She explains that her choice to join the project stemmed from a mix of personal conviction and the people involved. Her driving instinct, she notes, has always been to put people first when choosing roles, whether in cinema or theater. The opportunity to work with remarkable directors and a strong ensemble, especially the moment she met Nikita Kobelev, clarified why this project stood out. The chance to collaborate with such distinguished artists promised a rich learning experience, she says, and it was that potential growth that ultimately influenced her decision.
Reading the script, she was drawn to its ephemeral quality and the elements of fantasy surrounding her character. The design stood out as something wholly new, inviting her to explore inner questions and shared emotions with the audience. The format offered a path for the viewer to become a co-protagonist in the theater, a factor she believed would broaden her professional horizons and mark a turning point in her craft.
Working with Nikita Kobelev
Production director Nikita Kobelev began his career on stage as an actor before shifting his path to directing. This background, she observes, influences how he works with actors. Kobelev respects an actor’s organic process and provides space for ideas to emerge, while maintaining a clear artistic concept of his own. The experience has felt like a true collaboration, with Kobelev guiding the lead while honoring the actor’s voice in the room. The actress found his approach both fresh and mature, bringing a level of depth to his directing that she believes will continue to surprise audiences.
Despite his youth, Kobelev carries the maturity of a seasoned artist who can manage complex material while staying true to his own vision. The collaboration has left her with a sense of confidence about the future and anticipation for what he will bring next.
Colleagues on the Stage
Victoria Isakova and Alexandra Rebenok joined the cast, forming a trio of formidable voices with distinct internal energies. Rehearsals, she notes, are carried out in parallel rather than all together, with the goal of crafting a cohesive sound that remains uniquely each character’s. She admires Vika and Sasha as performers and as individuals, valuing the friendships formed through shared projects. This connection adds a layer of warmth to the process, enriching her own performance and offering opportunities to learn from them on and off the stage.
Her appreciation for personal experience in acting runs deep. Technique matters, she concedes, but the real value lies in the human nuances each performer brings, and the three of them together offer a dynamic and complementary mix onstage.
Self-Discovery Through the Production
The play Alone is described as a confession in performance. While working as an actor and as a person, the actor found new insights into herself. The piece touches on intimacy and fear in a time when social connections feel strained, exploring why people pull away and how this extends beyond romance. She believes the production is beautiful, exciting, and deeply meaningful, offering both a personal and collective experience for audiences.
She continues to follow the theater scene in the capital and notes that recent productions left a strong impression. Dmitry Krymov’s Seryozha stood out for its immersive quality and the performance by her friend Masha Smolnikova. Other favorites include Nikita Kobelev’s Environs / Fantasies and Creature, as well as theater works from the CIS that delve into human experience with honesty and boldness. These experiences feed her own artistry and remind her of how transformative live theater can be.
The Therapeutic Power of Art
She sees a balance in theater between offering solace and provoking reflection. Some works provide an escape, while others demand serious dialogue with life and its challenges. For her, both outcomes are essential. The artist’s duty, she believes, is to foster an inner conversation within the viewer, a process that often mirrors her own acting path. Therapies with herself and others, she adds, reveal deeper truths about love, truth, and human connection. She envisions a future that blends genres and tones, allowing audiences to both unwind and engage with important questions. In Hollywood terms, she would enjoy a mix of projects that serve both studio demands and personal artistic needs.
Socially Engaged Art and Personal Growth
In the last year she released two paintings that address pressing social issues. The feature film Sisters tackles domestic violence and the broader problem of violence in society, while the drama Healthy Man examines human sensitivity and the weight of choices within family life. These projects were chosen with intention, reflecting a period when she felt compelled to explore deep, challenging themes. Her involvement in Sisters went beyond acting, extending to production, and she found the experience both instructive and empowering. The film’s bold approach to addressing taboo topics resonated with her as a catalyst for personal growth and societal dialogue. The release order of the two films also highlighted different facets of responsibility—Sisters focusing on societal violence and Healthy Man on values and family dynamics.
Her collaboration with Nikita Efremov has been a longstanding and fruitful partnership. She believes that a strong on-screen dynamic often hinges on authentic collaboration, open dialogue, and shared values. Mutual honesty about the work process strengthens their chemistry and enables them to deliver authentic performances that resonate with audiences.
Future Projects and Creative Aspirations
Looking ahead, she expresses interest in exploring diverse storytelling formats. Fairy tales, romantic comedies, and roles with strong, determined heroines appeal to her. She hopes to work with talented collaborators from the worlds of theater and film, constantly seeking fresh forms that keep her from stagnation. Her goal is to choose material that inspires hope and calm in audiences, and to nurture that same sense of hope within herself. She envisions continuing to blend high-profile projects with smaller, personal experiments, a balance that sustains both growth and energy for her craft.