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Name: Gina Omilon

Hometown: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Current Location: Los Angeles, California

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Omilon: I started out as a ballet dancer when I was around five or six years old. That was my big dream. I wanted to be Clara in “The Nutcracker” in New York City. But as a kid, you don’t always get to choose what activities your family can continue to afford. So I got into acting because it was still performing, but it was offered as a part of school. (So free.) I would have been around 12 or 13 years old. I knew that was what I wanted to do forever because I was always happy doing it, no matter what. Of course, you’re still viewed as a kid, but once I hit 16 years old, I began the actual “career” side of it, and then everyone around me knew I wasn’t joking.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Omilon: In Grade 4, we went to a performance of “Guys and Dolls,” put on by the high school in my school division. (The same high school that I ended up going to.) I couldn’t tell you what the musical was even about, what they wore, or any specific details… but I still remember the feeling I got in fourth grade watching that musical. We would see musicals every year in my school division, but “Guys and Dolls,” to this day, is the one I remember as completely enamoring me as a child.

Then, it sounds funny, but “High School Musical,” was a huge influence too. I was OBSESSED with “High School Musical.” I knew every dance move, and every lyric, for EVERY character. I could have put on a one woman “High School Musical” show. I’d make my friends dance the counter parts with me in the living room. That movie, and entire series, was my favorite.

Neither of these are Academy Award-winning productions of course, but I was a kid. I didn’t care about how it was reviewed. I just cared about passion.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Omilon: I didn’t really have a plan at the beginning other than “I’m going to do it.” I fantasized that I would be discovered in a mall. But I lived in Canada, and not in a performing arts city. That was never going to happen. So as I grew up, I did begin to formulate some type of plan. In Grade 10, I went to Los Angeles for about one and a half months during Pilot Season. I went through a Disney training program and that got me situated with the city. It was really hard work, but once again, I was always happy. So because that didn’t scare me away, I began looking into schools in Los Angeles. I would have loved to have just moved there, but since I wasn’t an American citizen, I had to find a different way to get to Los Angeles legally. In Grade 12, I flew down for several university auditions, and when I was accepted (into AMDA), that was as far as that portion of the plan went. From there, it was graduate, which I did in June 2016, with my Bachelor of Fine Arts. Now I’m onto the part of, book work, book work, book work, and keep trying to attain a permanent work visa, but I’m not sure if I need a H4 EAD or what…

Los Angeles and New York were always the plan though. I never considered Toronto or Vancouver, so, so far, I’m on track because I’ve worked in both LA and New York.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Omilon: I think from 16 and on, I always knew I was going to end up moving away to pursue my career. I had to move out of Alberta if I wanted a successful career. At 17 I started all of the applications to come to the United States, and then I moved when I was 18.

The idea of moving away never scared me though. Since I was a little girl I wanted to be able to call multiple places home. I had dreamt of England, Italy, Ireland, and so on. Moving always seemed right. Plus, my family and I are huge travelers so I felt comfortable going outside of Canada as I was already used to traveling. My mom herself moved from Italy to Canada, so I feel like I’m a younger version of her moving from Canada to the United States.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Omilon: The move was a fairly easy transition for me. I’m not sure how it would have been if I had simply just moved to Los Angeles without a plan, but because I moved with the purpose of college, there was already immediately structure and people to meet. I was lucky to have a great set of roommates right off the bat, so I don’t have any horror stories. I met great people through school, and the structure of college classes almost made me forget I was transitioning. I’ve always been a school nerd and I feel so comfortable in an education setting, so I felt like I was already home. The only difference was if I looked out the window during class, I was looking at the Hollywood sign and palm trees, not a bunch of snow. I am however, five to six years later, still struggling to adjust to the heat Los Angeles receives every day. My body refuses to adjust to that.

TrunkSpace: What has been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Omilon: I definitely don’t think I have had a big break yet. I’ve been featured on CBS’ “Criminal Minds,” will be in a video airing on Crypt TV soon, and am a reoccurring host on “Hip Dot.” But, my plan is to win Emmys and Oscars so, I’m working towards that.

With my writing… I don’t know if you knew this, but I’m a professional writer too… I feel very blessed to have received a lot of attention. I am currently working on two screenplays, but my play “Revelation,” which ran for a month at the 2016 Hollywood Fringe Festival, has been receiving a lot of attention. Two theater companies, one in Oregon and one in London, England, have been in talks with me about producing the play at their respective theaters. There is also a lot of interest on expanding the script to make it a feature film. That’s exciting for me as a writer because it means the words, stories, and world that I’m creating, is affecting people and they want more of it!

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Omilon: I always like to do a bit of everything, but my current dream is to be a lead role on a sitcom. Something like Monica on “Friends” or Robin on “How I Met Your Mother” is what I want to do! And when Broadway revives “Once,” I’d love to play the role of Girl.

As far as writing, I want to write an episode of “Black Mirror.” They don’t know it yet, but I am so their girl!

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Omilon: I would say the greatest strength an actor can have, outside of acting itself, is… that’s hard. There’s too many things that come to mind, I need to think of one. I’d like to say, the gift of remembering there’s more to life than acting, because this business does its best to tear you down and make you feel like you’re not worth it just because a target demographic doesn’t give you approval ratings or something. But even more than that, I would say being kind and positive. When I think of the actors I love, they’re not the ones who are always politically involved, or the ones that have big box office hits, they’re the ones who just are genuinely nice people. I believe Ashton Kutcher is the celebrity who said all you need to be in life is kind, and a hard worker. That’s how my parents raised me and I believe that’s true. If you’re not kind and a hard worker, it doesn’t matter how strong your acting is.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Omilon: I want to win Emmys and Oscars. Acting is definitely not about awards for me, it’s about waking up and not hating my job. BUT… like I said, I am a school nerd. I went viciously after academic awards, so acting awards are a similar concept for me. I want recognition for my work. I want Emmys and Oscars for Acting AND Writing. I also really want an Oscar for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, on the same film. So many professors I had told me “you can’t direct and write”, but I believe Hollywood begs to differ. So that’s another goal too.

Truly, I just want my path to lead to a place where I don’t have to work five side jobs to pay my rent and student loans. I just want to be able to act and only act, and that be enough. I’m not in this for the money (although it’d be nice because my student loans are ridiculous – I may need to go somewhere like https://www.sofi.com/private-student-loans/graduate-loans/ to help myself through them), I’m in it because I do not want to spend the rest of my life wondering “what if I had pursued it.” I want to live my life, pursuing it.

I will reach all those goals, there’s never been any doubt in my mind about that. Might not be soon, but it will happen. I refuse to live by any other mindset. It’s “not if, but when.” My high school technical theater teacher said that to me about my future when I graduated and I’ll never forget.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Omilon: Do it! Totally do it! I always think you should make sure you really want something before you do it, but I’m a logical thinker so I can figure that out quick by trying it for a short period. But some people struggle because they need to do it long term before their decision. Or sometimes fear sets in. So I say just DO IT. BUT…don’t be afraid to move back home or to change your dream. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone and you should never feel trapped to admit that to yourself or others.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Omilon: Yay! I ‘d love to hear from people. Here are the best ways:
Website: www.ginaomilon.com
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/ginaomilonofficial
Instagram: @ginaomilon

Name: Mariel Matero

Hometown: Hampton, New Hampshire

Current Location: New York, New York (Queens to be exact)

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Matero: My senior year of high school I was flunking Algebra 2. Most colleges I was applying to only required three years of high school math but I had to get approval from the head of the math department to ditch the class. I had recently been cast as Mame in the spring musical. I went to the head of the department to plead my case. She took out a pen and wrote, “Mame doesn’t need math” on the form and signed it. That’s when I thought, maybe I could make this whole acting thing work… it got me out of Algebra 2. I’m not saying kids shouldn’t take math, take math. But if you’re miserable and excelling in other areas, maybe talk to someone about it.

Should I not be condoning this?

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Matero: My mom and I used to watch “I Love Lucy” and laugh and laugh. Lucille Ball’s comedic timing was just genius.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Matero: I’m still approaching it. For me, the plan is about being ready for the opportunity when it comes, creating relationships and creating your own work.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Matero: After graduating from University of New Hampshire, I spent a year working as a receptionist at a spa. I kept getting this feeling that I needed to get to NYC, enroll in an acting class and just TRY. I had spent four years getting my degree in English, minoring in Theatre and it was nagging at me that I hadn’t truly gone for it. After talking to my college professor, who recommended a studio to check out in New York, my dad drove me down one weekend to go to an informational meeting at T. Schreiber Studio on West 26^th Street. I knew in my heart it was meant to be the minute we left. In less than a month I had quit my job, packed up the car and my dad and I were driving to my aunt and uncle’s house in Westchester. I stayed with them for six months (will never be able to thank them enough), got a job waiting tables and each week hopped on the Metro North train into the city for scene study class with Peter Jensen at T. Schreiber. He’s still there… go take class with him! The year was 2004. I was 22. Now I’m 24. I’m bad at math, remember?

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Matero: For the most part it was easier than I’d anticipated. I was living with family and quickly met people in my acting class and at the restaurant where I worked. One of my best friends from home was getting his Masters at NYU that fall so we supported each other as we navigated through the city those first couple of years.

TrunkSpace: What has been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Matero: People are still talking about that one time I played a talking, smoking, potted-plant.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Matero: I love comedy. Something about the pace of it all. Making people laugh is a drug like no other, but I’m not going to try stand-up. Will leave that to my husband and professionals.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Matero: A tough skin. An open heart. A disturbing amount of resilience and energy.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Matero: I don’t have an ultimate, “this is where I want to be x years from now” because the future is fluid and I don’t know what’s down the road. I would love to be able to work with my friends on a show like “Seinfeld” or “Broad City.” I can say that’s a dream… to be a part of something, whether it be a show or web-series or movie, with like-minded individuals and friends and laugh a lot. You gotta laugh. Oh, and it’d be nice to make a few bucks doing it so eventually we can get a place with a washer/dryer. Dream BIG.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Matero: Listen to the voice inside your heart. Don’t do it for fame. Don’t do it for fortune. Do it because it’s calling you. Do it because there is only one of you on this earth and you have a story to tell. Do it because… why not?

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Matero: www.marielmatero.com is my hub.

Name: Nicola Tombacco

Hometown: Treviso, Italy

Current Location: Los Angeles, California

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Tombacco: I’ve always loved performing since I was a kid. When I was seven or eight-years-old I used to jump on the table, right after dinner, and start reciting poems for my family. Later, once I got into high school, I had the chance to be part of the theatre group and, right from the first year, the director gave me leading characters. I was scared out of my mind. Acting on stage was only a hobby, which quickly turned into a passion and then into my biggest dream. I ended up performing for five shows throughout all my years in high school, and in all of them I played the lead. Everything changed for me once a friend of mine suggested that I go and do the four week summer program at NYFA. I did it, and it was a blast. That experience for me was the pivotal moment of my life, because right after I came back to Italy from New York I decided that acting was going to be what I wanted to do for a living. Four years ago I was graduating from high school and now I just graduated from AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts with a BFA in Acting.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Tombacco: The performance that inspired me the most in my childhood was Roberto Benigni’s in “La Vita é Bella.” It was like an epiphany for me, because it made me realize how impactful and life-changing a single performance can be. I mean, he won two Oscars for that. And also walked on top of everybody’s head. Roberto Benigni was and remains my hero.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Tombacco: As an ignorant kid full of aspirations, I thought that coming to America would have been the easiest way for me to crack into the entertainment business. Now I have lived in Los Angeles for three years and I have learned a lot. At the beginning, while I was still in high school, I knew that to become one of the best, I had to be in the city where all the best are. So for me choosing a college based in Los Angeles was essential. That was the first step that I had in mind… getting a BFA in Acting and then figuring out the next steps as I went along my journey. Throughout college I learned how this business is shaped, the tactics to get auditions and get agents and managers; however, only now that I graduated I understand how things really work. So now I am focusing on getting connections in the industry, auditioning for roles that would really make a difference in my career (I don’t submit for every little project, I need good credits in order to get the O1 VISA). I joined a theatere company so I could meet even more people — and actually this choice turned out to be fruitful. Thanks to the connections that I have made, I was able to audition for a One Act written by John Patrick Shanley… and I booked it. The World Premiere will be at Theatre 68 In North Hollywood. So I keep on putting my face out there, working on projects that could reach interesting audiences.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Tombacco: Coming to Los Angeles was a drastic change. For the first time in my life I was going to live by myself, away from my family and true friends, in a foreign country, ignorant of the language, in a completely different culture, where I felt alone and away from everything that was secure in my life. My family always supports me, but it’s not easy when they are on the other side of the world, when their day is your night and vice versa. It took me a long time to start trusting people, because I felt that everyone around me was so superficial and couldn’t fully understand how I was feeling. Fortunately after my third semester I moved out of campus, in a town-home, with a British guy and a guy from San Francisco. At least now I could have a little bit more freedom and I felt a little more independent, but still, I always felt like there was something missing. My mind was all focused on the school, but my heart was wandering in the air, as if it never really landed in Los Angeles with my body. It took me two years to finally feel at home, and at that time I was on my second to last semester before graduating from college. Everything changed once I started hanging out with some Italian friends of mine, who now I consider brothers. Being able to share with them all my fears and doubts, helped me feeling like I wasn’t alone anymore, because they were having the same exact problems. I had found a new family and my heart had finally landed in Los Angels as well.

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Tombacco: There’s two projects that right now have the potential to be gold mines. One is a feature movie that I am working on as a Supporting Lead and the other one is a One Act World Premiere. The movie is being produced by the Artistic Director of AMDA — while I was still in college, one day, I received an email from the producer, asking me to do a screen test for a project. They were looking for an Italian actor that looked like the protagonist. The protagonist is one of those brothers that I mentioned before, and we look alike as well…what a coincidence, uh? The movie hasn’t been released yet though. The One Act is opening in two weeks and it’s called “Poison” by John Patrick Shanley. It will run for 26 performances throughout March and April. This is probably the biggest opportunity that I have, because it could potentially attract important audiences, so I just have to bring my A game and things will unfold by themselves.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Tombacco: My dream role is Rodolpho from “A View from the Bridge” by Arthur Miller. That character just speaks so much to me, and the story itself is incredibly relatable. My strongest suit is comedy, although recently I have found a deep affection towards dramas.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Tombacco: Perseverance. Acting isn’t easy, especially with all of today’s outlets, competition is tougher then ever. I believe that if an actor will never give up, he or she will make their dream come true. Because when one really wants something and one puts all of himself into it, the whole universe will revolve around that dream.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Tombacco: I want to win an Oscar for Best Leading Actor and Best Movie… exactly like Roberto Benigni did. I want to work on a project that the whole world could see and learn and get inspired from.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Tombacco: No one is born under an unlucky star; it’s only that some people don’t know how to look at the sky. So if you really want to see your dreams come true, you have to believe in yourself more than anyone else that you love. Because you will be alone on your path, you will be crossing a desert with your passion only, and love for yourself as food and water. So never give up, and when you think that the path gets too steep for you, don’t worry… it only means that after that moment, things will finally start to go downhill, for a while. It’s a roller coaster. You just gotta be willing to enjoy the ride and have faith in yourself. And also one more important thing. It doesn’t matter how you look, which language you speak, how old you are, there will always be a special space reserved for you at the end of the path… and no one can take it because there’s your name on it. So if you see other people succeeding while you aren’t, don’t feel discouraged but be excited for them. Your path is your path. It’s written for you. Whether you achieve your goal or not is just on you. So don’t focus on other people, focus on yourself.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Tombacco: To learn more about me visit my website (www.nicola-tombacco.com) or my Facebook Fan Page (Nicola Tombacco) or follow me on Instagram or Twitter (@nicolatombacco)

Name: Morgan Hammel

Name: Samantha Bowen

Hometown: Hicksville, NY

Current Location: New York City

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Bowen: When I was eight or nine. I produced, directed, and starred in a rendition of Samantha The American Girl play for my grandfather. He was battling cancer at the time, and all I wanted to do was take him away from the present and to make him smile. I had gotten my brother, cousins, aunt and uncle to participate as well. At that moment, after seeing my grandfather truly happy for the first time in a long time, I knew if I could do that for him I want to do that for everyone in the world, and thus began my dreams of acting as a career.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Bowen: It has to be Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” I also played Tomb Raider the video game growing up. Having a woman as a lead in an action TV series, movie or video game was one of the reasons I chose this career path. I’ve always wanted to be a warrior, whether it be raiding tombs like Lara Croft or slaying vampires like Buffy. That and I had an intense obsession with “10 Things I Hate About You.” Julia Stiles’ dry wit and Heath Ledger’s smile was the best thing about the 90s.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Bowen: Honestly I’m a huge planner, but I didn’t think too far in advance for this. I knew it was what I wanted. I was in productions inside and outside of school growing up and then went on to study at a university. That’s as far as I got in planning, which then allowed me to take a leap of faith in myself. I could not be prouder of how I spent my years at my university; it lead me to my first manager and opened doors that I could not have planned for if I tried.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Bowen: I was fortunate to live so close to NYC, so I didn’t have to move away to pursue my career!

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Bowen: Since I was lucky enough to not have to move away, I was able to keep my support team of my family and friends from home. They have always had my back and believed in me. I could not be more blessed to be able to keep them by my side throughout this journey.

TrunkSpace: What has been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Bowen: My first was a callback for a Comedy Central pilot. Comedy is something that comes naturally for me, but to get a callback for a pilot on Comedy Central gave me a larger sense of I could actually do this. Unfortunately I didn’t get the part, but getting a callback was enough for me. Now I am a host of a YouTube Channel for Beauty & Fashion and I love being a part of that. Fashion, beauty & acting all in one. What actress wouldn’t love that?

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Bowen: I would like to have the opportunity to be in a teen drama sci-fi TV series. I get told that I can play a high school student a lot, being that I don’t look my age. Which is ideal for any one at any age so I’m not complaining! I love any sci-fi series, especially when drama is intertwined. Being able to star in one is a huge goal of mine.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Bowen: Having courage and being kind. (Clearly I’m not a fan of “Cinderella” at all…) It’s so important to be who you are, and know that you have what it takes to make it not just in this industry, but in the world we live in as well. Actors take a lot of hits between media to auditions. I believe it takes a lot of courage and kindness to stand up after each and every blow you take.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Bowen: I want to be remembered for something great. I’m not sure what that will be yet, but I want my career and legacy to have a long lasting effect, and change for the better. It’s the crazy ones who believe they can change the world and they are the ones who do, am I right?!

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Bowen: Trust that fate will bring you where you are meant to be, if you fail take that as a step forward not a step backward. Lastly, be who you are and the rest will follow.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Bowen: I have a website that I update weekly for news as to what I am currently a part of! www.samanthabowen.com. It also has all of my social media links and reel!

Name: Brian Esposito

Hometown: Centereach, Long Island

Current Location: Astoria, Queens

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Esposito: I’ve always loved performing, but being an actor for a living had always felt like some intangible concept to me. I was in the 11th grade doing a production of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and it finally clicked with me that I’ve been an entertainer my whole life, and there’s nothing else that I’d rather be doing. I saw a poster for The American Academy of Dramatic Arts hanging up in the music wing, and it really drove home for me that pursuing acting could be something very well within my reach and not just some impossible fantasy. It was the only school I auditioned for, and I got accepted. I’ve been a waiter ever since.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Esposito: Julia Louis-Dreyfus in “Seinfeld” and Robin Williams in literally anything. They’re both comedy gold.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Esposito: I had a loose idea of how I needed to approach the industry based on what they taught us in school, but so much of my experience has been trial and error and figuring it out as I go. I feel like the industry is constantly evolving, and you just kind of have to roll with the punches and evolve with it.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Esposito: I was 18 when I went to school in New York, and I’ve been living away from home ever since.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Esposito: I’ve been very lucky in this regard. On top of being just a train ride away from my family, I’ve always been surrounded by a strong community of actors and friends here in the city. Between my fellow alumni, my Stardust family, and the company members of Theatre 68, I’ve never had to deal with any of the craziness of New York City by myself.

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Esposito: Last year I worked on “Girl on the Train.” I had no lines and I’m barely in it, but I got to blow weed smoke in Emily Blunt’s face for like four days, and personally, I think that’s worth more than an IMDb credit.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Esposito: The types of roles I’m most comfortable playing are pretty opposite on the spectrum. I’m either the goofball comedic relief or the disturbed teenager with possible mental health issues that tries to kill his mother.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Esposito: Perseverance and a sense of humor.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Esposito: To the point where I can eventually retire feeling like I shared with the world everything I wanted to share and have nothing left to give. Also, I want to play opposite Kate McKinnon on SNL.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Esposito: Do it. Do it and give it your all. Even if you fail miserably, wind up broke, and have to move back home, you’ll never have to look back when you’re old and think, “what if?”

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Esposito: To find out what I’ve been up to acting-wise, check out itsbrianesposito.com. For shameless selfies and pictures of my hamster, follow me on Instagram! @hashtagbrianesposito

Name: Alexandra Berenbaum

Hometown: New York, NY

Current Location: New York, NY

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Berenbaum: I remember telling people as a kid that I wanted to be an actress when I grew up. I liked putting on shows with my cousins and making people around me laugh, but I was also a super shy, realistic child and somehow knew how crazy and difficult a career in acting was to pursue. Later on I realized that I was correct in feeling that way but was also ok with letting my passion outweigh my fear. I studied drama at LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts in NYC but it wasn’t until I was working in fashion PR that I realized I needed to give acting a real shot. I felt like a fraud doing something that I wasn’t committed to 100 percent so I decided to take the leap.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Berenbaum: Absolutely. “Wizard of Oz” for one. The world they created in that film was so enchanting and the characters so full of heart. I wore ruby red slippers for 3 years after seeing it for the first time. I truly believed if I clicked my shoes together 3 times I could always go home, ya know? I was also really inspired by all of the Abbott and Costello movies. Everything about those comedic geniuses: their dynamic, their reactions, their characterization. They kept me laughing nonstop and I felt like if I could do that for other people, I would be the happiest girl alive. Their style of humor is timeless.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Berenbaum: To be honest, I’m still trying to figure it all out, but when I first started out, I wanted to get back to the basics. I signed up for class and have been studying ever since. I think it’s really important to have technique to work with and adding different ones to my “tool belt” through studying with my incredible teachers has been invaluable. Another plan of action was to do as much as I could to a.) create a reel, which led to a few student films, and b.) become more comfortable, which led to theater as well. I’ve recently started working with representation, which has been really awesome. Ya know, it’s so easy to get frustrated with the journey, but the journey is the gold. I feel like everything I learn is only bettering me as an actress and a human and allowing me to feel more prepared and open for what’s to come.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Berenbaum: I luckily didn’t have to move anywhere. I’m not opposed to some time in LA though.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Berenbaum: Since I didn’t move anywhere, I’m going to look at “that move” as my decision to pursue acting which felt right. It was a complete change in lifestyle, but I like to think of the bigger picture: a longterm career. I’ve felt I’ve been lucky enough to have a super supportive group of friends and through joining my theater company, Theater 68, I have found a great group of talented and like-minded artists.

TrunkSpace: What has been been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Berenbaum: My last two projects were really important to me. I did an independent short about three siblings dealing with an extreme circumstance and I feel super proud of it. It was a demanding role and certainly a challenge, but the cast and crew were incredible and made set feel like home. I also did a TV pilot, called “Finding Fabulous,” which is an ensemble comedy set in the world of fashion. The fact that I was able to do comedy was a really just all-around fun experience and everyone involved was professional and there to exhibit their best work.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Berenbaum: I ultimately just want to play interesting characters that have a story to tell. I think now is such a great time for that with writers like Shonda Rhimes, Jenji Kohan, Lena Dunham, Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson. Real women are being written; they have flaws, they’re vulnerable, they’re strong and honest and playing that kind of woman is the goal for me. I would love to take on a badass like Jessica Jones.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Berenbaum: Knowing yourself. Being honest with yourself and your emotional life. It’s a process, but I think it’s really valuable to take the time and work it out. It’s also really important to have interests other than acting because it can only strengthen the roles you take on. AND ALSO confidence, not cockiness, CONFIDENCE. Just knowing that you’re enough and that you can bring something that no one else can because you are uniquely you. I find that to be the most beautiful thing anyone can offer. It’s like a superpower.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Berenbaum: I want to be able to choose the roles and projects that inspire and challenge me and help me to grow. Whether that be in film, TV or theater, I just want to constantly be learning new things. Art to me has always been a way of affecting others and creating conversation and helping people feel less alone. Ultimately, my dream is to be in a position where I can attempt to do that and connect to others through art and bring people a little closer together, which is of the utmost importance right now.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Berenbaum: I say do it. I say don’t let anyone or anything hold you back. If it’s what you truly love and it’s this can’t-live-without, fire-burning-passion, then you don’t really have a choice but to pursue it because it’s not gonna go away. It’s scary to take a chance on yourself because it’s a risk, but that’s where the beauty of it lies. Fear can be the loudest voice in your head if you let it, but if you can overcome that, then you can kind of do anything. Also, find a really good honest teacher and a great support system that allows you to feel safe and explorative.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Berenbaum: AlexandraBerenbaum.com  and IMDB.me/AlexandraBerenbaum

If you’re an actor or actress looking for your big break and you’re interested in being profiled in Next Up, reach out to us here.