“My training [at LSTFI] gave me a hyper-awareness and avert sensitivity to anything melodramatic, cliché, or overdone.”
LSTFI alumna, Liana Sonenclar
Actress, Playwright, and NYU Tisch at Strasberg Alumna Liana Sonenclar is at it again with the latest addition to her body of work. Five Star D-A-D tells the story of a father coming in terms with his own demons as he connects with an unlikely companion, his Uber driver, on the drive to his daughter’s book launch. This character driven road trip will be featured as part of the Andromeda’s Sister Gala, an arts and advocacy gala organized by an arts education and outreach group known as The Neo-Political Cowgirls. The annual gala presents a series of plays that celebrate and articulate women’s interests, voices, livelihoods and issues. The plays at this year’s event feature several actors including Tony/Emmy award winner Blythe Danner (Butterflies are Free, Huff, Meet the Parents) and SAG award winners Catherine Curtain (Stranger Things) and Laura Gomez (Orange is the New Black).
Without any formal training as a playwright, Sonenclar credits her time at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute with informing her work. “My training there gave me a hyper-awareness and avert sensitivity to anything melodramatic, cliché, or overdone.” As an actress reading countless plays, she discovered the effectiveness of a script that provides the actor with all the necessary tools to do the work. “I found it amazing when the words on the page conveyed so much, in such an unassuming way, that I really only had to say them in order to have them land on and move an audience. For me, that’s a real mark of good writing.”
Sonenclar encourages her fellow actors to live life to the fullest and take advantage of all the opportunities in the world. “Know what is available to you. Meet people. Learn about what they’re doing.” In creating those connections, she doubles down the importance of supporting others in this industry. “Surround yourself with good people. Understand the business. Create work. Show it to people. Show up for other people’s work. Try every single possible door. Be gracious. Always.”
Five Star D-A-D is featured in The Andromeda’s Sister Gala on June 14thin East Hampton, NY. Tickets can be purchased at www.npcowgirls.org.
Liana Sonenclar can be found online at www.lianasonenclar.com, or can be followed Instagram at @liana.sonenclar.
Alumni News is written by NYU Tisch at Strasberg alumnus Christian Masinsin. If you are an alum and have a story you think should be featured, please email [email protected].