Actress and singer Samantha Elisofon co-starred in the award-winning film, Keep the Change, a romantic comedy that earned her a nomination for best actress at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, where the movie won best narrative film and best new director. Included in numerous film festivals around the world, KTC won the prestigious FIPRESCI prize (an international film critic’s award) along with special jury mention at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic. Samantha is an inaugural member of EPIC Players, a uniquely inclusive theater company for talented performers with (and without) disabilities. She also performs with DreamStreet Theatre Company. Samantha will be starring as Lucy in EPIC Players upcoming performance of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, at The Flea Theater November 16-20.
In addition, Samantha is the subject of the memoir, My Picture Perfect Family: What Happens When One Twin Has Autism. Written by Samantha’s mother Marguerite Elisofon, this book charts her family’s journey raising Samantha and her twin brother. Diagnosed with autism as a toddler, confronting dire predictions and negative stereotypes, Samantha started singing with perfect pitch at age 7 and graduated Pace University, cum laude.
Just Me (Samantha's Song)
Special thanks to Steve O’Connor for honoring Samantha with this original song.
Samantha Elisofon
Singer. Actress. Autism Ambassador.
Samantha’s Film: Keep the Change
Samantha in the Media
Hire Samantha to Perform
Samantha is a talented singer and actress who starred in the short and feature-length films Keep the Change and performs with E.P.I.C. Players and DreamStreet Theater Group in their plays and cabarets. She is available to share her talents as a singer, actress, and speaker. If you’d like to learn more, please contact her.
My Picture Perfect Family
What Happens When One Twin Has Autism
On December 26th, 1990 Marguerite Elisofon gave birth to twins: Samantha and Matthew. They soon learned that Samantha was on the autistic spectrum, and most “experts” weren’t optimistic about her chances for leading a normal life. But Marguerite and her family refused to accept these limitations. Twenty-three challenging years later, Samantha graduated from college . . . cum laude! My Picture Perfect Family tells their courageous story. It’s a tale of unconditional love, a portrait of authentic parenthood, and a message of hope to all families. Learn more
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Samantha’s Statement
If I were to give the best advice to parents of a child on the autistic spectrum, I’d suggest that they learn to be very patient and teach their son or daughter how to persevere in both their strengths and weaknesses and to pursue their passions. Give your children the confidence to explore the world and learn to be flexible. But the most important strategy is to set a wonderful example–keep on striving and never give up.”
