Mario A. Campanaro shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Mario A., we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One of the biggest misunderstandings about this business, and one of its best kept secrets, is just how much hard work it takes for an actor to create something that appears simple, subtle, easy, and spontaneous.
An audience sees the final result: a performance that looks effortless, alive, and emotionally raw. What they do not see is the depth of commitment behind it. They do not see the hours, days, months, and years of training and self-exploration. The truth is, the craft of acting takes work. Plain and simple. It requires talent, imagination, professionalism, passion, dedication, devotion, commitment, curiosity, exploration, empathy, compassion, vulnerability, courage, tenacity, consistency, accountability, responsibility, an unrelenting desire to grow, and a very strong will. An actor cannot just think about the work. The work must be done. It cannot live in theory or in the mind alone. It must live in the body, the breath, and the soul.
Craft is not a finite thing. It is a lifelong, ongoing cultivation. Craft is what allows the actor to be consistent. It allows an actor to perform eight shows a week or deliver sixteen takes in a row. It is what marries skill to innate talent. It becomes the backbone of readiness and confidence. When craft is deeply ingrained, there is no need to hope things will go well. The actor knows and trusts they will, because the muscle has been built. That kind of preparation grants the freedom to let go and live, moment to unknown moment.
An actor cannot rely on feeling, emotion, or fleeting inspiration alone. What happens when those run out? What remains? Technique and tools become essential. The actor must know what they are doing and how to get there. Every tool must be practical, tangible, usable, executable, and rooted in real humanity. When stepping on stage or onto a set, the actor is being paid to deliver. That is not the time to search for craft. That is the time to trust the craft that has already been built — to arrive fully open, prepared, and available to do the work they have been hired and entrusted to do.
Many today want the easy road, the quick fix, the fame without the foundation. Social media glamorizes instant success and creates the illusion that artistry can be achieved without effort. But the truth is, there is nothing easy about this journey. There are no shortcuts. It takes time.
Most actors do not have the luxury of utilizing their craft on a job every day. That is why continued training is not optional. It is essential. Relying on auditions alone is not enough. Auditioning is its own skill set, one that often has little to do with the job itself. Without consistent practice, bad habits form. Instincts dull. Confidence fades. It is like going to the gym once a month and expecting to build real strength. The muscle weakens. The stamina diminishes. The athlete who stops training cannot expect to make it to the Olympics. The same is true for the actor. If the dream is to be realized, the work must be done.
Actors need safe yet challenging spaces to train—environments that support exploration and discovery, hold space for mistakes and failure, and encourage getting back up again and again, no matter how many times they fall. These spaces cultivate perseverance while inspiring creative expansion and artistic evolution. Professionally focused studios that welcome diversity and inclusivity, prioritize craft, and foster creativity, imagination, authenticity, truth, discipline, accountability, growth, and an artist’s business mindset are essential. Ongoing challenge paired with meaningful support allows the actor to deepen their truth and sharpen their tools.
Acting is a profession. It is a skill. It is a lifelong practice. Just like life, the craft is always evolving. Once the actor truly understands this, and stops clinging to hope or luck, and begins relying on the alignment of craft and talent, freedom becomes possible. That is the purpose of craft — to liberate the actor so they can live moment to unknown moment with truth and authenticity.
At the end of the day, it is not about being perfect. It is about being human. It is the actor’s humanity and soul that breathe life into the text. To do it truthfully, the actor must be willing to expose the most complex, messy, raw, and vulnerable parts of themselves in service of something greater. The story, the character, the truth of the human condition. They must go to places within themselves that are uncomfortable, even painful at times. They must be brave enough to confront those parts and generous enough to share them in service of the work. Sometimes that will cost the actor something that only they can understand. But that is what truly moves an audience, and that is not something that can be faked.
This kind of work is not for the faint of heart.
It is for the full of heart.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the founder and masterclass instructor at MC² Actors Studio [LA | NYC | LDN], and the founder, resident director, and playwright at MC² Repertory Theatre Company. My journey in the performing arts began when I was just eight years old, and since then, I’ve had the privilege of performing on some of the most prestigious stages across the United States. I trained classically at the prestigious University of North Carolina School of the Arts under legendary mentors such as Gerald Freedman, which laid a solid foundation for a diverse career in television, film, and both on- and off-Broadway productions—including Mary Zimmerman’s Tony Award-winning Metamorphoses.
For over two decades, I have been dedicated to mentoring actors worldwide through MC² Actors Studio, which is recognized internationally as a premier training ground for serious and dedicated actors. Our studio combines a conservatory-based, ensemble-driven philosophy with a multi-method approach. We draw from the techniques of masters like Stanislavski, Adler, Hagen, Strasberg, Meisner, Chekhov, and Alexander Technique to provide world-class professional training both in-person and online.
What makes MC² Actors Studio unique is our holistic, visceral, and deeply human approach to acting training. We empower actors to fully realize their potential by unlocking their innate talent and refining the skills, technique, and confidence necessary to deliver bold, authentic, and emotionally truthful performances. Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to build technical mastery while integrating creativity, imagination, authenticity, and professionalism. We create a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment where diverse ensembles thrive—where actors learn to connect, elevate, and inspire each other, sharpening their craft in preparation for the professional demands of stage and screen.
We believe that training must mirror the rigor of the industry, fostering honesty, discipline, accountability, and ongoing growth. Through consistent challenge and meaningful support, actors deepen their truth and sharpen their tools, moving beyond reliance on luck or fleeting inspiration. Instead, they build a reliable foundation of craft and readiness that enables them to perform with confidence, precision, truth, and authenticity every time.
Alongside the studio, MC² Repertory Theatre Company brings to life original, provocative works that explore the complexities of the human condition with emotional depth and artistic innovation. I have written several plays that have been developed by the company, including Over The F#(%!ng Rainbow, Somewhere, I’m Fine Mabel, Sincerely. Seriously., Pure Goodness, It’s Tradition, Theresa, Frankie, Gina Marie: A Family Tragedy, Nicky’s Closet, and You Will Not Be Using My Bathroom. These works are known for their emotional resonance, originality, and fearless exploration of human vulnerability.
Currently, I’m focused on expanding our programs and developing new theatrical works that push artistic boundaries and continue to nurture the next generation of actors. It’s a privilege to guide artists in cultivating their craft and artistic voice, enabling them to thrive in an industry that demands both heart and professionalism.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Throughout my childhood, I was deeply fascinated by the powerful question, “Why?” I was not content with surface-level answers. I wanted to truly understand why things were the way they were. I sought to comprehend how circumstances came to be and the motivations behind them. This curiosity inspired me to observe everything around me with intense focus, listening and watching carefully in an effort to draw my own conclusions based on my unique experience and perspective. Rather than simply being taught, I was motivated by learning through direct experience and exploration.
The more I questioned, the more opportunities I found to dive into worlds far beyond my everyday life. This inquisitive spirit allowed me to use my imagination freely, seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling, and tasting the possible historical and emotional circumstances surrounding whatever I was thinking about. At the time, I did not think of it as an intellectual pursuit. I was simply enjoying the journey of my imagination, which rapidly expanded into a vast creative universe. It gifted me the realization that behind every action or event, there is always a “because of”—a reason or motivation that drives it.
Despite this rich inner world, I often felt disconnected from my peers. Few children shared my intense interests, and I frequently felt like an outsider. Loneliness crept in, and I instinctively retreated to my parents’ basement. There, I created elaborate imaginative worlds using cardboard, construction paper, and whatever materials I could find around the house. I wrote scripts and sang my heart out in that private space, crafting stories that often grappled with struggle, conflict, and the search for freedom from suffering. One of the first scripts I wrote at a very young age was a five-page play called The Beast and The Servant. It told the story of two very different beings who endure trials and hardships in an attempt to reconcile, only to reveal in the end that the entire journey was a reflection of a little boy looking in the mirror. This early work reflected my deep desire to understand humanity and the trials and tribulations we have to endure and the resilience we discover to overcome them.
Everything changed when my family moved to a new town and I met a friend who shared my passions. For the first time, I encountered someone who spoke my language. One evening, his family invited me to see him perform in a play. He had been cast as Jerome, the son of Emile De Becque, in South Pacific. I had never been to live theatre before and barely knew what it was. The only theatre I knew was the movie theatre where I had seen films like E.T. The theatre we arrived at was like nothing I had ever imagined. It was a grand castle by a lake, reached by winding roads, and the building itself seemed to come straight out of my imagination. The moment I stepped inside, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging. It was strange yet deeply familiar, majestic and breathtaking.
As the lights dimmed and the curtain rose, the stage illuminated a world entirely separate from my own. Time seemed to stop, and I was completely mesmerized. I experienced awe and wonder like never before. At that moment, everything I had been searching for, all of my passions and questions, were suddenly defined for me as acting and theatre. It became clear that this was my true home and purpose.
From then on, theatre became my guiding force, the backbone of my life and the passionate fire behind my endless “why?” I surrounded myself with all forms of art, auditioned for regional theatres, and began working with professional acting coaches who helped me cultivate my skills and introduced me to new cultures and perspectives. This journey helped me channel my innate talents into disciplined artistry.
As I mentioned previously, when it was time for formal training, I auditioned for some of the most prestigious conservatories in the country and chose the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. I selected this school for three main reasons: the exceptional and internationally renowned faculty committed to teaching craft, the focused environment with no distractions, and the small, select ensemble that allowed for individualized attention. This immersive conservatory training refined my skills, built my discipline, and prepared me for a sustainable career in the arts.
After graduating, I signed with theatrical and commercial agents in New York City and began teaching in Manhattan. Teaching deepened my passion for the craft, as it requires constant growth, reflection, and openness. It challenges me to remain a lifelong student of life, continuously evolving as an actor, teacher, playwright, and director.
Driven by this passion, I founded MC² Actors Studio [LA | NYC | LDN] and MC² Repertory Theatre Company.
Looking back, the night I saw my first play transformed how I see the world. It showed me the profound power of theatre to connect people, illuminate human experience, and create meaning. It shaped my worldview by teaching me that art is not just entertainment, but a vital mirror reflecting life’s deepest questions, struggles, and resilient breakthroughs. It is a medicine for the human condition’s pains, a healer. That moment set me on a lifelong journey of exploration, creativity, and teaching, fueled by a desire to help others find their voice and truth through the craft of acting.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I believe that every human being is born with an innate quality for resilience. In fact, anyone who is blessed with life carries an instinct to overcome obstacles, whether those obstacles stand in the way of love, peace, health, or survival. The moment we’re born, we are thrust from the warmth, comfort, and safety of our mother’s womb into the vast unknown of the world. This transition alone is a shock to the system. We go from darkness to light, from warmth to cold, from solitude to socialization. We enter a world where everything we need is no longer provided for us; we must learn to communicate our needs and desires.
One of the very first things we experience is the cutting of our umbilical cord, the symbolic “Welcome to the world, kid!” And that first cry we make? It’s a plea for comfort and a return to that original sense of peace and protection we once knew. From that moment, we begin our journey of seeking comfort, understanding, and connection, driven by the instinct to find peace—the peace we came from.
The human experience, from the start, is one of challenge. Life is never a smooth road, especially when it’s tied to what truly matters to us. It’s almost as though the Universe presents us with obstacles and says, “If you really want it, prove it. Show me how badly you want it.” And here’s the truth: through the struggle, we discover just how deeply we care about what we’re pursuing. It’s through hardship that we come to understand our true purpose, to clarify what is worth fighting for.
I began to understand the depth of my own resilience during a long and painful battle with chronic illness. For many years, I experienced every symptom imaginable—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It was a grueling and often isolating experience. At times, I felt like I was losing the fight, but the desire to stay alive—to contribute something meaningful—pushed me forward. I traveled across the globe, trying anything and everything in hopes of healing. The process was filled with uncertainty, fear, and isolation, yet it was also a profound period of growth.
During those years, I had to isolate myself to protect my immune system, a kind of solitude that made me feel as though I was missing out on life. But in the absence of the world, I discovered a deeper sense of purpose. The very things I was missing became the fuel for my mission. Every moment of pain, every moment of loss, led me to a greater understanding of myself and the world around me.
In the end, that hardship, though incredibly painful, became the foundation for my current work and who I am today. It taught me strength, but it also taught me sensitivity. Those difficult, treacherous experiences shaped my ability to empathize with others, to understand the human condition more deeply. They became the stepping stones that helped me refine my craft as a teacher, director, and artist. Without those struggles, I would not have the same compassion, insight, or wisdom I bring to my work today.
Through this process, I realized that it’s not the smooth paths but the obstacles themselves that shape our actions. Our drive to overcome challenges is what propels us forward and informs the stories we tell. When people are truly pursuing something—whether it’s love, success, or something deeply meaningful—they’re inevitably faced with obstacles. It’s those challenges that ignite the will to push harder, to fight for what they truly want. And as we continue to persevere, we discover that we are capable of far more than we could ever have imagined.
I’ve said this many times to the actors, students, and clients I work with: “Sometimes we have to walk through our own version of Hades to reach our own version of Utopia.” There are moments in life where suffering seems inevitable, where the road feels impossibly difficult. But the key is perseverance. If we keep pushing forward, if we stay committed to our vision and purpose, the hardships we endure will eventually lead to something fulfilling and meaningful. The road to success is never without pain, but it’s through that struggle that we are truly tested—and that’s where the beauty lies.
Life will always give us challenges. No one escapes hardship, and every single person has their own unique story of struggle. The common thread between us all is the desire to improve our circumstances, to find peace, love, and happiness, and to make a positive impact. And the amazing part is that no matter what season of life we’re in, whether it’s one of peace or turmoil, we always have the capacity to grow, adapt, and persevere.
In this work—whether it’s acting or any creative pursuit—resilience is key. There will be times when it feels impossible to keep going. The work may feel tedious, frustrating, and heartbreaking, especially when there’s no immediate payoff. But the more we stay focused, the more we refine our craft, the greater the eventual reward will be. It’s not about avoiding obstacles; it’s about facing them head-on. It’s about the courage to go through the challenge, not around it. In that perseverance, we find strength, growth, and purpose.
As I’ve said before, acting, like life itself, is not for the faint of heart. It’s deeply tied to the human condition, to the raw vulnerability we experience as we confront our own struggles and triumphs. It is the work of creating something from nothing, of giving life to the stories of the human spirit. As Bob Marley once said, “You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.”
True resilience isn’t about avoiding the hard times. It’s about embracing them, learning from them, and using them to fuel our growth. We are all capable of more strength than we realize, and when we commit to the work—no matter how challenging it may seem—we unlock that potential.
To be human is to be resilient. And within each of us is the power to overcome, to persevere, and to create something meaningful out of the struggles we face.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
It’s so easy for us to go through our everyday lives sleepwalking. We become part of the herd—listening, believing, and reacting to what’s shown and said. We get lost in the illusions that smother us into submission, and our defenses go up. Unconsciously, we enter attack mode. We feel this shift everywhere, all around us. We see it daily on the news and throughout the world: anger, rage, hatred, deception. The list goes on. We’ve grown too comfortable with the darkness. It doesn’t make sense. It’s backward. We’ve become more afraid of love than we are of its opposite. We’re scared to show it, scared to say it, even scared to receive it. We fear that the vulnerability love demands will destroy us, when in reality, it’s the very thing that strengthens us. It’s what builds us up as humanity.
In the face of the political and social unrest that’s so rampant today, there must be a wake-up call—something greater, louder, and more powerful than this unthinkable division. We need to get back to what’s real, to what’s true. The signs are all around us. We are not the sum of what we’re told, nor are we the product of everything we’ve been taught. We are more than that. Love is who we are; it’s what we’re made of, and it’s where we come from. Anything opposite of that is a labyrinth of illusion, a deception at its core.
When really considered, EVERYTHING we do in life has love at its core. Every action we take—somehow, someway—is about love. Either we’re getting it, or not getting it. Giving it, or not giving it. Receiving it, or offering it. It’s all about love. LOVE is who we are. It always has been, and it always will be. Fact-check that as a REAL political statement!
If you asked my closest friends what matters to me most, I believe they’d say I care deeply about the health and future of our planet and the people who inhabit it. We are living in trying times, and while some may want to ignore this fact, I believe those who do are simply sleepwalking through life. Everywhere we look, we face issues threatening the very core of our well-being. Our environment is in crisis. Nature itself is crying out as creatures vanish in alarming numbers. Species fade into memory, once-thriving ecosystems like coral reefs are dying, glaciers are melting, and the air is thick with the toxic residue of industrial greed.
Then, there’s the state of humanity. Our society is in turmoil. Men, women, and children around the globe are suffering—tortured, oppressed, and killed, often right in front of our eyes. And we seem numb to it. The world’s priorities have become dangerously skewed. We’re obsessed with fortune, fame, competition, and power—while overlooking the simple, beautiful truths that would bring us together: peace, compassion, and unity. At times, it feels like there’s a metaphorical red button of hate ready to be pressed at any moment, whenever anger overwhelms us to the point that we’re willing to destroy everything around us.
Things must change. It’s no longer enough to talk about light, love, and unity in abstract terms. These words need to be lived. They need to be actively woven into the fabric of who we are. They’ve become buzzwords—commercialized, used to sell ideas, books, memberships—but they must be more. They need to be the guiding principles that heal our fractured society.
The truth is, we need to take a hard look at what we’re doing and how our actions contribute to the chaos around us. Each of us must take responsibility—not just for ourselves, but for the impact we have on the world. It’s about examining our thought patterns and behaviors, questioning where we’ve been misled, and having the courage to make the changes necessary for the greater good.
This won’t be easy. It will be painful. We’ll face growing pains as our egos break down, and we confront uncomfortable truths that have been hidden from us by years of unconscious conditioning. But we have no choice. Everything is on the line. If we want to see change in the world, we must be the change. We must stop mirroring the negativity, division, and destruction around us. Instead, we must embody the values we claim to stand for. It’s not enough to talk about kindness, compassion, and connection. We must practice them actively in our daily lives.
As a species endowed with incredible intelligence, we must now use it for the good of our future, not our destruction. It’s up to us—the human race—to rise to the occasion. If you’re reading this, that includes you. We must open our hearts and minds, repair the brokenness within ourselves, and work toward a future that is peaceful, just, and sustainable for all. The time for mere words of change has passed. We must BECOME the change. Each one of us must be the lighthouse in the storm, showing the way forward for a brighter tomorrow.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
What a question to contemplate. Well, let me first start by saying I hope that time is nowhere near. Hmmmm… When I’m gone… Let’s see…
I hope people will remember me as someone who gave everything I had—with heart, love, dedication, devotion, and perseverance—whether in my personal life or through my work as an actor, teacher, director, and playwright. Life, as we all know, is filled with both highs and lows. But through it all, I didn’t just survive—I persevered. I stayed committed to the belief that we all carry within us an inherent creative power. We are the authors of our own stories, and transformation, both personal and collective, is at the very heart of the human experience.
I say this not out of pride, but with honesty and candor. I never sought to walk in anyone else’s footsteps. Sometimes I took the solitary roads and carved my own path, always grounded in the conviction that we are all capable of profound growth and evolution—toward the life we truly wish to experience. I created, not for recognition, but for the expression of my soul, with the quiet hope that, even if I never knew it, my work might touch someone deeply, shift their perspective, or even heal them in some small way. Like God gave me a gift that I can pass on to someone, to be the gift that keeps giving.
At the core of everything I did, I believed that the answers we seek to these unceasing questions aren’t “out there” waiting to be found, but are within us. We’ve often been taught that wisdom, deep inner healing, and growth come from external sources. But the truth is, we are our own mirrors. We are our own quest. We are our own path. Like Rumi said, “It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.” We will always find ourselves at the other end of the tunnel we are walking. And when we are willing to look deeply, we realize that we are the ones who either stand in our own way or empower ourselves to break free. We have the power to create the life we desire, to find the change we seek, and meet the person we want to become on the other side.
In my work as an actor, teacher, coach, director, and playwright, I sought to inspire and impassion others to embrace this truth. I wanted them to know that we all have this infinite creative power to shape our lives, transform ourselves and others who need a little help along the way, and make a positive impact on the world. The key to it all is taking responsibility to do it, facing what needs transformation, and loving ourselves enough to do the hard work—no matter how difficult the journey may seem.
I hope people saw me as someone who didn’t just talk about love, art, acting, storytelling, theater, connection, hard work, evolution, expansion, manifestation, and transformation—but someone who lived those values. I didn’t just encourage others to find their creative strength; I wanted to remind them that true creative strength isn’t about power, status, or material success. It’s about embracing vulnerability, facing adversity with courage, and being willing to evolve and connect with others. True strength is knowing we are more than the limitations we’ve been taught, and that we have the capacity to create our own reality and our own salvation. That we are more powerful than we have been led to believe.
In the end, I hope the story people tell about me is simple but profound to my heart and soul’s mission: That I gave my all. That I lived with purpose. And that I tried, with everything I had, to make a positive difference—not just in the world of theatre, but in the hearts of those I crossed paths with. I hope I inspired others to step into their own creative power, to embrace their authentic selves, and to use their creativity to make the world a better place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mc2actorsstudio.com
- Instagram: @mc2actorsstudio
- Twitter: @mc2actorsstudio
- Facebook: @mc2actorsstudio
- Youtube: @mc2actorsstudio
- Other: TikTok: @mc2actorsstudio
Instagram: @mc2repertorytheatreco
Instagram: @mario.a.campanaro
Facebook: @mc2repertorytheatreco
Image Credits
MC² Actors Studio LA Ensemble Members Featured: Nicko Sabado, Irina Aylyarova, Holly Jo Hubbell, Julian Totah, Samson Zaoutis
