Life & Work with Ewelina Zawada

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ewelina Zawada.

Ewelina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Oh wow, where should I start or I might ask when. From my early years, I knew that I wanna be an actress. The first time I expressed my idea was when I was a little girl. I was six years old and I was watching the Oscars with my grandfather. He asked me what would I like to do in the future (it was a popular joke to talk with children about their ideas for adult life). I answered with a spark in my eyes “I wanna be an actress!”.

It may seem like a ridiculous fantasy of a child, especially when you are raised in a small village in the south of Poland and nobody in your big family is an artist. However, I was called an old soul and I knew what I was talking about.

I wanted to have my voice and to perform on behalf of others who can not manifest by themself. I wanted to create or be a part of meaningful creation.

First, I was a part of a “Kabaret Kiepskich Uczniów” theatre group in my primary school, then throughout middle school. As a teenager, I was a part of “C’est La Vie” a theatre high school group and a town theatre “Na Marginesie”.

After high school, I went to the Lart Studio (I year program acting school). After graduation, I took several exams for acting studies (it is extremely difficult to get into the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Poland, it is a very competitive field; around 20 places and 1000 people who wish to become a part of the elite). Each subsequent attempt was a great emotional challenge for me, a test of character. Each unsuccessful exam was a valuable lesson because it had not only designated new directions of development but it taught me humility.

After four years of unsuccessful attempts to get into acting school, I still had in mind the examples of American idols who succeeded despite the adversities, who did not give up and convinced myself of my own worth. I believed that all my effort put into acting preparations would not be in vain and I tried not to lose my spirit. I managed to get into the Department of Puppet Theatre Arts at the Theatre Academy, I did my MFA Degree there. In my country, this speciality is perceived as a half-sister of drama acting. The truth, however, is that puppet theatre students are more comprehensively trained than drama actors; in addition to learning the basics of dramatic acting, they must also master the art of animation to an extended degree – working with an object and with a puppet.

During my last year at Academy (the program takes 4,5 years of studying), I decided to take risks and apply for a Fulbright Scholarship.

And here I am! It is still unbelievable, I am the first actress from Poland to receive a Fulbright scholarship. but as the first actress from Poland, I got a Fulbright scholarship. I am in the process of obtaining my MFA Acting for Film at New York Film Academy in Los Angeles.

Although I have professional experience working on stage, on set, in voice-over, as a coach and being a Professor’s Observing Assistant at Polish Academy (“Dialogue Scene in Verse” and “Interpretation”) I believe that being a professional means that you have to love what you do, develop yourself and work hard.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wasn’t always a smooth road. I had to learn how to be my best friend and believe in myself. After four failed exams at Academy in Poland, not many people believed that I could make it. Many times I doubted myself as well, but there was a voice, hidden deep inside me, who whispered “try again, you can make it”. After each unsuccessful attempt, I was trying harder and harder and prepared even better. And what was very important, I have been still in love with acting.

I knew that without a degree in acting, I have no chance to become a professional actress in Poland.

At that time, I couldn’t imagine that I can act in another language than Polish. I had some successes in singing in German for what I was awarded, but that was it.

It is interesting that after some time, I realized that I was completely wrong. Now I live in Los Angeles, I am a Fulbrighter, I act in English and I see my future as an international actress.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actress and now I can add slash screenwriter and hopefully director in the future. I am working on my short film right now, I work in theatre (drama, puppet and musical), in films and voice over, but also as an acting coach.

I am extremely proud that I am the first actress from Poland with a Fulbright scholarship and a scholarship-award from New York Film Academy.

I am so happy that the last project in which I acted has been awarded on many festivals (the music video “Zdechłam” directed by Zuzanna Plisz).

I truly love my profession. I think that the best is yet to come. I am excited for the new projects and all people who are on my way.

What were you like growing up?
Acting is an endless adventure for me. I wanna explore this field. Before I was working in Poland and now I meet many wonderful international actors and filmmakers. I act in English, so I develop this aspect. In the past, I was mainly focused on being an actress, now I am curious how it is to work on the other side as a director and screenwriter.

 

Contact Info:

• Email: ewelinazawada1992@gmail.com
• Website: www.ewelinazawada.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ewelina.zawada/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ewelina.zawada.73/

Image Credits
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12766122/ https://filmpolski.pl/fp/index.php?osoba=11171422