Pesi inspires Charleroi actors

The former Cougar has carved out a professional acting career, with more than 50 film and TV roles.

Charleroi Area theater students got some helpful advice from a famous actor who returned home to pop into a rehearsal for their spring musical.

Gino Pesi, a 1999 Charleroi grad, swung by Thursday to offer some advice to the student actors.

Pesi attended Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School in Connellsville before transferring to Charleroi. He moved on to Point Park University, where he majored in performing arts with a concentration in acting.

Pesi has more than 50 professional film and television credits in his career, but he knows it can sometimes be hard to dream big when you come from such a small town.

Pesi told students he had always been drawn to movies and TV.

He was encouraged by his high school drama teacher, Julianna Van Arsdale, to pursue his passion and found himself with the lead in the school play — the role of Tom in “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams.

After graduating from college, he moved to Los Angeles and realized quickly that success doesn’t come easily.

After years of hard work and dedication, he was booked on his first TV role.

His credits include regular roles on NBC’s “Shades of Blue” opposite Ray Liotta and Jennifer Lopez, and OWN’s “Ambitions” opposite Robin Givens.

He has recurred on “The Vampire Diaries,” “Dallas,” “9-1-1” and “Chicago P.D.” and landed lead and supporting roles in big-budget blockbusters like “Battle: Los Angeles,” “42,” “Hidden in Plain Sight” and self-produced indie features like “The Fare.”

Even more than being on stage or in front of a camera, he found a passion for teaching and directing.

“I’ve dedicated a portion of my time to develop more effective ways to educate within the arts,” he told the students. “A more intensive, PESI •A4

“I really liked when one of the students asked him if he ever got nervous when he performed. He told them yes, and gave them suggestions on how to handle the nerves.”

MELISSA VITALI

MUSICAL DIRECTOR accelerated, kinesthetic and interpersonal approach to what, I believe, will be (higher) education’s wave of the future.”

Students are preparing for their spring musical next month.

Director Melissa Vitali said it’s the first time she has ever hosted a speaker for her students, let alone someone with experience in Hollywood. “We have never had the chance to bring in a speaker before and I was approached by a parent (who is also an alumnus) about the possibility of having him come to speak,” she said. “I thought that it was a great idea for the students to be able to talk to a working actor, especially one that graduated from their school.”

Pesi came in to watch the rehearsal and see what the students are doing.

He offered advice and spent some time talking to them about ways to get into character and how to commit to a role before taking questions about his career and background.

“I really liked when one of the students asked him if he ever got nervous when he performed,” Vitali said. “He told them yes, and gave them suggestions on how to handle the nerves.

“But I think one of the biggest takeaways was hearing the words that it doesn’t matter where you come from, that hard work can take you anywhere. For them to follow their hearts and believe in themselves.”

That’s a big message to hear for kids and teens, especially when it comes from someone outside their family.

“So many kids that think living in a small town means that they can’t do certain things, but that just isn’t true,” Vitali said. “They can do so many things, but sometimes they just need to hear it from someone other than our parents or teachers. He gave them that.”

This year’s musical, “Hadestown” will have performances March 7, 8 and 9.