Meet John Carucci | Actor, Singer, Teacher, Director, Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Carucci and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, how do you think about risk?
Risk is a funny thing. Up until recently – maybe the past two years or so – I’ve NEVER been a risk taker in either my personal or professional life. I wouldn’t take on risks out of fear of failure. Avoidance and diffidence were a warm and comfy blanket for me to hide under. Until this past November of 2021, I had been out of theatre and music for about six years. Then…in 2019, I began what would be the most traumatic experience I’ve ever endured. An experience that completely turned my life upside down and, no, I’m not just talking about COVID. This prolonged trauma made me rethink everything and everyone in my life. Having gotten myself to safety and taking another year to heal and get back on my feet, I started to realize how much power, passion, intelligence, empathy, and courage I actually have. Whereas, before, I was riddled with negative self-talk. Although it came from terrifying circumstances, I’m in many strange ways, grateful for it now. Now, there’s no bigger risk to me than not taking one. Some will fail, some will succeed, but even in failure – in fact – ESPECIALLY in failure is where we gain the grandest and most profound insights into ourselves and our endeavors.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I completed a dual graduate degree at New York University Steinhardt where I pursued a Master of Music in Vocal Performance (Musical Theatre Emphasis) and an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. Both programs were absolutely amazing but the Vocal Pedagogy degree was life-changing. I learned how to instruct singers by learning about vocal function on a scientific/anatomical level and how to employ scientifically researched techniques/concepts that are utilized by Speech Language Pathologists and other voice practitioners. Not only has that insight made me a stronger singer and teacher of singing, but general pedagogical practices have informed so much of my performances and ability to teach or direct other performers. What it did was get me to think MINDFULLY about how I approach a craft and how to instill mindfulness in others. I am now so confident in my abilities to coach others and elicit positive responses very quickly, but also how to self-direct. I struggled with my voice, acting, and above all, self doubt for so many years. When you find people who can very quickly show you the way and the light, you now KNOW the tasks ahead of you. That’s not to say that it doesn’t take time, practice, and patience, but that’s far better than NOT knowing how to work on something. My advice to anyone pursuing the arts is this…pursue technique and performance that FEELS good. Forget what anyone else thinks…you can’t control others’ opinions, but if you FEEL good about the performance you gave….you CANNOT lose. Now, I’ve decided to take on a new risk which is producing and directing a show. I’ve always felt that producing and directing were in my wheelhouse, so I decided to give it a shot. I’m personally producing (talk about risk) and directing an upcoming production of Venus in Fur by David Ives. With this production, I made the decision to start my own theatrical production company, Both/And Productions. I’m very drawn to work that is “darkly comic” and it is my hope to enrich the Atlanta theatre community by producing work that is ambivalent, irreverent, and challenging. Please come out to see our very first production, Venus in Fur, at RoleCall Theater in Ponce City Market, March 10th – 26th. You will NOT regret it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That’s a tough one. Although I was born and raised here, I’ve lived in NYC for nearly ten years. Atlanta has changed SOOO much that I’m still learning the ropes now that I’m back. I will say that I’m very impressed with developments like Ponce City Market and the Belt Line. I would also encourage anyone who’s never been here, to come in the summer. Although it’s hot as hell, there are so many events to take part in.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As I mentioned before, I had been out of theatre and music for many years and was starting to become comfortable with the fact that it would never be in my life again. Then, I saw an audition posting for the classic musical ‘The Fantasticks’ being produced by Merely Players Presents in Doraville. ‘El Gallo’ the lead character in that musical had always been a dream role of mine. It was the first audition I think I’ve ever been to in which I KNEW I was right for the part and I came into that audition with conviction. Scott Rousseau, the director, and Joan McElroy, the producing artistic director gave me an opportunity that I will never forget. It was a show and a role that inexplicably lined up with where I was mentally and emotionally in my life. In that role, I got to step behind the mask of a “villain” who also delivers the most poignant speech in the show. The message of that musical is that “we all must die a bit before we grow again.” It was a theatrical catharsis that I will never forget. Thank you, Joan and Scott!

Website: www.johncarucci.biz

Instagram: @bothandproductions

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bothandproductions

Image Credits
Nicholas Jude Photography (El Gallo)