Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonya Macari.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Dublin, Ireland to Italian parents, growing up I felt like I always lived in my imagination. I’ll never forget watching the wizard of Oz and thinking to myself I want to do that, it seemed so simple to me in my own head. I started appearing in commercials at a very young age. My acting debut was on an Irish hit show “ The clinic” then I moved to New York at the age of 19, NYC was a huge awakening for me, I knew I loved acting but I had developed a serious love & respect for the art and craft of acting, I started studying at the HB Studios, a real nice environment.
After New York I moved back to Dublin to work on a recurring role on Showtime’s ‘The Tudors,” for which I also appeared in the global print campaign, seeing my face on a billboard on Sunset Blvd was bizarre and amazing at the same time, and I believe the same one was up on Times Square. I have had the pleasure to work on the ten time Oscar nominated silent movie ‘The Artist’, ‘Chuck’ on NBC, House for Fox Network, to just name a few.
Work as a voice over artist and a narrator for Penguin Random House and will I be on the Billy Wilder Stage this Bloomsday which I’m very much looking forward to. I live in LA with my wonderful husband, Colin Devlin, who is an incredible musician and also a Grammy nominated songwriter, we have 2 amazing children, Evie and Leo. I have to say, I have been very blessed with all my experiences so far, I’m very excited to see what the future holds.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road, bloody hell no! As an actor, you have no control, virtually… That just the way it is, however, if you surrender to what you can control and that is putting your best work out there, that’s all you can do, your job is to create an interesting, compelling character that serves the text in the hope that the producers like it.. So you make bold choices and you try letting go of wanting the job, its tricky too, every actor desperately wants that job.
I have been so so close to roles that would have been a game changer, they would have changed my entire career trajectory, but you move on. You learn to deal with the disappointment, I seem to have gotten really good at it ( Sniggers). Getting back on the saddle after starting a family is also very challenging, both work and family are very gratifying to me, so hopefully many wonderful things to come, I have my amazing husband to thank for, he is the very definition of unconditional love and support, whatever challenges we face, we face together.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sonya Macari – what should we know?
The acting business is so competitive, incredibly so, you walk Into a casting office, it’s cramped, people sit in judgment, you have no props, little info on the character (sometimes) or the script, so you have little control of a lot of things.
It’s out of your hands whether you are chosen for a specific role or not, but what you can do is have control over making a lasting impression in the room. Know your character so well so you can let it seep into your subconscious that way it will lead you to a place where you can play. The best thing I’ve learned is to be In the moment, I know it’s a cliche but it’s true, if you try to control too much then you’ll ruin all the magic.
I feel like in this business you have to create a mindset toward rejection, you go for so many auditions, and you might get one out of 60. You just have to go in and do your best, I always look at it as an opportunity to act, but obviously, you want the part. You deal with more rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime, so strive every day to be a better actor and opportunity will come your way, I promise! 🙂
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not sure if I like the word lucky, I think it can cheapen the hard work one has to put into an acting career. Sure, once you are prepared and you happen to be at the right place at the right time, luck can play a part…
I think It takes the sheer force of will and relentless determination to be successful in the acting business and at the same time if you are committed and love what you do you will find some level of success. The key for me is to find the positive in every negative, you may have a chance of staying sane in this crazy business.
I must have some sort of built-in insanity, I have never stopped apart from taking breaks to have a family, I’ve never given up, I just won’t take no as an answer. Moral of the story is don’t give up. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sonyamacari.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyamacari/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonyamacari
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sonyamacari
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