Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Arianna Wellmoney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Arianna, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is “RIP Jabari, you would’ve Loved the Apple Dance”, a play I wrote last year and that was showcased at the Factory Series at The Chain Theatre, as part of the Audacious Owl Theatre Festival. It was directed by Bradly Valenzuela, and it starred myself, Christian Prins Coen and Kiamba Doyling. It was created during a time when I was dealing with a lot of grief: the loss of my grandparents, to whom the project is dedicated, as well as the quiet but painful loss of friendships that once felt unbreakable.

The story itself follows two inseparable best friends and roommates, Chiara and Elijah, who unexpectedly win a contest hosted by a space company. Their prize is the chance to interact with a prototype AI robot designed to replicate their late best friend, Jabari. What starts as a surreal, almost absurd opportunity slowly turns into something much heavier, forcing them to confront grief, memory, and the strange comfort (and discomfort!) of technology that keeps the dead feeling close to the living.

That blend of humor and emotional weight reflects how grief actually feels to me. There are moments that are awkward, funny, and unreal, mixed with moments that hit deeply and unexpectedly. Through this project, I was able to explore not just death, but the idea of holding onto people, whether they’re gone physically or emotionally and how hard it is to truly let go.

What made “RIP Jabari, you would’ve loved the Apple Dance” so meaningful is that it allowed me to process those emotions honestly while creating something that balances sincerity with levity. It changed the way I approach storytelling and reinforced my belief that art can be a space for healing, reflection, and connection. Additionally, it won “Best Play”, “Best Production”, Bradly Valenzuela won “Best Director” and I won “Best Performer” at the Off Off BroadwayWorld Awards 2025, which was an amazing accomplishment.

Arianna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Arianna Wellmoney, an Italian-born writer, playwright, and performer based in New York, and the founder of Wellmoney Productions, a theater and film company with projects in both New York and Milan. I got into this work because I often noticed gaps in the stories being told: experiences I could relate to as an immigrant, as a woman, and as someone navigating complex relationships and identity were largely absent in the media I consumed. Storytelling became a way to explore those experiences authentically, to give voice to perspectives that are underrepresented, and to create work that connects people emotionally.

Under Wellmoney Productions, I write, produce, and perform work that blends humor, empathy, and social reflection. Some of our key projects include “He’s Different”, a play exploring the messy, modern realities of dating and identity, and “RIP Jabari You Would’ve Loved the Apple Dance”, which mixes laugh-out-loud absurdity with deep emotional exploration of grief, memory, and the bonds of friendship. My work often tackles themes of loss, belonging, and the intricacies of human connection, while creating space for audiences to laugh, reflect, and feel seen.

What sets me apart is my commitment to truth and inclusivity. I create work that’s emotionally grounded and relatable, while also intentionally collaborating with artists from underrepresented communities.

I am most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to build a company and body of work that reflects my values, work that centers diverse voices, invites audiences to feel deeply, and challenges conventional storytelling norms. What I want people to know about me and my brand is that we create from a place of care, curiosity, and authenticity. Wellmoney Productions exists to tell stories that matter, to amplify voices that are often overlooked, and to make audiences feel both entertained and emotionally enriched.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think the most important thing society can do is recognize that art is not just entertainment! It’s essential to how we process, understand, and connect with the world and each other. That means valuing creative work not as a luxury, but as a vital contribution to culture and community. Practically, that could look like better funding for emerging artists, accessible spaces to create and showcase work, fair pay for creative labor, and mentorship programs that actively support underrepresented voices.

Artists often take emotional and financial risks to create meaningful work, and a culture that celebrates that courage (instead of only valuing commercial success) allows creativity to flourish.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

One thing that can be hard for non-creatives to understand is how much vulnerability and persistence the work requires, especially as an immigrant navigating a new country and industry. For me, moving from Italy to the U.S. to pursue a career in theater and storytelling meant starting from scratch, learning cultural norms, building networks, and translating my perspective into work that resonates with a completely different audience. That process can be isolating and financially precarious, and it often requires you to put yourself out there repeatedly, even when the odds feel stacked against you.

At the same time, being an immigrant also informs my work in powerful ways. It allows me to explore themes of belonging, identity, and dislocation with authenticity, and to create work that centers voices and experiences that are too often overlooked. I think people might benefit from understanding that the creative journey is rarely linear or glamorous; it’s about resilience, honesty, and the willingness to keep making work even when the world doesn’t yet fully recognize its value

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ariannawellmoney.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariannawellmoney
• Other: https://www.wellmoneyproductions.com

Image Credits

Headshot photo by Emily Lambert Photography
Performance photos by Joan Dwiartanto