Meet Trailblazer Nina Eleanya

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Eleanya.

Nina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started doing theatre in my senior year of high school to fulfill a fine arts credit for my diploma. I absolutely fell in love with performing! Ever since then, I’ve had this unshakable desire to become an actor. Since graduating in 2016, I have been pursuing it professionally. However, I didn’t know exactly what I was doing. I was so naive or “green” to show business. Made a lot of innocent mistakes along the way, but in retrospect I’m better for it. I did what I could and eventually got signed to a local talent agency. I have auditioned for commercials to small roles on television. And booked a good amount of work.

But my first love will always be theatre. I’m currently playing Nora Helmer in “A Doll’s House” at South Mountain Community College. The entire experience has been incredibly challenging but rewarding. Memorizing heavy amounts of dialogue from a script, building a character from scratch and ultimately being vulnerable on stage. I’m really grateful to have this opportunity to place such an iconic role.

Great, 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 has been one bumpy and chaotic ride these last few years. So many obstacles I face on a daily basis. I’m a caregiver for my younger sister. Six years ago at the age of 10, she suffered a stroke due to a genetic blood disorder. That stroke left her permanently blind and made her hemiplegic (meaning she is paralyzed on one side of her body). My mom and I care for her as best as we can. However, my mom works full-time, so a lot of the burden often falls on me. I have to juggle between caring for her, going to school and working a regular job them also making it in time for my rehearsals. “Late nights; Early Mornings” has been my self proclaimed motto. It’s not easy but it is doable.

As for advice for young women who are just starting their journey? Stay focused and ignore the negativity. They will always be people who will have something bad to say about you. There will always be someone questioning your judgment on whether or not what you’re pursuing is worthwhile. And there will always be self-doubt. I would encourage you to LOVE yourself first and foremost.

Then, everything else will fall into place.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m best known as an actress in Arizona. I have done a bit of theatrical stage plays around the valley. The last show I did before “A Doll’s House” was “SPIN” at Brelby Theatre Company in Glendale, AZ. I’m really proud of that show because it involved rollerskating… YES. We were live rollerskating on the stage! I literally did not know how to skate before doing the show. But within a week of rehearsals, I had it down! The show was about an all-female, roller derby team who loses its captain due to an unforeseen event.

Doing that show, it taught me that I can do anything if I really set my mind to it. I wanted to give up at first but I stuck through it and the end result was incredible. We got a lot of great reviews from the audience.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
Unfortunately, I don’t know. All the shows that I have done have been led by such intelligent and strong-minded women. I watch the way they work, process information, execute it and to turn into something wonderful. For the life of me, I cannot understand this disparity between the genders. Maybe it’s a financial thing? Oh old school mentality? I have no idea. But the way the world is going, I’mvery confident that we will have equality in the world

Contact Info:

• Email: nina.eleanya@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @a_timeless_classic
• Facebook: Nina Eleanya
• Twitter: @endless_classic

        Image Credit:
Ines Piquet Photography, Brelby Theatre Company

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