By Juan Markos
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times)
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with rising star Ana Sharp, who has made her feature film debut in her first leading role as Terri in the film “Rise and Shine,” written by Michael Stagliano and directed by Laura Somers. Ana stars alongside Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner Rachel Bay Jones and esteemed actor Danny Burstein. The film follows a young woman with cerebral palsy and a developmental disability as she transitions from homeschooling to public high school while navigating friendship, independence, and love.
During our conversation, we touched on various topics, including our shared experiences as adopted individuals. We laughed about being part of the “real chosen people.” I asked Ana if she had ever visited her birthplace in Russia, and she said she hasn’t had that experience yet. Personally, I’m not interested in exploring my own place of origin, but I would love to visit Russia—though I did forget about the ongoing war there.
Ana’s journey into acting began in third grade when a classmate told her she could never play the lead in a play. Her response was simple: “Challenge accepted.” With her parents’ support, she has come full circle, landing the lead role in a film. Life can be quite unpredictable. The role in “Rise and Shine” is especially meaningful for Ana, as she lives with cerebral palsy and a developmental disability, bringing her own lived experiences and perspective to the screen. It has been amazing working alongside fellow co-stars Danny Burstein, and the legend Rachel Bay.
Authentic representation in film is crucial. Although many actors have portrayed characters with disabilities, it often feels inauthentic.
With “Rise and Shine” marking the start of her feature film career, Ana is determined to build a lasting presence in Hollywood while demonstrating that disability does not have to limit an actor’s ambitions. This is just the beginning for Ana Sharp, and I’m excited to see her journey unfold. “Rise and Shine” will be exclusively in AMC theaters on October 23, so make sure to check your local AMC listings for tickets and showtimes.
