Meet Mia Ventura Lucas | Actor, singer-songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mia Ventura Lucas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

I grew up in Portugal and over there we have this saying: ‘ Quem não arrisca, não petisca’, which roughly translates to “if you don’t take risks, you don’t get rewards”. I have followed this motto all my life and I find that the best choices I’ve made have always involved a certain degree of risk.

Acting has taught me that risks are a natural part of life, and that most of our successful outcomes usually result from the growth and challenge of taking risks. In my career, I have learned to look at risk as necessary means to an end, which in turn helps me navigate the anxiety of not being able to control all the outcomes. If risk is everywhere, and I can’t control it, then what’s stopping me from trying? Why shouldn’t I do everything in my power to get what I want out of life?

I think sometimes people fear taking risks because they don’t want things to change, but the truth is, nothing ever stays the same, so the quicker we embrace risks and change, the quicker we can grow as artists and as people.

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.

Of course! So I am an actor and singer-songwriter, who has worked in various countries such as Portugal, England, Turkey, Romenia, Scotland and the US. In my view, as an actor, your best selling point is your background and your lived experiences, because those are the things that will bring your characters to life. The same when I’m working as a songwriter, the lyrics and songs need to ring true and mean something because audiences respond to authenticity. As an artist it is important to keep a community, and to stay truthful to our values. I have come to learn the importance of networking and building solid relationships, because frankly, a ‘big break’ is likely to come from a recommendation or a friend. I try to stay in touch with the aspects that once motivated me to go into this industry, which keep me grounded and focused on projects that are both meaningful and relevant to my career. The truth is, that there will always be a gap between where we are and where we wanna be, we just can’t spend too much time dwelling on that gap.

In my life, I have worked many roles in the theatre and film businesses, including film production and stage managing, which have really shaped me as a performer and provided me with a broader sense of the entertainment industry. I’ve seen many actors disregard the work of the production teams, which is not only wrong but unproductive, because the success of a project truly relies on team effort.

I can admit that sometimes it is hard to be a foreign actor in the US, as bureaucracy can get in the way of a role, nonetheless, excuses are worthless and we have to remain consistent, motivated and disciplined. I recently signed with Metropolis Artists Agency and I’m looking forward to what the future has to bring. I have a couple of film projects lined up and a feature film premiering in 2024 called ‘The Itch’ by Bari Kang, so you caught me at exciting times.

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 live in NYC, so there are multiple places to visit. My favourite place in the city is Strawberry Fields in central park because it is very peaceful, there are usually musicians around and you can overlook the boathouse and the lake.

I think you can’t leave New York without eating Fini’s pizza in Brooklyn (Yes, Joe’s pizza is good but wait until you try this one), Ichiran Ramen (the coolest individual ramen booths) and a Levain chocolate cookie (fight me on this. It’s the best chocolate chip cookie in the city).

You must also visit the Natural History Museum (my absolute favourite), listen to some jazz at Smalls in the West village or at Tommi Jazz, drink a cocktail in a Dumbo rooftop bar and go thrift shopping at 10 ft Single by Stella Dallas.

Oh and Broadway, please go see a Broadway show, it’s worth your money and you should support all of those talented performers who worked very hard to be at that level.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I don’t think I would be working as an actress today if it wasn’t for my family and close friends, who have supported me from day one. I grew up in a very different universe, very different from NYC, in a rural city with no cinema or active theatre, so I truly want to thank my family for never cutting my dreams short. I think the entertainment industry is already hard enough by itself, so having a strong support system is extremely important. I also had great mentorship from teachers like Nurit Monacelli, and Jennifer Mann, and great inspiration from working artists like Eugenia Forteza (opera singer and actor), CVR photo (nyc-based photographer), Ximena Uribe (actor-director), Miguel Monteiro (musician), Liz Davies (actor), Manon Lee (artist), Payton Gobeilles (actor-director), Gretel Munday (actor-producer), Becky Ho (actor), Kaylie Carbis (actor-casting director), Nea Smeogy (actor-singer), Ben Eustace (actor-writer), Liz Bealko (actor-director), Calvin Osorio (actor-puppeteer), Emiliano Cuesta (photographer-director) and Beatrice Manfredi (actor-voice over artist), who strive everyday to keep working in their fields and never give up on their dreams. You should check out their work.

I think it’s hard for all of us to keep the flame alive, especially with the current state of the world, but seeing others thrive at their art just fills my heart with joy.

Website: https://miaventuralucas.wixsite.com/miaventuralucas

Instagram: @miavlucas

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-ventura-lucas-b301771b8/?locale=pt_BR

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miavlucas/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@miaventuralucas9804

Image Credits
CVR Photo, J Demetrie, Afonso Baptista, Mia Carmona, Mia Carmona