We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sophia Zolan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sophia below.

Sophia, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From a young age, I felt like an outsider, and the arts became a natural way for me to feel more connected. As a first-generation Greek-American I found it difficult to relate to others and comedy became the thing that made me feel seen and less alone. I’d obsess over stand-up and sketch shows and recreate them in my living room for my sister and grandma (some say “by force” but I say it was clearly my magnetic charisma). Though I come from a family of artists, they prioritized “real” jobs, so my creative instincts weren’t really nurtured and I wrestled with the push and pull of pursuing the arts versus taking the practical route. In high school, I dipped my toe into acting but I had a terrible toxic acting teacher who basically told me I wasn’t built for it… and I think he meant that literally since he was known for giving acting parts to the more “developed” girls. So, in conclusion, he was a creepy loser, but sadly, my 16-year-old self, believed him and didn’t try again until college. I started as a business major because it sounded like the responsible grown-up-y thing to do but I kept feeling that pull toward acting. After seeing a production of Hair, I finally took the leap and signed up for another acting class. I felt very intimidated by that class because it was full of people who had been acting since middle school, very much breaking out into Rent songs at every chance they got vibes (no hate because I would soon become this person). I loved that class and felt like the challenges it brought up and the community it provided really helped me grow and feel closer to myself. I have a very distinct memory of walking over to my advisor’s office to change my major to Theatre. It’s such an otherwise mundane moment but one of those rare, crystal-clear “aha” feelings of pure joy and total clarity that I was finally aligned with what feels most true to who I am. Since then, I haven’t looked back. Whether it’s acting, comedy, or filmmaking, I’ve stayed true to that spark in me and what I want to create.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started out doing improv comedy and that gradually turned into sketch comedy which then turned into stand-up comedy which then turned into, curveball, horror filmmaking. In the same way that comedy made me feel seen and less alone as a kid, I hope to do the same for others with my work now. I think that’s also why I’ve gravitated towards horror. I want to unearth the things we feel shame about and bring that to the surface to either make you laugh or freak you out (and ultimately help you release some anxiety). I love to mix silly, macabre, and camp. Some of my biggest influences are Death Becomes Her, Addams Family, Scream, What We Do In The Shadows, and Strangers With Candy. Recently I made a horror comedy short film called “Shadow.” It was a nod to 90’s horror with fun slasher/stalker vibes that was at its core a story about feminine rage.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Definitely one of the most rewarding things about being an artist is meeting and working with like-minded creatives. It’s just so much fun to build something together. Especially when others can fill the blanks in areas you’re not as well-versed in. Like on “Shadow”, I was the director, writer, producer, and actor, and it was so cool to work with the practical effects artist and come up with ideas on how to shoot certain gags or working with art department and having them come up with ways to dress the set that I never would have thought of. It’s so cool to have creative minds build things together. Also, just getting to be silly gooses with fellow actors and comedians. It really makes you feel like you’re feeding your inner child getting to play and make stuff up and make each other laugh. It feels like you’re tapping into something really special.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I know that Doechii already shouted this out but The Artist’s Way is truly something I always come back to every few years. It’s just such a good workbook to help you unblock your creativity (especially for those who may not consider themselves as creative). Also, “Flow” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. It really helps break down what exactly is at play during your flow moments. Like those times you’re writing where the words come out so effortlessly or maybe you’re painting and time moves at an exponential speed ’cause you’re in the zone or even things people might not consider as creative like solving a problem at work. The book goes into details of why we get into these flow states and how to recreate them in times that they don’t come to us naturally. Finally, I love to watch Brené Brown’s Ted Talk on YouTube about Listening to Shame (and probably before that watch her previous Ted Talk about The Power of Vulnerability). One of the biggest things that holds us back from being creative or putting ourselves out there is shame. It’s so easy to talk yourself out of something for being stupid or silly or worrying about how it will come across, and I just love re-listening to that Ted Talk to remind myself that I want to be one of the people in the arena and not the onlookers judging.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sophiazolan.com
• Instagram: @SophiaZolan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiazolan
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiazolan
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SophiaZolan
• Other: TikTok: @SophiaZolan

Image Credits

Daniel J. Sliwa
Jasper Lewis