On the stage with Georgi Nozhdelov

Georgi is undoubtedly one of the most interesting people I have met. He said that it would be difficult for him to introduce himself in a few sentences so I am going to try instead. He is an actor in the drama theater in Stara Zagora, he soon directed his first play, he can sing and is quite a creative person. He also works as a bartender in one of my very favorite bars – “Beer Kolobars” in Stara Zagora.

An actor in the theater, and recently a director – what attracted you to performing arts and how long ago was that?

Calling me a director is a little strong statement, since for the moment I have only one show that I have directed, and it is a semi-professional one, so there is still a long way to go until I establish myself in this field. As for the theatre, it may sound trivial, but it is a fact. There are things you don’t choose, they choose you. In this case, it is true for me. It was never my dream to do this, but… things happen the way I did. As I recall, I was in 11-12th grade when I decided I would do this, or at least that I wanted to try.

I was sick, laying at home and watching movies. I saw a few with Jim Carrey. Then I read his autobiography and discovered that this is a man with a brutally difficult life. Well, with the typical rebellious teenage thinking, I said to myself: “If he can do it, why can’t I…”. And that’s what led me to this day.

You combine the acting profession with other professional commitments. How do you manage your time and manage to stay on top of everything?

Two words – schedule and discipline. It’s not as hard as it seems. Besides being an actor, I have the opportunity to be part of the team at a special place related to the beer culture. Schedule, discipline, and balance. I am engaged in activities in theater, cinema, photoshoots, and other side things, and I dare to say that I have more free time than many people who are busy with one particular profession. If a person is organized enough, everything happens as it should, plus even there can be free time for himself.

Can you give any practical advice on the above to other people who, like you, juggle several professional commitments?

In my opinion, the most valuable resource is time. If you don’t plan your time the way you want and if you can’t spend it with the people you love, nothing else matters.

People say that actors and directors send messages and ideas with their work. What do you consider to be the most important message that you have conveyed to people?

I wish that people would be more thoughtful, more objective, and more critical, both to others and to themselves. To trust themselves more and listen to their hearts. Nowadays, with all the information sources we have, people /or at least some of them/, become quite susceptible to some false facts or are mislead. This frankly annoys me and I wish that before we say something before we believe before we insult someone, we should think, research the information and not let ourselves be deceived.

This is what I try to share with my work, of course, with love and respect. Art should be “philanthropic”, as my professor from the Academy says.

Think, research, and don’t let yourself be “slipped” by false information.

What keeps you going day after day in pursuit of your dreams and goals?

Honestly, I don’t know. I have a very strong internal motivation and this is probably the only true “key” to success. One must be one’s own competition and must strive to surpass himself. Each person must try to be better than the day before. Everything else is secondary. One can have idols, mentors, and people that he or she enjoys and draws inspiration from, but one should not rely only on that. And this is true for any field, not just acting. For me, appetite comes with eating, and sometimes I have to start doing something to find out if I like it.

What would you say to the people who are still hesitant to follow their goals and dreams?

We all “suffer” from this so-called “condition” – the little voice in our head that asks: “What will others think?” or “What will my people/relatives say?”. This, I believe, is at the heart of all people who refuse or a hesitant to follow their dreams. There are endless examples of successful people in various fields.

It is better for a person to try and if he fails, to have realized and experienced it himself, instead of allowing external factors to guide and navigate his way. No one else can tell you how to live your life. Use your strength, energy, your passion, skills, and experience – go ahead, try, and see what happens.