Meet Abraham Ntonya | Actor

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

Hi Abraham, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
One of the most difficult decisions I had to make was choosing to move to America to pursue my dream of being an actor knowing full well the likelihood of seeing certain family members alive again was very slim.

I had graduated from high school in November 2007 with my A-level certificate from a boarding school called the International School of South Africa (ISSA). At this point in my career I already knew I wanted to be an actor and I had it set in my mind moving to Hollywood was the only way anyone would take me seriously enough.

Being the youngest child of five meant going very far from home was going to be a topic. However, after much convincing, my parents gave in to my desire to travel west and explore the world on my own.

I wasn’t fully aware that during my time in boarding school, my father’s health began to decline and the few times I would go home to Malawi for holiday would be some of my last with him. I was determined to move west. After all I finally got my parent’s blessing. I became more aware of the gravity of the situation when my mother would request for me to “stay home more” and “spend time with your dad.” It was at this moment I realized I probably won’t see him alive again if I moved to the USA for college.

To this day, I hate the fact I was right about my prediction. At the same time I know he was very proud of me for following my dream and pursuing a career in a field that has no concrete instructions on how success is achieved other than the desire to try. This decision cost me time with my loved ones, that is why I do my best to work as hard as I can to make it worth it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My full name is Abraham Anene Ntonya. I’m an actor from Malawi and based in Los Angeles, California. …. Getting here took me 32 years. Yes. That’s how long I’ve known I wanted to do this. Starting at the age of 3, I played one of the three kings that brought a gift to baby Jesus during an event hosted by my kindergarten school. My late father recorded the event on his old Video Recorder. One day we sat around and watched the tape and during the viewing he said “this is one of my proudest days.”
That’s all I needed to hear. Knowing I could make my father proud planted the seed that has germinated into the career I have today.
There were other pivotal moments that added to this. At the age of 11 I played Fagin in my primary school’s production of Oliver Twist. It was a performance where I got to sing, dance and act: three things I really enjoy doing. After one particular performance, a teacher, Mrs McLaughlin said “Abraham, you are so talented. If you don’t pursue acting as a profession it would be a waste of your talent.”
This was the moment I decided I needed to move to Hollywood and be an actor. Considering Malawi didn’t really have much of an entertainment industry to support the ambitions I possessed at the time, I knew I had to leave. So every move I made since the age of 11 was geared towards somehow making it out to Hollywood, being an actor and acting in a movie with one of my idols: Denzel Washington. So far I’ve accomplished two of those things… there is one more left.

Biggest lesson: Be Actively Patient! We have all heard the saying “Good things come to those who wait.” We have also heard the saying “If you want something you have to work for it.” I think both these are true despite seemingly contradicting each other. So I prefer to say Be Actively Patient. My path was not a straight line by any means. There was a lot of hurt, many mistakes, stops and starts. All of it was necessary for me to get to where I am now. My formula might not work for everyone, but if I can share anything it would be this: find your P3I. This means if you want anything to work it must be something of Personal Interest, Investment and Impact. I’ve found nothing really works well unless all three of these personal items are engaged. A persons WHY in life should always be greater than their HOW.

I want the world to know whatever your It is, It is possible. At the time of doing this interview, I’m eight weeks into a ten week international tour of England, Australia and New Zealand doing a show for primary schools called The NED Show. I share stories to kids teaching them to Never give up, Encourage others and Do their best! How do I do this? By doing magic tricks and cool tricks with a yo-yo. If you asked me fifteen years ago when I arrived in America if this was part of my journey I would have passed out laughing. This is part of my journey. This is my It, and It is happening.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Mama Shelter off of Selma and Wilcox. Hands down the best place to be on a Sunday evening. Great music, good food, and everyone from all walks of life are welcome to this rooftop fiesta to dance until their feet hurt.

I would take them to the Drum Circle on Venice Beach. I love playing the drums and listening to music, so pretty much all places I would take them will have some music involved.

For fuel, I would take them to the taco truck of Vermont and 5th street called El Flamin Taco.
If there is time, drive down to San Diego and hang out at Sunset Cliffs.
Hike the Hollywood Sign trail or go bungee jumping off the Bridge to Nowhere in Valyermo.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yao Dogbe Chris Nash
Luiza Almeida

Friend/Mentor: Qabaniso Malewezi

Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Website: www.abrahamntonya.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrahamntonya/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraham-ntonya-0416602b

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abrahamntonya?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXn4uTJ3Xw53SbKvk7rVZuw

Other: www.thenedshows.com

Image Credits
Photo by Andres Alcala Photo Credit: Steve Smedley. Photo: Oscar Sun (@oskeezynus ) Ryan Liu