Meet Natalie Giannosa | Actor, Singer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Giannosa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I grew up on Carol Burnet, Barbra Streisand, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis, so with these legends as my earliest of influences, I don’t feel like I had a “choice” to go into the arts — it’s just what felt right. I started performing a very young age. I haven’t stopped being drawn to exercising my child-like nativete, wonder, and imagination. While it was easy to feel how the imagination allowed me to escape, I also recognized early on the power it had to help others escape. Even as a kid on stage, I had a moment when I became so overwhelmed with the realization that I could be moving people, affecting people, and helping people. It felt natural to me to want to follow that feeling. I pursued the arts because I pursued that feeling. If what I am now qualified to do can help people see themselves, feel deeply, or even forget — sign me up.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a musical theater performer who has worked professionally across California, I’ve spent the past year sailing around the world onboard the Princess Cruise line where I work as a Resident Guest Entertainer. There, I sing and perform in their stage productions each night. My hunger to create, though, isn’t just satisfied by performing, which is something I learned when I wrote, directed, and starred in my own cabaret and short film titled “Funny.” https://youtu.be/Sy3u2kCCYdQ?si=BeUkt9TL4peu5zlX

Working on that project reminded me that advocating for my creative vision is always a collaborative process, and it taught me that being part of a larger creative collective in that kind of position challenges me to trust myself in deeper ways. Expanding my creative endeavors into the realm of producing and directing was a way to challenge my own strengths of observation and precision — I wanted to see how these instincts translated beyond the limitations of what is at the disposal of a performer portraying a singular character; I wanted to see how I might translate these instincts to tell a story on a larger scale through visual, musical, and stylistic decisions.
Because of this, I sought out the opportunity while onboard to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams which was to create, produce, and star in my own one-woman stage show.
After long hours of writing and pitching the show, working hand-in-hand with a composer to collaborate on ideal arrangements for original medleys — as well as getting musical charts made for each instrument for a full seven-piece band — I was able to then recruit dancers and get it on its feet in the studio. There, as we spent time staging numbers, I knew what I wanted to be communicated narratively by their movement, so the choreography was another collaborative process. Before the show could see an audience, I worked on finalizing every detail from costumes to lighting choices. Then — the rest is history. I started performing my show, “Stars Are Born: Judy, Barbra, Gaga, & Me!” weekly on the ship. It’s a wacky and spectacular evening where I honor the legacies of the women who starred in the iconic movie and remakes of “A Star is Born,” filled with the music of Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Lady Gaga. The show will continue to run on cruise ships, and I am starting the process of adapting it for audiences on land as well. I am so proud of the reviews and criticism the show has received from respected collegeuges and notable industry creatives. This has all made me a better performer/artist. It allows me to return to what called me to pursue performing in the first place. To connect, look people in the eye, and experience something together. A dream come true.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Start at Met her at a Bar for brunch. Perhaps a cute venture into the Academy Museum and a meal at Fanny’s. Or if you’re feeling more nature, I love to drive along PCH and into the Malibu canyons. Find a lookout spot to park and enjoy the view with a blanket, wine and good company.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today without the guidance and mentorship of Melanee Wyatt, Founder and Former Artistic Director of Youth Entertainment Stage Company (YES Compnay) in Modesto, CA. I was a participant in the company from ages 9-18 years old. Melanee taught me everything that I know. Stage presence, professionalism, and adaptability. She was the first person to teach me how to trust my instincts, and take risks. She saw something in me as a child and pulled things out of me I had no idea I was capable of and I have never looked back since. I would also like to shoutout Dawn Peterson who helped me garner the tools necessary to build the foundation of my voice. Without her, I would not have the professional singing career I have today. As well the incredible, Sandra Bengochea who developed my voice as an adolescent and who I study with to this day.

Website: https://www.nataliegiannosa.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliegiannosa?igsh=ZDE1MWVjZGVmZQ==

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nataliegiannosa5744?si=hQT0iNw4ZLp2RmAv

Image Credits
David Gatti