Meet Elissa Piszel | Actress, Producer & Writer

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

Hi Elissa, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The creative arts chose me at a very young age. There was something almost romantic yet magical about the artistic community. Dancing, singing, acting and performing on stage is such an adrenaline rush. There is nothing that compares to it. The sense of community you form whether you are in an a Broadway show like I was, with Stephen Rea ( The Crying Game) at The Public in NYC in Kicking A Dead Horse directed by the late Sam Shepard, is a dream come true. When employed with them you become a team, you feel like family on a project. It feels like home. You bond in a way that’s special and humbling. My perseverance has always been tested in my craft. Whether I am producing , writing or acting . I’ve worked with celebrities and non-celebrities. The beauty of being in a creative career is to have a platform and a voice . My stage is for disabled actors to express themselves without discrimination. I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with many talented people over the years. My journey is always about learning and sharing experiences with my unique voice.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from other actors is that I started a theater company at twenty-five producing plays in NYC with my best friend as well as acting in them. So, I still have that producing bug , but it has been switched over to film. I keep busy producing and just finished a film that I starred in and co-produced with Moon Shadow Pictures LLC and Green Apple Entertainment called, “In The Moon’s Shadow.” It’s on Amazon Prime, TUBI ,VUDU and Reel Women’s Network. Having a strong business sense of what would sell has always been my strength and still is . I am currently writing a feature “Ellie’s Perk Behind The Steam”. And I just finished working on a film called Sisters of Seneca where I worked behind the scenes. In this business, as actors, we can be our own worst enemy. We can get in our heads and beat ourselves up. Rejection can take a toll. I have always been a survivor which is part of my brand. We can give up as actors or make our own work. I look at my creative career and it’s never been a straight line, but I’m ok with that. The journey and the struggles are real and I know that’s what makes my story that much more beautiful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Coney Island is a blast because if you like rides and the beach it’s not too expensive . For chocolate and romance Mariebelle in Soho is the bomb. Everything in this quaint chic boutique is filled with chocolate delights. There is a private back room for all hot chocolate lovers, If you like Thai food try out East Village and for Italian make sure you stop in Little Italy at La Nonna. Chelsea Market is fun to walk around If you haven’t seen The Notebook on Broadway check that out! Central Park around the reservoir is beautiful around west 85th street. And if you still have time the Met and the Museum of Natural History are right there in the same area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First of all, if I had to shout out all the people I wanted to, we would never finish this interview. Being an actor is a team sport. We never do it alone. There have been so many teachers/ mentors in my life that have believed in my talent that have shown me support. I want to shout out my family, Pete Dorton, Paul Sills from Second City, everyone from YOLO Theater, William Sanders, Mark Heyman, Darren Stein, George Mitas, Stephen Rea , Sam Shepard , Thomas Kesolits, Dee Cooke, Ken Park, Sid Gold Woody Allen and all the casting directors that have ever hired me for jobs . I appreciate you and love you.

Website: www.elissapiszel.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elissapiszel?igsh=MWxvN2FnM214aHdyMA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elissapiszel

Image Credits
Green Apple Entertainment Jeffrey Mosier Photography