We were lucky to catch up with Stella Pulo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stella, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

The truth is that I never envisaged myself doing anything other than my art. I am an actress/Singer/Writer and I produce my own work in between hired gigs. This way I’m always creating and sharing my work with colleagues and audiences. I remember growing up in a working class suburb of Melbourne, Australia. I always felt “out of the box.” The once-a-week drama teacher, Miss Holyoke, would come to our school. Our class of about 25 would stand in rows, in uniforms, on the polished proscenium arch stage and sing. I can’t remember what we sag but she took special notice of me and always made me stand center stage. I’m short but at that time I was no shorter than anyone else. So, I guess she liked my stage presence and my voice. This inspired me. This time of the week was what I grew to live for and soon I knew, it was what I wanted to do forever. I sought all creative avenues available to me. There weren’t many at the time. But, I watched a television show and I noted the Casting Director, Ann Hamilton. I found her address in the telephone directory and wrote to her asking for an audition. I got one. Handwritten. I did well. And that was the start of my career and interest in Film and TV. I kept doing everything available; attending talks and seminars, workshops, performing in plays, drama/music/film classes at school and then college. I started in 1965. In 1992, I became the first Australian member of The Actors Studio. I migrated to USA in 1997.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I create work that I know about. If I feel inspired, I share the best way I know how, by writing and performing it. I find relevant venues, groups and make myself relevant, wanted and needed. I make sure I am not too difficult to hire. I don’t want producers, organizers, managers, to I can’t be satisfied with their offerings. I am a mixed bag. Something for all to enjoy and feel entertained by whether it’s corporate entertainment, cabaret, a one woman show on specific topic, classical works, conducting workshops or writing speeches. www.stellapulo.com

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I was born and raised in Australia, a country without historical ties to USA. In 1993, there weren’t many ways to get a Green Card. However, I realized that if I because the first Australian member of the Actors Studio, I would probably get an EB1 Green Card, (Alien of Exraordinary, Prestigious, International Ability.) Through blood, sweat and tears, I got that. Then I needed a huge amount of money to pay an Attorney to file the petition. Only one way to do that at the time. Work in Japan. So, I bought a book, “Jobs in Japan” from the Kinokuniya Bookstore in Manhattan. I wrote one letter, a “To Whom This May Concern” letter, and photocopied my résumé on the back. It was cheaper to mail an envelope to Japan with only one page in the envelope. It was 1993 and emailing wasn’t yet invented! I hand addressed 500 envelopes and, like Santa Claus, I carried a sack to the Post Office on Lexington Avenue and 53rd Street in Manhattan. I licked 500 stamps. Off they went. I got 3 job offers. Accepted the best paying one. Got a work visa and off I went to live and work in Tokyo. After 16 months, and a great experience, I returned to Australia and paid the Attorney in New York to prepare the EB1 Petition. It didn’t get approved the first time but did the second time. I had 4 months to pack up my life in Australia and to get to USA and I did. I arrived on July 23, 1997, with Green Card in hand. I am now a US citizen.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I am learning lots of lessons and I hope this never stops. I am described as the “Red-headed quirky Aussie gal, intelligent, reliable and delivers.” This is how I am seen and regarded and it is absolutely fine because I am all that. But, I am more and happy to share that. too. I have learned to hold my head high despite what may be happening. I have learned that it’s not necessary to burn bridges. I just don’t have to keep crossing them. I also learned to take the best and leave the rest. I learned a long time ago that, as artists, we need crocodile skin Well, where I come from, we wrestle crocodiles and we win!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stellapulo.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Tel: 917-821-6373

Image Credits
The first photo of me in Yellow : please credit “Rick Stockwell Photography” The second image of me in black top: please credit “Teatru Malta”