Our journey, Our passion
Who is Sarai Sapp?
A born and raised Floridian who, like many of us, grew up in the church. Her father was a well renowned pastor in Sarasota, and her mother one of the most spiritual singers you'll ever meet. The love for music, Christ, and fellowship was passed down to Sarai both by blood and nature.
Sarai's family had a traveling ministry. Since her dad was a former DJ, he had all the skills and equipment he needed to form his own band and mix Dj-ing with ministry work. Together, they preached to under privileged youths in detention centers and fed the homeless, bringing games, music, fun, and love to those who seldomly experience it. This ignited the passion Sarai has for children, ministry, and performing. At the very early age of 5, her talents as a singer was very prominent and her parents helped shape that voice into a powerhouse vocalist.
Though Sarai had a very strong love and attachment to the theater, she transitioned to a more "stable" role as a pre-school teacher. A very fulfilling and rewarding role, so much so that it didn't matter what she was a getting paid, as long as she could spread love and educate children.
After having children of her own, Sarai realized how important it is to pursue your dreams, and that is how we got here. Through the ups and downs, so many times it felt like giving up was the right choice. However, every time she looks into her children's eyes, a fire is lit and she asks herself, what would she do if her child ever gave up?
Sarai Sapp
Producer - Director - Writer - Creator
"Don't Lose Hope began as fan fiction, believe it or not. Inspired by the work of Jonathon Larson, I imagined what it would be like if Joanne and Mark started dating in RENT, leaving Maureen behind in the cold. The two would bond over her chaos and alluring presence and ultimately end up together. It very quickly changed once I realized how similar Joanne and I are.
When my father died, I realized how much I was holding onto, so I changed the premise of it all to just telling the story of my life. Though it is not an exact match, each character represents a different side of me, people I've met, shares a piece of my life, and the things I have or currently are struggling with.
I am proud of the work I have done on myself and writing my story has been one stop on my road to recovery. It is my hope to share that story with you. To bring awareness to domestic violence, to different forms of abuse whether its physical, emotional, or verbal, and to shine a light on the importance of taking care of your mental health."
Meet our team
Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.
Sophia Etienne
Assistant Director
Sophia is a graduate of Lynn University, receiving her Bachelors in Fine Arts for Film Production. From live broadcasts, to on-set production, Sophia has developed experience behind the camera and in the control room.
"I am always excited to learn, collaborate, and create work that connects with audiences" - Sophia
Nabiya Alexandra
Choreographer - Custom Designer - "Stacy"
A triple threat, well-rounded performer, Nabiya has been dancing since 2015 and singing since she was a child. Nabiya started choreographing material at a young age but started taking it seriously in 2019. She worked in costuming for 4 years with the Westcoast Black Theater Troupe and even debuted as a professional on-stage performer with them as well. Nabiya starred as Dijah in her first ever on-screen role for a short film titled "Ghost of Ghost Town"; a very exciting and mysterious tale about two lovers trapped in another world. Nabiya has a degree in Fashion Sustainability and Business. She is not just our costume designer, and choreographer, but she will be taking on the role of Stacy.
"I am so excited to continue growing my skills and bringing creative ideas to life" - Nabiya
Penelope Vaughn
Editor - Film and Script
Penelope is a filmmaker, editor, and storyteller. She has a passion for bringing ideas to life through compelling visuals. From award-winning student films to professional production and post-production work. Penelope enjoys crafting stories that connect with audiences.
"Whether behind the camera, in the edit suite, or on set...I am driven by creativity, collaboration, and a love for meaningful storytelling." - Penelope
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