In terms of formal education, Vincent Ingrisano graduated in 2006 from Brooklyn College where he received his BFA in Performing Arts, he studied at HB Studios with Austin Pendleton and Edward Morehouse and also participated in 2004 summer workshop with the SITI theatre company and Anne Bogart.  Closing the books, the 28 year old actor has performed in numerous plays at locations like The Theatre for the New City, the Abingdon Theatre and St. Luke's Theatre. On Celluloid, he's done short and feature length films and has also appeared in several TV pilots.  He is now trying his hand at producing, as he heads up Arthur Miller's, The Last Yankee, which will run from August 23rd to September 8th at Theatre Row on 410 West 42nd Street.

Times Square: How did you get started as a creative?

Vincent Ingrisano: I was away at my sister's college working as a stage intern for an equity production of Ballyhoo. Everyday, I got to see what actors really do and I was so blown away that I wanted to do the same. I got into Brooklyn College, received my BFA and I've gone from there.

Times Square: Which is where?

Vincent Ingrisano: I've been doing acting gigs in various forms of theatre – comedy, drama, absurd, surreal. Meaning, I've done every sort of weird, kooky play you can think of.

Times Square: Is it only natural for artists to continually add to their particular job title?

Vincent Ingrisano: I think so. It's a general  part of creativity that you want to change, you want to grow and you want to see what else you are capable of.

Times Square: How about now that Producer is on the other side of the slash?

Vincent Ingrisano: It feels great. When you're an actor, it's your job to be present and to be ready, but as a producer, once something's not right, it's because I haven't prepared and it's all on me.

Times Square: How do you balance not looking like you're hanging over everyone's shoulder against speaking up when you see something might be wrong?

Vincent Ingrisano: I think the balance is putting the best people around you. For instance, this is the fourth show I've done together with my director, Bridget Leak, and she's so good at her job that I don't need to look over her shoulder.

Times Square: But still there must be times when things concern you and it's your job to speak up.

Vincent Ingrisano: We're all happy to be working together so we're always able to have an open discussion if there's something that seems wrong. But still on the production side, I really believe there's got to be one voice and it's got to be the directors

Times Square: What about when it's time to shift back over into actor's mode?

Vincent Ingrisano: All day the show is walking around with me and then it's a challenge when I have to shut that off so I can focus on who I'm working with – the director, the other actors and the crew.

Times Square: Have you ever directed yourself in a production?

Vincent Ingrisano: No. Never. I don't think I'm ready for that. That's a real special talent. Right now, I enjoy going to rehearsal and leaning on the director for all the intelligence and help they can offer my performance.

Times Square: Now, that you're on the business end too, how is that going?

Vincent Ingrisano: I wish it was a lot better. You just have to come up with new and creative ways to bring money in.

Times Square: How does experiencing the craft of producing make you a better actor?

Vincent Ingrisano: You have so much responsibility. It teaches you how strong willed and thorough you have to be, as it enhances your awareness and elevates your capabilities. At the same time, it allows you to see everything from the producers side. So yeah, I could wait until the last minute to learn my lines, but what if I did it right away, how much better would that make me? How much better would it make the production?

Times Square: You studied something called the Alexander Method. What is that?

Vincent Ingrisano: It's a movement technique. You become completely aware of your body, what it's doing and what it's saying to others so it helps you make choices on stage.

Times Square: Tell me about the Last Yankee.

Vincent Ingrisano: Arthur Miller wrote the play in 1992. It's about two married couples and both of the husbands are there on the same day to visit their wives in a mental institution. Of course, they get to talking and start discussing the problems their wives are having.

Times Square: I assume the wives then get their chance.

Vincent Ingrisano: Yes. Later, the wives are together discussing the problems they and their husbands are having.

Times Square: Is there a statement being made here about mental illness?

Vincent Ingrisano: I think the problems that the wives are having is a symptom of a larger problem and that's just a way in that Arthur Miller uses.

Times Square: What Is the larger problem?

Vincent Ingrisano: At it's core, this is about a couple or a person who is so set in their ways that they are no longer listening or no longer being present with the people they love. But if they can become aware of this, they can learn how much happiness you can have if you are willing to let go of your ways.

Times Square: Sounds interesting but why this play?

Vincent Ingrisano: First of all, it takes place in only two rooms, has just four parts, making it easy and cheap to produce.

Times Square: And content-wise?

Vincent Ingrisano:We wanted to do something by a major American playwright but one that isn't done very often. So again, this was simple, but also the most fascinating of what we were looking at.

Times Square: When this is over, where do you hope it leaves you?

Vincent Ingrisano: I don't feel the need to necessarily create a theatre company off this. I'm really looking at being part of the best production possible, while just getting more seasoning for the next production.

Times Square: Do you have a day job?

Vincent Ingrisano: I help install security systems for my dad's company. It's great because I can take off whenever I need to.

Times Square: Do you dream of the day without the part time job?

Vincent Ingrisano: Hopefully, one day my dad will be lucky enough to no longer have me on the payroll.

Times Square: Sounds Good. Good luck.

Vincent Ingrisano: Thank you.

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