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Arts and Culture
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Teatro - Théâtre - Theatre
Vince Benvenuto : Staging a promising career By Alexandro Loffredi
Some might say that it’s too difficult to make a living out of acting, that it’s impossible to be discovered, or just not “guaranteed”. And while it may be many people’s dream, few are actually chosen. et, Vince Benvenuto will do anything it takes to make it as an actor. “I really love acting. I would sleep in my car if necessary,” he says. Luckily, he hasn’t had to take those drastic measures just yet, as his family has supported him from the very beginning and continues to do so today. Benvenuto first expressed his interest in acting to his mother at the age of fifteen. Maria Morella, an agent at Bellini International, saw his potential immediately and referred the Saint Leonard native to the Dynamic Theater Factory where he started his formal training, sacrificing much of his social life to go to auditions and voice coaching to control his Italian accent. Benvenuto started humbly by doing extra work in shows and commercials, earning his first ACTRA credit on the show “15/Love” and UDA credits on “Virginie”. He later graduated from Concordia University’s Theater program and began working with the renowned voice, speech and acting Coach Tom Todoroff, attending workshops in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and New York. Shortly after he landed his first speaking role in Patrick Huard’s “Taxi 0-22” and the main role in Marco Calliari’s international hit music video “L’Americano”, viewed by millions of people worldwide. During one of his more recent auditions for the role of Tino in Steve Galluccio’s feature film “Funkytown”, released January 28, 2011, he managed to get the producers attention after he danced to a popular disco anthem live in front of them. “It was my best audition ever!” recalls Benvenuto. “I went in with a brand new mentality, one that I picked up from Todoroff’s teachings.” While he didn’t get the role he auditioned for, this eventually led him to land a contract as Tino’s best friend, his first principle role in a feature film, and spent days
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on-set with famed Québec actor Patrick Huard and celebrated writer Steve Galluccio. “It was such an incredible learning experience! These were some of the most important days of my career thus far,” remembers Benvenuto. Though movies seem to be the way to go for most actors, Benvenuto still loves the stage. “You learn how to act in a theatre production. The skills you develop are vital and the experience is unmatched,” he explains. The young actor continues to perform in local theater productions and will be performing in Leo Sama’s adaptation of “The Breakfast Club” as John Bender (The Criminal) this February at the Leonardo Da Vinci Center. Motivated and multi-talented, Benvenuto also works as a producer and co-wrote his own short film as well as a web series. He will be funding his own project in hopes of submitting it to film festivals. Hopeful as he is motivated, Benvenuto also started the Montreal division of Actors Fight Club, an acting club where both new and seasoned actors can meet and get feedback from their colleagues. “Everyone gets together once a week,” he explains. “It helps actors practice their monologues and get constructive criticism.” Regardless of his own critiques, Benvenuto never hesitated about acting. Even with a lack of interest from his high school friends, he knew this was what he was meant to do in life. He would love nothing more than to make everyone proud by starring in a Broadway show turned film. “That would be a major accomplishment,” he says excitedly. With his constant determination, undeniable charisma and contagious personality, it is only a matter of time before Benvenuto’s name will be up in lights. v