Proud Stories: Atra Asdou (She/Her/Hers)

Q: What kind of performance artist are you?
Actor, Comedian, Improviser, Writer
Q: When did you first know that you wanted to be a full-time artist?
Full-time artist ...came about junior year of college. I wanted to also be a teacher until junior year at Loyola, where I found out, if I was studying theatre and wanted to add on education as a second minor (as was my plan), I’d have to add a third major. No time or money for that! So, I stayed on an artist track.
Q: How are you keeping yourself inspired to create during this unprecedented time?
I’m inputting a lot more than pre-pandemic me was. I’m watching shows I’ve always wanted to watch, revisiting old loves, reading & audio booking the most I have since I was in school, and tapping into my OG expressionistic joy bringers like poetry and painting/drawing.
Q: What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as an artist and how did you overcome it?
This one is dark, TW: toxic workplace / abuse. I was shoved in the face during a production that had a huge toxic male/abuse problem. I overcame it by finishing the contract (very dumb “professional” work obsessed daughter of immigrants move, don’t recommend). Then going on to do two more plays I was contracted on (dum dummy dum), then said “I’m not gonna do theatre anymore unless it’s a non-male driven story.” ... Among other criteria. So, I overcame it slowly with boundaries, and later therapy, and decided I’m gonna make my own and go back home to my first love of comedy. WAKKA WAKKA!
Q: What are you most proud of in your career thus far?
When doors close, I go make my own and/or make it with my amazingly creative friends. I’m grateful for that more than proud. I still have so much to learn and try, but that’s a constant for me.
Q: Is there anything you are working on now that can be shared and supported?
BLACK AND WHITE NEWS: THE PLAN! It’s a comedy style news show where folks come on and debate real, difficult to suss out issues affecting the country today. It premieres 11/25 through second city.
You can get tix here: Black and White News: The Plan!