Meet Bar Zivlin

We were lucky to catch up with Bar Zivlin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bar, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?

Firstly, by constantly reminding myself that art is made to bring people closer together, which makes feeling hated a good enough reason to get out of bed and keep going.
I have never been the type of person, even as a child, who was a ‘consensus’. Because of the worlds I was attracted to, people always had something to say about me, my opinions, my art, my actions.
With full transparency, I admit that I haven’t fully mastered yet how to completely block out these voices. I do, however, persist despite the haters and critics—because I know how to turn these voices into fuel.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m an Israeli, NYC-based actress and writer. I create art in all its performative forms—film, theater, and music. My work is drawn from life and often reflects my thoughts and wonders on the future. From a comedic short film to a teen suspense drama, I aim to inspire thought and provoke reactions, while bridging cultures through art that is compassionate and thorough in its pursuit of solidarity.
I am committed to utilizing my art to advocate for strong female voices and to portray unique relationships between women, both on-screen and on-stage. Ensuring the representation of women from diverse cultures is what excites me most about the art I strive to create.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

In terms of qualities that have been most impactful in my journey so far, they are determination, imagination, and discipline.
For me, the most important thing in my creative process is a childlike imagination and sense of wonder. Without the ability to envision the stories you want to tell and the life you want to lead, art can feel overwhelming. However, in order to bring these stories to life, you must also have the adult-like discipline and work ethic required. Sometimes, you have to push through in rehearsal when your body’s had enough, or you need to do your research and analysis work at home when all you really want is a few moments of rest. Very often in this industry, no one else is going to hold you accountable except for the audience, and by then, it’s already too late to do better.
These challenges are bound to be tough, and when they arise, determination is your best friend!

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

My parents have always been incredibly supportive and allowed me to become whoever I wanted to be. They exposed me to art since I was a baby, enabled me to explore and try different things as a kid, and made sure I knew it’s okay to fail as well. But the most impactful thing my parents did, I believe, was teach me at a very young age that I’m capable—that what I say, think, and feel has value. They always encouraged me to express myself and stand up for what I believe in, and that has remained a solid principle in my work and personality to this very day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barzivlin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barzivlin?igsh=a240a3poeW1kZmU3&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Oz Shemesh
Amit Naim
Ahron R. Foster