Check Out Santresa Hall’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Santresa Hall.

Hi Santresa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As many may know, as a little girl, I idolized Tia and Tamera Mowry after falling in love with their show, Sister, Sister. That’s how I learned what an actor was and what their job entailed. Since then, coming up, I watched TV differently than everyone else. I was fascinated with the way that a person could embody the feelings and emotions of another for it to be played out for others to experience. At one point in my life, I thought my goal of being an actress was not attainable. My parents worked and I had other siblings; I couldn’t be selfish.

Once I reached college, I started to venture out and explore life as an actress. I began submitting for background roles and indie films. Around 2017, I ended up landing my first role in a short film. Although the role was small, the experience put the fire to my feet to do more.

I hit the ground running. I started attending more classes and auditioned more often. I had a flow going and was getting more serious about my acting career, then COVID-19 spread, and the world shut down. It was very depressing at first. Although everything was shut down, I took full advantage of the opportunity to keep going. I started writing scripts, screenplays, and creating my own films, which is how Tresa Babyy Productions came about. I am still auditioning for meaningful roles and I am currently working on a feature film of my own, Closure, and plan on releasing the film in Fall 2027.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been the smoothest road to success, but some bumps are always expected along the way, and I’m down for the ride!

Being a Black woman in the acting industry when you look like me can be difficult at times. I am still learning how to navigate auditioning for certain roles. Because I am racially ambiguous, I don’t always fit the typical mold directors have in mind when casting Black female characters. Which I understand, but sometimes it hurts and can make you not want to audition, knowing in the back of your mind, “I might not get this role because I’m light-skinned.” It’s unfortunate, but in this industry, you either fit the specific look for a role, or you don’t. I’ve learned to accept that, so I don’t get bothered anymore when I’m not chosen. I just tell myself, “What’s for me is already for me, and everything will align as it should.”

As a filmmaker, the struggle is real too! It’s hard to find actors who fully believe in your vision and are willing to put in the work. Acting and filmmaking take real commitment. Getting a cast together, making sure schedules align, and securing locations and safety can be hectic… especially when you are self-funding everything out of your own pocket. It takes immense dedication. I lead these projects independently, leaning on the support and talent of the actors I hire. It can be extremely challenging to get everyone on the same page because people have busy lives outside of filming. But it’s not impossible. It can and will be done, by any means necessary.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an actress, filmmaker, and writer. I specialize in acting, camera operation, and video editing. I am known for my acting work across both screen and stage. The most recent screenplay I was featured in was PROTEAN, directed by Antwan Booker, and the most recent stage play I acted in was Bus Stop Chronicles, written by Michele Lawrence of Classy Chele Productions.

Although it is still a work in progress, I am most proud of the feature film I am currently creating, Closure. This is my baby. I’ve been pouring into this project since 2022, and I have gone through every single emotion you can imagine bringing it to life. It has been worth every moment of the experience, and I cannot wait to share it with the world.

My work ethic is what truly sets me apart from others. I don’t give up—I won’t, and I can’t. Anything I start, I finish. I live by the saying, “If you don’t believe in yourself, no one will.” I will never give up on myself, my acting, or my filmmaking. I was built for this. I always remind myself that I am a powerhouse of talent, creativity, and unbridled passion for storytelling. My dedication to my craft is unmatched.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I am a survivor! Throughout the years, behind the brightest smile, the kindest eyes, the huge heart, and a continuous willingness to help others, I have privately struggled with anxiety and major depressive disorder. There were countless times I honestly thought I wasn’t going to make it to see another day.

Losing my grandpa was incredibly hard. He was a father figure, friend, teacher, and someone I deeply looked up to—his advice was everything to me. I thought he’d always be here with me, and that we would have more time together. I wanted to give up on so many occasions, but God knew what was waiting for me on the other side.

Losing him made me realize that nothing in this life is promised. Life is too short—you have to love on your people, say what you mean, and mean what you say. I know he would have wanted me to keep going, too. My journey with mental health could have turned out very differently, but I have my art to thank for keeping me grounded and giving me a purpose to keep pushing forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/santresa
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturally_tresa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TresaBabyy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@santresahall