Leonardo Balestra's profile is rooted in a commitment to acting across film and theatre, engaging the dinamic interplay of language, motion and performative landscapes.
On screen, he focuses on portraying characters with subtlety and depth, emphasizing authenticity and the smallest details of human behavior. His work in theatre enhances this approach, providing a foundation of vocal and physical precision that allows him to embody roles with a dynamic and transformative presence.
By integrating the accuracy of screen acting with the expansive techniques of the stage, he aims to bring a multifaceted perspective to each role, bridging the unique demands of both media.
Playing age 22-32
Place of birth Ancona, Italy
Eyes Light blue
Hair Light brown
Height 5’ 8”
Languages Italian (native), English (fluent)
Accents & Dialects British, American, Italian dialects
Work Experience
Film
Feature film: A Gangster Movie | Alex Bernardi, C12X Studios | Lead
Short film: 558 | A. Spadolini & P. Bartolucci, Combo / El Garaje | Co-lead
Short film: Viene da dentro | Antonio Spadolini, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern | Supporting
Feature film: Wunderkammer. La camera delle meraviglie | Alex Bernardi, C12X Studios | Narrator
Theatre
Theatre play: La Concertante | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro | Lead Ensemble
Improvisation show: SÚBITO! | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro | Lead Ensemble
Theatre play: O Jantar Brasiliano | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro | Lead Ensemble
Theatre play: Giardini d'Infanzia | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro | Lead Ensemble
Theatre play: La Cena | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro | Lead Ensemble
Performance
Musical theatre performance: La Concertante | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro | Lead Ensemble
Musical theatre performance: Cartoline dall'Illinois | L. Balestra & M. Polonara | Director, Performer
Theatre performance: Poetryfication | L. Balestra & M. Cesaretti | Director, Performer
New media
Music video: Non ci capiamo più | Alessandro Panzeri, Florilegio / Specter Film Collective | Businessman
Music video: Oltre | S. Miles & E. Landim, Souly G / Sayrus Miles | Sales agent
Professional Training
Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards | Constellations Summer Camp | Tiyatro Medresesi, Izmir (TUR)
Roberto Latini / Fortebraccio Teatro | Seminar, 'Where is this sight?' | DAMSLab, Bologna (ITA)
Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards | Focus Workcenter | Théâtre de la Ville, Paris (FRA)
Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards | I.P.E. – International Pedagogic Encounter | Workcenter, Pontedera (ITA)
Teatro Valdoca | Workshop, 'The seed of storm' | DAMSLab, Bologna
Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards | Summer Intensive Program | Workcenter, Pontedera
Marcido Marcidorjs e Famosa Mimosa | Workshop, '12 hours in 2 days' | DAMSLab, Bologna
Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards | Workshop, 'The actor's making' | DAMSLab, Bologna
Chiara Guidi / Societas | Workshop, 'Letters from the night' | DAMSLab, Bologna
Teatringestazione | Workshop, 'The animal body' | DAMSLab, Bologna
Scimone Sframeli | Workshop, 'Making theatre is like lovemaking' | DAMSLab, Bologna
ErosAntEros | Workshop, 'Glimpses of r-existance' | DAMSLab, Bologna
Mario Barzaghi, Sankar Lal Sivasankaran Nair | Workshop, 'Kalaripayattu and Kathakali' | Teatro dei Segni, Modena
Stefano Tè / Teatro dei Venti | Workshop, 'Theatre for urban spaces' | Teatro dei Segni, Modena
Stefano Cenci, Oscar De Summa | Workshop, 'Faust' | Teatro dei Segni, Modena
Skills
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Physical conditioning, tailored for demanding roles (e.g., dynamic coreography, action scenes, physical transformations)
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Musical performance (solo/choral/a cappella singing, guitar, piano).
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Acting pedagogy, coaching and transmission of contemporary acting techniques.
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Dramatic writing and development of original scripts, plays and adaptations.
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Master's degree in Modern Philology (110/110 cum laude), thesis Poesis Mundi. For an ecology of theatrical knowledge.
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Class B licence valid in the EU for professional driving requirements.
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Sports: Swimming, Rugby, Football, Skiing, Skateboarding, MTB.