The Sarnia Journal has partnered with local photographer Art Connolly to feature his captivating “Humans of Sarnia” series as he delves into the lives and experiences of everyday people in Sarnia/Lambton.
When you first meet Jessica Alexandria, you quickly sense that her mind is always moving — a whirlwind of imagination, ambition, and determination. Originally from London, Ontario, Jessica moved to Sarnia four years ago, bringing with her an energy that seems to ignite every project she touches.
Jessica grew up the youngest of three siblings, with two older brothers. Her early education was split between public school and homeschooling — a transition that, in hindsight, may have encouraged her independent streak and love of creative exploration. But her journey as a storyteller didn’t truly begin until the world paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was bored at home with really nothing to do,” she recalls with a laugh. “So, I started writing. I started with horror stories — which was crazy because when I started, I hated horror. I was terrified of everything. I just started writing, and it came out horror.”
From those first experiments in fiction, Jessica discovered a voice she didn’t know she had. Her imagination found a home in the shadows — where fear, drama, and emotion intertwine. In March 2025, she published her first novel, The Murder Society, a fast-paced action-drama thriller. But her path to publication wasn’t easy. “I originally published it through a company in March of 2024,” she explains. “Unfortunately, it didn’t work out, so I fought to get my rights back. Once I did, I republished it myself.”
That determination — to take control of her work and chart her own creative course — has become a defining part of Jessica’s story.
Since then, she’s completed her second novel, The Happy Pills, a chilling exploration of addiction with a psychological and horror-thriller twist.
But writing is just one outlet for Jessica’s creativity. Her interest in filmmaking began years ago when she took part in a youth theatre program in London. “I got to be in a couple of musical plays, and I’ve always loved movies,” she says. “But I actually found the behind-the-scenes part even more interesting — how they’re made and put together.”
That fascination evolved into a bold venture of her own — the creation of Grimrose Studios, a local production company she founded in Sarnia. “The official mission statement,” Jessica explains, “is that we strive to help new actors, new filmmakers, and screenwriters take their first steps and get their names known. We help people with no experience get experience.”
It’s not just talk — in the past two years alone, Grimrose Studios has helped over 70 aspiring creatives gain hands-on experience in film and audio production. Among their standout projects is The Tear-Stained Throne, an audio drama series now streaming on Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music.
Running a growing creative studio isn’t easy — especially when it relies heavily on volunteers — but Jessica thrives on the challenge. “A lot of people who are new to the industry are willing to volunteer because they want that first experience,” she says. “For The Tear-Stained Throne, we’ve had around 20 people in the returning cast and about 10 to 15 per season. It’s been amazing watching everyone learn and grow.”
And if that weren’t enough, Jessica somehow finds time to volunteer in multiple other creative spaces around the community. “I also volunteer at Cogeco,” she says. “I help with broadcasting. I worked on the Sarnia Imperials football games doing instant replay and graphics, and I do graphics and camera work for the Sting games too.”
Her enthusiasm extends beyond production and performance — Jessica also gives back through mentorship. For the past two years, she has worked with Rebound’s Act II Theatre Program, which helps local youth develop emotional and social skills through the performing arts, particularly those facing barriers or belonging to marginalized communities, including 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth. “I’ve been their acting consultant,” she says. “I run scenes with them, help them with character development, memorizing lines — it’s so rewarding.”
Jessica’s creative footprint in Sarnia keeps growing. She served as media manager for a local FIRST Robotics Team, producing a documentary that gave her a crash course in robotics and storytelling. She’s also an usher and set designer at the Imperial Theatre, contributing to multiple productions and continuing to build her understanding of live stage work.
While her calendar might sound exhausting to most, for Jessica, it’s all connected. “I like working with Cogeco because it’s helping me learn how to broadcast for live TV — skills I’ll need in the film industry,” she says. “Ushering and set design at the Imperial Theatre help me understand stage management and production flow. My goal is to become a director, producer, and filmmaker — and to build a career in this industry.”
Her vision is clear, but what makes Jessica truly stand out is her drive to uplift others. She believes Sarnia-Lambton’s creative community is a rich environment for collaboration and growth. “I’ve made so many connections here — both in writing and filmmaking,” she says. “It’s unbelievable.”
For now, Jessica balances her many artistic pursuits with her day job at No Frills, but even there, her spark doesn’t fade. Whether she’s working a shift, directing a scene, or writing a new chapter, Jessica approaches everything with the same boundless enthusiasm.
She’s an author, filmmaker, teacher, designer, volunteer, and community builder — all rolled into one. And she’s just getting started.
So, if you ever meet Jessica Alexandria, you’ll likely leave the conversation feeling inspired — and maybe a little out of breath just listening to all she does. Her story is a reminder that creativity isn’t confined to one path. It’s a current — ever-moving, ever-expanding — much like Jessica herself.
To learn more about Jessica’s work or to get involved in one of her projects, visit Grimrose Studios and keep an eye out for her upcoming releases. In a world where many wait for opportunities, Jessica creates them — and Sarnia is brighter for it.
Humans of Sarnia founder Art Connolly is a man fuelled by curiosity and a passion for connecting with people in Sarnia. Inspired by the renowned “Humans of New York” series, with a camera in hand, he captures the very essence of the individuals he encounters, preserving their stories through his lens. Follow his series on Instagram and Facebook.
