Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Gold.
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story begins at age three, twirling around my living room to the sound of the Christian music filling my childhood home. My mom always had worship music on, and my natural response was to spin, twirl and leap my way across the mauve carpets of our home in Kennesaw, GA. By age four my parents had enrolled me in dance classes, probably not knowing then that stages all over the world would become like home to me.
I can’t really remember a time that I wasn’t inspired by dazzling dancers, stage lights, and elegant music. It seems cliché, truly, but I never wanted to try any other sports or take on any other extracurricular activities. I spent my middle and high school years at the dance studio, always just knowing that I wanted to dance forever. I didn’t struggle like other kids to figure out what I wanted to do. My parents supported me, my teachers believed in me and rooted me on, and thus—began my journey as a professional dancer.
I decided to attend Oklahoma City University, where I majored in dance and minored in History. It was a pivotal four years for me as a performer, and to this day, I know I wouldn’t have been ready to dive right into the world of the Big Apple. My program required acting, singing, and dancing and solidified my dreams of living in NYC and pursuing musical theatre. The city dazzled me. My friends and I would visit for spring break and attend classes and go to auditions and just daydream about what it would like when we finally lived there one day.
Right out of college, I booked my first professional job as a dancer for Celebrity Cruise lines. It meant NY would have to wait, as I committed to nine months of training and life on a cruise ship. We lived in close quarters, and sometimes I was extremely homesick, but I wouldn’t trade that season for anything. Many of the people I met on that contract are still very dear to my heart. My traveled around Europe and the Mediterranean crossed the Atlantic, and spent much of our time hopping around the Caribbean. It was paid vacation, 100%.
I fell in love with the magic of waking up in a new port every day and decided to spend another nine months at sea. I joined Royal Caribbean and had the privilege of visiting over 15 new countries. We sailed all around Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, dancing and living life to the absolute fullest. I bathed with elephants, I climbed the Great Wall of China, I held baby Koalas and toured wine country in NZ. It was nothing like I’d ever experienced before.
I made a move to New York City in 2017. It was everything I dreamed, but it hasn’t always been easy. It’s a huge culture shock and can often be a very lonely city. I have never worked harder in my life. Between dance gigs, I catered events, I nannied, I became a hype dancer for Bar Mitvahs… yep. I’m serious. I worked coat check, and I even handed out flyers on a street corner in 35-degree weather. I did that once, and I said, “never again…” I say all this because my life seems glamorous, but I hustled very hard for myself to make ends meet in that city. We all did. The beauty of NY is that everyone has a dream, and everyone is chasing something. It’s easy to feel inspired and motivated in that way. I was surrounded by the best of the best. I was blessed to book a handful of regional theaters along the East Coast, An American in Paris being my favorite. I signed with an incredible talent agency. I traveled to Tokyo, Japan with the cast of West Side Story and performed in a gorgeous, state-of-the-art rotating theatre. I dabbled in a bit of TV work, dancing for Fox TV in The Prodigal Son and being a part of a few commercials and apps.
COVID-19 struck the theatre industry hard. Almost immediately, I flew home to family in GA to “wait things out,” and to my surprise, I now live in a beautiful apartment in Marietta and haven’t gone back. I feel incredibly fortunate for the opportunities and the lessons that this city has brought me this year. It has hit everyone differently, but my silver lining is that this pandemic brought me home, even if only for a season. I think that when we face heartache, loss, anxiety, whatever it may be, it’s important to still seek out the blessings.
I was incredibly blessed to be cast as a dancer in the Netflix Film, RedNotice feat. The Rock, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds. We filmed over the course of COVID and spent three months living in a “bubble.” It was my first film, and I felt so inspired to be working with other artists in the confines of a pandemic. Since filming, I’ve enjoyed settling into my new apartment, spending time with my parents and incredible boyfriend, and taking dance classes downtown ATL.
I am currently in the process of filming two very exciting projects with Apple TV & Tyler Perry Studios, and truly could not be more grateful for what God has blessed me within this season. My plan is to continue dancing in the Metro ATL area and make my way back and forth from New York as the industry continues to blossom.
I give God all the glory because without Him, I am nothing. My hope for readers is to be encouraged that no matter the season you are in, a high or a low, when money is flowing or maybe you can’t afford more than cup-a-noodle to eat right now… keep dreaming. Keep working hard, and trust that God has an incredible plan for your life.
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?
I lost my best friend, Caleb, in 2016. I was in the middle of the ocean when I found out, working on the cruise ship. it was a very dark season for me. I flew home for the funeral but knew I had to return to the ship to continue the end of my contract. God was my light, and I think dance truly became an outlet for me. I have always used dance as an outlet, but through that season, I felt closest to Caleb when I was on stage. He was an artist as well, he sang and played guitar, and a part of me knew that going forward, I would dream big and be fearless for him.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Musical theater, jazz, tap, and commercial dancer, actress, and model. Most recently in Netflix, RedNotice, and in Tokyo, Japan, in the international residency of West Side Story. I am most proud of my persistence and that I’m able to support myself doing what I love. Not everyone can say that. I try to be a positive light wherever I go. We all have off-days, and I am nowhere near perfect, but my desire is to make all people feel loved and seen and to spread kindness.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My parents are an incredible support. They never once discouraged me from following my heart and pursuing a “non-traditional” career. They build me up. and my brother, who lives in Hawaii and inspires me more than he knows.
My boyfriend, Joe, is also a dancer, which I never thought I wanted. But we make a really cool team, and he understands what I go through as a performer who works gig to gig. Life changes so fast, and he makes the twists and turns so fun.
Christina Wiginton at CK Dance Works. My dance teacher growing up. That woman is my role model and is “superwoman” to me. She encouraged my dreams from a young age, even when I couldn’t do a pirouette to save my life! She saw the passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahelizabethgold.com
- Instagram: @Sarah__gold (that is 2 underscores!)
Image Credits
James Jin Images Justin Patterson Jon Taylor Photo
