Samora Smallwood
| Samora Smallwood | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| 🏳️ Nationality | African-Canadian |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 📆 Years active | 2010 to present |
Samora Smallwood is a Canadian actor, writer, and activist. She is Co-Chair of the ACTRA Diversity and Inclusion Committee which advocates for diverse performers in Canada's largest branch of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists union representing performers in the film, radio, television, and new media industries.[1] In this role, Smallwood hosts the annual Sandi Ross Awards which recognizes individuals and organizations whose work demonstrates a commitment to inclusion in television and film.[2] Smallwood is the founder of The Actors Work Studio, an innovative acting studio in Toronto. Smallwood's recent television work includes Star Trek: Discovery, The Expanse, American Gods, Coroner (TV series), Shadowhunters, Hudson and Rex,and Frankie Drake Mysteries. Her recent film appearances include Queen of the Morning Calm and several Lifetime television films. Smallwood is best known for her role of Lt. Amin in the television series Star Trek: Discovery [3] and Roberta in the award-winning Canadian film Berkshire County.[4][5]
Early Life[edit]
Smallwood was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador to a mother of Irish and English heritage and a West African father, a political refugee from the Republic of Cape Verde. Smallwood is the great-great-niece of Joey Smallwood, a Father of Canadian Confederation.[6][7] Smallwood moved to Ontario where she studied Theatre Arts at the University of Windsor.[8][9]
Career[edit]
Smallwood began her acting career in high school where she played leading roles in community theatre productions. She was awarded "Best Actress in a Leading Role" for her portrayal of the titular character May in Norm Foster's “The Affections of May.” In university, Smallwood specialized in the Shakespearean method and performed in over two dozen productions during her undergraduate studies. Upon earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Smallwood moved to Toronto and began studying the Method approach to acting while performing in film and television. Smallwood has also appeared in web series including Teenagers and Tokens which was nominated in 2020 for an ACTRA ensemble award.[10] Smallwood is also the writer and producer of "Gone", a series in development for television that critically explores sex trafficking. [11]
Activism[edit]
Smallwood is the Co-Chair of ACTRA's Diversity and Inclusion Committee and endeavors to bring issues of diversity to the forefront of the national actors union. These initiatives include providing support for equal opportunities and pay for physically and culturally diverse performers.[12] Smallwood also spearheads workshops and panels on the issue of representation in Canadian film and television.[13]
Filmography[edit]
Television[edit]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Remember Me, Mommy? | Marie Cummings |
| 2019 | Star Trek: Short Treks | Lt. Amin |
| 2019 | American Gods | FBI Agent #2 |
| 2019 | Star Trek: Discovery | Lt. Amin |
| 2019 | Hudson & Rex | Lizzie Westbrook |
| 2019 | Coroner | Lisa Grigson |
| 2018 | Frankie Drake Mysteries | Ruth |
| 2018 | Shadowhunters | Uniformed Police Officer |
| 2018 | The Expanse | UN Naval Attache |
| 2018 | The Shelter | Erin |
| 2017 | Designated Survivor | Radar Officer |
| 2013 | Murder in Paradise | Naima |
| 2013 | Karma’s A B*tch! | Maria |
Film[edit]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Queen of the Morning Calm | Sarah |
| 2019 | The Burglar | Sgt. Pillar |
| 2019 | Overcover | Nikole |
| 2019 | Desperate Church Wives | Barbara |
| 2017 | Chrysalis | Marie Cummings |
| 2016 | Buddy | Claire |
| 2015 | I Wish You Love | Bobby |
| 2014 | Tormented | Roberta |
| 2013 | Exigent | Aphrodite |
| 2013 | Club Utopia | Felicia |
| 2011 | On A Break | Jill |
| 2010 | Beneath Perception | Maria |
Web Series[edit]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Tokens | Jen the Costumer |
| 2018 | Teenagers | Mrs. Diaz |
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ACTRA Awards | Best Series Ensemble | "Tokens" |
| 2010 | Theatre Windsor Awards | Best Leading Actress | "The Affections of May" |
References[edit]
- ↑ "ACTRA Diversity Committee". Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- ↑ "2019 Sandi Ross Awards". Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- ↑ "Star Trek Discovery 2.13 Such Sweet Sorrow". www.blogtorwho.com. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ↑ "Audrey Cummings' Berkshire County wins top prize at Shriekfest". playbackonline.ca. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ↑ "Berkshire County Bits 2014". rosemaryspixie.com. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ↑ "Samora Smallwood finds her own spotlight, outside of politics". www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ↑ Pelly, Chad (25 January 2018). "Joey Smallwood's Niece, Samora, Is Becoming A Big Deal On The Big Screen in Hollywood". www.theovercast.ca/. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ↑ Hani, Yassine (29 January 2018). "Alumni Showcase: Samora Smallwood". www.uwindsorlance.com /. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ↑ "15 Minutes with Samora Smallwood,". www.shedoesthecity. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ↑ "The 2020 ACTRA Nominees". www.actratoronto.com. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ↑ "Women in Film and Television Toronto: Six producer-writer teams selected for inaugural Scripted Digital Series Incubator". www.wift.com. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ↑ Ahearn, Victoria (25 July 2020). "Canadian TV has 'a lot of work to do' on diversity, say ACTRA co-chairs". Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- ↑ "Samora Smallwood Talks Acting, Upcoming Roles, Diversity in Film". www.scenecreek.com. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
External Links[edit]
Category:Living people
Category:Canadian actors
Category:Newfoundland and Labrador
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