San Diego native, Eliana Payne first began her college career as a nutritionist. She played soccer for fifteen years and started college with the goal of working for a professional sports team. However, one mere acting class changed everything.
After much pestering, she reluctantly signed up for the mime class offered at Grossmont College. As the semester progressed her understanding of the art form soon replaced her initial dislike for the "scary costumes and crazy makeup." This class exposed her inner emotional being, unearthing everything she previously concealed inside. Every discovery, every insecurity, every doubt she possessed came to the surface. Instead of fear, her curiosity of this newfound freedom equipped her to imagine – to create. Over the next few years, Eliana received many professional opportunities. She performed in Cirque Electrique as their only female Sprite (clown) and played Beatrice in The New Village Art's production: Servant of Two Masters. In addition, she benefited from intense training of clowning and commedia dell'arte at Accademia Dell'Arte in Tuscany, Italy. Five years later, Eliana graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre & Arts Performance: Acting & Musical Theatre emphasis. In 2021, the San Diego Circus Center accepted her into their two year Pro-Track program. Set to graduate in the summer of 2022, she is currently studying under Jean-Luc Martin and Dan Griffith, focusing on clowning with a minor in Tramp Wall. After graduation, Eliana plans to find acting opportunities that challenge her emotional capacity as well as her physical ability. As her original mime teacher always said: "As you grow, your art must change with you. As soon as your piece becomes stagnant, it dies." |