We had the good fortune of connecting with Alice Lussiana Parente and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alice, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think we all have to risk something at some point in our lives. If you never risk, if you never challenge yourself and play safe you’ll never improve.
It’s so comfortable to just wallow into our comfort zone, but that unfortunately doesn’t make you realize your dreams. You have to take risks! When I decided to move to New York City from Italy, I took a huge risk! I didn’t know how it would turn out, mostly I didn’t know if I would be happy.
I had my acting carrer in Italy but I wasn’t fully sure that was enough at the time, on the other hand I had to “give up” on my certainties just to find out what was on the other side. The whole process was extremely stressful and lonely. Finding myself in my early 20′ all alone in such a big and foreign city was very challenging but, I really got to know myself : strenghts and my weaknesses and obviosuly I had to overcome my fears. It was tough but it made me stronger.
I would do it again 100 times!
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s been definitely a journey! Looking back now I hardly believe about all the things I’ve done. How? When did that happen? Where did time go? I’m very proud of the work I’ve done and that I keep doing, mostly I’m proud of the collaborations I’ve had, and all the poeple I worked with. I really got to create such strong relationships that now are the foundation of my work and my life. I started acting when I was only twelve and many friends always tell me how I’m one of these rare cases of people that know excately what they want since they are very young. I loved acting more than anything and that never changed.
I started working in small theatre productions when I was only a teenager and then booked my first movie directed by Peter Greenaway when I was 16!
That experience changed my life! It was my first audition and once the shooting was over I remember looking at my mom (she had to be on set with me since I was a minor) and I remember crying and telling her:”I can’t believe this just happened! Is this a dream? Because if not I want to do this forever!”
I love acting, I adore being in rehearsals, working on the script, being on set! No matter if it’s a camera, a stage or a mic, I fell so blessed being able to do every day what I love. I definitely learned that you never stop learning, and that the biggest lessons come from life itself! That you need to be available and on time!
That you need to do the work and be ready for the change! Mostly, I’ve learned that you have to surround youself with people that truly love you! Those that will inspire you while you inspire them! They will cheerish your success and lift you up during the tough times.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I had many friends coming to New York City and visit me. I feel it all depends on the person. I usually bring them to have breakfast at Cafè Lalo, my favorite cafè in the Upper West Side. Then I love going to “Strawberry Fields” in Central Park right next to the Dakota Building.
I usually also take them to have a pic nic and then watch the sunset from Brooklyn. Then during the evening definitely stand up comedy! Drinks in the Lower East Side and 1$ pizza to finish the night!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
KAIROS ITALY THEATRE, The Italian Company in New York City. The company and its artistic director Laura Caparrotti nurtured me for years and are such benchmark for italian and international actors in NY.
Website: www.alicelussianaparente.com
Instagram: @alicelussy
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-lussiana-parente-999b9743/?locale=en_US
Twitter: @AliceLussiana
Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4875180/
Image Credits
Michele I. Arazi Francesco D’Alessio