Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Vitori.
Hi Gina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was in 1st grade, my mom signed me up for piano lessons… only to quickly learn that I was secretly convincing my teacher to split the time giving me voice lessons as well. My teacher (shoutout to Bette Silver) happened to be the producer of the community theater shows, and when she urged me to audition, I felt like the rest became history! I did every single musical in my hometown and beyond, all the way through high school — getting to play the classic favorites that I’d eventually learn everyone at drama school also did in their own communities… Annie, Sharpay, Cassie in A Chorus Line, etc. I was a total nerd in school though, and was convinced that I’d go into something more practical in college — but when the time came, I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to do more than be an actress… so to NYU Tisch, I went!
I studied at the Atlantic Acting School and Stonestreet Studios there, where I was far from being one of my class’s shining stars (in my own eyes at least), but attacked the rigorous curriculum with as much tenacity (and humor) as I try to approach everything in my life. I stuck around NYC about a year after graduating until I thought I’d give LA a shot. I told my friends and family (I’m from Long Island) that it was ‘indefinite’ and I’d maybe be here “three months, a year, who knows!” Anddddd, it’ll be eight years in January.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As any actor or person in a competitive field could attest to — there are definitely struggles. It’s a hard town! There will always be someone prettier, funnier, more talented, more connected than you. Which is easy to accept on a surface level but can often sting — especially if you grow up bullied, like I did. The ‘compare and despair’ road is a slippery one, and it doesn’t help that our bars for measuring our own success continuously go up, right? When I was a kid, I told myself, “If I ever get on TV, even for 2 seconds in a commercial, I’ve made it!” Which quickly becomes, “If I ever get a guest star role and someone from my hometown reaches out to me because they saw it, I’ve made it!” Which turns to “Once I have a series regular role, I’ve made it!” I hear it never ends… it’ll go on forever. So you really have to celebrate your wins. And make sure that your life outside of acting is one you enjoy because boy, work can feel like a rollercoaster, even when it’s going well!
That being said, I’ve been very fortunate to slide my way into the ‘movies for television’ genre pretty quickly upon arriving to LA. There are a few companies that really specialize in these, and each one can sometimes churn out 6+ a year… so it’s easy to work with the same people over and over again once you get in. It’s kind of it’s own small family! I feel like there’s no better training than being on set and doing the dang thing and getting to work with some extraordinary people.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Most of the people who follow along with my career (other than my #1 fan, my mother, of course) mostly have come from that niche I’ve found with movies for television. I’ve done my fair share of Lifetime and SyFy/action films, and recently have branched into Christmas and RomComs as well! I’ve also gotten lucky to play on some major television series, like Ahoska (Disney +), 9-1-1 (Fox), and Magnum PI (NBC). This past year, I’ve focused on branching into voiceover and writing as well, and can excitedly share that I booked my first big VO gig and wrote and sold my first screenplay! It should hopefully be going into production next year, and I’m super stoked to see it come to life.
As far as my ‘specialty’ goes — I’ve recently been trying to hone in on action acting, specifically. I think my eagerness to do my own stunts, tumble down a mountain 20 times over, and spend an entire day in dirt really get nitty gritty… I think that sets me apart from some other actresses. My special skills list seems fake, but I literally just have SUCH an appetite for learning new things! I grew up dancing, and singing, I surf, do pottery, yoga, rockclimb, snowboard, and have been studying martial arts and stunts for the last five years… to name just a few.
I think I’m honestly most proud of the film I just wrapped a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time playing a real villain, and we fought with swords, knives, guns, bo staff, good ole’ fashion hand to hand combat. It was difficult. And awesome. I’m excited (and nervous) to see the final product!
What does success mean to you?
To me, if I can reach financial and creative freedom with my acting/writing career — that’s success. I’ve never needed fame or anything. Just enough work to not need a side job and to feel like I have the creative freedom to make/participate in work that is fulfilling artistically. But above all, I just want to be happy, healthy, and surrounded by a community of people I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ginavitori.com
- Instagram: @ginavitori
Image Credits
Photos by Alanna Gilbert, Simone Staff, Jonny Marlow, Nick Lyon, and stills from Ahsoka and Fox Family Christmas.
