Allie Tamburello – Actor, Singer/Songwriter: Talks About Her Artistic Journey & Identity As Both An Artist And Human.

Edition Nine-Week Nine:

By: Mercedes Barreto // Photography By: Justin Schuman

Joyfully, I found myself sitting down and speaking to one of the most inspirational women in the arts industry today. Allie Tamburello is more than just an artist – she is a talent that can only be found once in a blue moon, and talking to her was extremely inspiring. I reached out to Allie after seeing that she seemed to be booking gigs left, right, and center, and I knew that if anyone would have an interesting story to tell, it would be she. And I was not disappointed! Don’t believe me? Well, check out her website, and have a read of our conversation yourself:

http://www.allietamburello.com/

Check out her insta: @allietambz, @singwithallie

Allie is currently in the beautiful mountain town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado for the summer performing in one of her dream roles; Alice Murphy in Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s Bright Star!  She will also be featured as General Cartwright in the beloved classic Guys and Dolls and Karen the Computer in The Spongebob Musical! More details below:

Tell us about yourself.

“I’ve always had an interest in the arts. I grew up in Long Island, New York, born and raised. So from a young age, I was always going into the city and my godfather was very instrumental in that. He would take me to the city, we would see a lot of plays, musical, art exhibits, etc. So, I was very exposed at a young age to city life. When I turned 13, my godfather was like; “I’m gonna teach you how to use the subway!”. 

I definitely grew up in a very arts-supported environment. My uncles all played instruments, so I had a very deep interest in music. I loved the singer/songwriters of my parent’s generation – Joni Mitchel, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Carol King – all those storytellers. I loved music, and I was a young person who felt like an old soul, so I connected with all that stuff very early on. I didn’t really develop an interest in performing until I was a teenager – it was always something that I thought was cool, but never considered as a career. But when I was thirteen, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and my mom wanted to find an outlet for me. So, she enrolled me at a local performing arts studio, and I started taking acting classes there. Through those, I started to love it. I also became a choir kid – I loved doing that too! Seeing this, my teachers recommended that I go to an art school, so I enrolled at Long Island High School For The Arts, and I went there for two years. I then got my undergrad in Musical Theatre, with a minor in music, from Cortland State. 

And then I started at the Evening Conservatory at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, which was crazy! It wasn’t my initial plan, but I was at a weird crossroads where I felt like I didn’t really fit into Musical Theatre. I think, at the time, the culture of that was very much like; you have to be thin, and blonde, and a dancer, and fit this mood that we’ve created. And I didn’t fit any of those. I also had an unconventional voice for musical theatre, mine was more suited for folk music or rock. So, I didn’t know what my niche was. But I had a very influential teacher in college called Mark Reynolds, and he was my director during senior year when we did The Glass Menagerie, in which he had cast me as Amanda. It was the first time I felt what being an actor was like. He told me that I would really benefit from a Postgraduate program. And I didn’t feel ready to start auditioning and just work, in a lot of ways, so I went to New York, auditioned, struggled with self-confidence, and wound up going to the Stella Adler Studio’s Summer Conservatory in 2015. There I had a class with Alice Saltzman, who changed my life. She made me see that I wasn’t just a character like I thought I was, but that I had the ability to transform. I thought I was a character actor, that I could only play funny, and that I was more like a best friend kind of role. But she made me see that I was a beautiful person and that I needed to believe that. She then assigned me a scene from Chekhov’s The Seagull, with Arkadina and Treplev, and she told me to dress up in jewels and to carry myself differently. Which I did, and it completely changed my life, because it made me realize I wasn’t what I thought I was.

So, after that, I realized that I had to study at Stella Adler, so I auditioned for the Professional Conservatory, which I started in January 2017. And it was the best decision I ever made, and I met some of the best people that I’ve ever worked with, and it really solidified so much for me. After I graduated, I thought I’d just be doing plays, but funnily enough, I had teachers at Stella who were very encouraging of my musical talent. Music and acting had always felt very separate to me, and I didn’t think I could combine the two. 

I then signed with my agency, started auditioning, and I saw a posting for a musical called Ring of Fire, which was a show about Johnny Cash’s life, and I thought it was something I could be in. I showed up to the audition with my guitar, as it was an actor/musician show, and I got the job. So that was the start of me working professionally. Ever since I’ve been doing exclusively musicals! It’s been really nice because it has healed my college self, who felt that she didn’t belong in this industry. The past couple of years had showed me that we are all invited to the party, and all we have to do is show up, as who we are. If you show up, authentically, then that’s all you need to do. And the people who value you as a person, and as an artist, will want to work with you. I’m now doing the things I thought I could never do, and I feel that going to Stella Adler has really helped me as a human being in that sense because I felt very nurtured there. I felt encouraged to be myself and to not emulate anything. 

I describe myself as an Artistic Renaissance Woman. I don’t feel that I have to choose which direction to go in. I want to do it all. I want to write songs and tell stories, I want to act in Tennessee Williams plays on stage, and I want to be that person in Musical Theatre who is not a conventional leading lady but is one. Because different voices can tell different stories.”

What have you been up to recently?

“Recently, I was working at a theatre in Colorado called Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts (PSCA). Every summer they do a repertory season with three shows. The first year I was here, we did five! This year I did a show with them called Bright Star, which is the music of Steve Martin, and it’s very folky and country. It’s set in North Carolina, between the 30s and 40s, and I played a writer called Alice Murphy who goes through a traumatic event. It’s told from her perspective both as a 17-year-old woman, and also when she was in her late 30s. The story is basically about finding forgiveness, love, hope, and redemption. It’s a true testament to how strong the human spirit is. We’re also doing Guys and Dolls, a classic show, and we’re also doing the SpongeBob Musical! So, three very different but very fun shows! Honestly, my role in Bright Star was one of my dream roles, and I’m grateful to have been able to do it!”

What are some of your other dream roles?

“Oh my goodness. I don’t know! There are some, both in classical theatre and musicals, there are things on my bucket list. I want to do art that is important, with great people, with high production values, reaching people who need it the most. I’d love to do a National Tour at some point, just because I would love to travel and perform, and I’d just love to be a working artist and never bartend again!

I also want to release an EP of my original music that I’m working on. I’d also love to teach and give back to artist communities. Teachers really healed my soul, and so that means a lot to me. And actually, I recently got a job working with the studio Your Authentic Voice, so now I’m teaching trauma sensitive voice lessons, which I’m so excited to be doing! 

I’ve never done Shakespeare, and I would love to do that! And I’ve also never done Sondheim, so I’d love that! And also to originate something, to do a biopic or a new show. But right now, I’m ready for the next adventure and I can’t wait to see what calls to me.”

Let’s talk about your songwriting. What sort of songs do you enjoy writing?

“I draw a lot from personal experience. I think some writers might put on a persona, but my songs really have to come from me first, and it’s my interpretation of the world. I’m inspired by singers/songwriters who tell stories. One of my favorite albums is Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” album, and one of my favorite songs of all time is the last track on that album: “The Last Time I Saw Richard”. It’s so conversational, and I really love to use metaphors to explain mundane life. It’s just how I see the world. I get very inspired when I’m driving, and I look at the street lights and my surroundings. I just love telling stories, which I guess comes from being an actor. I think that would be wonderful if I can get people to see things in a more poetic life. Because I have things to say, and I want people to hear them. I think there’s something special about writing, and having it come from you. It’s so vulnerable. And gratifying.”

Finally, what is next for you, after your current projects?

“Ah, the dreaded actor question! I think, for me, I’ve been trying to find joy in life again. On a personal level. Being artistic this summer has made my heart really happy and has been really healing. I plan on returning to New York and start hitting the ground running. I just want to be surrounded by great artists, and great people. Doing the work that we’re called to do. Creating more. Think less. Judging myself way less. Going with what brings me joy. I believe that if I keep hustling, I will eventually be in the right place and at the right time. So I’m just going to keep bringing my authentic self to the room and making sure that I stay inspired. I’d really love to start some sort of women’s collective, like a retreat or conference, where I bring a bunch of female artists together and create some awesome work! Not just in performing, but women in architecture, or theatrical design – just covering all the bases of art! 

I’m very passionate about women in the arts, and the female teachers I’ve had in particular have really inspired me. As a woman, I’ve always felt that I’ve had to work harder, and providing support and lift-ups by women for women, I’d just love to do.”