Meet Atila Carmona

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Atila Carmona. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with atila below.

Hi Atila, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I develop my confidence and self-esteem through a blend of training, experience, and personal growth. Rigorous acting education has equipped me with essential techniques, boosting my confidence as I become more adept in my craft. Regular practice and participation in performances reinforce my belief in my abilities, while constructive feedback from teachers and peers helps me recognize my strengths and areas for improvement.

Facing challenges, such as auditions and live performances, builds my resilience. Every experience—successful or not—contributes to my self-esteem. Embracing vulnerability is also crucial; exposing my emotions on stage fosters self-acceptance. Achieving personal goals, whether mastering a technique or landing a role, enhances my sense of competence and motivation.

Building a supportive network of fellow actors and mentors creates an environment for sharing experiences and encouragement. I also engage in mindfulness and self-care practices to manage stress. Through this multifaceted approach, I cultivate the confidence and self-esteem needed to navigate the challenges of the industry and deliver compelling performances.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am an actor and performer known for my captivating versatility on stage and screen. I began my acting career in my native Barcelona, Spain, after studying at Helena Munné Estudi de Teatre and the renowned Institut del Teatre, one of the most prestigious drama schools in the country. My early work was largely rooted in theater, where I showcased my range in physical theater and classical productions, performing with local companies such as Companyia Les Gràcies. Some of my early notable performances included lead roles in plays like “Rojo Casi Negro” and “Les Mosques.”

Seeking to expand my career, I moved to New York City, where I undertook rigorous training in method acting at HB Studio, focusing on the techniques of the Uta Hagen program. This move proved to be a pivotal moment in my career, as I quickly gained recognition in the off-Broadway scene. My performances, particularly at Repertorio Español, have been noteworthy. I appeared in several productions there, including “La Traición En La Amistad,” “Nylon,” and “La Dama Boba,” where my work in both supporting and lead roles was widely praised and helped solidify my reputation as a versatile stage actor capable of handling both classical and modern roles.

In addition to my theater work, I have built an impressive portfolio in film. One standout performance was in “Blink” (2022), a silent short film directed by Marco Lavagnino. This experimental film, in which I played the lead role of a man meticulously counting his blinks, was well-received on the festival circuit, featuring in prominent festivals like the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma and the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. It earned an Honorable Mention at the Short to the Point festival and also received accolades for its editing and score at the University of Toronto Film Festival.

I also played a leading role in “Swept”, a poignant film about an aspiring poet reflecting on a summer romance set against the backdrop of New York City. My multilingual abilities—fluent in Spanish, Catalan, Italian, and English—have opened up opportunities for international projects. My skill set extends beyond acting, as I am trained in contemporary dance, stage combat, and even parkour. This physical prowess, combined with my acting talent, allows me to perform a wide range of characters, from classical roles in Shakespearean adaptations to modern, dynamic leads in experimental and indie films.

Beyond acting, I am involved in filmmaking, photography, and writing, showcasing my creative ambitions across multiple disciplines. My artistic journey continues to evolve, with several upcoming projects in the pipeline, including roles in films such as “I Hate Birthdays” (2024) and “Devil’s Breath” (2024), which won Best Short at the Sugar Loaf Film Festival. I also worked on “Pioner” (2025), a soon-to-be-released post-apocalyptic survival game set in a dangerous, mutant-filled world, where I play a key character contributing to the game’s narrative depth with my emotionally charged performance. My role adds realism and human connection to the desolate and hostile environment, enhancing the player’s immersion in this intense survival experience.

With a growing body of work in both theater and cinema, I am establishing myself as a dynamic and multifaceted talent in the international acting scene.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I believe that perseverance, listening, and vulnerability are essential components of a successful acting career. Perseverance is crucial in an industry that often presents numerous challenges, from auditions and rejections to long rehearsals and performances. The ability to keep pushing forward despite setbacks helps me build resilience and continue honing my craft. Each experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to my personal and professional growth, ultimately shaping my identity and abilities as an actor.

Listening is equally important to me. Acting is inherently collaborative; it requires not only delivering lines but also responding to fellow actors and the audience. Active listening fosters genuine interactions on stage, allowing me to connect with my scene partners and adapt my performance in real time. This attentiveness enhances the authenticity of my portrayals and makes each performance a unique experience.

Vulnerability plays a pivotal role in creating believable characters. When I allow myself to be vulnerable, I tap into genuine emotions, creating depth and authenticity in my performances. This openness invites the audience into the character’s world, making the story more relatable and impactful. Embracing vulnerability can be daunting, but it’s often where my most powerful performances arise.

For those early in their acting journey, I encourage developing these qualities through a few practical steps. To cultivate perseverance, adopt a growth mindset. Embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and set realistic goals to measure progress over time. Celebrating small victories along the way keeps motivation high, even when facing rejection.

Improving listening skills can start with practice in everyday life. Engaging in conversations where I focus solely on the other person, reflecting on their words and emotions, has been helpful. In rehearsal settings, I prioritize listening to my scene partners and responding authentically to their choices, allowing my performance to evolve naturally.

As for vulnerability, I recommend exploring personal emotions and experiences. Journaling or participating in workshops that encourage personal storytelling can help connect with emotions on a deeper level. Practicing improvisation also fosters a sense of vulnerability, as it encourages spontaneity and genuine reactions.

Ultimately, these qualities take time to develop, and each actor’s journey is unique. I embrace the process, remain open to learning, and allow myself the space to grow both as an artist and an individual. With dedication and self-reflection, I believe anyone can find their voice and confidence in the world of acting.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

Uta Hagen’s *A Challenge for the Actor* has played an important role in my development as an actor. The book emphasizes the significance of emotional truth in performance, encouraging me to connect with my own experiences and emotions to create genuine portrayals that resonate with the audience. Understanding the “given circumstances” of a character’s life has become crucial in my work, as Hagen stresses the need to analyze the script deeply to grasp the character’s background, motivations, and relationships.

I’ve learned to use active imagination to create a rich inner life for my characters, allowing me to react naturally and spontaneously during performances. The importance of thorough preparation and rehearsal has also been a key takeaway; I strive to maintain a disciplined approach to training through exercises, improvisation, and scene study.

Listening and reacting to fellow actors is something I prioritize, as I recognize that acting is not just about delivering lines but about creating genuine interactions that contribute to a dynamic and believable performance. The concept of subtext, or the meaning beneath the spoken lines, has enriched my ability to convey deeper emotions and complexities in my work.

Hagen’s insights into the actor’s relationship with the audience have shaped my understanding of performance as a collaborative art form, where audience reactions can influence my delivery and create a shared experience. Additionally, the journey of personal growth and self-discovery that she encourages resonates with me, as I explore my identity and vulnerabilities to enhance my performances.

Finally, Hagen’s insistence on the importance of commitment and dedication to the craft inspires me to work hard, persevere, and cultivate a genuine love for acting. These lessons have profoundly influenced my journey and continue to guide me as I deepen my understanding of the craft and strive to improve my performances.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @itsatila
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@atilacarmona/videos
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14013351/

Image Credits

Núria Antonijoan and Darina Eid Harasic