UC grad Elžbieta Chernyak’s journey from coursework to center stage
by Georgia Laidlaw
UC grad Elžbieta Chernyak has never shied away from a challenge. When she first started university, she had an interest in pursuing both biology and drama. Now, after four years of study and several productions later, her heart is set on a career as an actor — something she’s ready to take on after all that she's accomplished at U of T.
“I’ve wanted to come to U of T ever since my family immigrated to Canada,” says Chernyak, who was born in Lithuania and spent her summers in Ukraine before moving to Canada in her late teens with her family. When choosing a university, she was especially drawn to U of T because of its flexible options for selecting different subjects. “Because I could do a double major, I could do two things that I wanted, so I did cell and molecular biology and drama. No other universities allowed me to do that.”
At first intimidated by the size of the university, the diversity of offerings ended up becoming a trove of opportunity where Elžbieta thrived. She ended up finding her community in smaller classes and extracurriculars across campus like the UC Follies, Campus Radio CIUT, classical guitar groups, and the UC Lit, to name a few.
Juggling all these commitments with coursework proved to be challenging: at one point, Chernyak was an executive member of six clubs while taking six courses. But overcoming each new challenge gave her the resolve and skills she needed to more seriously consider what she really wanted to do after university.
One such challenge was acting in the DRM403Y Mainstage Performance, The Trials, directed by Andrew Kushner. Exclusive to senior drama students, the course is an intensive opportunity to experience what it would be like working on a full-length production. Students in the course spend around 13 hours a week in combined rehearsal, movement and technique classes to hone their skills. For Elžbieta, that work culminated in her performance as Gabi. “That was awesome. It was such an important course. Andrew was very meticulous and I really learned a lot. He pushed us to keep trying to get there and believe what we’re saying. He’s a very good teacher and a great director.”
Another standout moment was taking a seat in the director's chair for the first time to co-direct the UC Follies performance of Mom, Dad, I’m Living With a White Girl. The follies are University College's theatre troupe, which has included members like Lorne Michaels, the creator of Saturday Night Live.
“I had never directed anything before," Chernyak recalls, "being in a play and directing a play are two completely different experiences. All of a sudden, I had to keep track of the music, the lights — not just the acting — and I remember sitting trying to get one bit right for probably 20 minutes."
This particular performance had special significance for the Follies because they performed in the backspace of the Theatre Passe Muraille, exactly where the original production was shown when it first played. “Hours went into that,” Chernyak recalls, “and it was so satisfying to be able to see it actually happen.”
Looking back at all her different experiences at university, Elžbieta ultimately credits the many opportunities she found on campus for her decision to pursue a career as an actor. “I think all the opportunities really solidified that desire because U of T provides so many opportunities,” she says.
Indeed, after four years of hard work, study and extra-curricular contributions, Elžbieta was awarded a prestigious University of Toronto Student Leadership Award , bestowed for exemplary leadership and volunteer service to the university. She was also awarded a Program Award for her contributions and accomplishments in the Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies program.
“I came into U of T thinking that I was probably going to go into bio, but the more activities I did, the more I was like, ‘I'm gonna be an actor. Nope, I'm gonna be an actor,’" she says, "I have to. I think I'll be forever angry at myself for not trying to do this.”
Instructors and mentors played a big role in Elžbieta's decision. She credits her classical guitar ensemble teacher, Luis Angel Medina, as one of the many artists on campus who showed her how rewarding it could be to have a career in the arts — and also what it takes to succeed. "Had it not been for the guitar ensemble course, I likely would not have returned to taking guitar seriously after a few years of mostly just playing for leisure," she attests.
And this was true of many artists and instructors that Elžbieta encountered during her studies. “You have to hustle," she concludes after many discussions and deliberations, "but I met so many people who managed to live off their art. So it is possible, it just requires a lot of hustling.” Something which, fortunately, Elžbieta is well-practiced in after her time on campus.
Looking to the future beyond graduation, Elžbieta is excited to participate in the Midsummer in Oxford Acting Program run by the British American Drama Academy in association with the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. That, and ready herself for "auditions, auditions, auditions and auditions."
But before she embarks on her next chapter, Elžbieta wants to give a special shout-out to her younger sister, Danielė Chernyak, for her support over the past four years. “She has assisted me in every way possible, and I don’t know how I would have been able to finish school without her,” she states — proof that it takes a team to shine on stage and in life.