( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) Bianco Will Star In Apple TV + Film “Outcome” With Keanu Reeves
ENSPIRE Contributor: Gabrielle Maya
Rose Bianco is best known as an actress, Miguel’s grandmother ‘Rosa’ on the popular Netflix series “Cobra Kai.” She is well known for her notable acting credits in “East New York,” “Minx,” and the recurring role of “Being Mary Jane” with Gabrielle Union. In addition, Bianco has been in “Bad Dad Rehab” with Rick Gonzalez, “New Amsterdam” starring Ryan Eggold, and a reboot of the hit show “Amazing Stories.” Now, she has stepped behind the scenes as a producer and director for the upcoming film “Rewind.” which will star Frank Oakley III and Kenisha Johnson.
Bianco was born and raised in Chicago and made her acting debut at the Victory Gardens Theatre. She attended DePaul University as a Speech and Drama major, studied acting for two years at Ted Liss, and worked with the theater company Les Nickelettes in San Francisco. In addition, her success has originated in the role of Crystal Glitz in “The Didi Glitz Story: I’d Rather Be Doing Something Else,” based on the underground comic character Didi Glitz, created by Diane Noomin. Her next move was to relocate to NY, where she studied with Julie Bovasso and Bill Hickey, acting coaches.
Bianco shares her journey with the “Cobra Kai” series and how the entertainment space has changed since she started acting. She shares the expectations when starting new roles, critical skills for a seasoned actress, and new ones she’s picked up with entertainment today. In addition, she speaks about producing and directing the new film “Rewind” and more.
How has being in the currently popular series Cobra Kai been? What has it been like on set, and what will you take from your role in the season finale?
I have had nothing but joy being part of Cobra Kai, and I thank God constantly for having had this opportunity. I sometimes pinch myself at being so lucky to get such a large recurring role as an actor in the Southeast. And not just any show- one of the most popular shows on Netflix and one made by and starring some very kind, nice people. Being on the set is always a calm, inclusive environment. Everyone is happy because everyone is treated well and respected. I have made lifelong friends there. In the season finale, I will just give this one thing away – I cried when my last scene was shot, and everyone was crying on that day. It’s been a part of our lives for so many years. The creators have something very nice for Rosa Diaz in the last season, and I am grateful for it.
How has the entertainment space changed compared to when you started acting? What are the expectations in your roles now that you are well-known and experienced?
When I started acting, there were much fewer roles for Latinx actors. If it was a nonunion theater, I would have better luck getting interesting roles, but for union theaters, I only booked things that were very specifically Hispanic (Puerto Rican teenager, Spanish Gypsy, etc.). in the current climate, I feel that that situation has improved, although for myself, that situation remains the same. I guess I am a little bit type cast. But I continue to work toward better and more interesting roles as often as I can. I will say it has been a blessing to have gotten a high-profile job that has given me more opportunities to audition and obtain work; even during the strikes, I haven’t done too badly.
What are some critical skills of a seasoned actress with notable and credited roles, especially when playing a minor role? What tips help you stand out and do a great job?
I have a lot of training, starting with my college days. I’ve studied under many teachers and many philosophies. I think any actor must come into this business with those basic skills. And then, with experience, being on many sets, you learn so much set etiquette, and you become more adept at dropping into character at the drop of a hat. Even when playing a minor character you need to come in with an idea of who that person is and how that person behaves and go for it. And if the Director likes it, you’re Golden. But he might have a few notes, and then you take them and adjust your approach. You don’t take anything personally because that will make you stop in your tracks. You need to be open. Tips to help you stand out? I don’t do anything different in my performances or my auditions other than be present, be open to my scene partner accept what they give me, and be in the moment to the best of my ability.
What were some challenges for you growing as an actress, and how has that changed over time when auditioning for roles in entertainment today?
Early on I had the challenges of being perceived as Latina, and therefore never getting auditions for “regular people”. I also had problems with my diction, but I worked on that for a long time, and it finally corrected itself. Like any actor, the problem of supporting yourself while pursuing your art is never-ending. Once I started a family, I quit acting altogether, but I got back into it when my kids were in high school. By then, I was established in a day job supporting my “acting habit,” and I will always be grateful.
You are currently producing the film Rewind. Tell us briefly how your interest in behind-the-scenes work led you to this project.
This project is a labor of love, as my son wrote and directed it. I greatly believe in him, and he has been working hard on his goals for many years. He’s been doing this since middle school, and I decided to help him produce the feature not only because of him but also his team, howling warlocks, are so hard-working, respectful and talented, I knew it would be a successful venture. I worked with howling warlock a few times over the past five years and they are always working to improve and progress. it’s been a very rewarding experience.
Her acting opportunities broadened later in life, where her notable credits include being on “The Quarry” with Shea Whigham, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” and a guest starring role as Jane’s grandmother in “Doom Patrol.” She has also appeared in showcases such as a New Dramatist Production, “Public Transporation.” Bianco’s most recent big-screen project she’s been on was “Capone” with Tom Hardy and a Netflix original movie “Project Power” with Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon Levitt. Her acting talents will be on the screen again with season 2 of “The Sandman” in 2025, and the Apple TV+ film “Outcome” with Keanu Reeves will be released in the fall. Besides her astounding acting opportunities thus far, she works on select student film productions.
Rose Bianco is a Latina actress who is talented at standing out in notable minor roles and taking on new production projects. For more information, visit https://rosebianco.com/ or follow her on Instagram for details on upcoming entertainment projects.
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