Anna and the Arts
Anna Cherkezishvili approaches her eighth year here in the United States. From the moment she landed she began auditioning and – almost as immediately – began performing.
In an extensive interview on the program “In The PassionPit” Anna shared how her family lived through the Civil War in Georgia This was the foundation of two defining parts of her life. The first – due to power-outages and curfews, much of Anna’s childhood was spent in doors and in the dark. “I used to imagine my room was a vast castle when I played with my dolls” she said, “allowing me to cultivate new realities in my mind with my imagination.” One can see how an artist’s imagination might grow rapidly – even in such a dark and forbidding atmosphere. The second is her choice of work once she arrived. She was part of two companies: Dramatic Adventures, which told immigrant stories, and Identity Theatre, which opens its casting doors to differently abled artists.
“I want to give back,” Anna said with a smile.
ArtsIndependent interviewed Anna recently about her mission as an actress in America.
Tell us about yourself as an artist
I am a Georgian born actress, currently living in New York. I am a recent graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Since childhood, I had interest in art and music and my parents would take me to the theater to watch plays for that reason. Since then, I had developed strong liking of theatre and was willing to become an actress. When I graduated from school, my only dream was to become an artist. I entered college in the Georgian University of Theater and Film. Since then I never looked back and kept following the path of the creative artistic journey. I am primarily a theatre actoress but would be happy to work in film industry one day. I am also very enthusiastic about devising theatre work and do enjoy creative writing. I constantly work on my craft and have strong interest into creating the kind of work that gives voice to Immigrant actors who have stories to share and have their artistic vision that is unique to them.
What inspired you to come to the United States?
It is not easy for me to put this into words, I wish I could express every enthusiasm and will I have for working as an artists in US, as it was always my lifelong dream to come here. I grew up watching American movies and cartoons on TV. Growing up as a kid of post-soviet era, which was tough for a young person to live in, I was always amazed by the freedom of the individualistic expression of American artists. It was the beauty and grand of how bold and vivid the American musicals and films were that inspired me. Great musicals such as Singing in the Rain or Hello Dolly or movies such as Steven Spielberg’s ET or Star Wars, it all fascinated me and encouraged my imagination. I treasure every single opportunity of growth I’m given here. My mother never stopped believing in me and in my love of acting which always encouraged me to go after my dreams. Georgia is a country with long- time tradition of theatre and film but with completely struggling economy. Due to many years of war and complications of post-soviet era of living it is hard to maintain the industry there. The reason why I came to America, is because this country is the land of opportunities for people like me who are hard working and willing to contribute to the society. I know that in this country professional artists can achieve the best of their potential. The culture of theatre and film in US is absolutely magnificent and one of the most famous in the world.
What have you been doing since you arrived?
In 2013-2014, I was lucky to audition and join the New York theater company Dramatic Adventure Theatre. I traveled in Slovakia with the company to create the play, “Ako David.” Which we presented in New York at the Abingdon Theatre. Following this, I traveled in Ecuador and acted in a play “La Maldicion de la Tunda” which we presented in New York as well, at the IATI Theatre. Within the same time period, I was honored to be invited by Identity Theatre director Nick Linnehan to join the play “True Colors of Weddle” a children’s musical. I had another great opportunity of joining the legendary Heights Players for the production of Christmas Carol at the John Bourne Theatre. After this production, I was part of the Fun Fest Feb Fest festival produced by TeamTheatre company, portraying role of an immigrant woman in the play “No Friends”. I am proud for the fact that the play’s director Chrysi Sylaidi garnered Director of the Play of the Decade by Broadway World 2020.
How has the pandemic affected you in terms of your career?
I was very sad about seeing how it affected not only theatre and my career, but the entire country. It is a very challenging time that everyone went through. I think most people are still recovering from the stress that pandemic caused and it is still an ongoing issue. Seeing all the theatres closing it’s doors was definitely a sad experience. But I must say community of actors and theatre makers I have been honored to know, did not give up and stopped working even from their own homes. For example, I attended the sessions of Global Gab: Cross Cultural Conversations by Rattlestick Theatre. Which was a program created for international artists in US discussing the challenges they faced during pandemic and beyond. I volunteered as well for the wonderful theatre project created by Marialana Ardolino called Quarantine Theatre where actors read plays via Zoom. I participated as Fanny for the play reading of “As It Is In Heaven” by Ariene Hutton. I volunteered for the reading of “Othello” by Shakespeare, for the same project as well, this time portraying man’s roles of Lodovico and The Duke of Venice.
What are your ultimate goals?
I am looking forward to work towards sharing the stories I have been long willing to share through my creative process. My goal is to raise the awareness of the Immigrant Artists. I am looking to bring my understanding of humanity into the theatre and accept others understanding of humanity. I am looking to work with talented actors and theatre makers who serve our craft. I have great appreciation of the high level of professionalism in America and I am willing to create characters that moves people and is memorable to them. I would like to create work that ethnically diverse audience can relate to as well as American.
What’s happening for you next year?
Next year and the following year, I have several projects I am planning to work on. I am looking forward to work on the project “A Mirror Returns Image with No face” with Ms. Suzi Takahashi. And the play “Hanna” about a Georgian Immigrant Woman, which I am working on with Rusudan Tchubabria a Georgian American writer. I am very excited to be recently invited to join the new play project at the TeamTheatre called “Censored” as well as their festival Fun Fast Feb Fest 2021. As well as I am honored to be invited to join the Rattelstick Playwrights Theatre for their Global Forms Theatre festival 2021, where they only invite the top international artists to participate. I will work on the project “Inside the Artists Mind” with Dorothea Gloria and Myrna Davonne.
The Lambs ® Marks its 146th Founding Anniversary
The Lambs ® — America’s first professional theatrical club and oldest professional theatrical organization — celebrates its 146th founding anniversary this month with festive online gatherings replacing in-person social events at our clubhouse in Midtown Manhattan amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lambs was founded in Christmas Week 1874 in New York City, taking its name from an earlier theatrical club in London, England, that honored the essayist Charles Lamb and his sister, Mary, who during the early 1800s hosted actors and literati at their famed salon. The Lambs has occupied 14 clubhouses in New York over the years, with the current clubhouse at 3 West 51st Street offering performance and rehearsal space, meeting rooms, recreational activities, and access to a private pub and restaurant.
The Lambs Foundation, a related organization, is a 501(c)(3) charity that supports education in the arts and non-profit theater. Supported by bequests and donations, and manned by all volunteers, it has disbursed more than $500,000 in grants over the last nine years.
The Lambs Foundation also controls the Club’s valuable collection of theater memorabilia and artwork, including paintings and drawings by the likes of Lamb Howard Chandler Christy and Lamb James Montgomery Flagg, and a theater broadside from the Theatre Royal in London dating to 1773. Over the past year, the Foundation has embarked on a conservation program to restore these historic works to their former glory.
With the Club’s 146th anniversary fast approaching, and our 150th anniversary waiting in the wings, The Lambs has left an indelible mark in America’s theatrical history, arts, and entertainment. A cursory look at the Club’s history reveals:
— Lambs were among the founders of the Actors Fund of America (1882) and include J. Lester Wallack, A.M. Palmer, and Daniel Frohman. Of the charity’s first 12 chairmen, eight were Lambs. The Fund’s current president and chief executive, Joseph Benincasa, celebrates 30 years as a Lamb next year.
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— Lambs were among the founders of Actors’ Equity Association (1913). Of the 23 founding Equity council members, 22 were Lambs, as were its top three officers. The union name was coined by William Courtleigh, who served as a Lambs’ Shepherd (president). During the Actors Strike of 1919, the Club became a hotbed of union activity and was known as “Local One.” Lamb Augustus Thomas, a popular Shepherd, was credited with bringing the warring sides together to end the strike.
— The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) began with meetings at The Lambs (1914). Six of the nine founders were Lambs, including Irving Berlin, Victor Herbert, and Gustave Kerker. The ASCAP Foundation was founded in 1975 by a bequest from Lamb Jack Norworth.
— Ten founders of the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG, 1933) were Lambs. Of the original 21 directors and officers, 10 were Lambs. Five have served as its president – and of the first 75 members, 36 were Lambs. The first president of the American Federation of Radio Artists (AFRA, 1937) was a Lamb, and five served as its president. When these unions merged into SAG-AFTRA (2012), three Lambs were board members and one served as national president. Two Lambs currently serve on the board.
— Paramount Pictures (1912) and United Artists (1919) were founded by Lambs.
— In recent years, The Lambs has been recognized by actor Ken Howard while president of SAG-AFTRA and by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Congressman Jerold Nadler, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and even Pope John Paul II.
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http://www.the-lambs.org
http://www.TheLambsFoundation.org
The Lambs ® is a registered trademark of The Lambs Inc., and not related to The Lambs Club Restaurant owned by Jeffrey Zakarian. The Lambs Foundation is not related to any religious organization or similar sounding charity.
She’s Got Friends
Article by Jay Michaels
On Thursday July 9, in the early evening, Federica Borlenghi, an actress in several indie theatre companies, suffered severe head trauma during an accident in Mason, Ohio. She hit the top right portion of her head on a concrete bicycle path and was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. She was placed on sedatives and a ventilator to keep her airways clear and flown by helicopter to Cincinnati, Ohio to receive additional treatment.
On the morning of July 10, she was taken off the ventilator and has been breathing well on her own since. For the majority of July 10 and July 11 Federica was mostly non-verbal and had difficulty following instructions from hospital staff. She was not eating or drinking until July 12th.
In the hospital she has received a variety of tests including 3 CT-scans and has been monitored for seizures. As of today, July 13, Federica is still in the hospital. She has been issued speech and physical therapy exercises to help combat mental-fog and help her body strengthen.
Her full recovery is of paramount concern; however, the cost of these life-saving services is staggering. As an Italian international on a student visa living within the United States, Federica is not covered by typical insurance plans and must pay for medical bills upfront. This is a daunting task for anyone – especially for a young 24-year-old graduate like Federica (for Italian and international donors: in the U.S. healthcare is mostly privatized and requires patients and families to adopt policies that would help pay for medical expenses. The U.S. does not have holistic public healthcare programs that would aid effected patients).
Her friends – headed by the leaders of Here We Go, Dirty Laundry Theatre, and Rising Star Performance Company – created their own telethon to help their fellow artist pay for the live-saving procedures and other medical needs. The total is almost unimaginable – over $100,000. Absolving this monstrous bill will help Federica continue her dream of directing and producing theater within the United States and assure a bright future unencumbered by medical debt.
When one imagines a fundraiser for such an amount one can hope that there are a few “wealthy” colleagues out there. Or maybe a connection to an affluent source. But these are three off-off Broadway companies – each suffering at this time with all theaters dark until the spring … or maybe fall of 2021. Regardless of their own station, these three intrepid companies banded together its members and created A CELEBRATION OF POSITIVITY- A Fundraiser for Federica Borlenghi’s Recovery.
The vast array of performances ranged from new works, comedic pieces, Broadway musical numbers and so much more. One particular entry was of international performers Chrysi Sylaidi and Gwendolyn Snow doing Randy Newman’s You Got a Friend in Me. Both in Greek and English, the two combined their lovely voices into a sweet uplifting piece. But the layers of this piece don’t stop with language. Edited together (undoubtedly with help from Sylaidi, now an experienced film director as well as performer) with a collage of short videos of children. As just a performance piece you might call it sweet but when you look at it a spart of this event at which all the artists have forgotten their troubles and gave selflessly their time and money and talent to their friend; when you consider the fact that so many of the children in the videos seem instinctually to know how to hug and kiss; considering the song – sweet normally but deeply moving under this situation; and you put together the lovely voices of the two artists – this is a moment to choke back tears and pull out your wallet.
In the end, this cober6t of sorts is a powerful learning lesson. Love is what comes naturally as we see from the children and the artists. Anything else must be taught.
Please donate to this cause and support these companies.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/federica-borlenghi039s-recovery-fund
Arts Independent 