In my experience, we find what we look for.
What you may not know about me…
I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and raised on the Jersey Shore. From the start, I loved school and theatre, which eventually led me to earn my MFA in Acting from UC Irvine, where I trained with legends like Robert Cohen and Jerzy Grotowski (who once gave me the unforgettable compliment of being “less boring”—woo-hoo!).
I studied history and voice at Oberlin College and Conservatory, following in the footsteps of a long line of performers in my family. My grandfather, Clem Dacey was a vaudeville singer with his own radio show, and my father—despite a career in nuclear physics—had a brilliant dramatic tenor voice. So I guess you could say theatre runs in my blood.
After grad school, I headed up to the Bay Area to begin my career, earn my Equity card, and cut my teeth in some of the finest theatres on the West Coast—TheatreWorks, Berkeley Rep, and Marin Theatre Company among them. Since then, I’ve built a career across stage, TV, and film, but my heart has always stayed close to the craft of storytelling.
I’m OUT and proud, and particularly passionate about new works that lift up women’s voices and the LGBTQ+ experience. My wife, Carol, and I have been together for over 30 years—and yes, we’ve got plenty of stories.
Alongside acting, I coach. I help actors sharpen their auditions, navigate the ever-changing waters of the business, and find their authentic artistic voice. Nothing gives me greater joy than watching another artist step into their power.
Beyond the stage, I have a few obsessions: all things British (yes, I’m a Bridgerton and Downton Abbey fan), a good cup of black tea with milk, and the perfect scone. I’m also an avid Tai Chi practitioner with the Taoist Tai Chi Society, a Vedic meditator (thanks to my teacher Mark Price), and for many years, I co-directed the Prayer Chaplain Ministry at Unity of New York, holding sacred space and prayer in confidence for congregants.
I’ve worn a lot of hats in my life—singing waitress, professional organizer, inspirational vocalist, and now, a produced playwright! But through it all, I keep circling back to the same thing: telling stories that connect us, heal us, and remind us who we are.
What It's Like to Work With Sarah
“Working with Sarah is a joy and a great learning experience. She brings deep insight and compassion to her characters and elevates it all with flawless technique. Sarah is an excellent collaborator and super smart!”
Sarah is a delight to work with — a team player in the best sense of the work — energetic, generous, grounded and brave.
“There is genuinely no one I would recommend working with more wholeheartedly than Sarah — she’s as thoughtful as she is talented, and brings so much depth to new work.”
“Sarah Dacey Charles is a director’s dream. She is beautiful, disarmingly funny, and has a voice that will knock your socks off.”