Meet Gisela Adisa | Film TV and Broadway Actress

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

Hi Gisela, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Wow, this is such an important question, because so much of where we come from can play a part in our respective paths to success. Thank you for asking that. I’m a first generation American, raised by parents who bravely migrated from the Caribbean and West Africa.
As most “hyphenate-Americans” know, ours is an interesting predicament – it can really be tough, navigating between the two (or in my case, three) worlds within our selves. Imagine being raised by people who have the mindsets, expectations (and sometimes, limitations) of the ‘old country,’ while being surrounded by completely a different culture with sometimes conflicting ideas of how to think and what value and aim for.
That being said, this predicament ultimately leads to our SUPERPOWER; we have the ability to find our way in any group, find common ground in just about any situation, empathize with and appreciate a variety of viewpoints.
I didn’t understand all of that growing up, but now I can say I was so LUCKY to learn these skills at a young age. These skills helped me in all my travels, living and working abroad for years on end, and in relating to just about everyone I meet. And every character I play.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m not quite sure I know what my “secret sauce” recipe is, but I do realize that I haven’t exactly gone the route of other actors to get where I seem to be going.

I took work that was not seen as credit worthy, but those experiences had me living in Hong Kong for 2 years, flying clear across the world for amazing events, and meeting royalty in Monaco. And a lot of those jobs/experiences gave me the work ethic and stamina to do what I’m doing today as a Broadway, tv and film actor.
The world is just starting to realize that I’m here! I want it to know that while I hope it likes me, it doesn’t owe me anything.

We owe each other the world.

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.
I’d take them to my favorite neighborhood brunch spot, my favorite neighborhood pub… to see some live comedy…walks in my favorite parks, especially if they come in the fall. And we’d have to get rush tickets to whichever play or musical my friends are in. I live in a galaxy, and my friends are the stars! We’d have to get some theater in while they’re here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to an amazing non-profit organization, Broadway Inspirational Voices. Thanks to BIV, I was able to use my artistic abilities to help lift the spirits of people in need.

I am an artist; that’s my wheelhouse. Thanks to founder Michael McElroy’s organization, I get to be around such a giving artistic community as we share our music and uplifting message of unified, eclectic and defiant joy in this troubled world. BIV literally changes lives, through the power of music.
But this group, which started as a choir, serves in so many other ways. They teach, they do community outreach for houseless people, for LGBTQIA+ teens with nowhere to go, for sick children – and the list goes on. Whenever I’m able to be in their company and contribute to their vocation, it’s the best time of my life.

Website: www.iamgisela.com

Instagram: imgisela

Twitter: imgisela

Other: www.imdb.me/Gisela

Image Credits
Kai Ravelson an John Johnston.