Woman to Watch :: Sasha Carrera :: Spinsters

A lifelong performer with a passion for storytelling, Sasha Carrera began her creative journey in the theatre world, earning her degree from Wesleyan University before completing the renowned two-year conservatory program at the New Actors Workshop in New York City. Her love for writing followed her to Los Angeles, where she worked as a script reader for Artisan Entertainment. Encouraged by her boss to explore screenwriting, she penned a short film with a role for herself, rallied a group of fellow multi-hyphenate creatives to produce it, and saw it go on to win multiple awards at film festivals. That success sparked a deeper ambition—to write and create stories on a larger scale.

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Tell us a little about yourself and your story.

I’ve always been a performer. I majored in theatre at Wesleyan University, then moved to New York City to complete the two-year conservatory program at the New Actors Workshop. I’d always excelled at writing, too. Years later, while living in LA and working as a script reader for Artisan Entertainment, my boss encouraged me to try screenwriting. So I wrote a short film with a role for myself. I produced it with a group of fellow actor/multi-hyphenate friends. It went on to win several film festival awards. That success inspired me to write something bigger.

How did you get to where you are today?

I originally wrote SPINSTERS as a fun, creative outlet while living in LA—a fictional alter-ego story set in Frederick. Encouraged by positive feedback, I turned it into a screenplay. But life and other projects took precedence, and I put it on hold for years.

After moving back to Frederick to care for my mother in her final years—and then facing grief and the pandemic—I decided to bring SPINSTERS to life in my hometown. I’d initially rewritten the script based on industry advice. But thanks to a production coach I met in a Zoom acting class, I returned to the version I truly wanted to tell.

With her support, I assembled an award-winning, mostly women-led team. We raised funds and gained strong local support. The project resonated with many, drawing talented pros who brought both excellence and heart to the set.

What do you think has helped you the most with your success?

I’m always trying to learn more and do better. I keep taking classes and asking for guidance. It helps me grow and shows my commitment. Because of that, people who know my work have been generous with their support. They’ve shared their experience and connected me with others. That’s how we built the phenomenal team that made this film a reality.

What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome in order to achieve your goals?

My own self-doubt has been the biggest hurdle. Those voices saying “you’re too old,” “you’re not good enough,” or “it’s already been done” are loud. Learning to trust that I know more than I think—or can figure it out—has been life-changing. Speaking up for myself is, too. When someone disagrees, it doesn’t mean I’m wrong. It means I get to show them something that might surprise them.

What are you most proud of?

SPINSTERS is definitely the biggest achievement of my life — writing a script that says what I wanted it to say, incorporating all the notes and ideas of my director while staying true to my vision, assembling a cast and crew of tremendously gifted and kind people who made the film a reality were huge, but maybe my proudest moment, was showing up fully for myself and refusing to let my own performance suffer regardless of surprises on set.

What are three pieces of advice you could give to our readers?

My mantra is “gratitude, humility, curiosity and compassion” — I think that says it all. Being willing to learn, asking for help, assuming everyone else is doing their best and expressing appreciation. I’m not sure if that’s three or four.

You inspire us, but what/who are YOU inspired by?

People showing up fully and doing what they love no matter how others receive it.

How do you reward yourself when you’ve reached a goal or after a hard day of work?

Sometimes it’s a glass of wine, sometimes it’s cup of tea, sometime with a really great tv show or movie.

What is one sassy saying or quote that inspires you? Why?

“Because I want to” is a good enough reason.

Now based in Frederick, Maryland, Sasha has come full circle—combining her roots in performance with her passion for writing and producing. With a commitment to telling authentic, women-centered stories, she continues to champion collaborative filmmaking and creative risk-taking. Her latest project, SPINSTERS, is a testament to that vision: a story born from personal experience, brought to life by an award-winning team, and proof that powerful storytelling can thrive anywhere.