Yana trained as an actor at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, and began writing having recognised the need for a larger variety of stories told by women of colour. 

She joined the Royal Court Young Writers group in 2019. Under the leadership of Rory Mullarkey, she wrote her full length play 'For Books’ which is set to be performed in 2021. 

Her one woman show, DADDY ISSUES was the recipient of a seed commission from Camden Peoples Theatre, where it was performed before going to Derby Theatre. The show is now under commission to be adapted for screen