Performer Darwin Del Fabro lets her journey navigating the world as a trans woman and immigrant shine in her upcoming one woman play “LILI/DARWIN”. From honoring Lili Elbe to celebrating her own artistic and personal growth, “LILI/DARWIN” is a deeply candor exploration of the strength found in connection, identity, and vulnerability. Join us as Darwin Del Fabro talks inspiration, identity, the entertainment industry, and trans rights.

Where are you based?
I’m based in New York City — a place that has challenged me, changed me, and ultimately allowed me to become myself.

What inspired you to pursue acting and singing as a career path?
I’ve been performing professionally since I was twelve. For me, storytelling was always a survival tool. Acting and singing gave me a way to understand the world — and be understood in return.

Congratulations on your new play, “LILI/DARWIN”, set to premiere in August of this year! Can you tell us a bit about what inspired the creation of this play? What can viewers expect to see explored throughout the play?
Thank you! LILI/DARWIN was born from my deep connection to Lili Elbe’s diaries — which I first read as a teenager in Brazil. Over the years, her courage became a mirror for my own journey. This play is a one-woman exploration of memory, identity, and becoming — weaving Lili’s words with my own story as a trans woman, artist, and immigrant. It’s intimate, raw, and deeply personal.

What do you hope viewers take away from this upcoming play?
I hope they leave feeling more connected — to themselves, to others, and to stories they may have never lived but can still feel. And for anyone questioning who they are, I want this to be a reminder that becoming yourself is not only possible — it’s powerful.

”LILI/DARWIN” is said to be deeply personal. How has writing this play helped you reflect on your personal and artistic journey over the years?
Writing this play forced me to look back with honesty and compassion — to honor what I lost and celebrate what I gained. It reminded me that vulnerability is my strength and that my voice — in all its forms — is my home.

You have acted in not just theatre but also films. How does your approach to acting for theatre differ from your approach to acting for a film?
Theatre demands presence — every breath is shared with the audience. Film, on the other hand, invites intimacy with the camera. Both require truth, but in theatre, that truth must reach the last row. In film, it can whisper.

How is live theatre different from acting in a film for you? Is there one you prefer over the other?
Live theatre is alive. You feel the audience breathing with you. Film allows for stillness and control, but theatre — especially a solo play like this — is where I feel most alive. It’s communion. That said, I love both for different reasons.

With skills across multiple creative disciplines, do you find yourself gravitating more closely towards one over the others? How has your connection with each discipline changed over the course of your career and life?
At different times, each discipline has been a lifeline. Singing carried me through childhood, acting grounded me in truth, and writing gave me authorship over my story. Today, I don’t separate them — they all come together in this play.

How has exploring your gender identity helped you grow as an artist?
It stripped away all the roles I was taught to play — and left only the truth. From that place, my art became freer, more specific, more human. Transitioning didn’t just transform my body — it transformed my voice, my lens, my purpose.

What advice do you have for someone who might be questioning their gender identity?
Be gentle with yourself. You don’t owe anyone certainty. Listen closely to your quiet truths. And find community — people who see you before you fully see yourself.

What are some changes you hope to see for the future of the entertainment industry?
I hope to see more trans stories told by trans people — not just as characters, but as writers, directors, producers. We need more inclusion not just on stage or screen, but in the rooms where decisions are made.

Transgender rights and safety are a large concern these days with the current administration. Do you feel safe in the spotlight? What advice do you give others who are feeling uneasy?
It’s not always easy, but I remind myself that visibility is a form of resistance. I don’t always feel safe — but I do feel proud. And I surround myself with people who protect and uplift me. To others feeling uneasy: your safety comes first. Find your people. You don’t have to do this alone.

Are there any upcoming projects you are currently working on that we should be on the lookout for?
Yes! Aside from LILI/DARWIN, I’m co-opening a café in the East Village called Cahoots with my best friend — a cozy space for art, connection, and community. I’m also developing new writing projects and hoping to bring LILI/DARWIN beyond NYC.

It has been a rough few years, and we expect at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
I create. I connect. I cry when I need to. I sing with my whole body. I walk my dogs. I remind myself that joy is not naïve — it’s necessary.

What is your motto in life?
Become who you are — and love boldly while you do.

To learn more about Darwin Del Fabro, please check out the links below:
Website: darwindelfabro.com
Instagram: @darwindelfabro
Play: @lilidarwintheplay

Darwin Del Fabro and Her One-Woman Play that Honors and Celebrates