Rising Stars: Meet Sofia Tosches

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Tosches.

Hi Sofia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been into the theatre. Growing up in New England, I was lucky as a kid to have had the opportunity to see many shows at local theaters and in New York, so my introduction to performing arts was gradual and always existent. But I never took it for granted. By late middle school/early high school, I started to get that tingling feeling every time I walked into a theater. It was something I didn’t experience with any other extracurricular. It’s funny because I spent my entire four years in high school never once getting cast as a lead. I was always the supporting comedic relief who ran on stage, said something funny, and then spilled food on herself. It was niche, and I wasn’t mad about it. Still, something possessed me to look at colleges specifically for their theatre programs. When I decided on Belmont University, I entered the program as a BA which means I didn’t have to audition for the program, it was more of an academic route. After about two seconds in the program, I knew it was where I belonged and that I wanted more out of it.

I got cast in “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” my first semester and spent my second-semester stage managing two different shows. It was my mentor CJ Tucker who finally pulled me aside while I was assistant stage managing her production of “Hedda Gabler” and asked me what I wanted to do with theatre. I told her I wanted to be an actress. I will never forget her looking me in the eyes and saying “Then do it. Stop stage managing, because you’re good and you’ll get sucked in.”

Now listen, I have infinite respect for stage managers and what they do, but she was right. It was always so difficult being inches from the stage, but not being on it. I owe her so much for helping me find my path. I graduated from Belmont in 2018 with my BFA in Theatre Performance and was lucky enough to book a contract through the Southeastern Theatre Conference with Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, FL. Over the next 15 months post-grad, I worked as a Performance Apprentice with the Riverside Theatre for Kids! I am not being dramatic when I tell you this contract changed my life. The people I met, the kids I taught, and the life I lived; all made me into a better artist and a better person. That contract is where I started writing my play “White Elephant” which is finally having its world premiere this November.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Ha! The absolute greatest thing about this journey is that it’s one of the bumpiest roads ever. I have never felt more unsettled, emotional, thrilled, and steadfast about anything the way I do about my theatrical career. That’s the gift. Art imitates life. Being able to bounce back from challenges makes me a better storyteller. Specifically with “White Elephant” it’s been hard because so much of its development progressed during the pandemic. Now, putting it on its feet for the first time (fully realized) and truly being the one steering the ship in all capacities can feel a little lonely. But, I just keep reminding myself, I have the tools. And, I have people behind me who want to help relieve some of that pressure. Self-producing isn’t easy. There are so many things that pop up every day and make me think “Crap, I am never going to get all of this done.” So I throw myself a little pity party, look at myself in the mirror and remind myself why I’m doing this.

I’m doing it for that high schooler who went home and cried because she didn’t get the role she wanted. I’m doing it for that college student who felt overlooked in class because she just wasn’t grasping the concept. I’m doing it for the scared post-grad who wonders if her career is over once her contract ends. I’m doing it because every single person who has a story they want to tell deserves to share that story with the world. This play caught me at a time in my life when I needed to get words out. Every single time I walk into rehearsal I am in awe of the humanity my cast brings to this script. My play, just like life, is “a comedy until it’s not” and I am just so grateful that the road full of gravel and dirt and probably pieces of tire and car bumper brought me here.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the helm, I’m a storyteller. I am a trained actor and if I were to choose one aspect of theatre, that’s what I would want to do forever. But, the way this industry is progressing, sometimes one specialty isn’t enough. I came into my love of writing later in life, but I think once you start producing the world premiere of a play you wrote you get to start calling yourself a playwright. It’s on my dating profile, so I guess that makes it true. I also love directing. I actually think I really just love asking questions. When people look at me in rehearsal and ask me a question about their character I always get this little smile because I know they expect me to have the answers since I wrote the play. The joke’s on them…I do not know the answer.

The thing I’m most proud of at the moment is the way I have taken control of my life and quite literally made this production happen for myself. Now, that is not to say I have done this alone. I was raised by a mom who is definitely one of the strongest women I know. She has always been an extremely hard worker and made it a priority growing up to allow my sister and me to express ourselves and try every single thing we wanted to before we ultimately circled back around to performance. The trust that it takes to allow your kids to do that has poured itself into me and manifested in a way that makes me continue to believe that I can conquer anything.

I have spent the last three years re-learning how I work. I have been able to discover ways to handle anxiety and fear that at times had infiltrated my brain and made me think there was no way I was worthy of this. But that’s crap. I have never felt more sure that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be and the pain I went through to get here was temporary. Now, it’s time to harvest the fruits of all of that work and share it with my community. In the wise words of Carrie Fisher “Take your broken heart, make it into art.”

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
YES! First of all, a huge shout out to the app Off Book! for being the ultimate scene partner over the last 8 years and helping me memorize lines for every single scene or play I’ve ever had to learn.

Some favorite books are “The Lucid Body: A Guide for the Physical Actor” by Fay Simpson, “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis, “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert, “Daring Greatly” by Brene Brown, and “Tiny Beautiful Things” by Cheryl Strayed.

I currently am beyond obsessed with “The Office Ladies” podcast because they have such incredible insight into the industry while also reliving the best years of their lives.

Pricing:

• Tickets (general admission) $15

Contact Info:

• Website: whiteelephantnash.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiteelephantnash/
• Facebook: https://fb.me/e/1FaBohTae
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@whiteelephantnash?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
Rick Malkin, Holly, and Suzanne Porch