Making the move from Upstate New York to the big city of Manhattan can be an overwhelming experience, especially for a young actor hoping to break into the acting scene. No one knows this better than Saratoga Springs native Chris Riggi.
After studying acting at DePaul University in Chicago and attending
various classes at Circle in the Square, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film
Institute and the T. Schreiber Studio in New York City, Riggi's hard
work paid off when he landed a supporting role on The CW's hit series
"Gossip Girl."
His first appearance on the show occurred during the season two finale on May 18, and Riggi will be returning in season three as Scott, the long-lost son of characters Lily and Rufus.
"Scott has a different way about him," Riggi said of his character. "Like me, he's laid back and open. He's trying to reconnect with his family, which I can relate to as my family is the backbone in my life. It's easy to relate to that part of his character."
While Riggi spends most of his time in Manhattan, coming back home to Saratoga Springs is his escape from the lonely city, he said.
"Acting is a huge commitment and it will take away from your social life. You have to be committed to it, but you have to keep your other connections to your family and close friends to really appreciate it. When I'm lost in the city, I go to the studio or call my acting friends and of course my family. I don't know what I'd do without their support," he added.
Acting and being on stage and the arts have always been a part of Riggi's life. His grandmother was a dance teacher and his mother, Michele was also a dancer. Riggi took part in Saratoga's own Homemade Theater, which is where he found his love for acting. As he grew older, he realized this was a dream he had to follow and did what he thought was best to pursue this dream.
"Although I have been to many schools, I believe that I have learned the most through my own personal exploration, whether from the sea of auditions or the few acting gigs I have done," he said. "Gossip Girl allows me to try out what I've learned and I know now that I feel comfortable in that atmosphere. It brings me joy to act and it is the fans that allow me to do it."
As for the fans, Riggi said he's not sure how he'll deal with people recognizing him on the street.
"It hasn't happened yet, and I don't really know how I'll react. I'll smile, I'll do what I have to do, because it really is the fans that allow us to do this work," he said.
For the future, Riggi hopes to go back to his roots as a stage actor.
"I would like to see myself doing more theatre. Film and television are incredibly rewarding but I started my work on the stage. Last year I was cast in one of my first New York City theatre productions but had to back out to appear in the films, 'Toe to Toe' and 'Dare.' It happens like that sometimes," he said.
For now, though, Riggi is enjoying the learning experience of being a young actor in New York, working with established young actors. Working with them on set is like playing jazz, he said.
"They just go with it. Everyone flows really well. I'm new to it, but I just try to let go and trust myself. I guess I'm just trying to make sense of acting and learning what works and what doesn't. It's a learning process and I'm my own worst critic. When I watch myself, I'm always thinking there is something else I could have done. It's all about the challenges we put on ourselves to keep doing more that makes us better actors," Riggi said.
While Riggi is living his dream down in New York City, he won't forget or abandon Saratoga Springs any time soon.
"My family and friends have been behind me every step of the way. Aside from work and the studio, I spend most of my time locked in the apartment with a script. So I greatly appreciate the time I spend Upstate. Saratoga has been a great influence for me as an actor. I am constantly drawing on experiences I have had from growing up there," he said.
His first appearance on the show occurred during the season two finale on May 18, and Riggi will be returning in season three as Scott, the long-lost son of characters Lily and Rufus.
"Scott has a different way about him," Riggi said of his character. "Like me, he's laid back and open. He's trying to reconnect with his family, which I can relate to as my family is the backbone in my life. It's easy to relate to that part of his character."
While Riggi spends most of his time in Manhattan, coming back home to Saratoga Springs is his escape from the lonely city, he said.
"Acting is a huge commitment and it will take away from your social life. You have to be committed to it, but you have to keep your other connections to your family and close friends to really appreciate it. When I'm lost in the city, I go to the studio or call my acting friends and of course my family. I don't know what I'd do without their support," he added.
Acting and being on stage and the arts have always been a part of Riggi's life. His grandmother was a dance teacher and his mother, Michele was also a dancer. Riggi took part in Saratoga's own Homemade Theater, which is where he found his love for acting. As he grew older, he realized this was a dream he had to follow and did what he thought was best to pursue this dream.
"Although I have been to many schools, I believe that I have learned the most through my own personal exploration, whether from the sea of auditions or the few acting gigs I have done," he said. "Gossip Girl allows me to try out what I've learned and I know now that I feel comfortable in that atmosphere. It brings me joy to act and it is the fans that allow me to do it."
As for the fans, Riggi said he's not sure how he'll deal with people recognizing him on the street.
"It hasn't happened yet, and I don't really know how I'll react. I'll smile, I'll do what I have to do, because it really is the fans that allow us to do this work," he said.
For the future, Riggi hopes to go back to his roots as a stage actor.
"I would like to see myself doing more theatre. Film and television are incredibly rewarding but I started my work on the stage. Last year I was cast in one of my first New York City theatre productions but had to back out to appear in the films, 'Toe to Toe' and 'Dare.' It happens like that sometimes," he said.
For now, though, Riggi is enjoying the learning experience of being a young actor in New York, working with established young actors. Working with them on set is like playing jazz, he said.
"They just go with it. Everyone flows really well. I'm new to it, but I just try to let go and trust myself. I guess I'm just trying to make sense of acting and learning what works and what doesn't. It's a learning process and I'm my own worst critic. When I watch myself, I'm always thinking there is something else I could have done. It's all about the challenges we put on ourselves to keep doing more that makes us better actors," Riggi said.
While Riggi is living his dream down in New York City, he won't forget or abandon Saratoga Springs any time soon.
"My family and friends have been behind me every step of the way. Aside from work and the studio, I spend most of my time locked in the apartment with a script. So I greatly appreciate the time I spend Upstate. Saratoga has been a great influence for me as an actor. I am constantly drawing on experiences I have had from growing up there," he said.
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