Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Demaria.
Anna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I struggled with severe anxiety. My mom, in an attempt to get me out of my shell, decided to enroll me in a Shakespeare summer camp when I was 11 years old. I initially didn’t want to go, but after performing in various Shakespeare scenes that summer, I realized that theatre was an escape that I could benefit from. When I was onstage, I got out of my head and into another world. That experience was very therapeutic for me, and theatre became my passion. Throughout middle school and high school, I performed in various musicals with local theater companies, most notably Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura. In high school, I had teachers and mentors encouraging me to pursue acting as a career. Because of their support, I majored in theatre performance in college, attending California Lutheran University for two years before transferring to Marymount Manhattan College. Since graduation, I have performed onstage with Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, worked on an MFA thesis film with USC, starred in a film by Carpool Productions, and originated a role in Dark of the Moon: A New Musical at Rubicon.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been the smoothest road, but I’ve found ways to pivot when necessary. Something I have struggled with is giving myself the permission to change course and explore alternate options when something isn’t working out. I often place an insurmountable amount of pressure on myself to get things right the first time, which leads to overthinking and anxiety (which, spoiler alert, never helps!). It can seem counterintuitive to pursue a career in which you’re constantly under scrutiny if you are also scrutinizing yourself. Over time, I’ve learned to use my self-criticism as a tool to strengthen my work rather than to add additional stress to my life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am happiest when working on a theatrical or film project. Though my biggest passion is performance, I also have experience in many facets of theatre. I have worked as a Production Manager, Stage Manager, Guest Services Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, and Teaching Artist. I feel that my willingness to jump into any role and learn new skills sets me apart from others; my versatility is something that I am proud of. Any experience I get offstage gives me a deeper sense of appreciation when I get an opportunity to act. When you realize the work it takes behind the scenes to produce a project, the job becomes more meaningful. In my acting career, I am usually cast in roles that highlight my comedic skills. I am known for my stylistic comedy and am drawn to projects that bring people joy. Some of my favorite roles have been “Claire de Loone” in On the Town, “Queen Elizabeth I” in The Pirate Queen, and “Ella Bergen” in Dark of the Moon: A New Musical. A friend once told me, “If you can laugh through it, you can get through it.” In my work and in my life, I try to live by this saying.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The COVID crisis and the ensuing lockdowns gave me the time and space to take a step back and re-analyze my priorities. In the Spring of 2020, I was living in Manhattan while attending college. Two days before the city shut down, I flew home to California and moved back in with my family. Going from the hustle of New York to the stillness of isolation was a bit of a shock to the system, but was what I needed. I realized that the path I was on was not fulfilling for me. While in lockdown, I ended up switching majors and decided to pursue acting and communications instead of musical theatre. Most importantly, the pandemic helped me recenter my focus on what matters most to me, which is my relationships with others. It is very easy to get absorbed into your own little world when pursuing acting- the focus is on yourself for a majority of the time. The pandemic helped me refocus on why I fell in love with acting in the first place, which is to connect with people through storytelling. During this time, I also lost two very special family members. Dealing with this grief taught me that when life gets heavy and burdensome, if you are willing to open up and share your pain with others, you can find your way through it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.annademaria.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/annamdemaria
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@annamdemaria
Image Credits
Photography by Loren Haar (Dark of the Moon @ Rubicon), William Hendricks (On the Town @ Rubicon), Brandon King (Dark of the Moon: Opening Night Party), Joseph Demaria (still from Spark), Nobutaka Emura (still from Split).
