by MK
Every Saturday we’re spotlighting remarkable local females who could change the way we look at the world. This Saturday is Erin McKinney’s turn, actress, photographer and Triestina by choice.
We interviewed Erin McKinney who told us what it’s like being an American photographer living in Trieste together with her musician husband Alberto and a rescue dog, Lucy.
Why did you move to Trieste?
Erin: For love. My husband is from the region and we moved here together from Amsterdam where we met. Other places never felt like home but moving here I instantly felt settled.
What do you do in Trieste?
I am a photographer. I take pictures of events and I adore concert photography. I am part of an association in Staranzano called Dobia lab which organizers concerts throughout the year.
You’re also an actress here. Correct?
Well, it’s a funny story.
Tell us.
The first year we moved to Trieste I wanted to dress up for Halloween but my husband said nobody really does that here. So I decided to just wear a purple wig and go out to have fun.
Good thinking.
At the end of the night we were passing by a bar in via San Michele. I heard them playing Flashdance – my favorite song. I ran inside and there was an older man sitting on a chair. I grabbed him and we started dancing. He turned out to be Alessandro Mizzi, the head of Pupkin Kabarett show in Teatro Miela.
Serendipitous.
Yep. Laura Bussani, who later became my good friend, was deejaying that night. Alessandro instantly invited me to join them at Teatro Miela even though I hardly spoke any Italian and Alessandro didn’t speak any English.
What a lucky night!
Definitely. At the beginning I was just dancing and brought a lot of energy to the Kabarett. Then they asked me back and eventually started paying me. I was surprised and really happy, of course.
What’s Pupkin Kabarett exactly?
Pupkin Kabarett has had three main characters for years. I always say it’s a mix of Saturday Night Life and stand-up comedy. Everything is in Triestino and there’s also a live jazz band.
Sounds fun.
Yes, it’s very entertaining and it has been the place to go on a Monday night in Trieste for years. For the first year I just danced. Sometimes they would make me read a poem in Triestino and everyone would laugh mostly because of my pronunciation. Plus, I didn’t really know what I was saying.
And now?
As the years went on I started sharing with Laura the daily experiences I was having as an American living in Trieste and the things people would say to me. Some were entertaining and Laura started helping me write sketches about them. Coming from America, the culture is seemingly more friendly. Here it’s different. Sometimes I would take the bus in Trieste and someone would scream at me because I was wearing a backpack but I wouldn’t be able to understand. Eventually I was able to incorporate these daily experiences in my theater sketches and make Triestini laugh together with me at their culture. Now with Laura we are also doing “Horrible Sisters” sketches.
Why “Horrible Sisters”?
I think somebody called us that as we were dancing after the show and we thought it was really funny. You know, a lot of women on stage want to look their best, which I think we do, but we also like to be funny. So now “Horrible Sisters” is a little show within the show. Hopefully, we’ll be back to performing at Miela in January.
So do you speak Triestino?
I started understanding a bit more. I speak Italian much better and I think to live here you definitely need to speak the language.
Do you have many local friends?
Yes, a lot. I am pretty famous (laughs,-ed.)
Yes?
Yes, everywhere I go people say hi to me. I used to teach yoga in English, I started theater and my photography business took off. So through all of these activities I met a lot of people in the seven years that I’ve been living here. I also like going out on weekends and I just really like meeting people.
What are you favorite places in Trieste?
I love bar Erica on the Viale. It’s a tiny place but the owner is very friendly and that’s where I have my coffee or meet my friends for an aperitivo. I love walking around Trieste, I go to Barcola a lot, especially in summer. Giardino San Michele – there are so many great places. I often walk around with my beautiful rescue dog, Lucy. But I also enjoy going outside of Trieste and discovering Friuli Venezia Giulia. My husband Alberto is from Manzano and we go there often.
Do you see yourself staying here forever?
I do. I am opening a studio in San Giacomo so I can invite people to get headshots and portraits. I have been working out of my home for the past five years and I just needed a place where I could go and work. Many times people would ask me to take pictures of their kids or friends and that will be a perfect place for it.
What advice would you give someone who just moved here?
Learn the language, be flexible, stay open to new experiences and just be friendly.
And if somebody wants to get in touch?
You can contact me via my website or instagram.
