Vania Bezerra

Growing up in the lightning-paced city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, I fell in love with the metamorphosis of acting, the transformative idea of becoming someone else.

I was determined to develop my skills, so when I was 12, I enrolled in an acting class, without my parents’ permission. I loved the melodrama of Brazilian soap operas, the cultural and youthful angst of “The Wonder Years,” the comedic timing of “Seinfeld” and the sheer skill of Julia Roberts, whose performance in “Steel Magnolias” brought me to tears. I saw parts of myself there on the screen, and I wanted to prove to myself – and my parents – that it was where I was meant to be. Those nerves of steel paid off when I started landing roles in Brazilian TV and Theater, further fueling my desire.

For a moment, my acting dream left center stage for a supporting role, and I enrolled in law school, believing I could use my performance skills in the courtroom. But after graduating, I realized I needed to stay true to my ultimate love. Once bitten by the acting bug, does anyone ever really recover?

I’d dreamed of the Big Apple, and the promise of excitement it offered, so in 2007, I traded Brazil for NYC. I spent hours immersed in the pages of books at Barnes and Noble, where I discovered a treasure trove of information about classes, acting gigs and theatrical events in the city.

Backstage magazine became my bible of sorts, and it led me to classrooms at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Stella Adler Studios, where I honed my skills and prepared for auditions. Early roles included the off-off-Broadway play “Tiny Parts and Transitions” -- where I sang the sultry bossa nova “The Girl from Ipanema” -- as well as commercials and multiple indie film roles that showcased my diversity.

These days, I am immersing myself in my craft, studying improv at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre, and scene study with Maria Psomas, a disciple of Ivanna Chubbuck who bases her eclectic approach on the Chubbuck technique, inspired by the complexity of human psychology.

Through the past years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the most amazing people – writers, directors, my manager, classmates and casting directors – and got to know really well the lovely baristas at Starbucks, who provided me the liquid energy necessary to juggle auditions, commercials, photo shoots and table reads.

Acting feeds my spirit of adventure, but I also love traveling and good food – I am an excellent cook, according to my friends! The perfect vacation will always include visiting local markets and restaurants, exploring the region through all of my senses. Finding a cooking class or two is just icing on the cake.

Currently, I'm writing the web series “Married a Gringo” and preparing to shoot the upcoming film “Black Moonlight.”

My life here is as marvelous as I imagined, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!