Rising Stars: Meet Michael Cerqueira Da Costa of New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Cerqueira Da Costa

Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been drawn to acting, whether it was making people laugh or moving them emotionally. Between the ages of 9 and 11, I was active in a theater compagny, and my teacher even recommended I enroll in the conservatory in Geneva. However, due to financial reasons, that wasn’t possible at the time. I promised myself I’d pursue it later in life.

Although I stepped away from formal acting, I never lost that love. I continued to be the comedic figure in my family, and I even participated in my church’s plays. One memorable experience was when I played one of the thieves on the cross next to Jesus during a passion play. That role, portraying someone in such an emotional and significant moment, reminded me how much I loved acting and storytelling.

After I graduated from business school in Geneva, I entered the Swiss army because military service is mandatory for all men at the age of 18. Toward the end of my service, something inside me reignited.
I realized how much I wanted to return to acting. I began researching acting schools in Switzerland, Paris, Canada, and the U.S, that’s when I came across the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York.

When I got accepted, I was overjoyed, but the financial challenge was overwhelming. I applied for several scholarships in Switzerland, but they were all denied. At that point, I could have easily given up, but I refused to let go of my dream. I took on multiple jobs and worked as much as possible to save for tuition and rent.

For like almost 3 years, my schedule was intense, I worked from 8:30 PM to 6 AM, then from 9 AM to 7:30 PM at another job. On my days off from the night shift, I worked with personal clients. I barely slept, averaging only three hours a night. I had no social life and rarely saw my family, as I spent nearly all my time working to fund my move to the U.S. It was one of the toughest times in my life, but I knew it was necessary to achieve my goals.

Now, I’m in my second year at Lee Strasberg. Completing the first year felt like a significant milestone, and receiving a scholarship from Vincent D’Onofrio that allowed me to continue this second year has been such a blessing. After facing so many rejections, having someone believe in me has been incredibly validating.

In the future, I plan to return to Switzerland to help develop the film and television industry there. That’s why I moved to the U.S, to learn from the best. I believe with the right mindset and dedication, anything is possible, and I’m excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges I faced was the financial burden of moving to New York and studying at the Lee Strasberg Institute. After being accepted into the program, I applied for several scholarships in Switzerland, but unfortunately, they were all denied. That moment was a tough one. I could have easily given up, but I chose to push forward.

To make my dream a reality, I took on multiple jobs. At one point, I was working from 8:30 PM to 6 AM at one job, and then from 9 AM to 7:30 PM at another. On top of that, I worked with personal clients on my days off. This left me with only about three hours of sleep a night, and I had no social life to speak of. I barely saw my family because all my time was spent working to save enough money to cover my move to the U.S. and my studies.

The physical exhaustion was intense, but the emotional toll was also significant. There were moments of doubt and loneliness, especially as I was sacrificing so much time with loved ones and living with such uncertainty. But through it all, I kept reminding myself why I was doing this and what my ultimate goal was, to pursue acting and make a meaningful impact in the industry.

There were definitely times when I felt like giving up, but each challenge pushed me to dig deeper and work even harder. In the end, it’s those struggles that made me stronger and more determined.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m in my second year at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, focusing on method acting. I love taking on roles that challenge me and push me to explore different emotions. A standout experience for me was performing as Eddie in Fool for Love during Scene Night at the Institute. It was a tough role. I played a cowboy who has a complicated and intense relationship with his sister. It really tested me and helped me grow as an actor.

What sets me apart is my background and language skills. I’m both Portuguese and Swiss and speak five languages: French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and English. This helps me connect with a variety of roles and brings different perspectives to my acting.

Moving from Europe to the U.S. has been a major adjustment. In Europe, life is generally more laid-back, and people often have a different approach to work and daily life. In contrast, New York is fast-paced and intense. The way people work and interact here is different, there’s a sense of urgency and a constant drive. Adapting to this new rhythm, along with the different acting methods and industry practices, has been challenging but also rewarding. It’s been a learning experience to navigate these cultural differences and find my place in this new environment.

What I’m most proud of is how I’ve overcome obstacles to be here. Working long hours and juggling multiple jobs to fund my move and studies was tough, but receiving a scholarship from Vincent D’Onofrio made it all worthwhile. It’s been a challenging journey, but seeing that hard work pay off has been incredibly rewarding.

In the future, I hope to return to Switzerland and help grow the film and TV industry there, bringing back everything I’ve learned and experienced in the U.S.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are several ways people can work with me or support my career. If someone is interested in collaborating on a project, whether it’s acting in a film, a play, or any other creative endeavor, I’m always open to discussing new opportunities. My background in method acting and my experience with diverse roles can bring a unique perspective to various projects.

For those who want to support me, spreading the word about my work and staying connected through social media or professional networks can be incredibly helpful. Engaging with my performances and sharing them with your network helps build visibility and opens up more opportunities.

Finally, if anyone knows of or has access to industry contacts, casting opportunities, or projects that align with my skills and interests, I would appreciate any introductions or recommendations. Support from within the industry can make a big difference as I continue to build my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://michaelcdacosta.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freesh.m/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@michaelcdacosta

Image Credits
@mel_etlesfleurs