Monica Barbaro: “I Still Doubt Myself as an Actor”

Actor Monica Barbaro is starting a new phase in her career as she prepares for her stage debut at London’s National Theatre. She will play Madame de Tourvel in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a famous story about love, manipulation and power. Barbaro says performing live on stage feels new and challenging compared to her film work.

Barbaro was recently nominated for an Oscar for playing singer and activist Joan Baez in the film A Complete Unknown. To prepare for that role, she spent months learning Baez’s voice, music and mannerisms. She said the experience was intense and it took time afterward to feel like herself again.

In the new play, Barbaro’s character is a moral and religious woman who becomes trapped in a dangerous relationship. Barbaro says the story is less about romance and more about control, abuse and how people can be manipulated. She believes these themes still feel relevant today.

She also noted that the updated version of the play puts more focus on women’s experiences and the limited choices they had in the past. Barbaro finds the emotional side of the story particularly powerful, especially the idea of heartbreak and shame.

Despite her recent success, Barbaro says she still doubts herself at times. After rehearsals, she sometimes worries she is not good enough, even after earning major recognition. She says acting requires being open to failure and embarrassment, especially in theatre.

Barbaro grew up in California and originally trained as a dancer before focusing on acting. She became widely known after appearing in Top Gun: Maverick. Now, she is continuing to expand her career with both stage and film roles.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses is running at the National Theatre in London until early June. Barbaro will also appear in the upcoming film One Night Only, set for release in August.