Meet the Accomplished Actress Benedetta Spinetti
What was your first experience watching theatre?
The first show that I saw was Romeo and Juliet, an Italian production in my hometown. I was 15 years old, I still remember every moment of the show like it happened yesterday. I don’t know what I would think of the show today, but back then It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. It was my first time at the theater and I remember everything; like the sweet smell of the theater, the softness of the velvet on the chair and the dim and warm feeling of the house light, that moment before the show when everything goes dark and and the show begins. In my heart are all of these sensations. The times when I feel lost I always go back to this feeling.
What was the first play to make you want to act?
I would say that probably watching that first show made me want to act. But I really realized that I wanted to be an actor since the moment I took my first acting class. I felt that the theater would have been my life from that moment on. I like to say that I didn’t really choose the theater but after that moment I realize that I couldn’t live without it. After that moment I saw many shows, took different theater classes and workshops and had several acting experiences that inspired me and made me discover which style of theater I loved the most.
I remember seeing a production in my hometown many years ago, of the great Peter Brook. The name of the show was “The suit” I remember being so blown away by the performance. The artists were so amazing, so real and true. This show made me fall in love with realism.
And from that experience it came my choice to come to NYC and embrace the artist journey towards realism.
How has the theatre industry changed over your time working?
I think the industry has changed a lot since I’ve started. Especially with Covid, a lot has been modified. The majority of auditions are held online or through a self tape, which has its pros and cons. We are able to connect with people all over the world and some auditions are easy to do no matter where you are. The online platforms
have allowed people to create art and shows even during a pandemic. But I do believe that the theater needs the live presence, energy and vibrations of the artists and the audience together in the same space sharing a journey. The theatre has changed a lot in Italy as well, where is now struggling to find its way back to the excellency that was in the past.
What’s the hardest role you’ve ever performed and why?
I think the hardest role so far was the role of Jig in the play “Elephant” by Leah Roth Barsanti.
It’s a new play about an italian woman in search of her independence in a world in which women are always obligated to choose between being a mother or wife. This play follows the story of Jig and explore through difficult history backgrounds, deep
and catastrophic choices her path towards the search of happiness and what it means. This role was challenging because it was a story about abortion, depression, suicide. And tackle in these themes was very hard. I wanted to be really careful about really portraying a human being with care and respect and not some sort of stereotypical character. It was hard to find the love behind and beyond everything that Jig had to go through. The love for herself, the love for freedom, the love to listen to her soul.
But I loved playing her, and the responses of the audience moved me.
Are there ideas and themes that you keep coming back to?
I keep coming back to stories that talk about courage against all odds. Stories of injustices that need to be overcome.
I’m interested in the humanity underneath and beyond, that lies in the differences that everyone has. Coming from a different country and different culture, it’s very easy to feel distant and alone. But everyone brings a story made of roots, culture,
traditions and there is so much richness in these differences. And I’ve understood, that what I really want to deliver with my art is to give a voice to all the people that don’t have one. If through my art, even in a small way I can give someone the courage to stand up for themselves and tell their stories, I feel like I’ve reached my goal as an artist.
I’m in the process of writing my own play and I’ve realized, the more I develop the story, it has become more and more a story about women standing up for each other as sisters, which is a message that I would love to deliver more with my art.
How did you get involved in theatre? When did you know that you wanted to be an actor?
I got involved in the theatre out of sheer want, it was such a special moment for me that I still remember the smell of the room, from the age of 15 when I took my first acting class in a theatre I knew I was where I belonged. My family is not a theater family, no one is really passionate about theatre like I am so it was a surprise for everyone. I was able to get in contact with a theater in my hometown called Il Funaro, and went there on Thursday night, I remember classes were always on a Thursday, which then became my favorite day of the week. At the end of every year, we would do a show. I still remember that first show like it was yesterday. I remember having a big monologue, I was backstage and I felt like my heart stopped, then I was on stage. I remember my mum’s comment after the show, how much she was impressed and how much she loved it. This is a feeling that I always strive to find every time I have to do a show.
What kind of stories, projects, and films inspire you?
I’m very interesting in stories in which I find a spiritual connection with. As an actor I have to try and watch as many shows and movies as possible. I strongly believe that we can learn a lot also by watching others, so I’ve always tried to choose movies and shows that I like but that also help me develop my craft. Few years back I’ve started watching old movies and I remember being blown away by “The apartment” by Billy Wilder with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Such an amazing movie.
But, so far, my favorite actor will always be the wonderful Anna Magnani. She was so vividly true and honest in portraying every character.
Like her story and filmography, one of the things that interested me the most is stories about courages women, like Amelia Earhart and her strength to follow her dream.
Who or what has been the biggest influence on your work as an actor/artist thus far?
My grandma Anna has been my principal inspiration for everything that I do. Her courage to always choose kindness was the biggest lesson that I’ve ever learned. My journey here in New York has made me grow a lot as a human being and as an actor,
Many books have inspired me like “The art of hearing heartbeats” by Jan- Philipp Sendker. This quote in it really embodies what I believe in: “We believe that we see the world around us, and yet it is only the surface that we perceive.”
What are you working on next?
I’m currently writing my own play and I’m also working on producing a show. I really love expanding my knowledge to all aspects of the theatre, it is both challenging and invigorating so I’m very excited for what is going to come next in artistic journey.
