We recently connected with Annmarie Benigno and have shared our conversation below.

Annmarie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

As a young performer living in Orlando, I was saving money with the trajectory of moving to NYC to persue all the bigger and better things that the city could offer me. After college I auditioned to be a parade performer for universal studios got my first role in their holiday parade. From then on I continued to perform in shows and in tourism experiences in the surrounding area. I worked very hard with multiple jobs and finally made it to NYC in 2018. I had a great start getting involved with background work for television as well as the Steven Spielberg adaptation of West Side Story almost immediately. I got small modeling roles as well as a Queens theater opportunity just before covid hit in the winter of 2019. Little did I know it would be my last time on stage for the foreseeable future.
An unforseen family circumference cost me financially, emotionally, spiritually and logistically. Not to mention the pandemic lockdowns that followed shortly after that.
I had the rug ripped right out front under me, and my journey back into the arts has been labored and trying. However I believe that these set of circumstances is truly more rewarding. As God has stripped away much of my pride and showed me how to walk in faith when things look grim. I learned to appreciate art and performance for what it is and where it comes from. And that I didn’t need to be on large stages with big spotlights to make meaningful art.
I am still in the process of rebuilding and pursuing this passion with a more focused purpose.
I manage a coffee shop full time to make ends meet, but I am actively seeking ways to connect with other performers in community, auditions that are popping up and tirelessly submitting to agencies for representation. My hopes are high for this new season, as I come back with more purpose driven desires for my craft than ever before.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

A Bronx born NYC native, i grew up dancing from age 2 and continued through my school years as a competitive cheerleader. My dreams for acting grew as I did but I did not pursue then seriously until I was out of college. I got my start performing in parades for universal studios as well as community theater and shows in the Orlando area.

I am most proud of making myself get out there and doing things that absolutely terrified me. Had I not taken this approach, I would be nowhere near where I am right now.

Though I have had many performance dreams come true, I have been most refined by overcoming adversity and opposition and by being placed in humbling positions. I have grown to appreciate my work in so many multifaceted ways and I am so excited to share that with the world.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding thing about being a creative is that it’s given me eyes to see and connect with God more clearly. The creator of art itself. Everything we see around us is art from the chair you’re sitting in to the heavens above you.
Once you realize that, the whole lens in which you view the world shifts.
I now aspire to convey this to the world by creating things that tell about all that is good and right and True and beautiful.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Creatives are non orthodox! We don’t work regular 9-5s and probably have several side jobs. Have understanding and patience with your artsy friends because they are likely working very hard to maintain what they are building. And may need a little extra grace and encouragement!

Contact Info:

• Website: Annmariebenigno.com
• Instagram: Ann.marie.b

Image Credits
Jeremy Pinero Photography for initial beauty headshot