Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Naumovska.
Hi Emma , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started in my childhood bedroom, where I would put on one woman shows for my family, and any of my parents’ friends who dared to come over for dinner. I started training in dance when I was 13, at a small competition school in Franklin, TN. Throughout that year, I had gained a deep passion for ballet. My ballet teacher at the time pulled me aside after one class, asking if I had any intention of pursuing a professional ballet career — immediately, I said yes. I really didn’t know how that would happen, but I was determined to do whatever it takes. Fast forward, I moved to a ballet school to devote all my time to my career. I was given a full scholarship in the pre-professional training division with the company. I trained with ballet icons such as Patrica McBride, Wendy Whelan, Gillian Murphy, Julie Kent, Jean-Pierre Bonnefous, and Alonzo King. I continued my training, and finished high school online in order to dance during the days. As I advanced in my career, my health started to take a turn. I had accumulated multiple fractures in my shins, one after another. If you’re an athlete, you know the recovery process is one of the most challenging not only physically, but mentally. With ballet specifically, and the intricate muscles we use, it was daunting having to repeat this process over and over. I remember right before the Covid lockdown, I had been given a solo in the ballet, Coppélia. My most impactful teacher and mentor, Anaïs Chalendard, had been coaching me on it. Anaïs is one of the most beautiful ballerinas in the world, and to learn from her was one of the greatest honors of my career. As we prepared, I had developed another stress fracture in my left tibia. I was devastated. Why did this keep happening?
When I was 17, I was offered a second company contract, and then was offered another contract with one of my top choice companies at 18. At 19, I was diagnosed with early onset osteoporosis and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. My doctor had told me my bone density was equivalent to that of a 75 year-old woman. They proceeded to tell me that life in a ballet company wouldn’t be sustainable for me, that I would keep getting fractures if I didn’t allow time for my bones to strengthen. What just happened? I was utterly in shock. I remember a few days before that appointment, I was putting away the dishes while my mom was asking me how I was feeling with the pain, and just where I was mentally. I just started sobbing. For 3 years I was in and out of doctor’s offices being tested for everything under the sun. I remember choking out the words, “I am just tired of being broken all the time.” Her whole demeanor dropped, and she started crying with me.
I had absolutely no idea who I was after that. I went through a major identity crisis. I know now this is a common issue in retired dancers, but once one stops dancing it feels isolating and debilitating because of how much your worth and identity is tied up in the art. I don’t really know how to explain it quite yet, as it’s still pretty fresh — I mean that was only 3 years ago. After going through a deep depression, my parents had encouraged me to try a new creative outlet. The first thing they mentioned was acting class. My family is a movie family, through and through. I grew up being quizzed on which actor was on the screen, quoting movie lines instead of using my own words, and always using an accent randomly in mundane conversations. I agreed in an Eeyore manner, and signed up for a class. After my first class, I came home and said, “I’m going to be an actor.” My parents looked at each other, smiled and said, “Okay.” I am lucky. I have the most supportive family, and despite having chosen a career path where both have less than a 1% success rate, I am always encouraged. Shortly after my first class, I signed with my agent, Melinda Eisnaugle at The Avenue Agency. During the writers strike, I moved to London, England to study acting. Many of my inspirations come from the UK, so I thought where better to go learn. I have been working in film and television since.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course not, but is anyone’s story? I mean, everyone has parts of their life that they don’t talk about. I really haven’t talked about mine until now, and even then there’s a lot more that happened. When everything was going on, I kind of just dropped off the face of the earth. I didn’t even have the strength to tell my closest friends what was going on. I feel really lucky to be dancing again, more now for myself. I am incredibly fortunate to have access to the right treatments and resources to heal. I don’t think I would have ever explored acting if life didn’t derailed me so abruptly. I found a new passion, one that’s nourished my whole being, in a time when I was dreadfully deprived.
While that was one of the most painful times in my life, I’ve learned to be grateful for it. I’ve found that my most precious moments have happened because of the sudden redirection… what I thought was the end, was just the beginning.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have a film coming out later this year, and it’s a particular project I’m honored to be apart of. It’s called Jesus Land, it stars Ella Anderson, Juliette Lewis, and Xavior Jones. Jesus Land is based on the New York Times Best Selling Memoir, by Julia Scheeres. It takes place in the 80’s and it’s about Julia, and her adopted black brother, David’s life. Their parents sent them to an abusive reform school in the Dominican Republic, and the film captures the experience of these corrupt institutions. I play Rhonda, one of the girls at the reform school, alongside Georgia Waehler (Night Agent, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin), Sarah Brine (Sisters), Kristian Bruun (The Recruit, Orphan Black), Olivia Choate (Perry Mason), and Nikki Roumel (Ginny & Georgia).
I remember reading the book, and was just speechless at all they went through. It’s absolutely heart wrenching, and just is something that needs to be addressed. Julia’s writing really takes you there, and it’s deeply uncomfortable to witness – as it should be. These schools still exist, and there isn’t enough awareness about it.
As far as the future, I dream about the day I can intertwine dance and acting. A film like Dirty Dancing, Black Swan, or La La Land would feel so rewarding to be able to put all my training to use, and I know it would be incredibly healing.
Art in and of itself is healing, especially when it feels the most scary. I love the moment when I’m reading a script and my heart starts racing. It’s always a sign to me, like yes I can do this, even though it’s a bit terrifying right now — such a lesson for life. I adore the whole preparation process, training, and becoming someone else. So who knows, everything is possible.
Another part of me I want to entwine in my work is my Macedonian heritage. My grandparents were immigrants, and my upbringing had a heavy Balkan influence. I still have lots of family in Macedonia, and grew up surrounded by cultural traditions from my dad’s family. It’s such a beautiful culture, and feels like an important piece of me I’d love to share more of.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
You know, I don’t really advertise this about myself but I really love writing. It’s a little escape that it’s really soothing for me, and I just want to protect that for a while. I’m currently writing a book, and I have a few “rough draft” scripts I’d love to direct one day.
Storytelling is so crucial to the human experience. It’s why you feel less alone after you see a character have a breakdown in their car, or trying to calm themselves down before having a panic attack, or hearing their internal dialogue. All these “alone” moments that are portrayed to you as a scene, show that you that while you never have talked about it, it is a shared experience — I find it incredibly validating.
My whole being is utterly consumed whenever I see a impactful play, film, or script. It feels so intense, like I’m lingering in a space that only I exist in, or in sort of high that I’m constantly chasing. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14073486/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmanaumovska?igsh=Mjc1Mncyam1hYTV1
