Meet Zonia Pelensky | Actress/Screenwriter and Student of Early Childhood Development

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zonia Pelensky and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zonia, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I love to keep in mind a quote by Anais Nin. “I postpone death by living, by suffering, by error, by risking, by giving, by loosing”
It helps me to remember that its ALL a part of LIFE, the good and the bad. It’s a gift to be able to experience. It’s what makes us human and what’s exciting about life at the end of the day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am currently developing my first feature length screenplay. My background is primarily in acting. I’ve written and produced shorts in the past but this is my first attempt at feature scriptwriting which has been really exciting and a complete learning process. Although at times frustrating, it’s a great feeling to learn something new. It really allows oneself to look at things with a fresh set of eyes, the way children do. If we can our put ego aside, we can let go of our typical means of expression and tap into our curiosity making room for the unknown.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well being that it’s NYC, the possibilities are endless. However something that I personally enjoy, being born and bred in the East Village, is introducing people to all the Ukrainian spots. Veselka or Streecha for traditional Ukrainian food. I remember as a kid I would sit at the counter and have a coke while my grandfather read the daily Ukrainian paper which in those days was only sold there, when it was still just a tiny whole in the wall on the corner of 9th. Friends enjoy it and it makes me feel connected to the Ukrainian community in ways I don’t necessarily feel too often anymore. There’s also the Ukrainian National Home that kinda has an uncanny David Lynch vibe to it. If you go during later hours, they have tango and line dancing in the back!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d really love to give credit to all the incredible women in my life. Family, friends, teachers, colleagues etc. It’s been an interesting to say the least past few years and I have zero doubt I would be where I’m standing today if it weren’t for the women I choose to surround myself with. Particularly my sisters who exemplify remarkable resilience and have been huge meccas of support to me. Someone once said (can’t remember who) that “oldest daughters are some of the toughest men you’ll ever meet” and I find that to be so true. I should also throw my mother in there for teaching us how to walk through life playfully with a sense of humor. In fact, I think they go hand in hand. Humor breeds resilience. To walk through life without either seems unbearable.

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