Ia Parulava was born in Tbilisi, Georgia. Her farther, Otar Parulava, was a prominent Georgian artist and
sculptor. Ia’s acting career began at the age 12 when a respected Georgian stage and film director,
Nana Khatiskatsi, discovered her for the part of an orphan in the popular film "A Difficult Beginning".
The young actress’s talent was obvious; she was hired by Kartuli Filmi [Georgian Film] where she acted
in numerous films and television productions, as well as produced and hosted a weekly musical show.
At the time, during the Soviet Union, her show was considered very progressive and western oriented.
Ia’ s love of acting brought her to the Tbilisi State Theatrical Institute under the direction and
guidance of Mikheil Tumanishvili - an extraordinary master teacher. Upon completing her four year
studies, Tumanishvili invited her to join his theatrical company "Workshop of Cinema Actors".
Ia’s popularity grew rapidly; she became a role model for the young people in her home country Georgia.
At the Moscow 10th International Film Festival, the chairman of the festival, Robert de Niro, acknowledged
her for being the most beautiful and promising future talent at the event.
In the 1990s she participated in the Georgian-American TV film directed by Greg Palmer - "The Falcon" -
which was based on an old Georgian fairy tale. Later it was performed on stage at Seattle’s ACT theatre for
the "Seattle Goodwill Games and Arts Festival".
In the 1990s, when unrest began in Georgia, she moved to the US. While finding her way through Hollywood’s
thorny path to success, she studied with different acting coaches and speech teachers such as Joe Peshi,
Jeff Corey, Julie Areola and Barry Primus. Soon her efforts paid off and she was hired for three National
commercials, music videos and a few small budget films. She also became a member of SAG. Barry Primus
encouraged her to meet the legendary acting coach, Russian-born George Shdanoff. He was considered by
many insiders as “Hollywood’s Best Kept Secret.” Although already 90 years old, George Shdanoff was
still teaching Chekhov Teqnique at his LATC (Los Angeles Theatre Company).
Michael Chekhov and George Shanoff are considered two of the most notable theatrical minds of our century.
Together they started to develop and experiment with new and radical principles of acting technique which
dramatically differed from the popular Stanislavky Method. For several years they trained such luminary as
Yule Brener, Patricia Neal, Gregory Peck, Gary Cooper, Marilyn Monroe, Anthony Quinn, Jack Palance, Leslie
Caron, Robert Tylor, Zizi Jearnmaire and many others. As a result Chekhov dedicated to Shdanoff his classic
book TO THE ACTOR - an inspiring guide for beginners to Oscar Award actors.
During five years of intensive work together, Ia was a student and then as an assistant to Mr.Shdanoff,
who was impressed with her understanding and interpretation of the technique and appointed her the co-director
at the LATC. During this period, the young assistanct and the old teacher agreed to renovate and adapt some
of the Chekhov's Technique’s principles which seemed to be out-of-date and obsolete. Mr. Shadnoff accepted
numerous drills that Ia recommended as additions to the technique as well as two distinctive approaches that
she created, such as “the caveman strategy” and “color system”.
In 1993, Parulava organized George Shdanoff’s triumphal return to Russia, where he gave workshops in
Moscow Stanislavsky Drama Theater for the elite of Russian actors and directors. With her support, the
young director F. Keeve completed a documentary "From Russia to Hollywood" about two Russian emigrants,
their friendship and the influence they exerted on Hollywood’s world of acting. After George Shdanoff’s
death Ia fulfilled the last desire of her beloved teacher - to donate his memorabilia to the Moscow State
Central Archive of Literature and Arts. She returned to Georgia in order to instruct Chekhov's method at
her alma mater.
In the late 1990s, the political situation in Georgia was getting a bit better; the civil war was long
over and there was a degree of safety in the country. She started to work for the 1st Channel, the state
television station, and created a show - "My Fair Lady". The idea of the show was to give women complete
makeovers and fashion advice, as well as support the social side of their life by helping them to find a job,
solve marital problems, seeking revenge on cheating boyfriends or husbands, revealing their most painful
secrets publicly. This was the first time such a program was shown on Georgian television and it was very
successful with television viewers. In 2002, during the Odessa 7th International TV Festival "Velvet Season",
the show received an award "For High Professionalism" and Ia, as the creator and host, received a prize for
her emotional support to her heroines. Ia continued to work as an actress and appeared in two highly popular
Georgian soap operas, "Night of the Tiny Stars" and "Before Sleep".
Parulava established herself not only as a popular actress and TV personality , but also as a woman of a
great appeal, taste and splendor which resulted in frequent interviews and TV appearances where she passing
her knowledge for self grooming and care for Georgian women. As the result of her expertise, she created and
produced the “Stunning Eyebrow’s” kit in order to assist women in Georgia add more charm to their appearance.
“Stunning Eyebrows” is a fashionable and highly demanded item for beauty consumers in the health and beauty
market.
After the Rose Revolution in Georgia and the 2003-2004 presidential elections, Ia initiated and produced a
popular song New Day by gathering all Georgian music stars to support the elections of Mikheil Saakashvili,
Ia’s classmate and close friend.
In 2005, the Russian Federation invited Parulava to Moscow to "The Best of the Bes"t award ceremony where
she received the status of Russia’s Honorable Guest and a special prize, "the Treasure’s Guardian", in
appreciation of her support of State Central Archive of Russia.
Ia Parulava maintains a busy professional schedule, in addition to her volunteer work with organizations
such as Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Center, Georgian Karate-Do Federation, Chveni Ezo-Organization of
Community Support and Development. She teaches Chekhov's Technique at her experimental studio to young people.
Simultaneously Ia is completing a book, the practical addition to the Chekhov's Technique.
N. Khatiskatsi, T. Magalashvili, "Georgian Film"
BEGINNING OF THE ROAD
L. Eliava, "Georgian Film"
THREE SLAMS FOR THE KING
E. Zhgenti, "Georgian Film"
ARSENA'S POEM
N. Khatiskatsi, T. Magalashvili, "Georgian Film"
THE APPROACH
A. Rekhviashvili, "Georgian Film"
THE SPIRAL
G.Chokhonelidze, "Georgian Film"
A WISDOM OF LIES
N. Khatiskatsi, "Georgian Film"
THE SECRET STRANGER
I. Maslennikov, "Lenfilm"
...AND GOD SPOKE
Arthur Borman, "Live Entertainment Inc."
LOVE IN THE VINEYEARD (a.k.a. GEORGIAN GRAPES)
G. Shengelaia, "Georgian Film"
FROM RUSSIA TO HOLLYWOOD - THE 100 YEAR ODYSSEY
F. Keeve, "Keev Productions"
A NIGHT OF THE TINY STARS
A,. Enukidze, 1st Channel of Georgian TV
BEFORE SLEEP
O. Shamatava, L. Tseriashvili, 1st Channel of Georgian TV
TV SHOW: "MY FAIR LADY"
1st Channel of Georgian TV
