Name: Pia Isabell Vicioso-Vila
Degree Earned: BA in Theatre
Where do you work? I’m an actress in Los Angeles, California
How has FIU helped you get to where you are today in your career?
It has given me a solid toolbox of skills and techniques to build upon. The time at FIU has also created strong connections with and support through my classmates and professors.
What path did you take to attain your current career?
After graduation, I worked locally in Miami for about two years to hone my skills, build a resume and gather more knowledge about the industry. Then, I moved to Los Angeles to take the next step. I am continuing to take classes to learn more about the industry and am actively participating in my process. I don’t just hand over the reins to an agent or manager; it is important for me to actively participate in my career.
What’s been the coolest thing about your job so far?
Being surrounded by creatives and being inspired to do more and be better almost every single day. It is not easy, but I am happy and grateful to be living my dream.
What does a typical day for you look like?
Every day is different – and that is what I love about it. Some days I am working one of my many side jobs (job flexibility is the key in this industry until you can make a living solely of the career). Then, there are in-person auditions, selftapes, callbacks and everyday, several times a day, self-submissions to castings. Then, I take classes, I have rehearsals for class or plays…there is always something to do, to push me further and to take the next step in my career.
How does your job connect back to your coursework?
Many of the techniques and methods we explored in acting, as well as voice & movement classes, I still actively use today. It is just a matter of choosing the right one for the task. All the classes have given me a wonderful and strong base to build upon. Many directors I have worked with really appreciate the fact that I am a trained theatre actress because we are known to put in the work and to be prepared. Lastly, especially through the Linklater work, I have learned to be aware of my body and my voice, which is not only important and helpful in my career, but also in life. Self-awareness is the key.
Tell us a little more about Geli & Uncle Alf.
Geli and Uncle Alf is my one-woman show that I have developed during my time at FIU. I have performed it several times in South Florida and am very excited to be performing it (Friday, October 25th, 2019 at 6:00 PM) as part of the United Solo Festival in New York.
Geli and Uncle Alf explores the little known relationship between Adolf ‘Alf’ Hitler and Angelika ‘Geli’ Raubal, his first niece and one true love. Slowly drawn into a tender obsession with her uncle, Geli, a spirited freedom-loving young woman, finds herself confronted with a dependency from which she is unable to detach.
The Story of Geli is one that is still very relevant today. Breaking it down, the story is about a young girl, who was caught up in a toxic relationship and who became a victim of sexual violence. This is (unfortunately) a common life lived, but her story is amplified by her relationship with no other than the infamous Adolf Hitler.
Friday, October 25th, 2019 at 6:00 PM
United Solo Theatre Festival – Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street | New York, NY 10036
Tickets available at 212-239-6200 | www.telecharge.com
Were there any classes or professors that influenced where you are today?
All of the professors and classes at FIU have shaped me and pushed me further as an artist. I always was and will be a big nerd, so I took in all the knowledge and information I could get. The professor who to this day I consider a mentor is Phillip Church. Not only have I resonated with his approach to the craft very much, but he has been a big supporter of my art even after graduation. In fact, his non-profit organization What If Works is the producer of my one-woman show “Geli and Uncle Alf”.
What advice do you have for students interested in a career in Theatre?
It is not easy. You will hear a lot of “No”s. A lot of doors will be shut in your face. People will tell you are not good enough or you need to change things about yourself in order to be successful. BUT, if you really truly love acting, and you put in work every day, you believe in yourself and continue to learn more about yourself, the craft & the industry, then it will be worth every second.
