Iskritsa Ognyanova was born in the southern Bulgarian city of Stara Zagora to a family with music traditions. Her brightest childhood memories are linked to the operatic shows in her hometown. She was the child of the opera hall when rehearsals were held, or watched backstage while shows were given. Iskritsa is the Bulgarian for Little Sparkle. Both spontaneous and relentless, today Iskritsa Ognyanova lives, studies and works in the United States.
“In June 2008 I enrolled for study in the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York founded more than 40 years ago. What I particularly liked about it is that it highlights the genre of musicals. Former or active choreographers, actors and theater or music critics lecture at the academy. Music was the atmosphere I grew in – my grandmother was an opera singer, and my mom appeared in opera and operetta shows in Stara Zagora and Sofia. When I was a child I went to watch her in the shows of Stefan Makedonski State Operetta Theater. Later on my dream was to come into touch with the genuine Broadway musicals. I enrolled in the Berklee Colllege of Music affiliate in Barcelona, Spain, where my major was jazz singing. But I never gave up my dream to go to America.”
© Photo: personal archive
As soon as she enrolled in the American Musical & Dramatic Academy Iskritsa started work with renowned American professionals.
“The admission exam itself was held in the format of an audition, with the Academy’s Director David Martin attending, as well as the chiefs of the Classical Singing & Musical Department and representatives of the Drama Department. David Martin is an acclaimed producer and stage-director. He has worked with celebrities including Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand, Gwen Vardan and Bob Fosse. Mr Martin auditions every candidate wishing to enroll in the academy. I was among the lucky ones and as early as the first term was sent to the class of Elaine Petrikoff head of the Musical Department. She is an exceptional musician and pedagogue. At the academy we study a varied repertoire unknown in Bulgaria. We are acquainted in depth with the history of the musical, starting from the 1930s to the present day. The first part that I was given was from the musical She Loves Me. I acted a Hungarian girl. I still have some problems with my foreign accent, so my parts are of women from Eastern Europe.”
Iskritsa Ognyanova also gets parts in Off-Broadway, younger theaters on the legendary Broadway. One of the parts is in the musical Women of Manhattan.
“The show is a collage of monologues compiled from different plays”, Iskritsa goes on to say. “I was cast for the part by accident. Simply, I had prepared a monologue from a play focused on Eastern Europe – Bosnia, and they were looking for exactly this type of character. The monologue captured me right away. Then they asked how it felt to be a woman in Manhattan. I talked about my hometown, my studies in Barcelona, my dream to go to New York. I talked very openly and emotionally, I even wept instead of keeping my emotions for myself as we are taught at the academy. The jury however seemed to appreciate my sincerity, and I was cast in the show that was quite successful.”
© Photo: personal archive
Iskritsa Ognianova with Terry Waldo
At present Iskritsa Ognyanova continues her work and studies finding new friends in the professional circles across the Atlantic.
“What I particularly like in USA is that if you are frank, know what you want and follow your path honestly, the outcome is always good. I had to work to live even though I had a stipend. So I went to the imigration authorities in New York and told them my dream was to work on Broadway; I told them that I had mortgaged my home in Bulgaria to be able to come to USA but this was not enough. And, I was given work permit. This was a great chance, because I found a job in the PR department of one of the largest producer companies in USA. I worked in the legendary Palace Theater on Broadway at the time when they acted West Side Story with Karen Oliva cast as Anita, awarded with a Tony for this part. She is a friend, as well as other professionals. I value greatly their advice. Another important person for me is Tony Waldo, one of the idols of the American ragtime. He is a pianist, composer and travels widely. I met him by chance and now we meet often. He encourages me to sing jazz and now I have started preparing material for a CD that I could record with him. It is a matter of time for this album to be released”, concludes Iskritsa Ognyanova.
Translated by Daniela Konstantinova
По публикацията работи: Albena Bezovska
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