Bobby Del Rio is an actor, writer, and director. He has worked around the world – from the biggest studios in Hollywood to the smallest independent theatres. While developing 2 feature screenplays for a major Hollywood studio, Bobby also starred in his critically acclaimed hit play, Professionally Ethnic (SummerWorks 2017).
Recent credits include: creating/directing the web series IRL (sold to Bell Media’s FibeTV1 for television broadcast), writing/directing the feature film The Market and playing the male lead role of SAM in the smash hit Canadian web series My Roommate’s an Escort (created by Katie Uhlmann & Trish Rainone).
Bobby was also profiled by CBC Arts in the micro series Heartbreak to Art, revealing the emotional reasons behind creating IRL the Series.
Upcoming projects: Bobby is the creator/star of a new web series called 40 and Divorced; Bobby also plays the lead role in Rouvan Silogix’s Grab Em By The Pussy at Theatre Passé Muraille in October.
We had an opportunity to chat with Bobby Del Rio. Check out the interview below.
Hi, Bobby! Thank you for speaking with us. Tell us more about SummerWorks.
I wrote and starred in my play Professionally Ethnic at SummerWorks 2017. I published the play in the Summer 2009 issue of Canadian Theatre Review. It was very controversial when I first wrote it a decade ago. The SummerWorks run was very successful – selling out shows and getting rave reviews. We were recently named Outstanding Play, Outstanding Production and Outstanding Ensemble by NOW Magazine in their list of the “Best of the Fest”.
You have developed two feature screenplays. Tell us more.
I have 2 screenplays in development at a major Hollywood studio. I can’t talk about it too much publicly, but there are A-list celebrities attached to both projects. I am an email away from being a produced Hollywood screenwriter. It’s quite exciting, but the Hollywood world changes every minute, so I will announce everything publicly once shoot dates are locked and ready to go.
You’re also playing the male lead role in “My Roommate’s an Escort.” Is it a challenge to switch hats from directing to acting?
I loved doing My Roommate’s an Escort. Director/co-creator Katie Uhlmann is one of my best friends – and she was a great director to work for. I actually think my extensive directing background helps me become a BETTER actor – as I understand the director’s perspective, and how the actor fits into the overall project.
You created a successful web series called “IRL.” Tell us more about the series.
IRL the Series was an ambitious project that started out of boredom. One day I posted on Facebook that I was bored and wanted to make a film project. I said I would hire anyone who replied to the post. I thought 5 – 10 people would want to make a short film. Instead, 65 people signed up in 36 hours. I decided to create an anthology web series along the theme of social media – and we ended up selling the series to television. Bell Media’s FibeTV1 bought us – and our web series actually aired nationally on television before it hit the web. It was pretty amazing to see how many amazing opportunities came out of 1 Facebook post!
You’re working on a new series called “40 and Divorced.” This sounds like a hit. Tell us more.
I am a recent divorcee and decided to write about the experience to help others. I have optioned the series to a very talented producer, and we are developing a web series together with me attached as the creator, star, main writer and director. It’s about putting your life back together after the pain of divorce, and I hope it can be inspiring to the many people who have suffered the anguish of having your marriage fall apart. It’s obviously very personal, but I want to use my pain to help other people get through it.
You’re also playing a lead role in Rouvan Sioqix’s “Grab Em By The Pussy” at theatre Passé Muraille. Tell us more.
Rouvan Silogix directed my play Professionally Ethnic – and we became very close friends. He encouraged me to play the lead role in my play and then offered me the starring role in his anti-Donald Trump play Grab Em By the Pussy. The play is a very theatrical, intellectual exploration of power and punishment. We perform for 2 weeks in late October/early November in Toronto, and I know the production is going to be unforgettable. Rouvan wants to direct the show with a dark circus atmosphere which should be thrilling to watch for the audience…
Thank you for chatting with us about the film. Is there anything else you would like to add that we didn’t cover?
My best work is actually a feature film I wrote/directed about Wall Street called The Market. It’s incredibly vulgar (in a purposeful way) and has had difficulty getting screenings/distribution because of its controversial nature. I believe it is my finest work as an artist, and it deserves more attention than it has been getting. The performances are brilliant, and I believe it is the most significant script of my career. I truly believe that once people finally get a chance to see it, the film will generate a large audience. I just need the gatekeepers to give it a chance to be seen.
Connect with Bobby:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bobman
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