a touring show, gaining confidence in the ‘real world’; I then returned to university, applying myself and chanting my own mantra, “You can do it!”
Finally, I got through my studies with the great support of some amazing mentors and artists who put in effort to tell me, “You do belong here,” and what you bring to the table is valuable and unique.
ACTING:
COVID. That’s really all I need to say! My LA management (which was a big deal) let me go. My Australian representative, who was a single Mother and newer business owner had to dissolve her business. So, I was not represented for almost 2 years! I could not find anyone who would take me on, everyone’s books were full, and I just didn’t have the connections to get work, or any performance opportunities.
And this industry is very gate-keepy, so I just had to keep trying and wait it out…
For some period, the only opportunities I could get required me to start from scratch! Remember, when we could go back to “work,” I rehearsed and performed in two shows back-to-back. Every day, for two months, 9-5 and 6-12 for FREE! It was thanks to my beautiful Nan, who let me stay with her at no rent, that I was even able/privileged enough to get to perform and try to give myself access to further acting work.
…another ongoing challenge- people’s perception that being a performer is just a “fun thing” AND THAT. You always hear comments, “I wish I could just do that! I’d have so much more energy if I didn’t work a 9-5; you are so blessed.”
YES. We are blessed. BUT the common misconception is that it is ‘fun AND easy’. It is by no means should be described in such a way. It is rewarding but grueling, and it is beautiful but fickle. You do not choose to be a ‘performer’; you simply cannot help but be one. Performance chooses you. Honestly, many of us wouldn’t have picked this industry; we just can’t help but do it because we feel this immense pull, and we “have to.” We may not work 9-5, but realistically the clock never stops for us. We work 24/7. Literally…I write this in my dinner break as I ran out of time today because I got sent a self-tape at 11 pm last night, due 5 pm today, but I was at a rehearsal and then had to do office work when I got home. That’s a performer’s reality!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
SAM HAFEY *Performer/Performance Artist/Multi-disciplinary
*Coach/Educator/Mentor
*Artistic Director/Founder/Writer at WILD TONGUES PRODUCTIONS
OVERVIEW OF MY BESPOKE BRANDS:
On the side, as well as working as a performer, I coach other performers to live more healthy, nourishing, vital, and fulfilling lives. I try to practice what I preach and constantly improve upon my artistic lifestyle by constantly interrogating and diving into my own creative processes via my grassroots indie production company “Wild Tongues Productions”.
RE-INTRODUCUTION:
Hi, I’m Samantha, but you can call me “ANTHA” or “The Holistic Performer”. My expertise is developing programs, workshops, workbooks, and 1:1 consults for artists and performers alike. What I do can be most simply described as a “Life Coach” meets “Acting Coach,” BUT…what I really do is more like an acting coach, voice teacher, lecturer, mentor, yoga and meditation guru, nutrition advisor, fitness instructor, sound healing, aromatherapist loving, crystal, herbal and essential and flower essence enthusiast rolled into one!
NICHE: Exhausted, depleted, overworked, undernourished, financially drained, and ‘starving’ artists.
WHO ELSE IS IT FOR?
Performers wanting…
-a shift in their process
-to tackle performance anxiety
-a healthier work/life balance
-to expand their creative expression
-to develop holistic habits
-to learn the art of writing, directing, and developing original material
-to artistically articulate with greater intention and confidence
-to increase productivity, success, and nurture industry longevity!
BACKGROUND DOT POINTS:
⋒ BA (theatre) and BMus (contemporary voice) at Monash University and Cert II & III Acting (Screen).
⋒ I am a qualified yoga teacher specializing in Purna yoga with influence of Oki-Do. I have also done training in Yoga philosophy, Ayurvedic practices as well as Chinese philosophy through the 5 elements. I also love to incorporate sound baths and healing through my classes, and I run sound workshops to encourage people to connect to the remedial benefits of sound-making. I am currently studying a Certificate of Sound Healing!
⋒ I buy second-hand, love thrifting and up-cycling. When I costume design or direct creative projects, I = prioritize secondhand outfits, or I work with sustainable brands.
⋒ I am the founder and Director of Wild Tongues Productions
~ an eco-feminist performance collective based between Melbourne, Aus, and San Diego, USA
⋒ My focus at Uni was in directional theatre: taking inspiration from such works as “Grapefruit” by Yoko Ono. Furthermore, I engaged heavily in gender studies amidst performance making, with a particular interest in equality in the music industry, looking at branding the female pop star~ and the objectification of women through media and marketing.
⋒ In music, the technical disciplines studied were of the jazz realm. With Ella Fitzgerald having been a major inspiration for me as a vocalist. I participated primarily in gospel ensembles under the guidance of Charmaine Jones, honing my skills and nurturing my love of music through collective experience.
⋒ My technical and athletic vocal training has been shaped through the Estill method, as I was mentored by Gerald Marko. I also completed my Level 1 & 2 in Voice Mechanics under his guidance.
⋒ I also specialize in alternative scores, working with musicians and composers to interpret music through art and movement, and dialogue instead of traditional method.
⋒ My background is in high-level sports, as a runner, swimmer, and surf lifesaver. This has influenced my practice heavily as movement and connection to body is integral to my work and explorations.
⋒ I also am a surf coach and surf recreationally to stay fit and healthy! I enjoy exploring new ways of moving. I always find a way to fit in activity and wellness- I even balanced a full-time dance course amidst my university studies and am about to begin further studies at an acting conservatory, alongside studying a certificate in nutrition (in all my spare time haha!).
⋒ I am an advocate for organic products and ethical practices. I work with Ezense Skincare, a bespoke and local grassroots company~ who create paraben and sulfate-free products for sensitive skin, with no animal testing, uniquely incorporating Chinese medicine into their remedies.
SUMMARY AND HOW IT ALL TIES TOGETHER?
⋒ For me, all these trainings, interests, and elements connect and interweave deeply, as of such I utilise the name “The Holistic Performer” to encapsulate my identity and my practice, what I do, and how I view and interact with the world! And as a term to encourage conscious creating in my art making, especially via my production company “Wild Tongues”.
As a ‘holistic Performer,’ I share tools, tips, tricks, and remedies with other performers in workshops, courses, or 1:1 consultations through my newly birthed “holistic performance coaching” brand. At present, you can access this via my website under the ‘coaching’ tab: https://samanthahafey.com/coaching
You can read more via my digital pamphlet ( https://wildtonguescollective.my.canva.site/holistic-performer-virtual-flyer )
And learn about what this ‘term’ means by scrolling down to the bottom of the pamphlet or directly access here~
(https://medium.com/@theholisticperformer/engaging-with-holistic-practise-as-a-performer-dfec8daa3497)
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
If, at first, you don’t succeed…maybe that role wasn’t for you…the space is necessary as it is leaving room for what is yours…or…also likely…maybe that casting director went with their best friend for that part so…just write your own darn part and stop waiting!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://samanthahafey.com/acting
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_holistic_performer/
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/wildtonguesproductions/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wildtongues71
- Other: https://wild-tongues-productions.jimdosite.com/
Image Credits
Bill Park
Shardey Olynyk
Ingrid Sjodahl
