Check Out Olubajo Sonubi’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Olubajo Sonubi.

Olubajo , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
“My journey in the Atlanta arts scene really took off after I realized during my M.F.A. program at Southern Methodist University that my passion extended beyond just acting. My first big break came when I took an unpaid internship with Marty Cherrix, a truly gifted casting director who’s been a staple in the Southeast for years. Marty saw something in my skill set and brought me on as her assistant for a then little-known show called The Vampire Diaries.

When she decided to leave during the fifth season, she graciously put my name forward to be the local casting director. The producers, including Julie Plec, took a chance on me, and that really launched my career in the industry. I went on to work on incredible projects like Containment, Legacies, and the first two seasons of Cobra Kai. These experiences have opened so many doors, allowing me to share my knowledge at various workshops with acting studios like Get Scene & Drama Inc.

All the while, I managed to keep theater in my life. My Atlanta stage debut was in A Thousand Circlets by the brilliant playwright Theroun Patterson, who became a close friend. I was incredibly fortunate to share the stage with an amazing cast including Precious Bright, Anthony Goolsby, Yvonne Singh, and Tony Vaughn of Meet the Browns fame. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of performing at Essential Theatre, 7 Stages, and Actor’s Express. My most recent stage work was as Mlima in Lynn Nottage’s Mlima’s Tale at 7 Stages, which garnered several Suzi nominations. That was a truly special show, made even more so by an incredible cast, the talented choreographer Lindsay Renea, and the fantastic costume designer Dr. Nyrobi Moss.

I’ve also collaborated with incredibly talented friends on various projects around town, like Kapil Gandhi and Theroun Patterson. One of my favorite collaborations was a 48-hour film festival project called FAWN that actually won the year we competed! And, I’ve been able to create my own projects with my incredible film partner, the talented Adetinpo Thomas, who is not only an amazing actor but an award-winning producer. Two of our most notable collaborations are the award winning short films CLEAN SLATE and THE EARTH WILL NOT SWALLOW US (which was written by Desola Thomas, an awarding winning filmmaker herself and younger sister to Adetinpo)

All these experiences ultimately led me to Georgia State University, where I’m now a faculty member in the Film, Media and Theater department. It’s truly a blessing to share my talents there, not only as an acting and directing instructor but also as a director, designer, and producer on several productions. I directed Lynn Nottage’s SWEAT, and I also adapted and directed a version of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing called Bunmi and Babajide, which I set in 1960s Nigeria—a nod to my Yoruba heritage as a first-generation Nigerian American.

I’ve stepped away from casting, and not sure if I’ll go back to it, as I shift my focus towards directing and producing. I’m incredibly grateful to people like Mary Emily Deal, Susan Reid, Anastasia Wilson, and Woody Depew—all working creatives and fellow faculty members at GSU—who have afforded me amazing creative opportunities both inside and outside the university. I wish I could name every single person who has helped me on this journey, because that’s truly how I got to where I am today: showing up as authentically as I could, and people seeing something in me that made them take a chance. My future aspirations are to be in a position to do the same for other emerging creatives.”

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
“Smooth” isn’t the word I’d use, but I have very few complaints because the journey has been filled with incredible opportunities for growth. For me, and I think for many creatives in America’s unique market economy, the biggest challenge has always been how to pay the bills while continuing to create. In this country, being a working creative often feels like a privilege – it doesn’t have to be, but that’s a discussion for another time!

I also have a family to support, and navigating how to remain creative, manage finances, and still be present for loved ones has been a significant hurdle. Especially early in my career, my family life definitely took a hit – quite a big one, actually. I struggled with depression, which absolutely affected both my creative output and my relationship with my spouse and son.

While the recent slowdown in the industry has been tough, it’s also offered the unexpected blessing of reinvesting time into my family and reconnecting with my creative life. We now have a beautiful 15 month old baby girl, I absolutely adore, and I really prioritize spending time and connecting with my son much more than I used to. Honestly, I’m still figuring out the balance, but things are definitely improving. Therapy, my loved ones (both family and friends), and truly, my community, have been my lifeline. I cannot overstate the value of investing time and building connections with people, especially those who make it easy for you to show up as your whole self – even if it’s not your perfect self.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My Work & Passions
My most high-profile work has certainly been as a casting director. My IMDb page connects me to projects like The Vampire Diaries, Legacies, the first two seasons of Dynasty, the first two seasons of Cobra Kai, and Come Sunday, to name a few. Casting was a lot of fun, and I believe my background as an actor truly set me apart. It definitely made me a better casting director because I could more easily speak the language of actors and understand their process.

However, these days, I find myself increasingly drawn to teaching, directing, writing, and producing. While I wouldn’t turn down a truly special casting project, I’m generally less interested in many of the casting gigs that come my way now. My experiences on all those projects gave me a front-row seat to how professional filmmaking operates, and the knowledge I gained is incredibly valuable—it directly informs how I teach and the projects I choose to direct and produce. And I have to say, I love the magic that happens with students in the classroom, I take extra care build to creative confidence in my students, so they take risks and discover their voice, while also guiding them as honestly as I can about what they can expect in the professional world.

Creative Pride & Unique Strengths
As for my creative output, I’m most proud of writing and directing Much Ado: Bunmi and Babajide in Lagos. I can’t emphasize enough how collaborative that piece was; the performers and the design team elevated the work beyond my wildest expectations. I was truly touched and humbled by how well-received it was, and I absolutely plan on revisiting it with hopes of launching another production. The short film CLEAN SLATE is another piece I’m incredibly proud of, and I’ll forever be indebted to my producing partner, Adetinpo Thomas, who both starred in and co-produced it.

What I believe truly sets me apart is my genuine curiosity and interest in people. I’ve been told that I’m a good listener and that I ask insightful questions. I’ve also observed that directors often lean in one of two directions: some possess incredible vision and technical ability but struggle to communicate with actors, while others are great at connecting with actors but lack technical knowledge. I’m fortunate because I know how to talk to actors, and I also genuinely geek out over the technical aspects of creative work. This applies equally to both screen and stage for me.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes that has always resonated deeply with me: “Safety isn’t the absence of danger, it’s the presence of connection.”

This is a profound quote because it speaks to a fundamental truth about the human experience. We all grapple with the question of what it means to be “safe,” and ultimately, I believe safety boils down to love—love for yourself, which then naturally extends to love for others. This quote acknowledges that we can’t avoid danger entirely. Building walls might keep perceived threats at bay for a while, but if you’re truly connected to yourself and to others, together we’ll possess the strength to withstand the effects of any challenge. This message has always been relevant, and it feels even more crucial these days. So, let’s connect, create, and build true safety with each other.

Also I’m eager to connect with people who want to create, so looking for a director or producer, feel free to reach out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/olubajosonubi-com/home
• Instagram: @iipfilm
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olubajo-sonubi-4bb2a118/
• Other: https://forms.gle/gcTyHbNJfdnqpnib7

Image Credits
I’ll have to come back with this. Internet is spotty where I am