Working toward a dream The Sandbar in Jersey City screens 'Cupidity'
Jun 24, 2005 | 374 views | 0 
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The early years
At 18, Coniglio didn't imagine she would win any awards for acting. She planned on a career in modern dance. Her training began at the Martha Graham Dance Company, where she was taught modern and jazz. She studied dance in college at The New Jersey City University in 1995, and moved into musicals at the school because the actors couldn't dance. One of her first roles in theater was as a newsboy in Guys and Dolls. "When you are in that spectrum," said Coniglio, "you try different things."
Then she got the lead in an interpretation of Macbeth. As Lady Macbeth she performed the lead through dance. After that role she began doing more theater as an actor. But even with some acting under her belt and work as a dancer in a video that aired on MTV, Coniglio thinks that it is hard to stay in the creative field. "I have the support of my family, and my mom helps me, but at the same time she wants me to have a more stable life," said Coniglio. "She wants me to have something more permanent."
John Gallagher
It was during a slow work period that Coniglio was thinking about calling it quits, when she met director John Gallagher. She was familiar with his work, but not sure where the class would lead. She began taking his class in 2002 with eight other people. Gallagher had an idea for the movie and had the class do an improv based on it. Through his idea and the workshops with his students, the movie Cupidity came to life.
It was during the beginning stages of filming that her role was expanded from one scene to a starring role. According to Coniglio, Gallagher says that "he can spot talent." He must have noticed something about her to give her a leading role. "John [Gallagher] did this movie to open doors for us," said Coniglio.
Cupidity
Cupidity is a comedy about the ups and downs of dating. Coniglio's character in the movie is a stalker. In the movie, her character believes that she is in love with James and stalks him throughout the rest of the movie. Coniglio said it was a fun experience playing a wacky character. One of her idols is Lucille Ball, and she prefers doing comedy.
"Working with John [Gallagher] was like working with your best friend. He was very, very giving," said Coniglio.
In June 2004, she was nominated for best actress in the New York Independent Film Festival and won. She was initially surprised because she didn't know she was nominated. At the awards ceremony, she was given a plaque, and then the company traveled to Oldenberg, Germany when the film was nominated for best film at the 2004 International Film Festival.
"I'm a big believer in working with a stock company," said Gallagher. "She [Coniglio] is a very unique talent. Her commitment and focus during the film were tremendous."
Future plans
Coniglio plans to do another film with Gallagher, who is working on a movie about an Italian family. Until that time, she will continue to bartend a few days a week to support herself while she works on her craft or until she gets another film role. In five years time she hopes to be working full-time in the film industry.
Cupidity will be shown at the Sandbar, in Jersey City on Thursday, June 23 at 8 p.m. The movie screening is one of the events that Original Sessions Art House will be holding on Thursdays at the Sandbar. Ms. Coniglio will be at the screening along with some of her co-stars. The film is slated for theatrical release in October.
For more information about the screening: www.originalsessions.com or call the Sandbar, (201) 714-5000.
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