Today we’d like to introduce you to Afsaneh Aayani.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be a part of the theater. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actress and even though my family didn’t support my passion for theater, I kept my interests alive by going to shows whenever I could. Quite by accident I went to a performance by the famous US-based puppeteer, Peter Schumann. This brief exposure to puppetry left me inspired and eventually led to my pursuit of a BFA in puppetry at the Art University of Tehran. While in school and after earning my BFA, I traveled the world performing puppet shows and expanding my performance base. After several trips and performances, I moved to the U.S. where I was exposed to a number of great artists and role models that motivated me to pursue my MFA in Scenic Design at the University of Houston. I am currently in my 2nd year of the program and I also design for a number of companies in the Houston area. Ultimately, I look forward to founding my own company and performing my own shows.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to success is never smooth. Even though art is a universal language, it has still been difficult to overcome the language barrier after moving to the United States. My English improves every day; however, individuals who have been raised in a certain country always tend to gravitate towards people who sound like them and talk like them. As much as I would like to stand on the quality of my work alone, I’ve found the ability to communicate as well as or better than a native speaker is, unfortunately, a requirement for others to really take notice and treat me with respect.
Another significant hurdle has been rebuilding my network after moving. When I left my home country, I had built a network where my work was well-known and respected. After moving, a crucial task, and a tough one, was building new relationships where what I was bringing to the table was respected again.
Please tell us about Afsaneh Aayani.
As a freelance artist, my areas of specialty include puppet design, puppet making, props, and scenic design. I love creating and working with my hands. I’ve worked in many shops and on many shows so each of my designs are unique, budget-conscious, and practical to build. I am also one of the few trained puppet specialists in the greater Houston area.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My childhood was a bit on the rough side but my favorite memories were when my mom would take me to children’s theater shows. When I got home, I would retell the story to my dolls and give them voices and personalities to put on my own little show at home.
Contact Info:
- Email: af.aayani@gmail.com
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