What is the best thing that I love about my work? The communication aspect. The fact that I have the privilege to share incredible stories to an audience.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? Waking up in the morning feeling curious, hungry for life, full of love to give to others.

What is my greatest fear? Finding myself alone and not loved.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? That I so often feel “not enough”.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? I have so many wonderful women I admire, it’s really hard to choose just one.  I would say Cate Blanchett, not only because she’s a fantastic film actress, but also because I had the pleasure to see her on stage and she was magnetic. I also really admire her work with the Sydney Theatre Company.

What is my greatest extravagance? I name plants and stray animals all the time. For example: my bamboo plant’s name is Arturo, my lemon plant’s name is John “Lemon”. My pet fish’s name is Jim Morrison and I even named a squirrel that lives in my backyard, Gina. “What’s in a name?” — I think, everything!

On what occasion would I lie? I’m a horrible liar. I’ve never been able to lie about important things. However, I would probably lie to avoid pain in someone else.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? The end of the project, the last performance, the last take! I get so attached to the people I work with and the script; it’s very hard for me to let go sometimes. Also, because it always brings up the same question: What’s next?

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? When I work, especially if I’m deeply involved in the project, I’m always the “happiest”. I feel so blessed to be an actor, to tell stories, to get to play every single day. I can definitely recall when I’ve been the happiest in my work for the first time, and that would probably be when we opened my first professional show in Italy. I was only eighteen and I was about to step on my dream-theatre in Italy “Teatro Argentina”. I felt for the first time what pure joy and satisfaction tasted like.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I would change my insecurity and anxiety, for sure.

What is my greatest achievement in work? Being able to actually DO this job. The greatest achievement for me is embracing the inner strength inside of me that never makes me give up.

Where would I most like to live? I already moved to the city of my dreams since I was a little girl: New York City.

What is my most treasured possession? A letter and a poem that my literature teacher, from middle school, wrote for me right before going to High School. It’s my lucky charm and it gives me comfort when I feel lost.

What is my most marked characteristic? My never fading smile.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? Strawberry Fields in Central Park. I love going there early in the morning. There are always musicians playing Beatles songs. I walk inside the park and pay attention to which song is playing, that’s the song of my day. That’s my inspiration for the day.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? I love Cafè Lalo in the Upper West Side. I can just stare at their cakes the whole day.

What books influenced my life and how? The Great Gatsby – The way Gatsby looks at something as impalpable, metaphoric and distant as a little green light is just heartbreaking and very touching for me. I still see the green light in front of me every single day of my life, it reminds me that I do fight for something that for others might just be a just a feeble light but that to me, is everything.  Also: “Letters to a young poet” by R. M Rilke. I read it during drama school and I feel any artist should read it at least once in a lifetime.

Who are my favorite writers? Gustave Flaubert, Honorè de Balzac, Emile Zola, Isabel Allende, Elsa Morante, Vladimir Nabokov. Too many!

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I would probably listen to the Beatles: “Hey Jude, Don’t be afraid…”

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Robin Hood!

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My mother. Always was and always will be.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? Too many, right now I would say: The Lobster and Frances Ha.

What role plays art in my life and work? Art is everything to me. I wouldn’t exist without listening to Mozart, without looking at Michelangelo’s painting, without acting, without reading poems. it’s my life- blood and nourishment.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor or partner in crime?  I’d divide Fan, sponsor and partner in crime. My greatest fans and sponsors are my mother and my Stepfather and my grandmother, always were and always will be. However my partner in crime, well that’s “me”! Moving to another country is extremely challenging and taught me so much about myself. You struggle side by side with your fears and dreams every single day so, I’ve become my own partner in crime!

Whom would I like to work with in 2018? Greta Gerwig. I admire her so much as a writer, director and in general as a woman.

Which people in my profession would I love to meet in 2018?  Enthusiasts! I wish to surround myself with people that are full of passion, dreams and love.

What project, in 2018, am I looking forward to work on? The unexpected and surprising one, the one that will come when I least expect it.

Where can you see me, or my work in 2018? In May I’ll be part of “In Scena” The Italian Theatre Festival in New York with a fantastic show: A mother’s heart directed by Tania Kass. The rest is still unwritten, but I always keep my website updated: www.alicelussianaparente.com

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” means to me? No matter what, tomorrow I’ll wake up wanting this more and more and more.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Adriana Rossetto.

How can you contact me?

Via Facebook @AliceLussiana Parente or via website http://www.alicelussianaparente.com