Today we’d like to introduce you to Vas Batricevic.
Vas, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m coming from a small European country called Montenegro. I was born in, at that time, war-time Yugoslavia. I moved to the States in 2014, firstly as an exchange student in High School. I was super lucky to be getting an 85-year old man, a retired US Army Colonel, as my host family. Wonderful man and amazing inspiration. After finishing my high school year, he helped me get enrolled in a community college and I started organizing my life in America on a more serious level.
I always wanted to be an actor so I immediately wanted to engage in theatre. I had already gone through a small acting program in Montenegro. I had a blast at Navarro College. I took acting and cinema classes and in fact got casted in two productions, where I had leading roles. We did a play called American Angels by Terrence Wild and Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story, where I got to play the character of Jerry.
After researching about acting as a “science” and about the great American actors I learned that the greatest actor of all, Marlon Brando, studied in the conservatory program at Stella Adler Academy. I was constantly daydreaming about that school, knowing how crazy and “impossible” it would be for a Montenegrin to one day become a part of it. On the insist of my drama teacher from Texas I started preparing an audition for the Adler Academy. While preparing for the audition I somehow, out of nowhere, got discovered on the artistic platform called “Accepted” by that exact institution! I could not believe! It immediately felt like destiny.
After a long and exhausting auditioning process, I got accepted in both LA and NYC schools. I chose LA simply because it felt right. I’m in love with the school. The city is treating me lovely. I feel healthy.
Has it been a smooth road?
Well, I had interestingly rough childhood. Nevertheless, us kids always found a way to be somewhat happy. I’m very pleased I grew up in an environment and conditions that I did because they thought me so many valuable things. I can say that despite all the hustle, I had a beautiful childhood and road to where I am today. A lot of obstacles and sacrifices, but still beautiful in so many ways. I would never change any of my personal past. Needless to say, I wish my parents and other people who struggled even more than us could have gone through less stress. Everything that happened to us in the past shapes us in what we are today, in this present moment. So, having a colorful childhood and life experiences like that help a lot in acting. I made many good decisions and I am looking forward for new life-changing moments. I find peace when I am present and that is what I’m trying to do every day. Slow down and be here now. That’s what is all about.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m unexplainably privileged to be a part of Stella Adler school. As of right now, that is my biggest focus point. At this moment we are working on our second play – SLAVS! by Tony Kushner, where I play the role of Prelapsarianov. The first production we did was The Big Knife by Clifford Odets and I played the role of Smiley Coy. On the top of that, I’ve done about ten short films and collaborated with AFI, UCLA, CSUN, ArtCenter, Columbia Hollywood College, Woodbury University and a few indie productions. I achieved my goal of creating a reasonably decent resume and getting a reel that I’m content with. As soon as our third play production, say October, is over I will be graduating. After graduation, I’ll be able to start looking for agents and managers.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I don’t like the fact that many people are fake. Let’s leave it at that… Everything else works just fine. The vibe! It seems that the city is easy going and chill. I don’t feel rushed, and I easily find ways to relax and rest. I love going on walks. I’m in love with hikes. I love seeing the palm trees everywhere. Even in a city like this, you can still find a way to go to nature. The food is also special. It’s beautiful, there are so many different things one can do. It looks like there’s space for everything. People seem free. Everyone can be what they want to be. This is the place to be!
Contact Info:
- Address: 6767 Yucca St., #07
Los Angeles, CA 90028 - Phone: 4695703728
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaskb
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