“Superb comic and dramatic timing from Ravera”

Francesca Ravera starred in the lead role of Jo Hunter in the New York premiere of Truth Be Told, a psychological drama written byWilliam Cameron.

Jo Hunter is a true-crime writer whose interview with a grieving mother becomes a tense exploration of grief, narrative, and the nature of truth in this gripping drama.

Production: The Gene Frankel Theatre, February-March 2025

Reviews:

“The acting is excellent. Ravera plays Jo with quiet determination and genuine compassion.” — Off Off Online ‍ ‍Full review

“Ravera, for her part, is an absolute powerhouse on stage — sharp, probing, layered.” — Vera Hunt Full review

“Francesca Ravera brings Jo to life with an unsettling clarity.” — La Voce di New York ‍ ‍Full review

Francesca Ravera starred in the lead role of Two in The Hummingbirds, a darkly comic dystopian drama written by Garret Jon Groenveld.

Ravera plays a counselor who begins to unravel emotionally following a terrorist attack on a nearby establishment, culminating in a powerful monologue reflecting the loss of a freer, safer world.

The play premiered in New York at Chain Theatre in April 2024 and was brought to Italy by Adrama, where it toured in summer 2024, with performances at Teatro Belli (Rome), Teatro Astra (Turin), and Teatro Garage (Genoa).

The production was performed in English with Italian supertitles.

Reviews:

“Francesca Ravera delivers a riveting performance as a counselor who begins to unravel emotionally following a terrorist attack on a nearby establishment. Her journey culminates in a powerful monologue, where she laments the loss of a safer, freer world, contrasting starkly with the present dystopia. Ravera’s ability to convey deep pain, nostalgia, and grief is nothing short of captivating, making her character’s transformation one of the play’s most poignant aspects.”

“Stellar performance from Francesca Ravera.”

“The Hummingbirds is a compelling production. A gripping and memorable theatrical experience.” — Manual Magazines ‍ ‍Full review

“…brilliant Francesca Ravera. She excels at bringing emotions to life on her face, rendering the verbal and expressive rhythm natural and spontaneous with a precision that is perhaps the most difficult aspect to calibrate for an actor, especially in a highly stylized reality like this one. These emotions, so vividly portrayed, become the only source of color, standing out starkly against a backdrop of grays, blacks, and whites—typical of a society where every emotional nuance and empathetic connection has been almost entirely eradicated, reduced to mere formality.” — Artists and Bands Full review

“The performance of the actors is very interesting and effective, consistently believable, making everything seem to unfold very naturally. What makes this production unique is the linguistic choice of performing in English with Italian and English subtitles, which are rare in the Roman theater scene.” — Quarta Parete Roma ‍ ‍Full review

“Masterful progressive divergence in the performances of the two protagonists. She [Ravera], more and more stunned and emptied, at times dreamy and desperate.” — Corriere Spettacolo ‍ ‍Full review

Francesca Ravera starred in the lead role of Marianne in Constellations, a playful and emotional exploration of love, choice, and the multiverse written by Nick Payne and directed by Kim T. Sharp.

The production premiered in New York at the Gene Frankel Theatre in April 2022 and was brought to Italy by Adrama, touring later in the spring with performances at Teatro Belli (Rome), eatro Erba (Turin), and Teatro Garage (Genoa).

Reviews:

“Shining stars Francesca Ravera and Michael Chinworth sparkle on the stage at the Gene Frankel Theatre in New York City.”

“Italian actress Francesca Ravera has ‘constellations’ in her eyes that cut through the darkness with all of their powerful intensity—you can’t miss them, you won’t forget them.”

“ The beauty and the beasts of the storyline are all concentrated in her emotional shifts. Go see it if you are thirsty with wonder. “

“‘Constellations’ brings freshness, buoyant youth and new life to the British play.”

“This rendition of ‘Constellations’ by director Kim T. Sharp is a playful and emotional tour de force that challenges both the actors and the audience, expanding the horizons of what is real and what is possible.” — La Voce di New York Full review

“Ravera and Chinworth deliver dazzling performances. They not only invest their Marianne(s) and Roland(s) with richness and immediacy but also expertly delineate the emotional inflections central to the multiversal movement of Constellations. The cumulative effect is captivating and impactful. Make this a universe in which you decide to see this marvelous production.” — Thinking Theatre NYC Full review

“Thanks to the extraordinary acting of Francesca Ravera and Michael Chinworth, the show is effervescent and, at the same time, balanced and profound.” — Teatri Online Full review

“Onstage, Francesca Ravera and Michael Chinworth are real in their emotions, fast and cadenced with the rhythm of a demanding but clear and clean direction. The same perfect balance that can be found in a chemical formula.” — Accreditati Full review

Francesca Ravera starred in the lead role of Una in Blackbird, a tense, emotionally gripping drama written by David Harrower and directed by Kim T. Sharp.

The production ran at the New Ohio Theater in September 2021 and examines the complex aftermath of trauma as Una confronts the man who harmed her years earlier, navigating pain, memory, and emotional reckoning onstage. 

Reviews:

“As per Una, Ravera is impressive in swiftly moving her character from childlike naivety to prepubescent romanticism; from restlessness to distress. Her body on stage performs, rather than just recounting the inevitable consequences of Peter’s misdeeds. Further, Ravera’s diligent deliveries manage for some dry humour to cut through the negative affect of the play.” — La Voce di New York ‍ ‍Full review

“Ravera seems to have truly connected with Una (…) Her pain and yearning are palpable, which draws the audience to her and brings some sense of reality to the piece. Her vulnerability, her greatest strength, and her need for Ray are tangible which allows us to identify with her struggles well.” — Theater That Matters Full review

“Thoughtfully directed and grippingly performed… mounted with a level of original thinking and professionalism that many a Broadway production would do well to emulate.” — Talkin’ Broadway Full review

Francesca Ravera starred in the lead role in Adrama’s short film Claire, directed by Andrea Silvestro. The film centers on Claire, a young woman navigating the emotional fallout of a relationship falling apart.

The film enjoyed a successful festival run, being screened at international film festivals, with Francesca receiving multiple awards for her leading performance.

Reviews:

“Still relatively early in its indie festival run, the 13‑minute short film Claire has already picked up a slew of festival awards with several recognizing the fine work of Francesca Ravera in the title role of Claire, whose actions throughout the film exude a sort of mysterious remembrance and sense of melancholy.” — The Independent Critic Full review

“Francesca Ravera’s performance is captivating, leaving it understated and subtle which complements the film’s narrative. To conclude, the film holds on to your attention from the beginning and as you get to the end, Claire gets a satisfying resolution which you feel is justified and appropriate for her. The film is a must‑watch for all cinephiles who would like to experience a soothing melancholy.” — Indie Shorts Mag Full review

“This short film makes you feel exactly this way, doing it with a cold cinematography, a slow-paced rhythm through the very beautiful face of the leading actress Francesca Ravera, that is really able to portray a complex psychological character. Directed with a great sensibility, this short film is really able to frame its point of view and to make other people empathize with the psychological situation of its character.” — Rome Prisma Film Awards‍ ‍Full review

Awards: (iMDB page)

In these festivals, Francesca won several awards for her leading performance in Claire , including Best Actressat the Los Angeles Film Awards, the Diamond Award for Best Actress at Mindfield Film Festival Albuquerque, Best Actress at the Diamond Film Awards, the Jury Prize for Best Actress at the Milestone Worldwide Film Festival, and Best Actress Short Film at the Venus Italian International Film Festival. She also received a Special Mention for Lead Actress at the Oniros Film Awards and a Special Mention for Lead Actress Short Film at the Five Continents International Film Festival.

Additional honors for Claire include Best Fantastic Short Film, Special Mentions for Production Short Film, Cinematography Short Film, and Art Direction Short Film.

Francesca Ravera starred in the lead role of Beth in The Way We Get By, a witty and emotionally engaging Neil LaBute drama directed by Kim T. Sharp.

The production ran in New York at Urban Stages Theatre and was brought to Italy by Adrama, with performances at Teatro Erba (Turin), Teatro Carlo Felice (Genoa), and Teatro Out Off (Milan).

Reviews:

“Beth (played by Ravera) is sassy, sexy, and full of enthusiasm as the coy young woman that has just bedded Doug … As Beth, Ravera pulls all the stops. Her performance is natural, very believable, with a sweet mix of vulnerability and strength that is perfect for this character. The timing between the two, and the ability to capture the funny moments is endearing enough to keep you glued.” — Local Theatre NY  Full review

“Francesca Ravera is starring in Neil LaBute’s The Way We Get By, adding to her interesting variety of New York theater and film credits … Then there is a stinging revelation from Ravera’s Beth that she skillfully conveys in her acting which ranges from youthful language to a young woman on the path to maturity. Excellent direction and fine acting with superb comic and dramatic timing from Ravera and Vauthey, who have great chemistry together.” — La Voce di New York Full review

“The actors do a fine job with this dialogue as well as with longer exchanges that call for a range of emotions and varying levels of vulnerability. Ravera’s Beth is intense and fiery with a bruised heart and real desire for connection … THE WAY WE GET BY is a fast‑paced, well‑performed production; the actors are especially good with the tight, somewhat quirky script. The stakes really do seem high between these two people, and there isn’t a dull moment in the show.” — Hi! Drama  Full review

“When Beth (Francesca Ravera) enters, it is not with the trepidation one might expect—she leaps upon him excitedly … Of course, this is a LaBute play, so there's a biting twist midway through. Both Ravera and Vauthey bring a lot of energy to their roles, keeping up with a fast‑paced script that often requires the characters to verbally spar.” —  The Easy

Francesca Ravera starred in the lead role, playing Rosa, Nonna, and Cinzella, in Espresso, a darkly comic and poetic theatre piece written by Lucia Frangione and directed by Kim T. Sharp.

Through these characters, Ravera navigated the intricate dynamics of family, faith, and identity, seamlessly shifting between generations and emotional registers while giving shape to the layered world of the Dolores family.

The play was presented at Urban Stages in New York City.

Review:

“Clever banter and meticulous metaphors abound in Ms. Frangione’s bold and brilliant script, yet no word ever feels misplaced, forced, or indulgently included for the sake of ostentatiousness. The actors confidently give convincing performances, no matter the role they are playing in any given moment.” — The 730 Review   Full review

Francesca Ravera starred in the lead role of Nina in Steven Dietz’s The Nina Variations, an inventive and emotionally charged homage to Chekhov’s The Seagull. Directed by Francesco Campari and Emma Arlauskas, the production ran at Chain Theatre in New York, exploring 42 variations of the iconic final encounter between Nina and Treplev, played by André Vauthey.

Reviews:

“The two international actors, Francesca Ravera as Nina, and André Vauthey as Treplev, a young writer, do not miss a beat. These are not easy roles to play, and being able to transition to each scene and carry the moment is a challenge they are certainly up to mastering.” — Local Theatre NY

Francesca Ravera starred in the lead role of Lainie in Two Rooms, a powerful drama by Lee Blessing. The play ran at the Access Theater in New York City.

In the production, Ravera portrayed Lainie, the devoted wife of an American professor held hostage in Beirut. Determined to feel close to her husband despite his captivity, she recreates his room in their home and struggles with the emotional toll of uncertainty, loss, and hope as the story unfolds in the two “rooms” that give the play its title.

Review:

“Credit for this successful production is to be attributed to Italian actress Francesca Ravera, interpreting the lead character, Lainie.” — La Voce di New York Full review