Today we’d like to introduce you to Toya Sessoms.
Toya, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My acting career started with my involvement in church. I was the inquisitive teen that wanted to try everything to see if I liked it or not. A member of the drama team asked me if I wanted to do a small role in the next play coming up. I did not hesitate to take the role not knowing what I was getting myself into. That church did not play when it came to productions. The day of the show I was panicking and regretting why I said yes, *did I forget to mention I had no lines, LOL*. I went on stage for about 10mins doing my small non-speaking role. That was the looooooongest 10 mins. of my life. But when I walked off the stage, a strange sensation came over me that I could not explain, now I know it to be known as ADRENALINE! I had found my rush and I wanted more. That is when my acting career was ignited.
I went off to Tennessee State University and my freshman year, I joined an entertainment organization called The Thomas Edward Poag Players’ Guild. During my matriculation at TSU, we put on several variety shows which allowed me to act out a multitude of characters. I was sot out by an agent in Nashville to represent me but I knew when I was done I wanted to go back to Atlanta to grow.
Once I moved back to Atlanta, it was on. I started taking acting classes with Premier Actors Network with Dwayne Boyd and obsessively looking up auditions. I got casted as my first lead role in a Feature film entitled “Breeze”. During filming, I got cast in another project which became a very popular web series called “Between Women” by Michelle Daniels. After getting cast in these amazing projects, my love for my craft has grown every day.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Though acting is my passion I can’t say it’s been an easy road. If you give up easily then this is not the path for you. As many thespians can attest you get a lot of rejection in this industry. Reasons including a not so great audition, not the right look, not knowing the right people, being too short/tall, not the right size for wardrobe provided, being typecast, etc. and the list goes on. The point is when you are passionate about something rejection can be a hard pill to swallow. Another struggle we experience is “the in-between stage”. That’s when you’re in between projects and not actively working. It can really put a strain on you financially when you don’t have the regular 9 to 5 income coming inconsistently.
I personally got to a point when I was so fed up with struggling that I enrolled back in school for Dental Hygiene. I recently graduated May 11th, 2019 and super proud cause that was not easy at all. When I start something, I make it my personal goal to finish regardless of the experience. I love working with patients and expanding my medical knowledge has been amazing. I think it’s cool to say I’m a licensed medical professional too, LOL. While in school, I slowed down auditioning for new projects but I never once stopped working on my craft. Now that I am done, I am hungrier than ever to get back out there doing what I love which is acting! And now, during in-between stages, I can maintain my financial obligations #blessed.
In this big city full of talented people it is hard to stand out if you’re not put in the right position. I have had a successful acting career to not have had any representation. But since I am ready to take it to the next level, I am currently seeking representation. 🙂
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My specialty in Acting is Film/Television.
I personally gained a nice following in my career due to my favorite project entitled “Between Women” playing the character Winney Rise. It is a web series that started on YouTube and after Season 2 ended up turning into a Network of its own. I appreciate all the people who have supported me and continue to this day.
My proudest moment as an actress thus far is when I was filming for BETs “Let The Church Say Amen” Regina King came up to me and personally complimented me on how I had done my part! I had a star-struck moment with no regrets. That meant a lot that while she was directing so many people, she took a moment to speak to me. 😀
Well, that and the late Tommy Ford playing my dad in feature film we did together! 😀
What sets me as an actress apart I believe is my athleticism and my mindset. I have a history of training in gymnastics, cheer, and Track & Field for years. As an athlete, you are trained to fall and get back up several times a day. Each time you get back up & try again, you are getting stronger physically and mentally. You need that same mindset with this career. You may get benched for a while but that doesn’t mean your time to play is not coming. I’m in training and ready to play again. Put me in the game coach. 😉
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Special Credit included – To all my first in this industry!!! They believed in me before I believed in me!
God (First and only Creator).
Charles F. Copeland and Al G. Sillah (First Feature Lead)
Michelle A. Daniel (First Web Series Lead)
Dwayne Boyd (First Acting Coach in Atl)
Between Women and Breeze Cast (First Cast Family)
Madison Kelly aka YUNG COUGA (First Music Video)
The Thomas Edward Poag Players’ Guild (First Entertainment group)
Michael Bend (First Traveling Stage Show)
I give credit to all the directors, acting coaches, athletic coaches, castmates, crew members, friends, and family that have encouraged me to keep going! Oh, and I can’t forget my amazingly supportive Fiance Aukeaus Solomon! You have been my #1 fan ever since you entered my life and have never once detoured me from my dreams. It is impossible to acknowledge everyone who has made my career possible but it will never go unnoticed and I’m forever grateful!
Contact Info:
- Email: Toyatheactressbookings@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Toyatheactress
- Facebook: @Toyatheactress
- Twitter: @Toyatheactress
Image Credit:
Michelle A. Daniel, Tony Smart, Marlene Lillian
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