Sam Snedden
Actor
Sam Snedden is a versatile actor, director, and producer who graduated from Toi Whakaari in 2005. Since then he has worked across a wide range of genres and styles, whether treading the boards, gracing our screens, or behind the scenes.
Sam has appeared in numerous local TV series, including Shortland Street, The Brokenwood Mysteries, Educators, Rurangi, International Emmy award winner Inside, and most recently Madam. Theatrical highlights include The Book of Everything, The Pride, Gravity and Grace, King Lear and Life is a Dream, reflecting his versatility in both contemporary and classic works.
Beyond acting, Sam has made a significant contribution as a theatre producer and director. From 2011 - 2017 he ran Auckland's Basement Theatre, transforming it into a thriving hub for artist development.
His directing credits include Abigail's Party, a sharp exploration of social dynamics, The Wasp, a bold contemporary piece; the award winning Burn Her, and Night of the Living Dead. His first feature film as a producer, Workmates, is currently in post production, slated for a 2025 release.
Sam's emotional intelligence, ability to connect with audiences, and commitment to collaborative storytelling are evident in this work, as is his understanding of artists and the broader performance landscape.
Sam is currently Head of Acting at Aucklands' Unitec Performing Arts School.
Full Biography
2024 - Madam - Stephen (recurring) - Tavake/XYZ Productions
2023 - Rurangi - Murray - Autonomouse
2023 - The Brokenwood Mysteries - Martyn Travers (recurring) - South Pacific Pictures
2022 - Raised by Refugees - Shane - Kevin & Co
2021 - Heaven & Hell: The Centrepoint Story - Det. Dene Thomas - Warner Bros.
2020 - Educators - Mens Group Counsellor - South Pacific Pictures
2020 - Inside - Sam James (lead) - Luminous Beast
2020 - Shortland Street - Colin Peterson (recurring) - South Pacific Pictures
2020 - Power Rangers: Beast Morphers - Factory Worker - Allspark Pictures
2019 - Fresh Eggs - Swede - Warner Bros
2018 - Westside - Erroll - South Pacific Pictures
2013 - Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Guard - Starz
2010 - Legend of the Seeker - Young Panis Rahl - ABC
2009 - The Cult - Alex - Great Southern Television
Feature Film
2017 - 6 Days - Sim Harris - Director - Toa Fraser
Web-series
2017 - Psusy - Ray - Director - Jaya Beach-Robertson
2017 - Awkward Love - Michael - Director - Emmett Skilton
Short Film
2024 - Lucky Luke - Homeowner - Director - Jesse Griffin
2011 - We Regret - Sam - Director - Louis Mendiola
2008 - Bully - Principal - Director/s - Louis Mendiola and Gareth Van Niekerk
Theatre
2024 - Gravity and Grace - Various - Director - Eleanor Bishop
2019 - A Frickin Dangerous Spacemass - Captain Chip / Vlad - Director - Jane Younge
2016 - Perplex - Sam - Director - Sophie Roberts - Silo Theatre
2015 - The Book of Everything - Able Klopper - Director - Sophie Roberts - Silo Theatre
2014 - Once on Chunuk Bair - Harkness - Director - Ian Mune - Auckland Theatre Company
2012 - Private Lives - Victor - Director - Shane Bosher - Silo Theatre
2012 - The Pride - Various - Director - Sophie Roberts - Silo Theatre
2011 - Yours Truly - Walther Sickert - Director - Ander Falstie Jensen
2011 - The Only Child - Alfred - Director - Shane Bosher - Silo Theatre
2010 - Mojo - Skinny Luke - Director - Jeff Szusterman
2009 - Loot - Meadows - Director - Michael Hurst - Silo Theatre
2009 - Life's a Dream - Segismundo - Director - Michael Hurst - Silo Theatre
2009 - Backstory (devised) - Various - Director - Oliver Driver - Silo Theatre
2008 - Guardians - English Boy - Director - Damon Andrews - BATS Theatre
2008 - Rabbit - Richard - Director - Bruce Phillips - Circa Theatre
2007 - King Lear - Edgar - Director - David Lawrence - Fortune Theatre
2007 - The Hollow Men - Matthew Hooten - Director - Jonty Hendry - BATS Theatre
2015 - The Book of Everything - Winner - Best Ensemble - Auckland Theatre Awards