Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Claiborne.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story begins with me growing up in the Nashville area. Throughout my childhood I was an athlete who was also heavily involved in performing arts. I was mostly a dancer, singer, and soccer player. My mom directed children’s choir, and I believe I sang for the first time on stage at the age of two. I performed in my first musical at the age of four. I have been surrounded by art and creativity my entire life!
Even with all of the artistic influences and opportunities, I never had aspirations for being a performer professionally. I played college soccer, and I finished my education with a BA in Christian Education. This was also when I married my high school sweetheart, Al. I then went into the world of childcare. I worked within that space for several years before attending Tennessee School of Beauty in Knoxville to earn my license to be an aesthetician. I worked in the beauty industry for quite some time. That was until I had my twins and chose to stay home, here in East Tennessee.
I eventually felt the pull to go back to work, but I wasn’t sure in what capacity. I had been a theater actress, stage manager, and director for nearly a decade by this point as a volunteer. I also had a part-time job as a youth theater director at our local private school. It was the thing I did for myself as a mom, and I loved the work. But still, the pull to do something more kept coming. God then led me to sign up for a program called Shine Talent Success (with Carey Lewis and Glynis Carpenter) which allowed me to put all of my random skills into one marketable package. By the time I was finished, I was signed with a commercial agent, and thus my professional acting career began!
While I am still acting, my path has shifted into creating. I now own a creative studio called Collaborative Entertainment Collective. Based in Greeneville, Tennessee, we are a creative networking facility that gathers creatives of all types together to make projects. This year alone we filmed a short film and a limited vertical web series. Two of our members wrote stage plays. We have social media content being created. And so much more on the horizon. We have many projects in the works! We also host classes (both in person and online) to help promote growth of skills and creative community. It has been the wildest ride, and we’re just getting started!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are certainly struggles for all people in all things. I have definitely encountered them myself. But you can’t enjoy the high points without some low ones! Roadblocks have a way of becoming detours into something different, and sometimes those detours are even better than the initial path. I would say my biggest struggle in the past is also my superpower in the present. I have moved in my life a lot of times. A LOT of times. And when you live like that (if you know you know), it is hard to see anything as more than temporary. That being said, I know a lot of people, and I know how to meet people. Meeting people and connecting people is half of what I do!
It has been interesting to move into a new career field at this stage of my life. I feel secure in who I am, and I feel like I have the ability to make choices with a bit more wisdom than if I had started this when I was younger. I care VERY much about what I do, but I also know that it isn’t the most important thing. Since I started Collaborative Entertainment Collective in October of 2025, the struggle has been learning. There is so much to learn as a business owner and as a creative. However, if I’m going to do something, I want it to be interesting. This work with my new studio is never dull. I’m learning new things every single day!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Being a stage and tv/film actress is what I do. I am a performer. I am a choreographer. I am a theater director. I have directed some film projects. I have written some film projects. But all of that is completely secondary to who I am as a woman of faith and a mother and a wife and a sister and a daughter and a lover of travel and nature and plants. I love having fun and encouraging others to have fun too.
I specialize in being a cheerleader for people pursuing their creative endeavors. I genuinely love to see people win! There aren’t a lot of rules anymore for how to make creative projects. There are so many ways to get work out there, and I love seeing people step into the ownership of their creativity. Even if it is just for fun. ESPECIALLY if it is just for fun. We should absolutely give ourselves opportunities to do the things we love and enjoy.
I’m not sure that I am known for anything specific. Most people do NOT know who I am, which is fine with me. I want to uplift others anyway! If I am known for anything by those in my circle, I would say I am known for being good at decluttering. I love minimalism, and I spend time helping others downsize clutter in order to gain some freedom from maintaining unneeded stuff (items, emails, ideas, fears, office supplies, self-perceptions, all sorts of things).
I am most proud of my family. I do not exaggerate when I say I have the coolest kids and husband. They are kind and funny and smart. They love to get their friends together to do stuff outside that is hard, exciting, and involves a lot of endurance (endurance that I need, but don’t have). My kids are creative in ways that I will never be. Their ideas are always fun and surprising. They challenge me to think outside the box. They are excellent mountain bikers. It is truly amazing to me. They inspire me every single day!
What sets me apart? The only thing I can think of is that I am not afraid to explore my creative ideas. I will follow any type of creative path in multiple ways until a decision is made for the correct avenue to pursue it. And, yes, some things I will pursue in multiple ways simply because I can and I want to. Isn’t that fun?
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I can clap with one hand! It’s a really weird talent. If you just tried it, I applaud you (with one hand). I also make balloon animals (not well).
Pricing:
- Collaborative Entertainment Collective Classes (more virtual classes coming soon!)
- $10 per class
- $30 for the whole month
- $25 per month for on-going membership
Contact Info:
- Website: https://imdb.me/saraclaiborne
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraclaiborneofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollaborativeEntertainmentCollective
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cec.circle
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/cec.circle/
