Life and Work with Maya Avisar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Avisar.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Maya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In February 2017, I moved to New York City from Israel; to study musical theatre. After graduation and through my OPT (which is a work permit given within the student visa, post-graduation), I started getting to know more and more international artists, and when I thought about getting the O-1 Artist Visa I realized – there’s no one place (online or off) that is intended to help international artists!

The need was there: and I recognized it by speaking to fellow internationals and by being one myself. At the end of 2018, I opened our community: the Alliance of Alien Artists, that at once became a place for sharing knowledge, educating and assisting fellow internationals, in any step of the journey they are on. One year later, and with the support of over 300 artists, we were able to assist dozens of international artists in the pursuit of their careers in the United States.

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s definitely been intense, and I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned on the way!

Being a female leader is an incredible feeling, and is highly supported by other women. It takes a lot of courage and knowledge around your subject to be able to stand up to the people who work alongside you and for you, and you have to do your homework!

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from being a leader is to know humility and ask when you don’t understand/know something. Surround yourself with experts in their field and learn as much as you can about everyone’s job, in order to know what’s going on!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Alliance of Alien Artists – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
These days I work mostly as a producer – my job is to get the best people, each in their own specialty, and make sure the team is being led to a successful outcome!

I’m proud of the material I choose to work on and the people I choose to work with; ideally, I like to create my team mostly female-led if possible, and always support internationals – and first and foremost, Israeli artists. Our pride is in our heritage, and we choose what to promote. I try to work on subjects that are positive and either teach an important lesson or bring something positive into the world.

Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I truly believe our biggest barrier is ourselves. If you set your mind to do something, you should believe with all your heart that there is a way – and you will find the right people who will help you along the way. Blaming men, blaming society, countries or industries – that’s all just excuses.

If there’s a will, there’s a way. The reality we create is the one we will live in.

Contact Info:

• Email: MayaAvisarMA@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaavisar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maya.avisar

Image Credit:
Production photos: Ryan Ofek

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