Meet Anna Rak

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Rak.

The following year, I applied to acting schools in the UK. I was aiming high… I picked some of the best colleges out there, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. After getting through very competitive first four stages of the audition process, the fifth and final round didn’t prove successful for me. For the second time, I thought my life was falling apart.

Instead of returning to Poland, I stayed in London. I distracted myself with traveling, studying event management, and looking for other passions/ideas for the future. I thought that maybe this time I was meant to redirect myself towards a different career path. After exploring new options for three years, I felt like I was getting further from my “better plan for the future.”

At the beginning of 2014, I had a strong realization that all my thoughts were still navigating mainly around performing. I decided to give acting another chance and applied for a summer conservatory at the Stella Adler Studio in New York City. My excitement prevented me from judging whether I could even afford that experience, but I needed to try. My family had a difficult time accepting that I will be spending that summer in America. The long-distance and lack of ability to support me financially throughout this journey overwhelmed them. To ease our collective minds, I quickly paid for the course, got myself health insurance, booked my flight, and found accommodation.

Despite a difficult start, I soon fell in love with the city’s diversity, culture and art. After the summer course, I applied for the full-time professional conservatory and got accepted again! Since the school year started in January, I returned to London. I managed to save up for the first semester, got my student visa and returned to NYC. Over the course of my two years of studying at Stella, I could count my days off on one hand. After graduating, I felt like a real New Yorker: fast-paced, doing a million things a day, having several jobs to support myself and creating my own work.

Stella Adler not only taught me how to take care of my craft but also how to embrace my differences. As soon as classes ended, I got involved in the Polish Theater Institute, where I played a lead role in a show for kids. Right after that, I played Antigone in an international production of Sophocles’ “Antigone.” In both productions, I was more than just an actor, but really a co-creator. 

In 2017 I started a theatre company, Eastern Bridge Theatre Troupe, that operates on the idea that there are many unheard stories that often miss their chance to take flight. I co-created, produced, and performed two original productions: “The Story of Two Poets” and “Strings.” The following year I focused on producing and directing a series of monthly theatrical events entitled “Foreign Voices Are Us” as well as diving into the film world.

2017 was definitely one of the most challenging years I have experienced professionally and personally. I felt burnt out and needed a little bit of fresh air… In June 2018 I moved to peaceful Silverlake. I feel extremely grateful for the opportunities I have been offered thus far. In LA, I have gained experience on a variety of sets as an actor, director, producer, camera assistant and production assistant. I have recently completed my short film directorial debut, The Power of Termination, which is currently in the film festival circuit.

Although New York City is a ‘concrete jungle’, my Scorpio personality needs it from time to time. I am currently exploring the bi-coastal lifestyle and looking forward to what this new adventure will bring into my life.

Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been easy. It is actually way harder than I could have ever imagined. Being an artist is definitely one of the most challenging professions out there. It’s a whole lifestyle, not only a profession. Artists have to constantly invest time and money in their growth while secretly hoping it will bring new opportunities.

I’ve had to overcome visa restrictions, financial difficulties and being far away from my family. I constantly struggle with finding the right balance in my everyday life, trying not to plan too far ahead, see my relatives and travel home at least once a year.

Every day I work on my craft, search for new ways to grow, knock on doors that rarely open, and try to keep my mind and body in shape. However, one of the hardest parts of being a creative artist is definitely the daily rejection.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a multi-hyphenate: I act, direct, write and produce. I do anything I can to help a good story be heard and share something meaningful on stage or screen. Making other people feel less lonely and relatable are my main goals. I am always searching for great stories, good people to work with, interesting projects and inspiration. I constantly work on my “special skills” by taking online courses or learning new languages. My routine also includes attending networking events, seeing shows, and watching movies/TV shows.

When it comes to my theatre company, our mission is to provide an artistic platform for foreign voices living within and outside of the United States. While I am very proud of our shows and theatrical events, connecting like-minded artists I perceive as our greatest achievement.

Personally, I think that what sets me apart from others is the need to tell stories. Whether I act or help with the production as a PA or a coordinator, being involved in the process means everything to me.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I definitely see that entertainment business has been recently navigating towards more diverse stories. People who used to be voiceless are finally starting to see themselves on stage and screen. We are gradually starting to see more of the “real America”.

Moreover, female artists are being exposed to more and more opportunities. I constantly hear of new female directors, producers, cinematographers and all kinds of storytellers breaking into the business. I truly hope this will not stop. I know that there’s so much talent out there that has been muted for way too long. I am ready to see female artists taking over the TV, film and stage with grace and pride.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anna-rak.com
• Phone: 7182196167
• Email: anna.ebtt@gmail.com
• Instagram: @anna.rak.artist
• Facebook: @AnnaRakArtist
• Other: http://threemilefilms.com/the-power-of-termination/

Image Credit:
1. Banner photo – Pawel Sarota Photography
2/ 3 Anna Kuzmina Photography
4/5 Pawel Sarota Photography
6/7 Dustin Pearlman Photography

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