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Isaya Evans is an actor, casting director, entertainer and commercial model. Despite the many feathers on his hat, he is as humble as he is hilarious. Njeri Maina met with him to learn more about his love and commitment to the arts.

“I don’t know how to answer this. Maybe the answer is the same as the answer to the question as to why I eat —to live.”

This is Isaya Evan’s eloquent and profound response to my question as to why he chose acting. It is his passion. He loves creating content whether he is in front of the camera or behind it. 

His acting journey began in December 2005, when actress Veronica Mwaura took a chance on him and gave him a role on a set book play.

It was a steep learning curve as he learned stage movements and vocalisations with the director threatening to fire him on occasion. 

But Veronica encouraged him and stood by him through it all. He performed set books for a while then went on to book several television jobs with Sumu la Penzi being his first.

He has so far appeared in numerous films and series among them Disconnect, Supa Modo, NOPE, a film that is currently in pre-production, and Lusala films.

Isaya is a go-getter. He is not cowed by challenges and instead runs straight-on to meet them halfway. He credits his father for always pushing him and instilling him this grit and zeal for life.

“My father once told me to train hard to fight easy. I live by this. I always give my everything at work.

He also taught me the value of being kind, tolerant and compassionate to humanity.

These two things are the things I live by, no matter the outcome. I believe that hard work and kindness are rewards in and of themselves and that they always triumph,” he says.  

Isaya believes that acting and filming are an education on society in and of themselves.

He says he has learnt a lot about humanity and how diverse we all are from the roles he has played and has learned even more from the interactions with other cast and crew members.

Bettering skills

“Everyone has something to teach if you look and listen close enough. I for one learnt how to be a Mali Mali guy from children I was acting alongside in a feature film I did called Kizingo.

The kids were hilarious and also quite convincing actors,” he says with a chuckle. “I have also learnt how to be better at communicating. I now listen more,” he adds. 

As to his creative process and how he gets to embody so perfectly the characters he is given, Isaya explains that it takes a lot of research and preparation.

He explains how he reads the scripts several times, and formulates backgrounds for his characters to help him emote better. 

He also researches the background portrayed by the characters and then works to be uncontrived and as authentic as possible.

For him, the process is thorough whether he is practicing for a short film, an advert or a feature film.

“I believe that you have to be committed whether you are doing a bit role or you are the main character. For instance, the whole cast and crew for my last short film STAY HOME, STAY SAFE, STAY SANE, which was just 1-minute-long was prepared for weeks to ensure that everything worked right,” he explains.

The Egerton University Bachelor of Science graduate is quite passionate about the Kenyan film scene and believes in its great capacity for growth.

He cites the lack of acting schools in Kenya as one of the challenges that the film industry faces.

He believes that where there is a will there is a way and applauds actors who take online courses to better their skills as that is one way of making do with what one has.

He is equally appreciative of those willing to share their skills with others such as Melissa Kiplagat, a renowned thespian with a Masters in Acting, who holds frequent acting workshops in a bid to upskill fellow artists.

“Most challenges in the Kenya Film Industry are universal, in my opinion. However, the challenge that I feel is unique to Kenya is the lack of laws anchored in the Constitution that protect and promote the growth of our industry.

For instance, there is no minimum wage for Kenyan actors and crew. I also wish that better structures were in place to ensure that royalty collection was done properly to ensure that all actors and crew benefit from their work,” he further explains. 

Staying on course

Isaya goes on to note the importance of hard work and commitment and how these two have helped anchor and drive his career.

“For anyone looking to join the industry, be open to learn and be committed.

Get yourself a mentor, there will always be someone who knows more than you and is willing to teach you.

I have picked up a lot about acting from Ainea Ojiambo and a lot about commitment to the course from Abdi Shuria, Abu Melita and Ishmael Azeli.

I have learnt a lot on professionalism from Sarika Hemi Lakhani, Ginger Sobhain and Dorothy Ghetuba, who are amazing producers in our industry.

Be resourceful and stick out the hard times. Stay the course,” Isaya says in conclusion.