Italy | USA
Vanessa is an Italian artist born and raised in Cattolica (RN) and currently based in NYC. She holds dual citizenship and works internationally between Italy and the US.
She started studying acting, singing and dancing at the age of 8. Right after high school graduation in foreign languages she left the home town for pursuing her career, supported by her loving family.
Her education background goes from Musical Theatre Academy in Riccione (Gino Landi) to Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (National school of cinema, Giancarlo Giannini) and Studio Cinema Academy in Rome (Ivano De Matteo, Luca Ward, Pino Pellegrino).
She debuted in cinema at the age of 17 as co-lead with Franco Nero in the movie “The last Alchemist”, winner as Best movie at Indie Film Festival in LA, finalist in 17 international festivals and participant to Cannes Film Festival.
She took part in famous television series RAI and Mediaset like “Catturandi” and “Le tre rose di Eva 3”.
She was also selected by Giorgio Albertazzi for the play “D’Annunzio chi?”.
In musical theatre she has debuted in the national tour of “Gypsy: the musical fable” (Baby Louise) with Loretta Goggi and “Rapunzel: the musical show” in Rome (young Rapunzel, u/s Rapunzel), with Lorella Cuccarini.
Other shows performed all over Italy in leading roles include: “The Comedy of errors” (Luciana), “Signorina Else” (Else), “Oliver Twist” (Nancy), “Lady Windermere’s fan” (Lady Margaret Windermere), “A Christmas Carol (Isabelle), “Mademoiselle C” (Coco Chanel), “La Partitella” (Melania), “Notre Dame- il Mistero della cattedrale” (Esmeralda).
In New York she has deepened her craft at Broadway Dance Center, James Ciccone and Susan Batson Studio, who offered her sponsorship. She got through all the immigration process until finally getting the citizenship.
Credits in New York include: the new musical theatre Off Broadway show “Barba” at Pregones theatre/PRTT), “Heart of darkness” (AENY Spanish Artists, director Darìo Facal), “Callas and Caruso tribute prize” (Italian Academy theatre, Columbia University)
Vanessa has been part of Rumbamena dance company, the official host talent for IBM Europe and collaborates regularly with R.Evolución Latina.
She is also a voice over working talent and is currently in pre-prod with a new movie.
After the successful national tour, in 2024-2025 at the historical theatre Carcano in Milan she played again the lead role of Francis “Baby” Houseman in “Dirty Dancing- The Classic Story on stage”, directed by Federico Bellone.
Back to NYC, she took part to the Off Broadway show “Aguardiente”, directed by Luis Salgado, at Pregones Theatre/PRTT and to the Playwrights short plays Festival at Palace Theatre, Stamford (CT).
She is currently directing the play “Le Relazioni” for the Italian stage collective, with performances at Lang Hall (Hunter College) UES New York.
Vanessa Innocenti 