We recently had the chance to connect with Anna DOnofrio and have shared our conversation below.
Anna , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, we’re enjoying time at our second home in the UK. We spend extended summers and holidays in England, which gives us a wonderful change of pace while staying engaged with our work.
Although we’re currently on hiatus, the work never fully stops. I hold weekly meetings with representatives from over 30 schools to discuss our dance programs, and we’re continually expanding into more communities and organizations.
We homeschool our children, so they’re usually with us—except when attending their arts programs.
Our oldest is gearing up for an exciting summer with ballet intensives at three prestigious schools in London, and our four-year-old is just starting football and singing. It’s a lively household—but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Alongside all of this, we run a company called Lightning Kids In Film, which has recently expanded its reach. We provide holistic support to child actors, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive—creatively, professionally, and personally.
My husband is the CEO of Lightning Kids in Film Partnerships—but his role extends far beyond that title. I feel incredibly fortunate to have a partner who wholeheartedly supports everything I do. From homeschooling both of our children to managing programs across 30 schools, his dedication is unmatched. He also coaches basketball and is currently working on two screenplays!
One of the most rewarding parts of our journey has been watching him guide our eldest through her career in film, commercials, and print over the past decade. She’s collaborated with major studios like Paramount as well as unique indie productions, and it’s been an exciting ride for our nomadic family. Appy’s work has taken us to places like New Mexico, Las Vegas, Chicago, Arizona, and Miami—just to name a few.
He doesn’t just talk the talk when it comes to his daughters—he truly shows up. It’s one thing to plan for your kids’ futures, but it’s just as important to remember that what children really crave is you and your time today. Back in college, his friends affectionately called him “The Administrator of Fun”—and it’s heartwarming to see that some things never change.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Lighting is the heart of my work—it’s where creativity meets inclusion. As an internationally accomplished artist with experience in dance, theater, and film, both in front of and behind the camera, I’ve seen firsthand the power of the arts to uplift. Lighting Entertainment and Education is shifting the narrative by making dance and performance accessible to every child. We celebrate individuality and make sure no one gets left out. It’s not just a program—it’s a movement.
Our play-based approach to dance education is transforming the lives of thousands of students across California—not just academically, but emotionally and mentally as well. In a climate where pressure for top test scores and college admissions continues to rise, Lightning Education & Enrichment (LEE) offers students a space to simply be. It’s a place where creativity, expression, and joy are prioritized—and many students discover a passion for dance that extends well beyond their time at Lightning.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Moving to a small Greek island at 19 changed everything. As an Italian raised in England, I’d always felt drawn to the Mediterranean—and living there exceeded every expectation. I began teaching dance, learned Greek, and immersed myself in the culture. That’s where Lighting was born in both my heart and my mind. I saw firsthand how the arts have no boundaries—how children with almost no belongings found joy simply by moving and dancing. That experience cemented my belief that creative expression is a universal language, and it’s shaped the way I’ve built my work ever since.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Absolutely. When I suffered a knee injury that took me out of performing for a year, I thought I’d lost everything I was building. But that setback taught me far more than success ever could. It pulled me out of a perfectionist mindset I’d internalized during my training in London—a place where, honestly, I never felt truly welcomed. Suddenly, I had space to breathe, reflect, and reimagine.
That period of healing brought me to Greece, this beautiful, soul-nourishing country where I was embraced wholeheartedly. It gave me not just physical recovery but emotional clarity. I rediscovered my purpose, found joy in movement again, and saw creativity in a new light. That experience didn’t just change my path—it realigned it.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They’d say I’m loyal, passionate, and real. My circle is small, but it’s deeply rooted. These aren’t people I see every week—they’re the kind I can call at 3 a.m., and they’ll pick up without hesitation. I hold that kind of connection sacred. My closest friends feel more like chosen family, and I’m incredibly lucky to have a few who stand with me through everything. They’re the ones who see me fully—and love me fiercely.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If immortality were real, what would you build?
Honestly, I’d keep doing exactly what I’m doing—showing up as the best mother I can be to my girls, and giving my all as a creator. I believe everything fades except our feelings. That’s what stays. And for me, there’s nothing more powerful than helping someone shift—helping them uncover a part of themselves they’d hidden away. That kind of transformation… it’s not one-sided. It heals me too.
It’s a beautiful exchange of energy, and once you’ve felt it—really felt it—you realize that purpose isn’t something you chase. It’s something you live.
I’m truly grateful to support children in so many different settings—that’s the heart of what makes Lightning so special. One day, we might be guiding the next rising star in Hollywood; the next, we’re holding a workshop for children in foster care. The most incredible thing to witness is how dance creates connection.
On an international scale, I’ve seen firsthand that we’re far more alike than we are different. Deep down, most people simply want to dance, play, and laugh with those they love—and I feel lucky to be part of something that nurtures that universal joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www Lightning Entertainment org
- Instagram: @Lightningeducation
