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1.) We’re very excited to have some time today with acclaimed actress and producer Sarah Mayer; greetings and salutations Sarah and a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for carving time out of a very busy schedule to speak with us and our ever-inquisitive readers here at Vents Magazine! Before we dive down the proverbial Q&A celluloid-lined rabbit hole, how is 2026 finding you and yours?
Hello and thank you so much for having me! 2026 has been busy for me which I’m super grateful for! So far so good!
2.) Major kudos and accolades on your bravura turn in the freshly-minted new major motion picture Carouselwhich received an electric welcome at the opening night at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival! Starting at the tip-top, can you explain to readers what Carousel is about and how your character of Chelsea figures into the proceedings?
Carousel is a romantic drama film following the full circle story of reuniting of past lovers in the cutest way imaginable. I have a small but pivotal role, my character Chelsea is a ticketing agent!
3.) Did you know as soon as the screenplay for Carousel from writer/director Rachel Lambert crossed your professional desk that this was a production you wanted to be a part of, both as an actress and as an executive producer?
Absolutely!! Once I read the script I knew it would be a hit and I knew I had to get involved in any way I could! Rachel is such a great writer, she really made a beautiful script and turned it into an even better movie!
4.) Speaking of your executive producer role on Carousel, this film marks your sophomore foray into producing; congrats! What about producing speaks to you as a creative artist? And is it difficult to compartmentalize your acting from your role as a producer?
I’ve always loved producing and all of the work that goes on behind the camera! There was a time in my life when I was too shy to tell people that I wanted to be an actress, so I just said I wanted to be a producer, be in the business of making movies! I ended up getting a lot of experience with different classes or workshops or short films and really fell in love with the movie making process. With more experience making movies, I luckily grew out of my shyness and really started chasing my dreams of being in front of the camera, which I so far love! I’m so grateful to be able to do both and to have gotten involved with such amazing scripts and productions being both in front of and behind the camera! I can only hope to continue playing both parts of being an actress and producer!
5.) As we noted a couple of questions back, the insanely gifted Rachel Lambert called the directing shots for Carousel! What was it like collaborating with Rachel on this production, both as an actress and as an executive producer? Is Rachel what some actors might refer to as ‘an actor’s director’?
Rachel was such a phenomenal director to work with! She wrote the script and knew exactly how she wanted it to look on film, and yes I would definitely say she’s an actors director, she made sure everyone felt welcome and comfortable on her set which I think is so important!
6.) And speaking of collaborations, the ensemble of actors which represent Carousel – Chris Pine, Katey Sagal, Jessica Harper, and Sam Waterson among others – is a tour de force of acting. What was it like exercising your own considerable acting chops alongside this amazing cast?
The whole cast is amazing and they did a great job with this whole film. Chris Pine was absolutely wonderful to work with, he made our scene so easy and natural! His energy on set was so kind and welcoming, which of course made my whole experience on set so much better!
7.) How did it feel to have Carousel kick off the opening night of the much-lauded Sundance Film Festival?
I’m so grateful to have been able to go to the last Sundance held in Park City with a movie that I’m in that’s opening the festival! So crazy! This was my first time at Sundance so I was truly amazed and in awe of every little sign I saw and everyone that I was able to meet! I’m eager to get to go to more and more film festivals!
8.) Word ‘round industry campfire has it that, hot on the heels of the release of Carousel, you have no less than four new films as an actress in the pipeline, along with another stint as an executive producer on the upcoming film Best Pancakes in the County – Wow and congratulations again! Can you give readers a hint or three as to what they can expect from the three new films as well as your latest venture into producing?
It seems in this industry there’s always something going on or coming up! I’m not even sure which 4 you were talking about because there’s 4 more now hahaha! Every script I’ve gotten to read and get involved with has been different than the last! Every production has its own unique challenges to overcome, which has been great for me to be able to experience and learn as much as I can!
9.) Can you talk about some of the folks both in and out of the world of cinema who have served as inspirations for you professionally-speaking?
My dad has been teaching me the importance of work ethic and staying true to one’s word since I was a kid. I remember being annoyed about it when I was younger but now I’m incredibly grateful because I think that mindset really helps with the 5am call times or all night shoots! On the first real budget production I was a part of, Raja Collins took me under his wing as a producer and helped to teach me everything I know now as well as introduce me to more filmmakers and expand my networking web! I’m so so grateful for his mentorship and continuous help in my career so far!
10.) Now that you’re well on the way of conquering the world of producing, might we look for you to branch out into writing and directing? Is this something you might one day like to pursue?
Maybe one day down the line I could see myself directing, however I think my talents behind the camera are more in the producing field! I definitely have ideas for movies that I would love to see come to life, however writing is a gift I fear I wasn’t blessed with- but I should never say never!
11.) Final – SILLY! – Question: Favorite movie about the making of movies – Living in Oblivion, The Player, Barton Fink, Hollywood Shuffle, or The Big Picture?
I absolutely love this question because when I was 14 I saw the Hollywood Shuffle for the first time and it just confirmed what I already thought to be true- I need to be a part of it, I need to make movies!
