Artist of the Month: Pia Alessandri

We are very proud to have as artist of the month Pia Alessandri from Brazil. Pia is a 360 degrees artist being a dancer, fashion designer, writer and actress. Pia started her career in Brazil where she worked as an illustrator and then fashion designer, always studying

and pursuing acting on the side. Today she resides in NYC, successfully working as an actress.

Pia Alessandri

Forum Artistico: You are an actress, fashion designer and a writer. Howdid everything start?

Pia: It started in high school. We had a fantastic theater department, and the theater itself was beautiful. Our Theater Director Mrs. Stanton always encouraged me, and instilled in me the same enthusiasm she had herself. I loved being part of the process that brought entertainment to a public, whether it be in the Glee Club (which I was a part of), Chorus, Theater, or even working backstage designing costumes and doing makeup for other actors. Everything was done by students, and it was a tightly run ship. In Drama class, we created and wrote scenes, that we performed in other high schools, and that¹s how it all started. If you were part of the Drama Club, you took it very seriously.

F.A.: Pia, you are also a dancer, which place dancing had and still has in your life?

Pia: Nothing exercises the body and the mind like dance. I danced for a small company in Rio called Ballet Bethinha, but today... it's what I do to enjoy myself, and to keep in shape. It's nice to feel music through movement, and mastering different techniques is a life long endeavor. It enhances acting in many ways, due to the body expression and physicality it provides. I've sustained many injuries in dancing though, so I steer clear from grand-plies, nowadays.

F.A.: You are originally from Brazil, do you want to tell us a little about the artistic opportunities in Brazil?

Pia: Brazil is a force to be reckoned with. I guess the word that best describes it is: YOUTH. It has a young , progressive, creative energy in all the arts. I am always surprised by the way Brazilian creativity stretches my own. I feel renewed and invigorated every time I go. Brazilians are bold, visceral, they take risks and reap from a lot of different influences. The opportunities for artists are constantly growing and many get recognized abroad.

F.A.: As an actress you worked in live theatre and movies, which do you like more?

Pia: MOVIES!!! Film is where I belong. I love the theater, it makes an actor strong, confident, seasoned, thinking on his toes. But I have stage fright, and my voice gets fatigued. As an actor one is constantly working on voice as part of the craft, but it's done more intensely for the theater. The stage fright is something that makes me very conflicted. I conquer it during any given performance, and at the end I feel exhilarated. It's the moment before going on stage that makes me sick to my stomach. I can't believe the audience paid, and I just want to get out of there. That's why high school was so special. It was never about making money, it was sheer love, and audience members would love everything no matter what. You knew what kind of audience you would get every single night. They would cling to every little word. The professional world has it's own magic and gratification of course. I still prefer film though because the editing is an incredible surprise in the end. I love that.

F.A: What type of roles do you like to play, comedy or drama?

Pia: I'm naturally comedic, but it really doesn't matter to me. What moves and inspires me is brilliant writing. There's nothing like being in awe of a script that you are holding in your hand. It may be dramatic, or even totally goofy. Brilliant writing comes in all shades. It's the story and the way it's told that really counts.

Pia in "It Was Just a Dream"

F.A.: In one moment of you career you decided to go back to school to pursue a career as journalist. Can you tell us more about it?

Pia: I actually never wanted a career as a journalist. I wanted to be forced to write. Writing requires a lot of discipline. And it helps to get into a classroom and focus, especially when one is as opinionated as myself. I like objectivity, and get to the point style of writing. A huge inspiration for me was a journalist named Jonathan Harr. I love his work and want to be like him. There's nothing like putting your point of view on a piece of paper and have no one to contest it. It's cathartic. It's only you and the paper (or the computer).What will come out of it, is yet to be seen. I'm not in a rush.

F.A.: Being a 360 degrees artist, what do you take from one artistic discipline into another one?

Pia: This will sound cliché but the answer is integrity. One learns so much about oneself and about others when one remains true. It's a constant growth.

F.A.: As fashion designer you worked for Rocco Barocco, Linea Cotone, Brazil. Can you tell us about the creative process that goes into a fashion creation?

Pia: That was an interesting phase because I never sought the job and I don't even know how to sew. It certainly helped being surrounded by professional seamstresses. The company stumbled over my portfolio that was full of fashion illustrations and decided to meet with me. They asked to see my collection. I explained I didn't design, but I love to illustrate and had tons of opinions about fashion. Luckily my views and tastes were in agreement with the owners, and as a result, it turned out to be a lucrative proposition . I mostly followed the trends, but tried to have an edge in a theme. This experience would have never happened hadn't I been in Brazil, with people bold enough to take risks. I loved the experience and the cotton line did really well.

F.A.: Are you currently working in a project or a production?

Pia: I was cast in a small budget film to start shooting in January, and am also working in translating a book that I wrote originally in Italian. Although acting is my absolute priority, writing is something that I can't let go. Voice-overs are also a big part of what I do. I have a good agent and have been fortunate to book a few fun jobs lately, with Hellmans and Duracell. It's a constant going to auditions...The good part about the voice-over auditions is that make-up and wardrobe don't matter.

F.A.: What is next in your career?

Pia: Definitely organizing my reel and other promotional tools. But first a vacation. I'm going to Brazil for a while soon.

F.A.: Based on your personal experience, what would you advise other young artists that are thinking of undertaking a career as an artist?

Pia: There is something that I learned in acting that applies to all arts. There are techniques that actors use, where an actor accesses past emotions, tragic events or very sad ones, in order to convey an emotion to an audience. I have found that those techniques take away from the joy of acting, disconnects me from the scene, the words that I'm saying, and the character. It depresses me and leaves me exhausted. The best thing for me is to look at my character and empathize, understand. That ability will help me inhabit the character, find the inspiration and maintain the truth. I find that the pursuit of any artistic craft needs to be first and foremost instinctual and visceral. The various techniques are important to learn, but at one point it's about the instinct and inspiration. Find the inspiration and go for it 1000 percent.

F.A.: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

Pia: At the risk of sounding preachy... Yes. A strong actor is someone with a political conscience. I find it fundamental to be curious and learn about the roots of the problems in our world. We are all connected and interdependent. Having a profound understanding, makes a whole nation more enlightened and less prone to repeat history. It starts with each of us but artists have a greater responsibility that should go beyond self indulgence. It's a noble profession for it's ability to touch, move, entertain , educate and inspire, but when it comes from a deeper awareness of our condition in the world, the art is simply richer and more important.