Meet Sage Lawrence | Professional Storyteller – Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sage Lawrence and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sage, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
After leaving the military in 2007, I pursued a higher education, but I was really unsure as to where I wanted to go with it. I spent nearly 6 years in college, changing my mind continuously, but always learning about only the subjects that piqued my interest. After finishing with my BA in Geography and Environmental Science, I looked into the gaping maw that was the job market and saw opportunities, but they were for the interns and the fresh young graduates diving into their new worlds, and that wasn’t for me. I was 32 years old with a seven year old daughter and more lost than I’ve ever been in my entire life. The only thing that brought me out of my funk was a short conversation that I had with seven year old me, basically centered around the age old question of, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” What was my dream? What was my childhood desire? So, I looked at my wife and said, “I want to be an actor.” She said. “Well… then go be an actor!” I got in my car and armed with a YMCA membership, I drove all over the United States pursuing acting gigs. The majority of them cost me more to arrive and audition than I would have ever made for the job, but a warm and welcoming YMCA parking lot was always there to be my comfort when I slept and asked myself what the hell I had gotten myself into. From California to Kentucky, Chicago to New York I drove, auditioning, practicing, honing, networking and praying. I happened to fall on a simple role as a truck driver in Manhattan for a film called ‘Who Framed Tommy Callahan’, directed by Harry Kellerman. My job was to drive an old beat up manual truck with a cannon in the back through gridlocked New York traffic with a camera car following close behind. We were given just one take as a severe winter storm threatened the shoot and laying down this scene meant that production would remain on schedule, whereas failure would push us out to spring, nearly three months away. I used my skills as a convoy driver in Afghanistan and impressed the director so much that he made me SAG-AFTRA eligible that day and the rest has been history. I pursued a career in the art of acting because art is quite literally the essence of human life. It’s how we speak to the world, whether it be acting, music, painting or writing. I wouldn’t have it any other way and my seven year old self thanks me every day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The proudest today of my artistic career was the day I achieved my 5 year goal of meeting and working in a film with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. I was working as a prison guard for the film Red Notice as a stuntman and had just run down a hallway 7 times in full riot police gear. I was standing there, preparing for take 8, soaked in sweat and could barely see out of my riot mask (which I was not allowed to put down as my face was not supposed to be seen), when I was approached by the director. He gave me my instructions, which were, “Run down this hallway and clear the corner. Once you get around the corner, keep an eye out for the red dot. This is the camera. Don’t hit the camera.” Easy. I did as I was told and tore down the hallway, chasing Ryan Reynolds and DJ. I cleared the corner, saw my dot, and avoided it expertly. What I didn’t avoid was Ryan Reynolds. I slammed right into him. He hit the floor and my night stick flew out of its holster and narrowly missed the first AD by inches. I was marched back to my line for take 9. I stood there, heart pounding out of my chest, with sweat (or tears?) pouring down my cheeks when I felt a big meaty hand on my shoulder from behind me and a gruff voice that said, “That was awesome!!” I turned around and stared into the chest of the biggest man I have ever seen. I trailed my eyes up to see I was face to face with my idle, The Rock! My inner monologue began thus: “Ok, get your shit together. This is him! You’ve waited your whole life to meet this guy, and now it’s your chance! Tell him: Hey man! Thanks a lot. Huge pleasure to meet you. I admire your work!” Instead, I smiled and waited for words to leave my dry and closing throat as I dove into panic mode and delivered nothing but a high pitched squeak. He laughed long and loud and said, “It’s ok man. Happens a lot.” Then he was gone and I was left with my ridicule and sweat. That was for sure my proudest and most humbling moment. Here I am a combat veteran that can’t have a simple conversation with a grown man. Getting where I am has not been easy. Had it been easy, it wouldn’t have been worth it. I overcame my challenges by simply having a dream, and choosing to not pursue it. I instead turned my dream into 10 small and manageable goals, which I pursued like a hungry dog. Each goal I achieved, I chose to celebrate myself, never forgetting about my dream, but keeping it on the horizon and not the forefront. Once my 10 goals were managed, I was already living my dream. My greatest lesson learned was grace. Grace for others and grace for myself. The patterns of imposter syndrome, self-sabotage, depression and feelings of low self worth were damaging and had to stop. Learning how to act professionally taught me more about myself and how to engage with emotion, which ultimately made me a better person. I hope that my story, like others, might inspire someone else that’s not living genuinely to pursue their art, whatever it may be.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Most people’s first instinct would steer them to Broadway, but I can tell you from experience that locals avoid it like the plague. Downtown Broadway offers so mush more than a collection of cookie cutter Honky Tonks that are non-unique and in no way the heart of Nashville, with a few specialized exceptions. A trip to an exhibit at the Frisk, topped with a show at the Ryman would be day one. Day two would be about the food, with a live music breakfast at the Bluebird and lunch at the ONLY hot chicken joint in Nashville worth it’s weight in gold, Prince’s. Dinner would be an expensive seat at the one and only Catbird Seat. The following day, we would visit Arrington Vineyards and drink fine wines while we watched a movie on the grass. Our drive back would take us through historic Leiper’s Fork where I would take them to Puckett’s and show them the homes of the stars. We would spend the following day exploring Nashville East and pretending that it’s not a model of Austin, Texas. I would show them the rich histories of black music before gentrification pushed everyone out of their homes. I would take them to Printer’s Alley and Acme Feed and Seed to show them the cobblestone streets that once lined the entire city when old Broad Way was the extent of the city centuries ago. The following day would include a diabetes infused $20 milkshake at the Legendairy Milkshake Bar and a hot cocoa from Mike’s on 2nd before we ventured out to The Grand Ol Opry and the Opry Mills Mall. Our last day would include a fine exploration of Franklin, topping off the evening with an Escape Room at Breakout Games.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Countless individuals were responsible for getting me where I am today, but I owe everything I have to my wife, Misty. She has been my drive, my reason, my critic and my biggest fan.

Website: https://sagelawrenceofficial.godaddysites.com/

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Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/sagemlawrence imdb.me/sagelawrenceofficial.com