Mazvita Chanakira

Actor • Performer • Storyteller

About

Mazvita Chanakira Headshot

Mazvita is a Zimbabwean-South African actor based in New York. She holds an MFA in Acting from Columbia University and a BFA from Pace, with additional training at RADA London, the Epidaurus Lyceum in Greece, and École Philippe Gaulier in France.

Her credits span Off-Broadway, regional theater, and film. She has performed with Classical Theatre of Harlem, Chautauqua Theatre Company, and Drama League, among others. She speaks fluent Shona and works across Zimbabwean, South African, British, and American dialects.

MFA Acting

Columbia University

Off-Broadway

Classical Theatre of Harlem

International

RADA, Gaulier, Epidaurus

Based in

New York, NY

Resume

Height: 5'6"
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Voice: Alto

Off-Broadway

Olivia/Viola (u/s)
Twelfth Night
Classical Theatre of Harlem
Carl Cofield
Raina/Catherine/Louka (u/s perf.)
Arms and the Man
Theatre Row
David Staller

Regional

Acting Fellow
Acting Conservatory
Chautauqua Theatre Co.
Jenny Koons

New York

Kayleen
Gruesome Playground Injuries
Drama League
Quentin Madia
Mother
Blood Wedding
Seaport Museum
Jacob L Lebowitz
Dogberry
Much Ado About Nothing
The Hive
Justin Giegerich

University

Wanda Wheels
Halfway Bitches…
Columbia MFA
Lisa Benavides
Genevieve
Office Hour
Columbia MFA
Dennis Hilton-Reid
Lyubov
The Cherry Orchard
Columbia MFA
Manoel Felciano
Mae/Rainbow
Mud/Springtime
Columbia MFA
Colm Summers
D
Polaroid Stories
Pace BFA
Raelle Myrick-Hodges
Antonio/Jessica
Merchant of Venice
Pace BFA
Julie Lawrence-Edsell

Film/Television (Selected)

Florence
Father's Day
Pilot
Rolando Hernandez III
Ashley
Damned If You Do
Short Film
Edy Kennedy
Pop-Up Shopper / Friend
Surviving on LES
Feature Film
Tony Amatullo

Training

Columbia University School of the Arts

MFA Acting

Acting: Ron Van Lieu, Peter Jay Fernandez, James Calleri
Voice: Liz Hayes
Movement: Sita Mani

Pace University School of the Arts

BFA Acting

Additional Training

RADA: London — Shakespeare
Epidaurus Lyceum: Greece — Aerites Dance Company
École Philippe Gaulier: France — Le Jeu/Clown

Special Skills

Languages

Shona (fluent)

Dialects

Zimbabwean South African British American South Irish

Instrument

Piano (5 yrs)

Singing

Alto

Activities

Strength Training Equestrian Archery Improvisation

Work Eligibility

U.S Green Card Zimbabwean Passport

Let's Connect

Available for theater, film, and commercial work. For inquiries about upcoming projects or representation, please reach out.

Currently accepting new projects and opportunities. Response time is typically within 24–48 hours.