We were lucky to catch up with Aly Sikora recently and have shared our conversation below.
Aly, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
I think it’s always just been a really strong value of mine. I’ve always been a very passionate person by nature, and I can recall the desire to make a difference from a very young age. My Grandmother was also a very strong influence for me in my upbringing. She was the most selfless and thoughtful person you could ever meet. She had the warmest hugs and it was as if you could feel her warmth and kindness radiating. The funniest memory I always tell people when describing her generosity was that it was nearly impossible to ever leave her home without her saying, “Isn’t there something I’m supposed to give you?” The catch was that I’d already have a bag full of things in my hand she had given during the visit, yet she was still so certain there was something more to give. She was a very humble woman who didn’t have much, so the fact that she always wanted to give, give, give was truly something so special about her. She was also talented at making friends everywhere she went. She was such a caring person who truly saw the best in everyone, so naturally people loved to be around her. Even pets seemed to always take a really strong liking towards her. I could go on and on for days about how loved and supported I felt from her throughout my life. I say that even if I got all the love from everyone in the world, it still wouldn’t compare to all the love I got just from my Grandma. She inspired me in so many ways.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an actress and writer, though since it’s important to me to be very proactive about my career, I have dived into producing my own projects. This year, I received a license to produce The Miracle Worker, the story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. 100% of proceeds went directly towards funding a water well in Eswatini. I found a correlation between the miracle that happened for Helen when she learned language at her family’s water well, bringing her out of a previously dark and silent world, and the miracles that happen all over the world when people receive access to clean water, which similarly brings people out of dark situations and gives them hope for a future. The production was responsible for the water well becoming halfway funded, after two years of intense work of raising money and awareness. Currently, I am in pre-production of an original short film, Fountain, which will also serve to raise money for the well. Fountain is a fictional story, loosely inspired by a true event that took place on a Rome-bound train in Italy. The story not only keeps the trend of water that aligns with the mission, it’s also dedicated to my Grandmother due to some surprises in the film that I’d love to share more about if it didn’t create spoilers. The film is confirmed to shoot in mid-December with a 2025 release.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The best advice I can give to someone who is early in their journey is to immerse yourself as much as possible in whatever it is you’re passionate about! It’s never too early to start gaining knowledge and experience or too late. In regards to acting specifically, there truly are enough roles to go around for every age, shape, and casting type. Real movies are being made about real people all the time. Often what we think is our greatest flaw is actually our greatest strength because we all have something unique to share with the world. Acting is a journey that dives you deeper into what it means to be human, and becoming the best person you can be will ultimately make you the best actor you can be. Everything you experience in life you can bring into your craft, whether that might be certain emotions or understandings you have a deep connection to, or even your expertise in another discipline or career. Nothing you’ve been through or experienced ever has to go to waste when you’re an actor. You can choose to create a meaningful purpose out of all of it. I’d encourage you to stay true to who you are and have an understanding of what your personal mission is so you can draw back to it when facing obstacles. I’d also encourage developing a strong work ethic, the desire to collaborate, an openness to be constantly learning, and to strive to be a person that others can depend on. Talent alone will only ever take you so far, but you will be successful at reaching your goals if you’re willing to stay passionately committed.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! I am always looking to collaborate with others. Film is a collaborative medium and it’s so important to be intentional about building and fostering community. I am so grateful about how welcoming the ATL film community is and how easy it is to find people with the same passions and values in this city. I am so proud of the hard-work and dedication of my cast in The Miracle Worker and likewise about my collaborators for my upcoming films, specifically Fountain. I value working with people who are reliable, focused, and genuinely compassionate towards others. I care about everyone, I value meeting people where they are, and developing inclusive environments. I’d love to meet new people in the industry as well as future collaborators. I’d be honored to support you and be in your corner as you continue to grow and strive in your career. If you’re interested in reaching out, the most direct way is to email me at: castalysikora@gmail.com
I’d also like to take a moment to express my appreciation for my family and friends who have been supportive of me throughout my journey, and especially my parents. I would not be who I am or be able to do what I’ve done in life if it wasn’t for their love and guidance. The end of 2024 is going to be a special time for me, specifically as we move into the production of Fountain. It will give me the chance to honor my Grandmother in a tangible way only a year after she has passed. I hope that in addition to making a difference for the community in Eswatini, that the film will be meaningful for audiences. Stay tuned for more information that will be coming soon on my website and on social media!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://castalysikora.wixsite.com/aly-sikora
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alysikora/featured
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