I act and make theatre.
Tatiana Pavela is a Chicago-based actress & theatre artist who gravitates towards experimental theatre, devised work and heightened language. As a private coach, she specializes in getting actors ready for undergraduate and graduate theatre programs.
As a teaching artist, she has worked with students of all ages to guide actors to work through fear, take up space and do the ridiculous. She is currently an instructor at Green Shirt Studio. Previously in Seattle she was a teaching artist with Macha Theatre Works and The Studio Seattle (where she was responsible for developing the Foundation Series for adults).
Recent Chicago credits include Hamlet with Red Theater (early 2024), Hurricane Diane at Theater Wit (U/S Pam & Carol) and Maria in Midsommer Flight's Twelfth Night. During her time in New York, she has performed at the New Ohio, Chashama, Dixon Place, La Mama ETC, HERE Arts Center, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, CATCH Performance Series, PS 122 and at Juilliard (to name some favorites). She has been a performer and collaborator with companies such as Drama of Works, Sightline Theatre Company, Obie award winning Theatre of a Two-Headed Calf and was a puppeteer for the Mabou Mines/Basil Twist production of Red Beads. While in Seattle, she has performed with Cafe Nordo, The Horse In Motion, Off-Road Shakespeare, Outsiders Inn, Annex Theatre and 14/48. Her own work has been shared at On The Boards' Open Studio, Velocity Sh*T Gold and Love City Love. Outside of New York and Seattle, Tatiana has worked in Edinburgh, Minneapolis, Louisville, Providence, Finland, Indonesia and Serbia.
Her original works include Brandi Alexander,El Diablo and Buttercream & Scotch (co-written with Paige Collette). She is a recipient of a 2017 Artist Trust Award for Brandi Alexander. Brandi Alexander was part of the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and was a Week 1 Critic's Pick from The List.
MFA from University of Washington PATP; BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
Tatiana is happiest when her love of theatre and travel combine to take her to exciting new places, when her work is described as “fearless” and when the food is good.