All the way from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, raised by a single mom, the youngest of 4, and now an actress in the US, Luciana Faulhaber continues to gain recognition and will soon star in a brand new production of one of Latin America’s most acclaimed stage plays, “The Smell of Popcorn.”
Luciana Faulhaber, who has appeared at the LABrynth, the 13th Street Repertory, and the New Ground Collective, among other theater companies, will be seen September 9 through 19 at Teatro IATI in the New York premiere production of “The Smell of Popcorn”, a true story of an aspiring actress, a career-thief who forcibly enters her apartment, and the battle of the wills that ensues changing them forever.
Pinstripe Magazine had a chance to sit down with the lovely and beautiful Luciana Faulhaber for a quick interview during brunch. She sits across from us eating a delicious plate of skirt steak and eggs so we had to order the same. As we sip our mimosas and bite into some toast we asked her the following
So how long have you been rehearsing for this play you are about to star in, The Smell of Popcorn?
By the time the play is up, we will be rehearsing for about a month 3 times a week in average.
Are there any sexy love scenes?
This play portraits the true story of an acting student who gets attacked when she arrives home from a rehearsal of the play Othello. Fabiola, a 25-year-old theater student, is interrupted in her sleep by Georgie. Armed only with her wit, Fabiola draws her attacker into a complex game of role-playing that blurs the boundaries between imagination and reality. As the two negotiate the terms of their unlikely encounter, they discover who they truly are, and where they stand. The struggle is physical, mental, and emotional. So although there are no sex scenes, there are many fights that are being choreographed by fight choreographer, Mike Yahn, who has experience working on and off-Broadway as well as in numerous films. So it’s safe to say we look fierce!
What would you say is your favorite part of this play?
It’s tough to pick a favorite part in a play since this is not about an incident, but a journey. These two people expect that day to go a totally different way and once they meet, they are never the same people again. I love how that is so close to life. We all go about our own business until something happens to stop us on our tracks and makes us see that these are not exactly how we see them; that our reality is just a point of view.
What type of role do you love playing?
I love the kind of work I do and I am constantly looking for characters that are challenging. So my favorite type of role is the one that takes me out of my comfort zone. I usually get cast as a pretty and sexy girl, but I am not afraid to get down and dirty.
How old were you when you came to New York? I was just about 20 years old and I came alone to go to college.
Do you visit Rio often?
I go every year or every other year. Since all my family is in Brazil I go frequently to see them but lately, my mom has come up. This is, however, the first time my big sister, Anna Christina, comes to New York and she will be here especially to see “The Smell of Popcorn.” I am so excited and nervous to have her here. After all, she is my big sis!
OK, let’s get a bit personal here since I’m sure all our readers want to know how you are outside the cameras.
Do you hit the NYC party scene often?
I try not to but it is tough in a business like this. But when I go out for fun, I stick to the LES. I love to dance but I prefer a more relaxed and eclectic environment so occasionally I go to places like Chloe. But I enjoy most catching up with my friends over dinner or a nice glass of wine.
What does it take for you to notice a guy?
He has to hold my attention for more than 5 seconds. So the approach is everything.
What type of guys are you attracted to?
I have to skip this question and come back to it since I really don’t know if I have a type.
Ok so have you ever had a love scene in any of your acting careers?
No, I haven’t yet but am looking forward to when it happens.
Well, that means we need to get into acting quickly!!!
(Smiles) Oh so back to the previous question. I guess I am attracted to guys that have a good sense of humor, who is smart, adventurous, and want to live life to the fullest. I guess I am attracted to men who can take care of their lives and be responsible without losing the playfulness of their younger years. Does this make any sense? The truth is it takes more than tall, dark, and handsome to interest me.
Have you ever dated anyone you worked with?
No, I haven’t. The closest I’ve been to that I would say is when I fell in love with a classmate. Things got messy and uncomfortable so I learned to stay away from people you work with from that experience. But I know a time will come when people I work with will be all the people I spend time with so not sure what will happen then. But for now, I rather date outside of that “box.” And there is also something really exciting in getting to know a complete stranger.
What would you like to tell our Pinstripe readers?
There is nothing sexier than being yourself. Come see “The Smell of Popcorn” and see what can happen when you dare to be you. We all have something special about ourselves and sometimes it takes another person for you to see that.
Well, as we can see from the pictures above, Brazil does do it Better!
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
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