The following interview is with NYC-based actress Anthoula Katsimatides, who has been seen CBS’ FBI and NBC’s Manifest, and will be appearing in an upcoming Marvel series on Netflix later this year.
Anthoula is a writer, producer and voice-over artist. Passionate about theatre work, Anthoula has performed off-Broadway opposite Tony nominated actors. She recently developed a solo show titled Warrior Without a Cause, where she portrays 10 different characters, and has had sold out performances at various solo theatre festivals in NYC. Awarded best autobiographical script by the United Solo Theatre Festival, Anthoula is planning to tour with it nationwide and abroad.
Having earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Baruch College, a Master’s degree in Secondary Education at Queens College, and working in various fields before becoming an actor, Anthoula gained the skill set of a producer. She put this to good use as a producer on her passion project, Olympia, the official documentary film about Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis, which premiered in November 2018.
Anthoula is a proud New Yorker and involved in many charitable endeavors. After September 11th, 2001, Anthoula worked at the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation on the massive rebuilding effort. She is currently a member of the board of directors of The National September 11th Memorial & Museum, serving voluntarily in memory of her brother John Katsimatides, who died on September 11, 2001. She is also an avid supporter of The Samaritans in NYC, an organization solely devoted to preventing suicide and helping people in crisis, in memory of her brother Michael Katsimatides, who took his own life in May 1999.
She does voice-overs and commercials, and has her own radio show titled “Color Your Life” on Thursdays @7pm on Hellenic Public Radio Cosmos 91.5FM. For more, please visit anthoula.com and follow her on Twitter& Instagram: AnthoulaKats.
Interview With Anthoula:
`1. How long have you lived in New York?
My Greek immigrant parents settled in Astoria, Queens and I am so proud to say that’s where I was born and raised! I’ve lived here my entire life and I’m so happy about that!
2. What has been your favorite project to date?
I recently wrote a 60-minute autobiographical piece as a form of catharsis called “Warrior Without A Cause.” It consists of me on stage playing 10 different characters and basically talking about my life’s journey. It’s full of humor and sadness and reality as I present my most authentic self. I wrote it with the intention to inspire and motivate audiences. Nothing is more fulfilling than the feedback I receive from audience members who can relate to my story in one way, shape or form. I have performed at several solo festivals with wonderful success and even won some awards. I plan to continue performing it and perhaps tour it nationwide and hopefully perform it in Greece as well. That would make me feel like I’ve come full circle.
Although I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my first role ever booked in the movie “Taking Woodstock.” I was directed by none other than Oscar winner Ang Lee. This was an incredible treat. He was so kind and quiet and caring. He made my first real experience on set truly memorable.
3. What project are you looking forward to?
I can’t wait to see my recurring role in a Marvel series on Netflix that airs this Spring! But I’m also looking forward to booking a series regular role on a new pilot this season!! Fingers crossed!
4. How often do you write a new play?
I don’t have a specific defined amount of time between plays. I work on lots of ideas regularly by making notes and doing research. But fully embarking on writing a new piece from start to finish is so time-consuming that it depends on my inspiration and/or what is going on in my life at the time. For example, I spent three years writing my first solo show “What Will People Think?” and performed it in 2014 &2015. I waited two years before writing my second solo show “Warrior Without A Cause” and that took a little over a year.
5. You have two degrees and are in a career that focuses on neither of them. Do they add insight to where you are now?
They sure do! My parents were both first generation Greek so I was raised very Greek and I loved it. But it meant pursuing a non-artistic degree and career! So, I got a business degree and worked in advertising out of college because that was a creative aspect of business. This gave me the skills needed to present in front of a small group of clients. Then I transitioned to teaching ESL to high school and college students, while getting my masters in teaching in the evening. This gave me the ability to be in front of a larger group and helped me learn how to better articulate what needed to get across to the students. After some time, I transitioned careers yet again and began working in government. I became a community affairs representative for Governor George Pataki. I represented him at various events and spoke on his behalf. This was the ultimate experience which helped me as I transitioned into an actor. I’m thrilled I got the various degrees and experiences before acting. They formed me into a more well-rounded individual with real life experiences to draw upon as an actor.
6. You do some community work. Is there an outcome you want your work to inspire?
I’ve always done community work as I grew up in a very tight knit community. But when I got older, tragedy struck my family twice. In 1999, my younger brother Michael committed suicide at 25 years old. Then while working for the Governor, I unfortunately lost a second brother, John, on September 11, 2001 in the twin towers. I’ve always dreamed that my work would inspire people and give them hope while surviving personal tragedy. It’s also my hope that one day, as I grow in notoriety as an artist, I will have the opportunity to affect change to a greater degree. Specifically, with regard to the rights of crime victims, mental illness awareness, suicide prevention, people suffering from survivor guilt, and animal rights/care.
7. Do you have a current endeavor you would like to promote?
I am honored to be an Executive Producer of the documentary “Olympia”, which is about the life of Oscar winning actress Olympia Dukakis, who also happens to be my mentor and inspires me in so many ways. “Olympia” has been a labor of love over the last six years. This film is a deeply moving narrative which explores not only Olympia’s rich and storied career but her struggle to never allow herself to be defined by the expectations of others. We just had a sold-out premiere at the DOC NYC festival where 500 people gave a standing ovation at the end of the film. It’s currently working its way through the festival circuit and we are looking forward to having a theatrical release both here in the US and internationally. Please visit http://www.olympiathefilm.com for more info.
