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BVHS alumna works at doing what she loves
By By Alica P. Thiele
Challenger reporter
Challenger reporter
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EmailNovember 04. 2009 6:00AM
TV viewers might see a former Brandon woman flying through the air with a gaggle of raspberries on a commercial for Kraft Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette.
Or recently, they may have seen her portray a medical student on the TV series “House.”
They might see her in an upcoming episode of “Chuck,” if she gets the job. She auditioned last month.
Samantha Colburn has been earning a living as an actress since she graduated from Brandon Valley High School in 2001.
“You have a dream, you go for it, and sometimes you get lucky,” the 26-year-old said by phone from her West Hollywood home.
Colburn’s mother, Vicki Colburn, confirms that her daughter is a driven individual.
“She’s always been one of those kids that the parents didn’t push her, she pushed us,” Vicki Colburn said. “She likes challenges, and this is a big challenge for her.”
In high school, Samantha played the lead in “The Sound of Music” and “Bye Bye Birdie.”
Ann Sittig, an English teacher and drama director at Brandon Valley High School, said Colburn displayed a lot of natural talent but also worked hard. “She was sort of a perfectionist,” Sittig said. “She would work until the scene was perfectly polished.”
In college at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Colburn played the female lead in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
During and after college, she performed at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres before choosing between Broadway and Hollywood to further pursue her career.
“(Los Angeles) is all about youth,” she said, which helped her decide. “If it didn’t work out, I could always try Broadway.”
Competition is tough for roles, though, and it can be difficult even getting an agent. “So much is based on who you know and being in the right place at the right time,” she said. “All you can do is be ready.
And she is. Last spring, her mother was visiting her in California. As the women ate lunch in Malibu, Samantha’s phone rang. Her agent wanted her immediately for an audition for a Kraft commercial, so she went.
“She had to learn to eat a salad while jumping on a trampoline,” her mother said.
Samantha also is Joan the Office Girl on Office Depot’s “Survival of the Smartest” Webisodes online.
Her most recent job was as a medical student on Fox TV’s “House.” The action centers on a man whose male family members die from heart problems at age 40. The patient goes to House to try to avoid the same fate.
Samantha got to meet Hugh Laurie, who plays House, and Lisa Edelstein, who plays Dr. Lisa Cuddy.
Samantha said Laurie approached her and introduced himself during the taping of the scene. He was nice and gracious, she said.
Dennis Wrede, Brandon Valley High School speech teacher, said he has followed Samantha’s career from time to time.
“She definitely is loaded with talent and has all the tools to be successful,” he said.
“She can play any role, and I’m not surprised to see her breaking into the big time.”
“Samantha was, and is, multi-talented: singer, dancer, actor, flutist, harpist – and exceptionally good at each of those,” said Terry Gullickson, Brandon Valley High School choir director. “It is her unwavering determination and preparation that has gotten her where she is today. Any goal Samantha chooses, she has a course of action to achieve it.”
“I definitely can’t wait to do more,” Colburn said. “This is my foot in the door, and hopefully there will be more to come.”
Or recently, they may have seen her portray a medical student on the TV series “House.”
They might see her in an upcoming episode of “Chuck,” if she gets the job. She auditioned last month.
Samantha Colburn has been earning a living as an actress since she graduated from Brandon Valley High School in 2001.
“You have a dream, you go for it, and sometimes you get lucky,” the 26-year-old said by phone from her West Hollywood home.
Colburn’s mother, Vicki Colburn, confirms that her daughter is a driven individual.
“She’s always been one of those kids that the parents didn’t push her, she pushed us,” Vicki Colburn said. “She likes challenges, and this is a big challenge for her.”
In high school, Samantha played the lead in “The Sound of Music” and “Bye Bye Birdie.”
Ann Sittig, an English teacher and drama director at Brandon Valley High School, said Colburn displayed a lot of natural talent but also worked hard. “She was sort of a perfectionist,” Sittig said. “She would work until the scene was perfectly polished.”
In college at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Colburn played the female lead in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
During and after college, she performed at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres before choosing between Broadway and Hollywood to further pursue her career.
“(Los Angeles) is all about youth,” she said, which helped her decide. “If it didn’t work out, I could always try Broadway.”
Competition is tough for roles, though, and it can be difficult even getting an agent. “So much is based on who you know and being in the right place at the right time,” she said. “All you can do is be ready.
And she is. Last spring, her mother was visiting her in California. As the women ate lunch in Malibu, Samantha’s phone rang. Her agent wanted her immediately for an audition for a Kraft commercial, so she went.
“She had to learn to eat a salad while jumping on a trampoline,” her mother said.
Samantha also is Joan the Office Girl on Office Depot’s “Survival of the Smartest” Webisodes online.
Her most recent job was as a medical student on Fox TV’s “House.” The action centers on a man whose male family members die from heart problems at age 40. The patient goes to House to try to avoid the same fate.
Samantha got to meet Hugh Laurie, who plays House, and Lisa Edelstein, who plays Dr. Lisa Cuddy.
Samantha said Laurie approached her and introduced himself during the taping of the scene. He was nice and gracious, she said.
Dennis Wrede, Brandon Valley High School speech teacher, said he has followed Samantha’s career from time to time.
“She definitely is loaded with talent and has all the tools to be successful,” he said.
“She can play any role, and I’m not surprised to see her breaking into the big time.”
“Samantha was, and is, multi-talented: singer, dancer, actor, flutist, harpist – and exceptionally good at each of those,” said Terry Gullickson, Brandon Valley High School choir director. “It is her unwavering determination and preparation that has gotten her where she is today. Any goal Samantha chooses, she has a course of action to achieve it.”
“I definitely can’t wait to do more,” Colburn said. “This is my foot in the door, and hopefully there will be more to come.”
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Samantha Colburn, a 2001 graduate of Brandon Valley High School, has been making a living as an actress since she graduated. Last month, the Brandon native scored a guest role on "House." Submitted photo |  |
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