Passionate about theatre and film, Bianca Nappi began to collaborate with her local theatre when she was only thirteen. At eighteen, she moved to Rome to study at the Blue Theatre, a school managed by Beatrice Bracco. From 2002, the year in which she graduated, to 2005, Bianca took part in several acting workshops with teachers like Michael Margotta and Vincent Schiavelli. During this time she also worked  for various theatre productions ("Sacco and Vanzetti", " L’inserzione ", "Alice in Wonderland"), as well as appearing in several Italian and foreign television productions ("In Love and War", "District Police"). In 2007 Bianca Nappi was recruited by film director Ferzan Ozpetek for an advertisement. The year after that Ferzan Ozpetek called Bianca for a part in his film "A Perfect Day", shown at the Venice Film Festival 2008. In 2010 Bianca  starred in a leading role for ‘Mine Vaganti’ again directed by Ferzan Ozpetek.

Bianca Nappi works and lives in Rome and is also passionate about astrology and literature.

Accademia Apulia has asked Bianca Nappi the following questions:

What led you to become an actress?

Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be an actress. I remember the time when in my kindergarten they showed "Marcelino pane e vino" - a film in which a child "meets" Jesus. That was the very first film I ever saw and it made a big impression on me. I began to think what it would be like to "play" someone else. Over the years, through study and experience, this desire to empathise with the lives of others has always been there and I think that's why I chose to become an actress.

Is being an actor a career choice or a lifestyle choice?

I think that anyone whose work is connected to the arts - whatever that might be - is primarily driven by a need to communicate with others, express themselves, so in a sense one can speak of a lifestyle choice. An actor, even when not on stage, remains an actor. I believe that their sensitivity, outlook on life and training make them act even when off duty. As such I can say that in my case acting is definitely a lifestyle choice, followed by a need to be a professional actress.

Who inspired your acting career? What were the figures you looked up to as you were growing up?

I’ve always loved comedy and comedy actors. I find that irony and humour convey ideas and life’s contradictions better than drama. Artists like Toto, Charlie Chaplin, Sophia Loren, Monica Vitti and many others have graced the dreams of my childhood. I think that their films inspired me and made me to want to become an actress and above all, to devote myself to comedy.

Despite your young age, you have experience both in the theatre and the movies. Do you feel more comfortable behind the camera or on stage?

Until a few years ago, I only did theatre work, so I am quite at home there. A live audience and the excitement of going on stage every night is extraordinary, it’s something that I hope I’ll never have to give up. Television, on the other hand, is new for me, and, like all new things, I’m fascinated by it and eager to do more work in this area. Whilst on stage actors are complete role protagonists, with cinema work one is more under the wing of a director, and that’s interesting too. So, I really cannot say which of the two means of expression I prefer best, but I hope to be able to cover both grounds as best as I can.

What was your best work experience so far?

Being in "Mine vaganti" directed by Ferzan Ozpetek has got to be my very best acting experience so far. The fact that I was given one of the leading roles, gave me an opportunity to contribute in a more special way to the making of this film. It was a most enjoyable experience also because it gave me a chance to work with many talented well-known actors. Also, working with Ferzan Ozpetek, a director who’s great to work with, was a positive experience, both on a professional and a human level.

What are the main difficulties with theatre work? And the movies?

Theatre work is definitely very tiring; it requires great discipline and a commitment. Emotionally too it is demanding. Every night actors must face a different audience. The mere fact that on stage you are ‘live’ and cannot re-run a scene the way you can with the movies, it’s enough to give you an idea of how difficult theatre work can be. Film work, on the other hand, may be easier, but there are challenging aspects there too, for example filming sequential scenes. In actual fact, when making a film it can happen that you may have to film the end before you are allowed to film the beginning of the story, which isn’t always that easy.

Acting is a profession aspired to by many youngsters these days. Many are attracted by the ease with which it reaches success - driven by glamour more than talent. How does a good actor fit in this?

We live in a hedonistic society in which aesthetics sometimes are more important then people; I think that many young people are attracted to the profession because of a need to be recognized by society, through what is most immediate, i.e. appearance. There is however room for everyone: for those who are in it just for the glamour and a quick TV fix, and for those who want to go in a different direction. So, I think that a good actor should not worry about this ‘trend’ because the public is intelligent enough to grasp the obvious differences.

What qualities should an actor have?

Stanislavskji said: "The actors who do not go forward go backward." An actor needs to be curious, and have a desire to let themselves go.

What advice would you give to aspiring young actors?

I would say to give it a second thought. I believe it’s important to ask how much you really like this type of work and how much you’re willing to sacrifice for it. Often youngsters are attracted to the profession’s shining appearance, which is on the outside, but it's a job full of pitfalls that requires great tenacity, humility and patience. Only if you have these characteristics and you are really passionate about it, can you succeed. Otherwise, there are many other interesting jobs that you can do.

Where will Bianca Nappi be in ten years time?

Hard to imagine where and what I’ll be doing in ten years time - sometimes it's hard to imagine tomorrow! Anyway, I hope to be emotionally attached and to continue to work as an actress, even if I’ll have a few wrinkles...!