Ami Sallee Corley | Performer & Mentor

Photo by Will Staples

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The stage was her place to shine, especially for the youngest in a family of educators and musicians where standing out was tough. “When we moved to Florida, it allowed me to shed others’ expectations and redefine who I was,” says Ami, a Tampa stage actress, director and creative mentor. The Indiana native, who has earned rave reviews for her comedic performances, finds comfort in connecting with an audience. “A comedic role opens up your soul, and audiences receive that,” she says. An active supporter of local arts, Ami serves on the Board of Directors for The Jobsite Theater and works closely with other Bay area theater companies. “Some people must paint portraits or count beans,” she says. “For me, it’s performing.” Ami also mentors and recruits young performers for the Patel Conservatory scholarship program. “You have to seriously find joy in what you do. Being active in the arts, teaching the arts, encouraging others to create art—they bring me joy.”