Silviya Stefanova works as a pharmacist, is interested in esotericism and alternative healing methods, explores the human body’s unlimited possibilities and constantly challenges herself in different ways. She also holds a master’s degree in psychology. Her desire to improve her acting skills first took her to the Film Academy for Talents, then at the end of the summer to the “Priests of the Muses” festival in Lozenets, where she took part in the Academy’s workshop performances.
How did you end up at the festival in Lozenets?
I went to Lozenets with the idea of challenging myself again by taking part in a performance, improving my acting skills, getting to know our teachers and new people better, and being in an unfamiliar place.
Tell us about working on the performances.
Working to such tight deadlines was difficult. Even until the last moment, I wondered what we would do and whether anything would come of it, but the calm of Nataliya, Tsvyatko and Ivo reassured me.
When the performance ended, I could not believe we had really managed to do everything in 3 days! We had only put everything together the day before, still did not know the lines, and at the dress rehearsal on the day of the performance we were asking what we were doing and where. Even now, remembering it, it sounds incredible, but I know it is a fact. I think all this was possible thanks to Nataliya Dukova’s exceptional organisational skills, charisma, calm, confidence and experience. I will never forget her words on the first day: “Come on, you are great, we are great, the audience is great, and it will work.” It was a powerful boost that literally drove the nail of success into our subconscious. I do not know whether the others understood what she actually did with those words, but I did: she simply made us unshakeable winners.
What was hardest, what was easiest, and what will you remember about taking part?
Learning the lines was difficult, so I repeated them every evening and looked for logic to remember the tricky parts. Everything else was easy and pleasant, but not being nervous in front of the audience took the most effort. Before starting at the Film Academy, I attended playback theatre for a year and performed twice before an audience. I went there because I enjoy acting, becoming someone else and experiencing other people’s lives, but above all I wanted to stop being nervous in front of an audience, shaking and forgetting my own name. Going on first, remembering my lines and remaining calm is enormous progress for me, and I am extremely happy I managed it. Of course, I also see the weaknesses in my performance, but I accept them as experience.
What is it like working with Nataliya and the others? Describe the process and feeling.
Working with Nataliya is a pleasure, magic, beauty. To me she is an exceptional person, a wonderful professional and someone who is easy to work with. She knows what to do and how to do it. I had never even imagined someone could develop themselves in a way so close to my ideal of perfection. There is something we have in common, but I have not yet managed to put it into words. Besides motivating us at the beginning, she managed to unite us, bring complete strangers and very different people together, humble us and dissolve our egos. She inspired us with her beautiful texts. However much I say about her, it will always feel insufficient. I am happy fate brought me together with her and the whole team.
If you had to choose for yourself: film or theatre?
I have acted in theatre and know what it is like, but not yet in film. Since I left playback theatre and came to cinema, I prefer cinema at this moment. I do not even know exactly why; it is simply a feeling and a childhood dream.
What performance challenge would you accept in the future?
Since I have no experience, every role will be a challenge. I will put all my effort into understanding and becoming one with the character. I have always found villains in films interesting, and that would be a great challenge for me. In fact, I am ready to play any role and give everything to make it unforgettable. It does not matter what role I play; what matters is giving it depth and reaching the viewer. Life has taught me that God knows what He is doing and what is mine is waiting for me, so it will be the same now.
