We were lucky to catch up with Anna Cherkezishvili recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Anna, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I am an international actress and in today’s increasingly global and interconnected world I find lots of inspiration. My mission is to continually hone my craft and create work that amplifies the voices of international and immigrant artists, allowing us to share our unique stories and artistic visions.
As an actor, it is of paramount importance for me to feel free, to have my voice heard, and to express myself artistically in alignment with the times I live in, answering my inner calling that guides my reflection on this world. During my time studying and living in New York for several years at an acting school, I discovered profound growth in myself as both an an artist and a person.
Additionally, in the past couple of years (2021-2022), I had the opportunity to travel extensively, exploring the artistic environments of cities like Vienna, London, Amsterdam,Barcelona and Istanbul. I ventured to approximately seven countries, whether visiting friends, attending film festivals, or participating in various acting workshops. These journeys expanded my perspective and thinking, as I engaged with artists in these vibrant places, each of whom imparted invaluable insights and discussions on the creative process. It became evident once more that, as artists, we share and portray universal human experiences, though in different languages.
I have had the privilege of undergoing intensive training and working closely with Actorsfastrack, led by the ever- inspiring actress Valorie Hubbard, from April 24th, 2021, to the present day. This training not only honed my skills but transformed me into a visionary leader, opening doors to exciting new possibilities for my career. Through this experience, I confidently pitched to casting directors I never thought I could reach before. I’ve taken charge of cultivating my social media presence and organizing my time to prioritize the projects I’m passionate about. It has become clear to me that being an actor goes beyond just mastering the craft; it’s also about how I present myself, my brand, and marketing materials to the professionals in the field. Most importantly, I’ve discovered the profound value of building relationships and networking to continually grow in this industry. These experiences authentically nourish my craft and ignite a deeper level of creativity within me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I had the privilege of studying at one of the world’s most esteemed acting institutions, Stella Adler’s 3-Year Professional Conservatory (2015-2018). This program counts legendary actors like Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro among its alumni. Subsequently, I pursued an additional year of intensive training at the renowned HB Studio (2019-2020), which boasts an illustrious lineage of alumni, including the iconic Al Pacino. Additionally my dedication and commitment to my craft led me to train with Actorsfastrack, for two years after my graduation from drama school. I have always been involved in theater and film since around the age of 17, and I took some acting classes as a child. I studied theater and film, traveled to film festivals, worked on projects with friends over the years, and interned with leading industry professionals to grow and learn. As long as I can remember, I have been a part of this work, but, of course, professional training in drama schools elevated my acting skills. I believe the way I work has evolved, and I have started to trust myself deeply as an actor.
What sets me apart is my individuality, background, backstory, and my approach to acting. What makes me unique is everything that defines who I am. Every artist has their own path. My journey has been a valuable teacher, providing me with experience and unwavering love and commitment to my craft. I’ve also learned to persevere in the industry and not be discouraged by sometimes receiving a ‘no’ after auditions. I can process rejection and move forward, embracing challenges as opportunities to learn. My mission is to be a global artist who champions the empowerment of women and girls, helping them pursue their dreams. I believe in the transformative power of art to drive social change and meaningful dialogue. I’m dedicated to sharing the stories of international artists and amplifying their voices. Together, we can enrich the world of art and bring powerful, diverse voices to the forefront.
What I want my fans to know is that I am deeply dedicated to this craft because I firmly believe that art has the power to inspire humanity and empathy in this world. This belief is at the core of my work. I wholeheartedly commit to the characters I portray, and I am unafraid of delving into darker roles, as they are an integral part of this world. I have a particular fondness for characters like Nina from ‘The Seagull.’ I would play this role repeatedly, and any character resembling Nina would be a role in which I thrive.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
My lifelong aspiration has been to win an Oscar for Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress, a dream I often hesitated to openly acknowledge. However, about a year ago, I participated in a two-week challenge with Actors Fast Track, where actors were tasked with creating a video sharing their ultimate dream. Engaging in this challenge offered diverse assignments and invaluable learning experiences, and it ultimately prompted a realization for me: that the barriers preventing me from vocalizing my dreams were self-imposed. I had crafted reasons to keep silent about my ambitions, believing that my dream was too immense and that expressing it aloud would invite criticism or disbelief. It was the fear of judgment that hindered me, rather than empowering myself to openly articulate my aspirations.
So once I openly talked about what my dream was in this challenge, I’ve come to understand the importance of embracing these ambitious aspirations. Now, a significant part of my journey as an actor involves deeply connecting with why I’m in this profession and what truly inspires me. I’ve learned to harness the power of my dreams as a driving force, motivating me to pursue them actively, rather than waiting for external validation or opportunities to come my way.
I realized that once I allowed myself to share my dream, I began committing to actions with greater energy. I started contemplating my ideas and how to take actions to achieve them. Engaging with other creatives who inspire me, seeking connections with directors, producers, and casting directors I’ve always wanted to connect with. Recently, in February and March, I had 11 Zoom meetings with directors and producers, seizing the opportunity to meet new people and reconnect with those I’d worked with before.
Just to provide a few examples, I’ve organized Off-Broadway projects in New York with wonderful artists. One of the projects I’m involved in is ‘A Mirror Returns Image with No Face’ with Suzi Takahashi, a well-known figure in theatre. She received the 2009 Innovative Theater Award for Best Director and Best Show for her work on ‘Lee/gendary,’ a play about the biography of Bruce Lee.
Since January 11, 2022, my Ukrainian friend, actress, and director, Valentyna Changuli, and I have been working on the development of a short film set in Georgia and Austria. The film explores the controversy surrounding the impact of AI on human unemployment.
And I had an amazing experience as I embarked on a transformative six-month journey in the UK from January 22nd to June 5, 2023, to advance my career development. During this time, I engaged with industry artists, expanded my network, and honed my skills to elevate my acting journey to new heights. Actors Fast Track recommended that I attend some excellent Casting Director workshops. I underwent extensive training at these workshops hosted by Mixing Networks in London, spanning from March 25, 2023, to June 6, 2023. Throughout this period, I had the privilege of receiving training from outstanding casting directors and the opportunity to meet a wonderful community of actors in London associated with AFT.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I love reading, and every time I have free time, I am trying to read books related to my field, whether it is about acting technique, acting businesses, or spiritual explorations. I always try to follow up on educating myself.
I’d say the book that I have read recently, ‘The Lucid Body: A Guide for the Physical Actor’ by Fay Simpson, is a great exploration of chakra work, which can help a lot with character creation. I often go back to reading the book ‘Body Learning: An Introduction to the Alexander Technique’ by Michael J. Gelb. My Alexander Technique teacher, Ms. Martha Bernard, introduced me to this book, and I learned a lot from it. Of course, I was inspired by books, such as ‘Respect for Acting’ by Uta Hagen and ‘Stella Adler: The Art of Acting’ by Howard Kissel. These are basically the textbooks for me on acting that I often go back to.
In terms of resources, I often check IMDB Pro to have an update on upcoming film projects, as well as reading their newsfeed. I check on Deadline as there is so much information about the film industry there. And I check the production list at times as I have a subscription there.
I am also currently listening to the audiobook ‘You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth’ by Jen Sincero. I found this to be a great book to explore the mindset towards money.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annacherkezishvili.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cherkezishvilianna?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/cherkezishvilianna/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-cherkezishvili-67ab2a1ba?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtUzwzwnleEdLWfEcqNmV4g
- Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/annacherkezishvili
Image Credits
– Todd Estrin (image IMG_1256) – INTERFOTO (image_6483441 and IMG_9994) – Guerilla Photography (StellaAdler_MofV_joeloper-268 and IMG_4482) – Dramatic Adventure Theatre Photo (image_6483441)