NYWIFT Blog

By Lily Della Pietra

Welcome to NYWIFT, Sara Beneke!

Sara Beneke is an actress and model, born and raised in Minnesota. There, she discovered her love of the arts through community theater and studio dance. Since moving to New York, she’s had the opportunity to work in a variety of theater and film production while studying at HB Studio. 

Passionate about the crossover of arts and education, she has recently partnered with a local elementary school developing “Readers Theater” productions. Sara is eager to be joining the NYWIFT community through the Next Wave Program.

Sara discusses her roots, her experiences as an actress and model, and upcoming projects she is working on!

NYWIFT Member Sara Beneke

Welcome to NYWIFT! Introduce yourself briefly to our readers!

Hi NYWIFT! My name is Sara Beneke, and I am an actress and model, originally from Minnesota. I have been living in the city for three years now.

What brought you to NYWIFT?

Since beginning to study at HB Studio, I have not only received incredible training, but mentorship. One of my instructors, for whom I am the “teaching assistant,” has been generous with career advice. She introduced me to the NYWIFT community.

Sara Beneke BTS

What inspired you to become an actress and model, and how did your journey begin?

Pretty much all of my early memories involve being drawn to the arts. My first loves were dance and singing, acting came quickly after. At six, I was already begging my mom to sign me up to play Mary in our church’s Christmas pageant. 

Through elementary and middle school, I continued with school production opportunities. It wasn’t until later that I returned to acting, actually encouraged by my agent when I began modeling. What initially started as a path to submit for commercial roles ignited what felt like an old, familiar passion and calling. 

Sara Beneke in theater

Can you tell us about your experience in theater and how you feel it has influenced your work as an actress?

I believe beginning in the theater has benefited me in many ways. Not only do I think it has helped me refine my technique, but it has also taught me to love the process while releasing the outcome. You might rehearse for months and months for a three-show run, at which point you almost have to just surrender the result. It’s freeing and terrifying and exhilarating all at once. Theater has taught me how to hold all those emotions, while staying in the moment, scene to scene. 

You have an incredible range of experience as both an actress and model. What have been the most exciting or challenging aspects of these fields?

I didn’t know what to expect when moving to New York and beginning to grow in acting/modeling. My most natural and default state is being a student. It can be exciting and daunting to know there is always more to learn. What brings me comfort is looking to people whose careers and work I admire. It’s reassuring to hear that wherever they are in their careers, they are always growing and learning. 

Sara Beneke on film

What has been the most fulfilling project you’ve worked on so far, and what made it special for you?

Recently, I’ve been exploring writing. My friend is a second grade teacher in the city, and we are working to create a “reader’s theater” program for her class! I am very passionate about education as a whole and the preservation of arts in schools. Over time, I would love to scale a program like this and find more ways to make the arts more accessible to kids.

Sara Beneke with cast

Are there any projects you are currently working on or would like to explore in the future?

I am starting rehearsals for a production titled Searching For Willie Lynch at the Actor’s Temple that I am so honored to be a part of. We follow three families, from three different eras, who live in the same home in southern Louisiana. It is a difficult and beautiful story of resilience, trauma, and family, centered around the black experience. 

Phibe, the character I play, is from the earliest of the three families (1925). One, I love to do an accent…I LOVE to do an accent. Two, I have always wanted to be in historical/period pieces. Three, and most importantly, this is a story not only of trauma and struggle, but of unity, love, and the power of the Black community. 

Connect with Sara Beneke on Instagram @sara_benekeke and via her website sarabeneke.com

(images courtesy of Sara Beneke)