“Michael Bay films are so fast-paced that you don’t have time to overthink”

—  ELENA RUSCONI

PHOTOGRAPHY NICOLA DE ROSA STYLING REBECCA BAGLINI ARTICLE DAVID GARGIULO

Known for her roles in 6 Underground and Medici: The Magnificent, Elena Rusconi brings a unique depth to every character she portrays. Her journey, which spans continents and genres, is as interesting as the stories she tells on screen and stage. Growing up between Milan and Florence, Rusconi experienced a childhood steeped in art and tradition. However, it was her teenage move to Australia that expanded her horizons and shaped her global perspective. “All those experiences made me grow up so fast that, in art, all I really want is to tap back into the freedom and spontaneity of being a kid,” she reflects. The transitions were not without challenges, but they instilled in her a resilience and hunger for exploration that would eventually lead her to New York.

Rusconi’s passion for acting emerged at just eight years old. Initially drawn to the craft as a way to escape societal constraints, she found her voice through the medium. “Acting became my way of telling the truth,” she explains. Her training at Milan’s prestigious Paolo Grassi and Teatro Carcano laid the foundation for her craft, but it was her mentorship with Michael Rodgers that set her on a transformative path. “He’s the one who encouraged me to go to New York,” the Italian actress says, expressing gratitude for the guidance that propelled her forward. At eighteen, Rusconi enrolled in the Stella Adler Studio in New York City, diving headfirst into a new culture and language. The initial hurdles were immense. “My English was still pretty bad when I moved,” she admits, recounting the painstaking efforts she made to master the language. “I made a tough call and distanced myself from anything Italian. I stopped hanging out with Italian people, didn’t listen to Italian music, and barely called my friends back home. I read tons of plays, I marked my scripts with the phonetic alphabet, asked Americans to record my lines, and listened to them on repeat, mimicking their accents.”

“Knowing when to persevere, when to allow yourself to love, and when to take a leap of blind faith is a real challenge.”

Her determination paid off, shaping her into a versatile artist ready to navigate both stage and screen. Rusconi’s stage roles, such as Miranda in The Tempest and Helen of Troy in Dress of Fire, have left indelible marks on her career. “The Tempest was my first play in the States,” she recalls, drawing parallels between her own journey and Miranda’s awe at discovering a brave new world. “I still remember Miranda’s line : ‘How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world that has such people in’t’- that felt very close to me at the time. America was my new world, I was being told that there’s nothing I couldn’t do, that I was free to be whoever I wanted to be. I was meeting people that were more different and inspiring than I could have ever imagined. It was my version of the American Dream.” Her transition to film included working with industry heavyweights Michael Bay and Ryan Reynolds in 6 Underground. “Michael Bay films are so fast-paced that you don’t have time to overthink,” she says, crediting the experience with teaching her to trust her instincts. From historical dramas like Medici: The Magnificent to contemporary indie films LIVELove, Rusconi embraces variety in her work. “I love the immersive nature of period pieces, but contemporary films give me the freedom to explore modern narratives,” she shares. This duality is evident in her recent projects, including the highly anticipated series Rise of the Raven, described as one of the most ambitious European productions to date, where she portrays Giulietta Di Brienza, a woman navigating the complexities of power and survival in medieval Europe. This epic series delves into the life of János Hunyadi, a historic figure whose perseverance, bravery, and resilience shaped 15th-century Europe. For Rusconi, portraying Giulietta, a strong-willed woman navigating the complexities of power and survival, was a profoundly enriching experience. “Giulietta is caught between two powerful men, Hunyadi and her uncle, at a time when being a woman came with countless challenges,” the actress explains. “She has learned to recognize her power and uses it to survive.” This nuanced portrayal brings depth to a narrative already brimming with intrigue and drama. The production itself stands out for its multilingual cast and visually stunning aesthetics, characteristics that contribute to its groundbreaking nature. Rusconi recalls the awe of witnessing the first episode during its premiere in Cannes:“It truly lives up to being called epic. The mix of languages and its historical authenticity make it unforgettable.” Working on Rise of the Raven also offered Rusconi a chance to reflect on themes of love, courage, and persistence. “Balancing those elements: knowing when to persevere, when to allow yourself to love, and when to take a leap of blind faith is a real challenge,” she shares. These reflections, paired with the series’ portrayal of Hunyadi as a flawed hero, bring humanity and relatability to a sweeping historical saga.
Elena Rusconi’s passion for storytelling extends beyond acting. As the co-founder of Little Engine Theater in New York City, she aims to amplify underrepresented voices in the theater world. “I was lucky to see so many great plays after I moved to New York, but I always felt that many cultures weren’t being represented.

Eleonora Duse toured all over the US, acting in Italian in the early 1900s. At times it seems like we’re finally slowly evolving in that aspect with film and TV, but not in the theater world. I think it’s time to give a voice to the many cultures that make up America’s melting pot, representing them in the most authentic way possible. Little Engine Theater aims to give a platform to international playwrights so their work can make an impact in New York. We want to keep the experience intimate for the audience,” she says. Her background as an actor informs her choices as a producer, ensuring authenticity and fair compensation for artists: “I think as actors, we understand how hard it is to come across good writing, so that’s obviously our top priority. We also know firsthand how precarious the life of an actor can be, especially in theater. That’s why fairly compensating our artists is a central part of our mission.”
Elena’s diverse journey, from acting to producing, reflects her commitment to pushing boundaries and creating space for voices that may otherwise be marginalized. Whether on stage, in film, or through her theater company, she continues to carve a space for herself in the global artistic landscape, inspiring audiences and fellow artists alike.

Photography Nicola De Rosa, Stylist Rebecca Baglini, Groomer Lucia Orazi, Words David Gargiulo, Talent Elena Rusconi (Mpunto Comunicazione)