About Me

Hi!  I’m Collin Sanderson.  I’m a California-based performer from Irvine, California.  I’ve worked regionally on both coasts at theatre’s including The Marriott Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Little Theatre on the Square, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Lythgoe Family Panto, and many more.  I’m a proud member of AEA and alumni of CCPA and OCSA.  I’m also an NTP and founder of Sanderson Health.  Scroll down to read about my story and career below.

Be Happy. Be Healthy.

MY STORY:

Growing up:

I’m a twin!  That’s right, I have a fraternal twin brother.  Growing up, we were always together in classic twin style.  My parents fostered our gift of singing by encouraging us to audition for The All-American Boys Chorus.  Who doesn’t want to be wearing those cool red blazers and sunglasses singing “California Girls”?  Well, after our first audition ever… my brother & I both got “cast” (as they say).  We started singing professionally with the chorus at the age of 9 and toured the world for 5 years to Canada, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, and all over the United States.  I became a world traveler at the age of 10.  How many people can say they toured the world singing in a professional boys choir for 5 years with their twin brother?  Mind. Blown!

Education:

My second audition was for a spot in the Music & Theatre conservatory at a school called OCSA.  After some waiting, I received my acceptance letter to the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) in Santa Ana, CA.  It was this sanctuary of a school that helped develop me as an artist and gave me the tools to succeed.  My studies at OCSA led me to pursue a degree in theatre at the collegiate level at The Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University (under the head of Luis Perez).  I know what you’re thinking, why would I ever want to move away from sunny California?  I must be crazy!  Well, I actually love the cold (I know!) and I love the city of Chicago.  After 4 years of training there, I graduated (with Honors) in 2015 with my BFA in Musical Theatre.

Real Life As An Actor:

I was incredibly blessed to have worked a lot post-graduation.  The first two jobs I booked right after graduating were  The Little Theatre on the Square for their summer season, where I played Lucas Beineke in “The Addams Family”; and Elf The Musical at The Marriott Theatre (directed and choreographed by the brilliant Mark Robin).  I booked 2 gigs back-to-back and joining the Equity Membership Candidate Program (EMC) right away. It was a dream!  I made a career in Chicago returning to The Marriott Theater many times, making my debut at Theatre at the Center and some other store-front theatres (what Chicago is known for) along the way.  Then one day, that glorious moment came… I had earned enough points to join The Actor’s Equity Association.  But, at the same time I was also cast under an equity contract for my next gig!  Funny how that worked out.

How I Joined AEA:

So, I like to say I joined the Actor’s Equity Association in 2017, by signing an equity contract with Lythgoe Family Panto for their production of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell: A Pirates Christmas (directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Mario Mosley) in San Diego, California.  That show gave me my equity card and gave me some extra time with my family over the holidays.  It was the greatest gift.

After joining the union, I had my most fruitful year in 2018 – booking two contracts at The Fireside Theatre  and working with the Tony nominated director/choreographer Denis Jones in his production of Holiday Inn at The Marriott Theatre.  That year, I had worked the most consistently as an equity actor than I had as a non-union actor.  Again, a huge blessing.

NYC Bound:

After finishing Holiday Inn, I made the move to New York City in February 2019.  Boy was it hard work!  After 7 months of auditioning in the city, taking class, and moving in-and-out of 5 different sublets, I made my east coast debut in An American in Paris at Westchester Broadway Theatre, directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford.  Over the course of 2019, I was in callbacks for shows on Broadway, National Tours, and New Works.  I am extremely grateful for those opportunities.  An American in Paris was the last show I did, right before the Covid 19 Pandemic hit the United States.

Where am I now?

Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, I relocated back home to California to pursue my love of nutrition.  I graduated with my certificate as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner in July 2021.  I founded Sanderson Health and offer nutrition coaching and lifestyle tips to performers so that they can live a thriving/energized life and excel in their careers.  Sanderson Health bridges the gap between having an intense and demanding career vs. properly fueling the body to become resilient and build strength and longevity in said career.

Thank you’s

I want to thank my mentors Shanna VanderWerker & Justin Brill and my business partner Nate Plummer at Stage Door Unlocked for their constant support and advisement.  A huge thank you goes to my incredible parents for believing in me through every high and every low of my journey.  Lastly, thank you to my twin brother Garrett Sanderson for designing this beautiful website.  You’re the best bro!

Stay tuned for the rest of my story…

Be Happy. Be Healthy.