Today we’d like to introduce you to Anastasia Pavlinskaya.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Anastasia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I immigrated to the United States from Russia when I was three years old. My entire life has been impacted by this move in many ways. Beyond the obvious impacts, being an immigrant has always forced me to explore perspectives of other people. So since I was a child, I have been very observational and have always sought to meet new people and hear their stories.
This is likely what drew me to comedy and journalism.
Journalism was my first love. As far as I can remember, I have been passionate about storytelling. When I was in fifth grade, I got the chance to work on my school’s morning news show WECE. Later on, in high school, I would go on to become a leader in my school’s weekly program CTV. I have said and continue to say that my experience in CTV changed everything. Every week, the students in our program would produce a 30-minute program filled with news, sports, and entertainment. While my major focus was on news, on occasion I would either write or act in sketches – sometimes both!
Then college happened. I did the damn thing. I studied Radio-Television and minored in Film. I studied, I partied, I grew up (whatever that means).. Blah, blah, blah.
Now, remember I said that I would occasionally act in and write sketches? Well, I hope you do, since I just said it… but I digress. Well “occasionally” has since become “often”. I owe a lot to the creative communities that I have been a part of. First CTV and now Villain Theater.
I started taking improv class following a heartbreak (figured I could “Eat, Pray, Love” myself into an actual identity). Now, I never really wanted to do improv. I was much more drawn to stand-up. I had done stand-up once and then never did it again for some reason. But once I started improv at Villain, I was suddenly inspired to push myself as a performer. Not only did I take on improv, I jumped back into stand-up, and then back into sketch writing.
Today, I work professionally as a producer at WPLG Local 10, Miami’s ABC affiliate. When I’m not doing that — I’m either performing stand-up, improv or producing for Villain’s sketch comedy show VT-TV (total homage to CTV).
I would say I’m pretty content, but also quite caffeinated. There’s never enough hours in the day to do all of the things that I want to do… but there’s something inside of me that has always propelled me to push myself.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s going to sound cliche, but the biggest obstacle has been myself. Sure, my family did struggle a bit when we came to the United States. But I am lucky that my parents have been so supportive of my ideas and pursuits.
That being said, I am my own worst critic. I constantly feel like I’m not doing enough or that I could be doing better. It’s a daily battle that can sometimes put me in this place where I just want to do nothing at all. This is not something that I’m proud of, but I believe it’s important to talk about.
Doubt is a horrible and evil thing. Doubt is what almost stopped me from pursuing television production in the first place. When I was in high school, I switched into a business class and out of CTV before the semester started. Why? Because I thought that I didn’t have what it took to succeed in that path. Then every Friday when CTV would come on, I would be on the brink of tears. In my heart, I knew what I wanted. But it took some time. Luckily, I was able to get back into the class and here I am today.
I think about that story so often. The idea of seeing your dreams walk away from you is painful. It’s so important to replace doubt with belief. Even if you have to fake believe in yourself. Fake it until you make it! I am constantly having to remind myself that I can do anything, as long as I set my mind on it.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
As previously stated, I am a comedian and local TV producer. During the day, I write about all of the absurdities in the world. At night, I laugh about them.
Twice a month I produce two stand-up shows “Venus Night” and “Group Chat”, both at Villain Theater. These shows are very special to me, especially Venus Night – because it’s our all-femme stand-up showcase. I think all voices should be heard, especially those that we are not used to hearing. But that is also why I love the stand-up community across the board. There is something so beautiful about hearing someone’s “brain blabber”.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I just wanted to fit in. I hated my name and hated the fact that I was different. It’s funny because all of the things that I didn’t like about myself are now the things I embrace.
I was also really chatty. I still am. You can probably feel that vibe from my interview and based on my professional pursuits. I love talking with others, that’s why I stand-up on stage and do just that on a weekly basis.
Imagination was important then and it still is. I have always been a dreamer. But have been nervous about “getting there”. One time I read a quote in someone’s office at one of my college internships that said: “Dreams don’t work, unless you do.” That has been my mantra ever since.
Contact Info:
- Website: anastasiaproductions.com
- Email: anastasiapproduction@gmail.com
- Instagram: @anatherussian
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnastasiaComedy/
- Twitter: @anatherussian
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