​Samantha Blain

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Samantha Blain is a Cuban American multidisciplinary artist, creative producer, and arts education leader. She grew up in a bilingual immigrant household filled with cooking, music, storytelling, and a deep appreciation for community and the arts;  values that continue to shape her work today.

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As a performer, Samantha has toured internationally with Missoula Children’s Theatre, directing and performing in Red Riding Hood: The Musical and launching its world-premiere Spanish-language adaptation. Her performance credits span Off-Broadway, regional theater, national tours, Broadway workshops, and TV/film. She has appeared at Ars Nova, New York City Center, BAM, The Drama League, York Theatre Company, New Victory Theater, La MaMa ETC., American Dance Machine, and Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and has collaborated with artists such as  Anika Noni Rose, James Monroe Iglehart, Kate Baldwin, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Audra McDonald.

Samantha is Co-Artistic Director of Hit The Lights! Co., a devised theater ensemble focused on puppetry arts and multidisciplinary storytelling. With HTL! she devises, produces, writes, and composes original theatrical work. Under her leadership, HTL! has been a Company-in-Residence at Ars Nova, earned an Off-Broadway Alliance Award nomination, is a Jim Henson Grantee, and collaborated with Vogue Magazine to be featured on their cover with Gigi Hadid. She has directed for New York City Children’s Theater, including their first-ever bilingual touring musical Cinco, and contributed as a writer in Bay Area Children’s Theater’s first POC-led Writers Room, co-authoring "Pocket Guide for Imaginary Friends". Her artistic work has been recognized with major funding, including support from NYSCA and the NYFA NYC Women’s Fund, among others.

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Beyond her artistic practice, Samantha is an active arts administrator, strategic leader, and community arts advocate. She is the founder of Queens Artist Connection (QAC), a borough-wide network that connects artists, cultural institutions to resources and creative opportunities. She serves on the board and administrative programs team of Broadway Bound Kids, supporting strategic planning, fundraising,  facilitating teaching artist training and programs development. Her educational leadership includes work with Atlantic Acting School, Arts Connection, a panelist for the Broadway Jr. Grant Program, and mentor for the Arthur Miller Foundation.

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Samantha holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College, is a Special Merit Award recipient from Atlantic Acting School, and is certified in Social Emotional Learning and Character Development through Rutgers University. She continues to advocate for children’s social-emotional health, arts access, and community-centered creative spaces.

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Across all her work (performing, directing, producing, or community-building) Samantha is committed to creating spaces where people feel welcomed, empowered, and connected through the arts.