In a lot of ways, Grace Narducci is like any other college sophomore. She’s working hard on virtual classes at the University of Pennsylvania, keeping in touch with friends via social media and Facetime during the pandemic, curling up with a good book and Netflix, and looking forward to her next trip to the mall.
But she’s also a professional actor, and while most of her peers were hanging out or sleeping in on weekends, Narducci was usually pounding the pavement in Manhattan, attending hundreds of auditions.
It’s all the 20-year-old Haddonfield resident has ever wanted, and so far, her hard work seems to be paying off.
A 2018 graduate of Paul VI High School, Haddonfield, and the oldest of four children, Narducci has been dressing up and pretending to be different characters since she was a little girl. Around second grade, she began appearing in plays for the children’s theater program at Haddonfield Plays & Players. Narducci said she blossomed onstage, and quickly set her sights on a professional acting career.
“When I went into high school, I already knew what I wanted to do,” she recalled. “I knew I wanted to be involved in the arts program and take television production classes — Paul VI has its own TV studio. I was very much at home there, and felt very supported and encouraged by all of the teachers and administrators.”
Both of Narducci’s parents are alumni of Paul VI, and some of her cousins attended as well. An eighth grade open house was all it took to make the decision, she said.
“I immediately fell in love with the environment there. Going to Paul VI was my own choice, and while I didn’t know anyone in my grade at first, my cousins helped me to meet people and I got involved with the theater department. Everyone in theater is like a big family, so that was great.”
On weekends, her parents would drive her into New York City, where she could attend acting workshops and meet people working in the industry. She also acted in projects for film students at universities in Philadelphia. Finally, at 17, Narducci found an agent and began auditioning for countless roles.
“I’ve probably been on 200 auditions, but of course, you’ll only get one or two of those [roles],” she said. “This isn’t a career where you get instant gratification or validation. But if you’re passionate about it, it’s so rewarding.”
Coincidently, Narducci’s major roles have mostly been troubled teens. You may recognize her from several episodes of the ABC hidden camera show “What Would You Do?” or the CBS drama “FBI.” Most recently, Narducci had a recurring role on the long-running NBC drama, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” where she played Ivy Bucci, a teenage model groomed and assaulted by a photographer.
“Ivy’s choices are definitely very different from my own, but I spent a lot of time exploring the things that motivated her, both before and after the assault. I felt like I was trying to figure things out at the same time Ivy did. It was a privilege for me to shine a light on the mental health and substance abuse struggles that can happen for young women and men who are taken advantage of.”
While acting jobs are currently at a standstill because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s not a vacation for Narducci. When she’s not in front of a camera or auditioning, she also loves to write, and is currently studying journalism through UPenn’s distance learning program.
“My parents definitely instilled in me the value of having a strong faith and work ethic. Of course, there are moments when self-doubt creeps in, but I’ve found so much joy [in acting], and that’s how I know I’m where I’m supposed to be. I put my faith in God when it comes to the future. Knowing that everything happens for a reason helps me not to pressure myself or get too worried about what will come next.”
Melissa Arnold is a journalist from Incarnation Parish, Mantua.
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