By: The Don
Shamma Casson has a variety of roles in the entertainment industry. She made her debut in theatre at the Arden Shakespeare Gild in Delaware. This then led Shamma to modeling, acting, and using her experience that she gained in the industry to podcast about pop culture and film. After interviewing Shamma, it is clear that she is very well versed in the pop culture and the entertainment field. She still acts in background roles, but is definitely growing in her podcast career. Definitely check out her podcast Save the Drama for your Shamma (see below) and her YouTube page shammamaria.
Interview
What’s your name?
Shamma Casson.
Where are you from?
Wilmington, Delaware.
What do you currently do within the entertainment industry?
I’m an actress, model, and a new podcaster.
How long have you been in the entertainment industry?
I have worked in this industry for 7 years… this June.
How did you get your start in the entertainment industry?
I started by way of a recommendation to submit my information to a major casting site, along with getting my start in community theatre.
Were you hesitant at first to submit?
I was hesitant to submit at first, but the director wanted fresh faces and had put out a link for a book, breaking down how to perform Shakespeare.
How long did you do theatre?
I’ve done theatre for about 5 years now.
What was your first performance?
My first performance was Troilus and Cressida at the Arden Shakespeare Gild (this is the correct spelling) in Delaware, back in 2016.
How did you feel after?
I felt accomplished! Not only was this my first play, but also my first time performing Shakespeare!
What originally led you into acting?
I used to model when I was a teenager, and got back into it after I was laid off from my human resources job. My agent recommended to get into acting.
So was acting something you originally wanted to do?
No, my parents were actors when I was really young and even though they loved it, it also wasn’t sustainable financially. I originally wanted to design video games.
Did you ever get into video game designing?
No, unfortunately, I left art school and worked in customer service and HR. I returned to college in 2018 majoring in Performing Arts.
What was your first ever film acting job?
My first film acting job was unpaid and it was for an indie film project called “The Arc.” My first paid job was for an NFL commercial, both back in 2015.
What’s a role that’s on your list to act as?
I want to play Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew. Katherina is a strong woman both mentally and physically. Although the play is written in such a way to break her, you can tell that her husband Petruchio respects her strength and sees her as his equal.
What was a typical day for you on set?
A typical day on set usually starts super early in the morning, (usually 5 or 6 am) checking in with the production crew and then getting dressed and make up for the day. If I have a speaking part I go over lines, otherwise if it’s a background job I sit and wait until the Assistant Director gives me instructions on how we’re shooting the scene.
Was performing in a Shakespeare play something you wanted to do?
Yes! After seeing a coworker of mine perform in King Lear, the following year was when I went out for Troilus and Cressida.
Do you still act?
Yes, I still do background work because it pays a living wage. Plus I’m considering submitting my resume to The Wilma for ‘The Cherry Orchard.’ But I will say I’m possibly taking an extended hiatus to work on other things within the industry.
Do you / Did you travel for acting gigs?
Prior to the pandemic, I was traveling fairly frequently to New York for Background gigs.
Were you able to find local jobs?
Philadelphia has had a boom in film and television projects these past 4 years. I’ve worked several projects in this area.
How many films did you film in Philly?
I filmed 8 projects in Philly.
Was it easier to find work in Philly than in NYC?
It is easier to find projects in Philly due to the fact that the film and acting community here is more tight knit, in addition to my address being close enough to be a determining factor.
Do you believe the film industry is growing in Philly?
Absolutely! I used to say if it wasn’t a Rocky movie or directed by M. Night Shyamalan or feature Bradley Cooper, then major studios would rarely come here to film. Then the Russo Brothers came, then Amazon Studios, then Idris Elba, then HBO. I feel with more exposure we will get more projects in the future.
What do you love most about Philly?
Besides the food, the people are real and will tell you what’s on your mind. It’s hard to get that kind of directness from someone in L.A.
What’s one thing you hate about acting?
The business side of it. Although it’s necessary, if I want to continue to work, I have noticed that it doesn’t leave a lot of room for the freedom of performance.
You mentioned you are a new podcaster, what are your podcasts about?
My podcasts are reviews of television shows and films from the perspective of an actor. I also talk about industry related subjects too.
What got you into podcasting?
I used to make videos from my phone. I don’t have the money for a full studio like some creators, so it got to a point where my phone wouldn’t record or upload videos anymore. Podcasting was the only route I could take to keep the show going.
How long have you been doing podcasting?
I’ve only been podcasting for a couple of weeks now.
What do you love most about podcasting?
I do find that following a script is easier to follow on a podcast and I’m able to ramble as long as I want to.
What do you hate about podcasting?
I’m still so new that I don’t know if there’s anything I hate about podcasting yet, but I’m sure once I get there, I will vocalize it on my show.
What’s your podcasting channel/name?
The name of my podcast is ‘Save the Drama for Your Shamma.’
Do you plan on keep acting and making it a full time job?
I do want to continue acting, but I want to do it in my way by selecting jobs I want to work for instead of scrambling to try and pay rent. As far as a full-time gig, I would like to get into film producing.
Is podcasting hard, like competition wise and financially?
I don’t think podcasting is too hard, but I’m focusing more on being a labor of love instead of financial gain. Plus I use Anchor.FM which is a free podcasting platform and that made it easier. As far as competition, I don’t really look at it that way. This podcast allows me to get my thoughts off my chest. I don’t know how that would be competitive.
Do you podcast about a specific topic?
In regards to film or anything pop culture related, I will talk at length about ‘The Shadow.’
What did you use to model for or in?
I walked in Philly Fashion Week, back in the Winter of 2017. But I do mostly fit modeling for clothing companies.
Do you still model as much?
I will fit model on occasion but I’m not as active anymore.
Do you have an inspiration that you look up to?
I love Rachel True, especially in ‘The Craft,’ who represented cool and alternative Black girls that was not often seen when that film came out. I was in awe!
Do you have a favorite celebrity?
I have celebrities that I like in specific projects for, but I don’t have a favorite. I worked as a PR Assistant for a year and that gig enlightened me to not attach any emotion to any celebrity.
How was life as a PR Assistant?
It was good. I got to learn quite a bit about the industry from the marketing side, and how performers keep their names in the press.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Hopefully with a family and a few film production credits under my belt.
What advice do you have for others interested in entertainment?
Do. Your. Research. Try different jobs within the industry and see where you work best at. Make a plan of what your career should look like. Don’t get in to be famous, because you will give off an aura of desperation and your career choices will reflect that.
