Contributor

Sarah Wayne Callies

Actress; IRC Voice

Sarah Wayne Callies has made an indelible impression on television audiences by portraying strong, independent women in adverse circumstances from Prison Break to The Walking Dead and, currently, USA Network's Colony

Callies was born in Illinois to two college professors and spent most of her childhood in Honolulu, Hawaii. Throughout her youth, she expressed her interest in acting by participating in numerous plays at the independent Punahou School. In 2002, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in classical acting from the National Theatre Conservatory in Denver. During her time there, Callies appeared in several stage productions with the Denver Center Theatre Company. Callies received a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Dartmouth College with a minor in Women’s Studies and a Senior Fellowship in Indigenous Theology.

In 2002, Callies became affiliated with the International Rescue Committee, (IRC) which helps to raise awareness about the humanitarian needs of refugees worldwide. They offer life-saving care and life changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. As the granddaughter of a refugee, this is a cause very close to her heart. In 2011, Callies was named an IRC Voice for the organization with whom she has traveled to Thailand, Jordan and Iraq.

Callies currently resides in British Columbia, Canada.

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