Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicola Masciotra.
Hi Nicola, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I always knew I loved Disney and I wanted to perform. When I got to college, I realized that having a dream, wanting something really bad; isn’t enough to make that dream a reality. And not everyone will want you to succeed. I didn’t succeed in college. I wasn’t welcomed in the department. I really felt like maybe I wasn’t meant to perform and that was my sign.
When I graduated, I moved to Orlando and did the Disney College Program. I wound up staying in Orlando and my friend Marcus set me up with my first agency (upon discovering our mutual love of musical theater and becoming fast friends). It wasn’t magic getting to work in such an amazing industry. I’ve been training since I was a kid. I still take classes, most recently through the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. I’ve gotten to do so much more than I ever dreamed possible. I will always count myself blessed to get to live my dream. It wasn’t easy and it isn’t what I thought it would look like but it’s mine. When she was still alive I would call my grandma everyday and she would ask if I heard back from so and so audition; she was always so excited to hear about my acting. And that made every single trial worth it. Knowing she was proud of me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road. I have a beautiful family but I really struggled in high school and college. I felt like the outcast in social circles (because I was). I struggled with anxiety and depression. For a long time, I felt lost, like I didn’t know why I was here, especially after feeling so passionately about performing and being shut down so severely. College was the worst part of my life to date. I was in a deep depression, had very few friends, felt like I was failing at everything I tried. The head of my department said I “might do well somewhere else” and that I seemed like “just a sex kitten.” It was heartbreaking. It took everything in me to make the journey to Orlando. To put myself out there even to try to make friends.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work full time for Disney in hospitality and I do as much film/commercial work as I can as well. I consider the arts my passion and my full-time job my lifeline if that makes sense. I’ve been singing and dancing since I was four years old. Live theatre will always have my heart. In the past few years, I’ve gotten to dive into film work and it’s been an absolute joy. I’d say the thing I’m most proud of is getting to go to the Tribeca Film Festival in New York to see the screening of After Midnight, my first feature film. Being there with an insanely talented cast and crew (including someone I’ve been watching on TV for years) was a pinch-me moment. I try to always bring a sense of joy and happiness to set. I never take myself too seriously. I met Megan Hilty, one of Wicked’s first Glinda’s, and I asked her advice for an aspiring actress and she told me “be nice to everyone and learn everything you can.” And I’ve tried very much to put that into practice. I want to be a safe space for everyone, no judgement, only love and welcoming energy.
How do you define success?
Success, I think I’ve done it if I’m being honest. I never ever thought I’d be chosen for a part in a movie. Or a commercial. Or see myself in an ad on Instagram. Never. And that has happened. I expected nothing and therefore every booking is a success and I am successful for it. Doing your best with no regrets: that is success. You don’t need to make a lot of money or have a lot of people know your name to be successful. It’s how you feel in your heart. Are you happy? Are you trying your best? Are you being kind? That is success to me.
Contact Info:
- Email: nmasciotra2@gmail.com
- Website: NicolaMasciotra.com
- Instagram: NicolaInNeverland
