From Curious Kid to Faith-Based Producer: Sharonne Lanier's Journey
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Sharonne Lanier shares her inspiring journey from a curious child in Miami, Florida, to a faith-based actress and producer in Atlanta. Her passion for storytelling was ignited in fourth grade when she won an oratorical contest with Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, realizing the power of words. Despite limited access to training and industry connections, she pursued theater at the University of Central Florida, choosing the demanding Bachelor of Fine Arts program after her mother’s spiritual encouragement. Her first professional role came during college through a gospel choir audition that led to a national tour. She later moved to Atlanta, where she transitioned from stage to TV film, learning the nuances of on-camera acting and eventually securing representation. Over 17 years, she witnessed Atlanta’s rise as a major production hub and now co-owns K-Russo Productions, creating faith-driven stories that inspire hope. Her work, including the upcoming short film 'Daisy,' has impacted lives globally, including a powerful story from Uganda. Sharon emphasizes perseverance, faith, and community as keys to success in creative fields.
Start with curiosity—your questions can plant the seeds of a lifelong passion.
Trust your calling even when the path is unclear; faith and persistence are foundational.
Learn the craft through immersive experiences like background work and student films before seeking representation.
Networking is not optional—connect authentically, even in uncomfortable settings.
Create content that reflects your values; purpose-driven work has lasting impact.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Spark: A Curious Kid's First Step
“That was the seed that was planted until the, to this day, I'm just so thankful for that teacher because I don't know when the seed would have been planted if it wasn't planted then.”
Breaking Barriers: Training and the Power of Faith
Despite no family background in acting, Sharonne pursued theater at UCF, choosing the rigorous BFA track over a double major after her mother’s spiritual encouragement: 'Don’t run from it.' She gained hands-on experience in stagecraft, learned to handle rejection, and developed resilience—critical for a future in the industry.
First Break: From Choir to National Tour
“I remember my mom being like, be careful, you know? Because it's like now I'm taking these flights and I'm going on tour buses all by myself. So it was like, oh yeah, I'm a real grown up now.”
Building a Career: Atlanta and the Shift to TV Film
After a two-year stint with a faith-based theater company in Houston, Sharonne moved to Atlanta—then not a major production hub—to pursue TV film. She started with background work, learned the rhythm of film sets, and realized the financial and time advantages of TV over stage, leading her to focus her career on film.
The Faith-Based Vision: Producing Hope
“Before watching that, she had plans to kill herself and her baby. But after watching, she decided that was no longer an option. And she just surrendered everything to God and she and her baby are alive.”
“Before watching that, she had plans to kill herself and her baby. But after watching, she decided that was no longer an option. And she just surrendered everything to God and she and her baby are alive.”
“That was the seed that was planted until the, to this day, I'm just so thankful for that teacher because I don't know when the seed would have been planted if it wasn't planted then.”
“Keep going. Again, I say like when you know that God has called you to do something just keep going.”
Host
Guest
Sharonne Lanier
person
Jordan Mendoza
person
Atlanta, Georgia
place
K-Russo Productions
organization
Orlando, Florida
place
University of Central Florida
organization
Tyler Perry
person
Martin Luther King Jr.
person
Daisy
media
80 Players
organization
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