Kayla Zanakis might be one of the most positive, motivated people I have ever met. After chatting with her for an hour, for one mere hour, my spirits rose. I am hopeful because of people like Kayla. She trusts her gut in a world that often tells women their gut instincts are not true enough. In a time where theatre seems to be lost momentarily (I know it’s not really gone. We should all know by now that live theatre will always be here) Kayla has created a world on the cyberstage that is live, interactive and thought-provoking, in tandem with The Outerloop Theatre Experience: it’s called OneIronaut. It’s a digital, immersive theatrical experience that goes live for 24 hours starting September 12th at 8 pm, EST, brought to audience members by artists from around the world working together. How unique is that?

I’m positive that after reading and listening to what Kayla stands for and believes in you’ll want to experience OneIronaut. Order your ticket by August 29th here! If you want a promo code to get $5 off your ticket, read through my conversation with Kayla and you’ll find it at the end.

Proceeds from ticket sales of OneIronaut are going to the ACLU to ensure that everyone has the resources to vote. Because Kayla believes that art and activism go hand in hand.

How would you identify yourself as an artist?

I would identify myself as an actor, activist, producer, writer and…..I sometimes dabble in singing.

What made you want to be all of those things?

I’ve always loved acting, that’s always been my thing. I always make this joke that I joined the drama club in third grade and I essentially never left, which I think is very true. I think I really started getting into producing in college, (I had the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology minor in Stern) and Liz Bradley, who is a teacher and mentor—

—she’s amazing.

Yes. I love her, she’s amazing, she’s strong, she’s confident, she handles a room, she’s graceful. Having someone like that teaching me as a student really influenced me to be like: oh, I want to get into this producing world more. This is really cool having this creative control. And I’m decent at numbers, I’m not a math wizard, but if you gave me a financial plan….I love saving money. So if you ever need someone who could creative produce but also executive produce and be the finance part of it, I really like all of it.

I love the idea of hustling, I kind of think of myself a little bit as a hustler. I get really excited when I pitch something, or if I have to put out a fire and figure out a solution. I’m a very action-oriented person. That’s what makes it fun— the analytical side of me gets to play around where as an actor I can’t be analytical. I really have to be in this fun creative world and just do. I also “do” in producing, but it’s a different kind of “doing” I think.

Being an actor and a producer and a writer and an activist, all those things…..I feel like those all help each other out so much, right?

What do you want to say with your work?

It depends on what I’m writing. Particularly for OneIronaut, it’s about morality, and it’s about choice and what our morals have to say about us as people. Also, I’m really into environmental activism. I’m from Miami originally and I'm someone who’s really big into advocating for: there is climate change, this is real. We need to do something to protect our oceans. When I’m not acting, I’m a PADI certified diver, and I like to do coral conservation. So I plant coral instead of trees, when there’s not a pandemic. That’s something that is very big and a part of me.

That’s so cool!!

Also women’s rights. I really do feel like women aren’t represented enough in this industry. It’s important to me to make sure that every story I write has a place for a diverse set of voices and allows for many people to feel that they’re heard. I also hope my writers' rooms are diverse. I just think the more voices the better whenever you’re creating something.

I think we live in a time where it’s so hard for people to say what they want to say without being shut down. There’s such a polarizing effect in our country that it’s just really important to me for everyone to say what they need to say. Because also, I think that’s what’s beautiful about theatre. In theatre no one is waiting to have a rebuttal. They actually have to sit down and listen. I think that’s what makes art so beautiful, is that people have to listen. And I think that’s what makes change.

Wow. That’s a quote right there. So let’s talk about your current project, OneIronaut. What is it? It looks so interesting…..what was your process? How did you decide during a pandemic that you were gonna spend time and invest your time in this?

I consider myself an optimist, I do. And this pandemic sucks. It really does. I’m very grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to make the most of a pretty shitty situation. And I’m happy because everyone on the cast and the crew gets paid, every ticket that’s been purchased we donate to the ACLU project. We want everyone to have the right to vote and expand on resources to vote. It’s another way to use activism, and we talk a lot about the misuse of political power and environmental activism, and it’s a mostly womxn cast. It’s very diverse and I appreciate how many stories are being told through it.

Watch the teaser for OneIronaut below:

And speaking of activism, you started Artists in Action at Tisch. What were your goals in that, and do you feel like that’s accomplished now that you’re not there anymore?

check out their instagram page here — *check out their instagram page* *here*

Kayla on post-grad life:

Post-grad life is hard, I’m not gonna lie. I realized: oh, I’m auditioning for things and I really don’t have a say in what I’m doing. And some of the roles I was being called in for I was like: this doesn’t feel like me. A then March, the whole pandemic hit. But I realized I was happy to be going home because I was getting really burnt out. I started really hard-core auditioning in October and I think by March I had hit 80 auditions. I literally was going to EPA’s everyday, waking up at 5 in the morning thinking why isn’t anybody listening to this non-union actor? Please listen to me.! The first year’s the hardest and now I’m like wow the year actually ended and all of a sudden I got this really cool opportunity and I am so damn grateful. So, so grateful. I cannot stress that enough. I’m so grateful for the Outerloop Theatre Experience. I’m so grateful that they see me as a collaborator and en equal, and that we’re making this together.

It’s the beauty of the internet right now. Because usually there’s so many cons to social media and the internet. But this (the experience of making OneIronaut) is one of those massive pros where you get to say wow! We all get to be together in a space, and the opportunity to make something like that would have never happened 10 years ago. It’s just something that is happening with the evolution of technology. And it’s only for the time being, you know? Before we can all be back in spaces, there is still this, we can have this.

You’re giving me such a great segue to my next question. When we do get “back”, what do you hope is different? About our industry? And what kind of stories do you hope we get to see more in-person next time?

I want more than anything for professionals in this industry during this pandemic to reflect. To look. And say, I could take a chance on someone. There are so many risks to this industry. So many risks in terms of money, finances, anything. I think if you can take those really big risks, why not take a creative risk and bring someone new on? Bring a new set of eyes on. And I think that’s what the industry wants. And those people that are constantly working— there’s a reason why. they’re very good. But also see the space you take up. See where you can say, I need to take a step back, and I need to bring this person on, because this person’s perspective will make that story so much richer, and so much truer. And theatre is all about the human experience….so just bring the young people on! People surprise you.

I think it goes back again to my optimistic viewpoint— when you’re young, you work so hard and I think if you ever have a chance to have that opportunity you will take it.

I remember one time someone said, the hardest part isn’t the audition, it’s rehearsal. And for me, no, the hardest part is getting into the room. Get me into the room and I will show you who I am. That’s how I feel.

What are your aspirations and dreams for your own career?

Last question: Who and what inspires you?

I have a playwright, maybe a little basic, maybe not, but Maria Irene Fornés is a huge inspiration to me.

Listen to the rest of Kayla’s answer:

by the way, the Maria Irene Fornés documentary Kayla is talking about is called “The Rest I Make Up” and you can view it here.

On more lessons we’ve learned from COVID-19:

Alright! I have some speed questions to wrap it up! Here goes: what’s the last thing you watched on your screen?

The Legends of Kora.

Amazing. What’s the last book you read?

The Most Powerful Woman in The Room is You, by Lydia Fenet. It’s an amazing book, she talks about negotiations and business.

What has been the best part of quarantine for you?

Professionally: working on OneIronaut.

Fun/artistic stuff: I got clay! I’ve been sculpting little sculptures out of clay. Oh and painting, I made that little sea turtle over there (points to the painting in her room). I use Let’s Make Art on YouTube, she teaches you how to make it but it still fulfills your soul. Sometimes paint by numbers kinda feels gimmicky because you’re like well, I just filled in numbers. But this one you actually do the strokes and stuff yourself and I love it, it’s really fun.

And what has been the worst part of quarantine for you?

Losing the ability to walk everywhere. I’m such a big walker...and also then, leaving the city. That was the worst part. Leaving the city and losing the sense of adulthood and landing in my childhood bedroom.

Finally, if you could tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would it be?

Don’t let their criticisms get you down.

Don’t let them get you down because you have a light inside yourself and you’re gonna make some change. I got some crap in middle school and high school, I’m not gonna lie. I got a little bit too much. I was actually going through these little bottles I made in middle school, I took the Starbucks frappuccino bottles and I put little post-it notes in them about all the dreams and wishes I had. And I pulled out a post-it recently and it said: “I wish that people would stop bullying me.” And I didn’t even remember that...it’s something that I kind of forget. I wish I could tell her that all her dreams came true. Even dreams that you never thought were gonna happen, things that you never expected came true.

a bonus story you should listen to if you want to feel uplifted today (and it’s under two minutes, come on, you know you want to):

Women don’t share their stories enough, so thank you Kayla for sharing yours.

If you want to buy tickets for OneIronaut, which starts its 24 hour live cycle on September 12th at 8 pm EST, buy them here by August 29th! To get $5 off, use the promo code “Creator”.

If you want to learn more about Kayla (although, I think she really bared her soul and deepest wishes here) you can give a visit to her website here, and her instagram page here!

Kayla Zanakis