Samuel Jackson II

MFA Acting Candidate at Columbia University

New York, New York, United States

About

Experience

  • Admissions Counselor at University of Notre Dame
    Sep 2020 - Jul 2021 · 11 mos

    - Assess and evaluate undergraduate applications - Manage recruitment, file reading, and yield efforts in both domestic and international territories - Manage relationships with prospective applicants, their parents, high school personnel, and alumni - Work to increase college access by identifying potential community partners nationwide, and create materials for counselors to utilize when meeting with these organizations during recruitment travel - Assist in the planning and facilitation of yield weekend programs for high-talent admitted students

  • University of Notre Dame ()
    • Official Mascot: 55th University Leprechaun
      Apr 2019 - May 2020 · 1 yr 2 mos

      - Second Black student in University history selected as the primary student ambassador through an extensive and multi-round application process - Interacted with fans, students, alumni, and other spectators at 2019-2020 sporting events - Student representative and speaker at University events and conferences with the University President, Vice President, Provost, and large donor committees - Lead community events both in South Bend and across the nation, including Stanford’s Children Hospital in California - Interviewed and written about in articles by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Huffington Post, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and others

    • FTT Department Playwright
      Apr 2019 - Mar 2020 · 1 yr

      - Using past coursework and design thinking methodologies, I explored the local sub-languages and sub-cultures of queer, Afro-Brazilian communities in Rio de Janeiro to uncover how language is used to experience the world and orient self-perceptions. - My findings were used to write the "The Tea On ND" (an acerbic one-act play and linguistic exploration of race, sexuality, class, and mental health within the ND community), produced as a mainstage production in the 2019-2020 FTT season. - Received full-funding through Notre Dame's FTT department and the Summer Language Abroad Grant for intensive cultural study and language acquisition. - Granted the 2020 Frederic Syburg Award for outstanding work in playwriting and literature.

  • The School at Steppenwolf Residency Actor at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
    Jun 2018 - Aug 2018 · 3 mos

    - Selected to participate in the highly selective The School At Steppenwolf program, in which I developed as both an ensemble actor and individual performer. - Further developed my artistry by approaching the craft of acting through emotional, physical, intellectual, and instinctual lenses. - Honed my technical performance skills as both an ensemble actor and an individual performer through daily Meisner, Improvisation, Text Analysis, Voice, and Viewpoints classes. - Performed as Luke in an abridged version of "Dance Nation" by Clare Barron in the Upstairs Theatre to industry professionals. - Attended masterclasses and worked with experienced industry professionals such as Anna D. Shapiro, Amy Morton, Jeff Perry, and Omar Metwally.

  • TEDx Speaker at TED Conferences
    2018 - 2018 · Less than a year

    Selected by the University of Notre Dame to speak at their TEDx event, presenting the talk “Dare to Let the Arts Transform You” to in-person and online streaming audiences.

  • Alabama State Facilitator; Spoken Word Instructor at Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership
    2015 - 2018 · 3 yrs

    - Organized leadership seminars, lead community service events, and devised leadership-themed theatre for over 300 high school Alabama sophomores. - Appointed by the National Vice Chair of Programs to create, develop, and implement a Spoken Word curriculum at the HOBY World Leadership Conference in Chicago, IL. - Guided over 50 international high school students through several activities, culminating in the creation of an anthology of student poems presented in a public spoken word performance.