Meet Sophia Alawi

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sophia Alawi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sophia below.

Hi Sophia , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I, most certainly, get my resilience from my mother. She is a woman who has had close to know resources in her life and many set backs but has never let herself give up. Even though she was a black Muslim immigrant woman and America has told her again and again that she is not considered “valuable” in this society. She does not see herself that way. I’ve watched her, throughout my life refuse to believe that narrative. Even when the people in her life have called her crazy and dream unrealistic.

The other layer of this is both my parents projected there senses of inadequacy by being hyper critical. I believe that this allowed me to also mindful and very thoughtful about all of the decisions I’ve made in my life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I originally hail from Hudson County, New Jersey. I am a proud first generation Moroccan-Italian American. I am a graduate of Rider University, Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Musical Theater. I am a bi-coastal actor, singer-songwriter & writer. I also have a side hustle as a vocal coach.

Over the years, I’ve refined my craft at studios like Stella Adler, The Barrow Group, & T’ Schreiber in NYC.

In 2019, I began my journey as a writer and have dedicated myself to creating stories for the MENA community which is one of the most under represented groups in the industry. 2019 was also the year that got me to the Bay Area. I booked a musical out here and have found it difficult to leave ever since.

I’ve been nominated 3 times for a San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award. I won in 2019 for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Groundhog Day The Musical and was named one of “Five Standout Performances” in 2019 by the Houston Chronicle for the role of Wendla in Spring Awakening. I was also a 2022 Theater Bay Area’s RHE Artistic Fellowship Nominee. TV credits include a Co Star role on season 24 of Law & Order SVU.

Currently, I am working on the musical ‘Nobody Loves You’ at the tony award winning theater ACT in San Francisco with Tony Award winning Director, Pam MacKinnon.

In regards to my writing, I’ve cultivated mostly screenplays.. ‘Hayawan’ a dramedy pilot and online series that takes you inside the mind of a Muslim girl living in New Jersey 9/11 America. I conceived ‘Hayawan’ in 2020 and have been developing the story and sharing the journey online ever since.

Currently, I am developing the short film, ‘Lioness’. A short about a young woman in 1970’s Morocco who coaches the town’s first girls’ soccer team and challenges tradition by inspiring her players to dream beyond their limits. The short film is sponsored by the non-profit Aviva Arts.

This past January, I had a very successful fundraiser for the film at San Francisco’s Red Poppy Art House. That fundraiser was just the beginning of the fundraising journey for the film. You can learn more about how to support the film by visiting sophiaalawi.com/lioness.

My inner creative force extends beyond the realms of acting and writing. In addition to writing screenplays. I am also a singer songwriter, recently making my release of my first single, “Attachment Theory,” in March 2024. Currently, she is immersed in the production of her first album, pouring her heart into creating a blend of different music styles with meaningful lyrics. With a focus on embracing diversity and delving into complexities of human emotions, I hope my music will resonate with audiences across various mediums.

I continue to push myself to achieve my goals. I truly believe, when one is achieved then it’s time to go onto the next. I’m excited by the continuing to learn and grow my artistry. I work everyday to improve by educating myself, learning new skills & improving my communication skills.

I love being a working actor and telling stories. It was what I was put on this earth to do. I unapologetically love to make a living off of my art. It validates all of the hard work I do. I am so driven by being an entrepreneur and an artist.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Tenacity, Focus & Curiosity

At the beginning of my acting journey, I had very few resources. I was raised in a first-generation Muslim household in the lowest socioeconomic bracket. My parents didn’t have the means or time to invest in voice, acting, or dance classes for me. I had to learn all my skills on my own, funding my own training. I had to keep trying, keep failing, and keep picking myself up again.

The ability to refocus on your vision after periods of rest is an invaluable skill. It’s so easy to become complacent or distracted, but staying committed to your goals is essential.

Stay curious about new art forms, places, and people—this will only enrich your work and make you a more well-rounded artist. Curiosity also means consistently thinking outside the box. Sometimes, an unconventional approach can lead you to achieving your goals in a way that works better and faster for you!

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I feel so grateful that I get to meet so many incredible creatives on a regular basis. As an actor in the industry, I encounter like-minded people whom I can also learn from.

When it comes to my music, I would love to meet more musicians who are also entrepreneurs and have access to resources.

In the theater and film/TV industry, I am constantly looking to connect with more casting directors, agents, managers, photographers, publicists, directors, writers, and composers. I am so fortunate to have met many already, but I say—more! The more, the merrier! There is no limit to the relationships you can build with people. There is no limit to the abundance you can give and receive from those relationships.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

First Image @brynnowenphotography

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,