Meet Aly Sikora | Actress, Writer, Creator of Star Vision Gift, Producer of The Miracle Worker on October 5th to fund a water well in Eswatini

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aly Sikora and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aly, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
I’d say the piece of conventional advice I don’t resonate with is the idea that there is one direct path in life or a specific time frame for the gifts of life. I value that we are all on our own journey and I love to celebrate everyone for where they’re at. I didn’t perform with a Division 1 football team until I was 25 and I didn’t study abroad in Europe until I was 27, both of which society conditions us to believe won’t happen for us if we’re not there by 22. When I look back on my life thus far, I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve crossed paths with, and I’m often inspired by the events that had to occur along the way for it to all come into fruition in the way that it has. I overcame a severe depression in my teenage years through my early twenties, lost the first love of my life to death suddenly, and I went through a long road of healing from the bullying I experienced when I was younger. I always say my greatest accomplishment in life is being present for people who are feeling suicidal on Crisis Text Line. I also had the chance to be a guest speaker at Be Strong, a student-led anti-bullying organization. I’ve always had a passion for service, but I think my rough road only deepened and strengthened it. Once I had some relief from the depression, I found out I have a rare disease of the retina that has no cure and I’ll never have enough eyesight to get a driver’s license. I think the reason I handled my diagnosis so positively was because of the journey I had already lived. It was as if news that was “supposed” to devastate me and make me uncertain about my future only helped to direct my path into a life of service, creatively, and passion that has always been within me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always seen acting as a very giving profession, as it’s a way to reach people in the midst of their experiences. My background in human development and developmental psychology has been helpful in diving deeper into my character development. I’ve also always had a passion for writing. I first got the idea for Star Vision Gift at a writer’s retreat,and by the time the retreat was over, I had written the script and connected with a cinematography friend to see if he’d be interested in collaborating with me. Star Vision Gift is in part a documentary awareness film about life with Stargardt’s disease, a rare condition of the retina that impacts central vision. It is also in part a submission process in which a person with Stargardt’s has the opportunity to share their story and enter to be the recipient of the monetary gift. The submission process includes the Supplement which could be anything from written word, an image of visual art, or a video clip showcasing the pursuit of any type of passion despite the obstacles of living with the disease. The second aspect of the submission process is the “Personalized Star Vision” explaining what the gift would be used for and how it would help to reach the one thing Stargardt’s can’t take away: the drive and the vision inside.The wording choices of being a gift and not a prize, a recipient and not a winner, and a submission and not an application means a lot to me because I believe everyone who is fighting Stargardt’s everyday is already winning. The awareness film was shot partially on my Grandma’s porch and partially at Syracuse University, and it ended up reaching people around the world. It’s important to me to give to people who are also living with the disease and to spread awareness because there is a lack of resources and understanding about blindness on a spectrum. It breaks my heart when I hear of the hopelessness a parent often feels when their child is first diagnosed, or when a person wants to just give up because of the physical pain and inability to see. I hope to be a light by sharing that a full and meaningful life is still possible. Despite the daily challenges, there are also perks such as developing a strong sense of adaptability. I’ve always had an explorer’s heart and a desire to travel the world. Although I don’t have enough eyesight to drive a car, I’ve still traveled solo around the world, seen Antarctica, and my current goal is to be the first person with Stargardt’s to visit all 50 states without having driven to any of them. All is still possible, it just might look differently than that of a fully sighted person. There is something beautiful about having a vision beyond what can be physically seen. I think it helps me relate to my character Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker because she also had limited eyesight and sensitivity to light. She utilized her challenges to inspire Helen to reach her full potential. I aspire to not only portray Ms. Sullivan on stage, but to be continuing in her legacy offstage.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I was first exposed to the global water crisis during a summer internship back in 2016. The experience was so meaningful that it led me to becoming an ambassador with Thirst Project, the world’s largest youth water organization. I spent a year of service on their school tour giving presentations to educate students about the global water crisis and inspire them to make a difference in any cause they’re passionate about. I ended up being the ambassador who reached the most students and was able to attend the annual Legacy Ball in Beverly Hills. It is because of Thirst Project that I developed an understanding of how freshwater wells truly transform every sector of society and make life possible for millions. The organization is the reason why I’m so passionate about the water well I’m in the process of funding for a community in Eswatini. My acting coach, Linda Ann Watt, deserves all the credit for suggesting that I produce the play The Miracle Worker and star as Annie Sullivan. It is because of her encouragement that I discovered the correlation between the miracle of Helen Keller learning language at her family’s water well and what occurs in places like Eswatini when the access to safe water is available for the first time at the construction of a completed water well. Thanks to Linda and everyone at Thirst Project, the production will be at the ACT1 Theater in Alpharetta with two showings on Saturday, October 5th. 100% of ticket proceeds go directly towards funding the well. The amazing cast of professional actors and crew are donating their time and talent to make it all possible. Each and every audience member represents one person in Eswatini who will receive clean water because of their ticket. It’s incredible to see how everyone plays a crucial role in making this dream a reality, while also allowing people across the world to get a chance at life and someday make their dreams a reality, too. I’m grateful for everyone who’s part of it, from those who mentored me along the way, to all who will be joining us in the audience. I can’t wait to meet everyone after the shows and personally thank them for being involved in something so impactful.

Website: https://castalysikora.wixsite.com/aly-sikora

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssasikora04/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alysikora/videos

Image Credits
Star Vision Gift logo