Meet Rose Bianco | Actor, Producer

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

Hi Rose, why did you pursue a creative career?
Many moons ago, I was a high school senior scheduled to go to university with a pre-law degree. That spring I attended a theatre games class with my friend Adly. She dabbled in theatre; I did not, really.
I would perform in my Catholic girl’s school productions every year. A sailor one year in South Pacific. Then Gloria Upson in Mame and people laughed and it was thrilling. Then Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly. Well. That made me interested in acting but that’s as far as it went until I went to the theatre games class. I was suddenly struck with the inner understanding that this was what I needed to do. It was as clear as day. I changed my major in college to Speech & Drama.
I began volunteering at a local Equity theatre and I ended up being hired to perform in a play there– all before I even started college. I pursued an acting career in Chicago, then San Francisco and eventually moved to NY to “get serious.” It was a difficult slog in NY; it was hard to book stage roles and I had a hard time obtaining an agent.
I got married and started a family and gave up acting, working in an office full time for all the benefits entailed and necessary for a growing family. But even during my down time, I could not give up the theatre entirely. I wrote a few plays, performed at Dramarama in New Orleans, and had one of my scripts produced on a public access channel called “Storytime.”
Once my kids were old enough to be mobile on their own, I looked into getting professional acting work now that I was in Atlanta, which was blooming with tv and film work. The time was right, and I started booking so much work I quit my “day job.” People ask, why do I keep pursuing this difficult and hit-of-miss profession? The fact is, why not? If I was able to pursue it and succeeding even minimally, it was rewarding both financially and spiritually. I’m glad I kept at it.

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.
I have been an actor for many years. I studied in college, and a conservatory type acting school in Chicago, and since then myriads of classes and workshops. Additionally I studied Jazz dance for several years, took improv classes and singing lessons here and there. Being an artist means constant continuing education. Being an artist means your business is your instrument, and by that I mean, your body, your face, your voice. It matters how well you are able to be present and in the moment with your scene partner. Even after all that training, I still find it important to take scene study or improv classes from time to time. I need to practice when I haven’t done plays, or booked tv or film jobs in a while.
I was never a dancer but am adept at movement from all the dancing I’ve done. I’ve never become a singer but have sung in shows from time to time.
The more things that I can excel at, the better my chances of booking a role. If I were a great bowler, I would definitely put that in special skills because that one thing could put you on top in a decision between two or three persons.
The most difficult thing about this career, early on especially but sometimes just over the long haul, is maintaining some way to pay your bills when you are not booking enough jobs. The best advice I can offer young actors, besides taking classes and learning the craft, is to figure out a way to make a living that allows them to pursue their dream job.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to go to the Atlanta Botanical Garden any time of the year, summer, spring or winter. That is just me though, I love gardening and flowers. Start with a cup of coffee and a pastry at Cafe Intermezzo and afterwards spend a lovely afternoon in the garden, or take a long walk at Piedmont Park. Take a short rest before going out to dinner at Little Bangkok and then catch a movie at the Tara cinema, one of the city’s arthouse movie theaters. If I had a few days, I’d drive to Tybee Island for a quick fun beach getaway. Or if staying in town, catch a street festival if you can. There are so many great ones like the Inman Park festival in April, Porchfest in Virginia Highlands in May, Grant Park festival in August. Finally, there is some terrific theatre in Atlanta. One of my favorite places is City Springs in Sandy Springs because I really love musicals and they always do such a great job. Also the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville always has good shows including musicals!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to send a shoutout to Denise Santos. She is a friend of mine here in Atlanta; she’s incredibly talented, and a go-getter, an advocate for the Latino community, and extremely ambitious. She reminds me of me!

Website: https://rosebianco.com

Instagram: @rose.bianco

Image Credits
Tracy Page, Curtis Bonds Baker.