Leonardo Balestra is an Italian actor in film and theatre, blending performance expertise with a dynamic, trained and flexible presence across a variety of expressive styles.
His film credits include "A Gangster Movie" (A. Bernardi), "558" (A. Spadolini, P. Bartolucci), and "Viene da dentro" (A. Spadolini). In theatre, he wrote and performed in shows such as "La Cena" and "La Concertante" (E. Landim), which were staged at prestigious venues in Italy and abroad, including cultural capitals such as Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Izmir.
Alongside his acting work, he collaborate as an acting coach, supporting actors and directors in preparing roles and managing creative processes during rehearsals and on set.
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He began his professional training in 2015, studying acting, vocality and physical theatre with prominent contemporary artists such as the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards, Teatro dei Venti, and Chiara Guidi/Societas. His work is rooted in a deep commitment to exploring human behavior, vocal expression and the kinesthetic potential of action in performance.
Leonardo’s multidisciplinary approach to acting is enriched by his Master of Arts in Modern Philology, with a thesis titled "Poesis Mundi. Toward an Ecology of Theatrical Knowledge". His research bridges performance, philosophy, and cognitive sciences, offering a nuanced perspective on embodiment and its performative possibilities.
His work continues to evolve, embracing innovation while remaining grounded in a thoughtful and dynamic approach to the actor's craft.