Sam Morelos (ACT, ‘23) has been performing at California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) since the school opened its doors in 2017 – proudly taking on the title role in the first-ever all-school musical, Pippin.
Since then, Sam has been featured in a variety of school productions, but will soon reveal her talents to a much larger audience in Sam’s television debut in Netflix’s That ‘90s Show. The spin-off of the popular That ‘70s Show, follows a new group of teenage friends, with Sam being one of the new main group members.
“I don’t think it’s really processed yet, it hasn’t hit me,” said Sam. “Right now it’s just this fun thing that I did over the summer, but people are going to see it, and watch it, and it’s nuts to me. I don’t really believe it.”
One of the first actors discovered for the show, Sam was cast as the smart and determined role of Nikki after nearly four months of auditioning. While the cast was full of other actors who already had television credits, Sam was put at ease by how hard the producers fought hard to get her on the show. On a Tuesday, they did one final interview that lasted over an hour and half, trying to get the perfect take to send in. By Thursday that same week, and just three-days before pre-production, Sam got the exciting call about receiving the part.
This left the actor with only one academic day to inform teachers and administrators of soon-to-be absences, though Sam had been preparing them with the possibility of this situation long before. Sam credits multiple administrators in assisting with this sudden transition, including Ms. Emily Christy, a counselor; Ms. Abbe Levine and Ms. Nicole Read, assistant principals; and Dr. Stephen Cook, dean of arts, whose office was used to take her very first audition for That '90s Show.
“A lot of my story is so deeply intertwined with CSArts-SGV and the tremendous amount of support that I received from them,” Sam said.
Sam described being on the set of That '90s Show as “a master class every single day,” yet not as big of a transition as was expected due to her CSArts-SGV training. With so many of the original cast returning for this spin off, the first few episodes of That '90s Show were filmed in front of live studio audiences. While this was nerve-wracking for many of the new cast members who had not performed in front of live audiences, Sam was well prepared, drawing from her on-stage experiences at CSArts-SGV and her other performances off campus.
“It was fantastic filming it. The cast is so wonderful, they’re all kids my age. We’d have lunch together in front of the Netflix headquarters; also being able to work alongside veteran actors, like Deborah Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, just watching them work was like a master class. I feel like I’ve really grown as an actor,” said Sam.
While That '90s Show will mark Sam’s television debut, Sam has been performing for audiences from a very young age. At only four years old, Sam entered a talent show, singing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” in full Dorothy attire, complete with a stuffed Toto. At the talent show, a voice teacher and owner of a community theater company saw the performance and was eager to take Sam in as a student. From then until middle school, Sam took voice lessons and performed in every summer performance the company staged.
To further this passion for performing, Sam turned to CSArts-SGV and enrolled as part of the school’s very first group of students to attend from grades seven to 12.
After being cast in Pippin as a seventh grade student, Sam continued to grow as both a student and actor.
“I know I wasn’t leading man material,” said Sam. “But, the creative team saw something in me that could be cultivated and grown, and without someone recognizing that potential I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Sam said that the Musical Theatre and Acting Conservatories have continued to push her to try taking on differing roles outside of her comfort zone, expanding her range.
“Having someone say, ‘I want you to do something different, and I see that you can do it,’ especially in a learning environment, is so important. They’re so supportive.” said Sam.
Sam added that she would not be where she is today if not for the support and guidance of CSArts-SGV’s Chair of Theatre Judson Williford, who calmed her audition anxieties, and teacher, Ms. Elyse Mirto, whose class inspired her to make the transition from the Musical Theatre to Acting, in addition to her mom, who has been behind her each step of the way.
After graduation in the Spring, Sam is looking forward to continuing to juggle both education and working. Until then, she is continuing to audition for roles and participate in CSArts-SGV performances, such as Gala 2023: Fanfare in the French Quarter and with FUSION at graduation.
“CSArts-SGV shaped my journey, I mean, was basically my journey. They showed me the doors and gave me the support that I needed to be able to walk through them,” Sam said.
That '90s Show will be available for streaming tomorrow, January 19, only on Netflix. Be sure to tune in to show your support!