Getting To Know Law Tarello; A Survivor, Educator and Masterful Entertainer within the Industry
In this highlight we turn our attention to Law Tarello, a veteran actor, motivational educator and inspirational survivor. I asked Law a series of questions;
Tell us a little about yourself, where your from, grew up, what H.S./College you attended etc.
I’m from Brooklyn NY. Right before middle school my Mom moved us to Oxford in central NY. I attended college at L.I.U. and transferred and ultimately graduated from SUNY Fredonia (add) with a B.A. in Theatre and I earned my M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College in Vermont.
What inspired you to be get into entertainment? Early experiences worth sharing?
As a child of a single parent, we watched a lot of TV and Movies together. Also had a great elementary school teacher named Mrs. Macfarlane who encouraged my Mom to take me to a couple semi-professional auditions in NYC. I was cast in a paid role in an off-off B’way theatre at 7 years old.
Talk about a time where you have faced adversity/conflict and have triumphed.
At 33 I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder. This was after my 3rd suicide attempt. It was a lot of hard work but with my wife’s support and a concerted effort of the behavorial /mental health medical community in Rochester I was able to get the care I needed to develop my own maintenance plan.
What do you believe sets you apart from other entertainers?
I have a ridiculous amount of energy (especially for someone in their 40's). I try to look for the good in any situation and I really try to act as a force for positivity. (That might just be the mania talking… who’s to say. 😉)
Do you have other interests or hobbies?
Most of my hobbies are rooted in performance like puppetry, and improvisation but I’m also a Dad of amazing seven year old named Max so I’m sort of into whatever he’s into, until he becomes a teenager And I ruin everything. We play games and build costumes and props for fun.
Any projects you have out or currently working on?
I recently filmed a co-starring role on the new Fox Drama Proven Innocent. That airs in the new year. I also co-created an anthology television series that is in it’s final writing drafts with Bond Media Haus here in Chicago.
Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?
Since moving to Chicago one year ago my career has taken some dramatic turns, so honestly things are more open then they’ve been in a while. I’d like to keep pursuing TV and Film while Teaching at The Second City Training Center… so I guess I hope in 5 years the roles get a little bigger and my position as educator here in the Chicago Improv Scene is more solidified.
What advice can you give to aspiring entertainers?
Find people who you like to work with and create! Write your own stuff, open theaters, keep learning and doing. Just two years ago the idea that I’d be making my Network TV debut and living out some of my life-long dreams seemed impossible. I literally signed my NBC contract on my 42nd birthday. What a gift, huh?!
How can we follow along in your journey? Social media?
@LawTarello on Instagram
@ImprovLaw on Facebook
LawTarello.com and IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2624880/ for media and more info on past and upcoming projects.
