Spotlight On: Leo Bencosme

This week's Spotlight is Leo Bencosme, who started out in ST-1 just under a year ago and now performs regularly on the Spitfire Stage. We caught up with him about what he loves about St. Pete, his day job as a professional animator and how sticking with your character in a scene can make this strangest things hilarious.

What's your favorite restaurant in St. Pete?

Central Melt! The best in grilled cheese goodness.

Whats your favorite thing to do in St. Pete on a nice day?

Get a coffee or a snack! Walk around and relax! There's a lot to see when you are on foot.

What's your day job?

I work as an animator for a local Studio in St.Pete! Got a few shows and commercials under my belt.

What drew you to improv?

It's fun! It seemed like a way to be as silly as you wanna with a bunch of good people.

Where did you learn to improvise?

Right here at our very own Spitfire Theater!

What's the most memorable moment you've had on stage?

The first time I performed in front of actual audience went better than I expected considering how nervous I was!

How would you describe your personal style or approach to improv?

I'm not sure! I still feel pretty new to improv so I'm still in the process of figuring it out.

What makes a good scene in your opinion?

Character and Delivery. Sticking to character you are can make nonsense hilarious and make the funny happen naturally.

If improv didn't exist, what do you think you'd do instead?

Competitive Knitting.

What are you looking forward to right now, in general?

Learning more, getting better! In improv and in life.

How would you describe the Spitfire community in 5 words or less?

Genuine, supportive, and unapologetically weird.

If I've never been to Spitfire and I'm not sure if I'd like improv, what would you say to me?

If your on the fence about it why not give it a shot! Step in! See a show! Laugh at our attempts to amuse! Or erase it from your brain and never ever speak of that night again.

You can catch Leo perform on Thursdays in Flash Fiction, Fridays in The Duo Show with his team Movie Knights, and Saturdays in ​Whose Line St. Pete.