Today we’d like to introduce you to Aya Sherian
Hi Aya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For the entirety of my life up until my second year of college, I convinced myself that I was going to be a doctor. But while my mind was preoccupied convincing myself that medicine was the only profession for me, I was also falling in love with performing and creating art.
What began as singing the Backyardigans theme song in my childhood home, evolved into singing acapella Adele songs in my elementary school talent shows, then joining orchestra and choir, to then finally performing in my first musical theatre production at the age of 11, Aladdin Jr. After that first production, I was hooked and something inside me knew that this wasn’t going to be a one and done type thing. Throughout middle and high school, I persisted on with orchestra, choir, and musical theatre and began entertaining the idea that this could be something I would actually pursue. Then quarantine hit and with no opportunity to participate in theatre, I turned to learn everything I could about filmmaking and film acting. I started screenwriting, watching endless youtube videos on the behind the scenes of filmmaking, and learning about the process of making a film. But throughout all this, I still was prepared to study biology in college. My 1st year of college was spent as a biology major, but I also acted in my first short film, Gutterpunks, and participated in 2 theatre productions. After that it didn’t take much convincing to realize that there was nothing that I was more passionate about then creating art and performance. So I switched my major, and I am happy to say that I am going into my 3rd year as a theatre major with a biology minor!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been the smoothest of roads, but I am extremely lucky to have great support system around me and I’m grateful for the opportunities that I have had.
One of my biggest struggles while pursuing a career in the arts has been the immense lack of representation of Muslims and Arabs in media. During quarantine, my junior year of high school, I questioned whether or not I should continue pursuing the arts. I would sit and reflect on all the challenges I would face as a Muslim in the arts and wonder if I would even be accepted in the industry. I would think about how I would have to put in modest costume requests or clarify boundaries and I thought it would be a strain on directors. I felt nervous about going into college and pursuing theatre because I didn’t know any Muslims who had done it before me. I convinced myself that it wouldn’t be worth it to pursue what made me happiest and I spent the next 2 years prepping to go school for biology on a pre-med track. I was extremely fortunate that with a good support system around me and after realizing that I couldn’t let the hardships get to me, I switched to a theatre major in my 2nd year of college. I realized that it was my right as a Muslim woman in the arts to go against the status quo and not let past stereotypes limit my passions. I realized that my profession and my faith were not things I would have to choose between. It was a big mental hurdle to overcome but after I realized that my religion was something that defined me and not something that I should shy away from, I was able to make the best decision of my life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the moment, I am studying Theatre Performance with a focus on Musical Theatre! I’ve done a total of 12 productions and I am extremely excited to go onto my 13th production this upcoming semester! In addition to theatre, I have become involved in filmmaking, specifically writing, directing, and film acting. Last but not least, I am also a student with a minor in Biology, which offers me a whole new lens to the way I look at life and performance. I feel that studying biology has sometimes helped me decipher the way a character might be thinking, and on the other hand studying theatre has helped with the humanity aspect of studying biology. So if I ever do decide to pursue a career in medicine, I have an arsenal of theatre knowledge to bring alongside medical training.
Additionally, Something I pride myself in is being an Arab-American Muslim in the performing arts. There is an immense lack of Muslim performers and at the top of my head I can’t think of a single musical theatre muslim performer I know. It is also a religion that comes with a huge list of stereotypes, especially in media. After years and years of seeing horrific and untrue depictions of Muslims, I am extremely excited to break those stereotypes and represent my identity in the right way. The idea that one day I’ll be able to inspire other Muslims to want to perform and create is a huge motivator and something that I look forward to in the future!
Above all else, I am just excited to keep learning and expanding my knowledge about this ever-changing industry. I love learning about new perspectives and working with and meeting new people.
Any big plans?
There are so many things that I wanna do in the future, I am so genuinely excited for all the possibilities. As for the near future, I am playing Hope Cladwell in CSULB’s production of Urinetown, which I am absolutely thrilled to be apart of! I am also going to be acting in and assistant directing a short film called “Impact” which starts filming this summer and will be out in the fall! But other than that, I am excited to explore more writing and directing and honestly just learning about everything I can.
As for big changes, I hope to move to New York City in two years after I finish college! I was lucky enough to be able to visit the city for the first time last summer, and after about the first 6 hours of being there, I knew I had to live there. So hopefully if everything works out, I’ll be in the city in 2 years time!
Contact Info:
- Other: [email protected]
