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
Eyes Light blue
Hair Light brown
Height 5’ 8”
Weight 154 lbs
Native language Italian
Voice Baritone​​
Work Experience
Film
Feature film: A Gangster Movie | Alex Bernardi, C12X Studios | Lead
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Short film: 558 | A. Spadolini & P. Bartolucci, Combo / El Garaje | Co-lead
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Short film: Viene da dentro | Antonio Spadolini, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern | Supporting
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Experimental film: Wunderkammer. La camera delle meraviglie | Alex Bernardi, C12X Studios | Narrator​
Theatre
Improvisation show: SÚBITO! | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro / AmbrosiaS | Lead Ensemble
Theatre play: O Jantar Brasiliano | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro / AmbrosiaS | Lead Ensemble
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Theatre play: Giardini d'Infanzia | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro | Lead Ensemble
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Theatre play: La Cena | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro | Lead Ensemble
Performance
​Musical theatre performance: La Concertante | Eduardo Landim, Hospites Teatro | Lead Ensemble
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Musical theatre performance: Cartoline dall'Illinois | L. Balestra & M. Polonara | Director, Performer​
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Theatre performance: Poetryfication | L. Balestra & M. Cesaretti | Director, Performer
New media
Music video: Non ci capiamo più | Alessandro Panzeri, Florilegio / Specter Film Collective | Businessman
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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)
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Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards | Focus Workcenter | Théâtre de la Ville, Paris (FRA)
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Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards | I.P.E. – International Pedagogic Encounter | Workcenter, Pontedera (ITA)
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Teatro Valdoca | Workshop, 'The seed of storm' | DAMSLab, Bologna
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Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards | Summer Intensive Program | Workcenter, Pontedera
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Marcido Marcidorjs e Famosa Mimosa | Workshop, '12 hours in 2 days' | DAMSLab, Bologna​​​​
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Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards | Workshop, 'The actor's making' | DAMSLab, Bologna
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Chiara Guidi / Societas | Workshop, 'Letters from the night' | DAMSLab, Bologna
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Teatringestazione | Workshop, 'The animal body' | DAMSLab, Bologna
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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
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Stefano Cenci, Oscar De Summa | Workshop, 'Faust' | Teatro dei Segni, Modena
Skills and Competencies
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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, keyboard, body percussion).
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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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English fluency (CEFR Level C1), suitable for international productions.
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Proficiency in Italian dialects for performance in stage, film and voice-over roles.