Gabriella Grace Pizzolo (born March 10, 2003) is an American actress and singer​. Best known for her breakthrough as Broadway’s Matilda and for playing Suzie on Stranger Things, Gabriella’s journey began far from the limelight in upstate New York. Long before rising to fame, she had a nurturing childhood that combined a supportive family, a vibrant local theater scene, and an early passion for performing. Below is an exhaustive look at her early life, upbringing, education, and the first steps of her career – complete with little-known anecdotes that shaped who she would become.

Family Background and Heritage

Gabriella Pizzolo was born into a close-knit family. She is the eldest daughter of Natalie and David Pizzolo​, and has a younger sister named Gillian​. Her mother Natalie is a school teacher by profession and even homeschooled Gabriella during her early Broadway days to keep up with academics​

Gabriella’s father, David, along with her mother, provided a stable and loving home environment, though his own occupation has been kept private. The family’s surname Pizzolo hints at Italian heritage, and they raised Gabriella in a culturally rich, supportive atmosphere. She grew up hearing encouraging words and receiving guidance from her parents at every step – something she consistently acknowledges in interviews. In fact, Gabriella goes by the nickname “Gabby” among family and friends​, a testament to the informality and warmth in her upbringing.

Ethnically, Gabriella is white American, and given her Italian-sounding last name, she likely has Italian-American roots (though she hasn’t publicly detailed her ancestry). What is clear is that her family cherished the arts and education. There were no show-business relatives or famous ancestors paving her way; instead, her parents and community became her biggest influences. They instilled values of hard work and humility early on, which would later help Gabriella stay grounded even as she entered the entertainment industry. Her family’s encouragement and solid middle-class background (with a mom in education) provided the foundation upon which her talents could flourish.

Upbringing in Upstate New York

Gabriella was born in Schenectady, New York, and spent her earliest years in the Capital Region of upstate NY​. When she was about five years old – around the time she was ready for kindergarten – her family moved to the nearby town of Niskayuna​. Niskayuna is a suburban community known for its good schools and safe neighborhoods, and it became the backdrop of Gabriella’s childhood. Growing up there, Gabriella enjoyed a typical upbringing in many ways: her home life was loving and structured, and the community was tight-knit. The Pizzolos’ home was filled with support for creative expression. It wasn’t uncommon for young “Gabby” to be found singing around the house or putting on little performances for her family.

Her neighborhood and socio-economic background provided comfort but was far from extravagant. Upstate New York’s Capital Region has a vibrant local arts scene, which became a big cultural influence on Gabriella. She was raised in an environment that balanced schoolwork with artistic outlets. From an early age, she was exposed to music and storytelling – whether through school activities or local theatre – which sparked her imagination. There were also practical influences: living a few hours from New York City meant Broadway was not an impossible dream, but something her family could aspire to when her talent became evident. By all accounts, Gabriella’s upbringing was supportive and middle-class, with her parents emphasizing both education and the arts.

One defining aspect of her home life was how nurturing it was. For instance, when Gabriella’s interest in performing became clear, her family rearranged their lives to accommodate her budding career (even relocating temporarily for her theater roles). Her hometown community also rallied around her; local friends, teachers, and theater mentors all became a second family. This small-town, big-support upbringing gave Gabriella a strong sense of community and humility that she carried into the wider world.

Early Personality and Interests

From all accounts, Gabriella Pizzolo was an artistic and inquisitive child with a vibrant personality. She displayed an affinity for music and drama almost as soon as she could talk. In elementary school, Gabriella’s music teachers noticed her strong interest in performing at a young age​. She wasn’t a child pushed into theater by adults – rather, the drive came from within. As a little girl, Gabriella fell in love with showtunes and stories. For example, she adored the music from Les Misérables as a child, passionately singing along to the songs. This love led her, at just 8 years old, to audition for a local production of Les Misérables because “she loved the music” and wanted to be part of it​. That kind of self-motivation and genuine enthusiasm became a hallmark of her personality.

Those who worked with her early on often remark on her maturity and poise even as a kid. By age 11-12, while working on Broadway, Gabriella was known to pepper her speech with polite, old-soul phrases like “I must say,” and exclamations like “Oh, my goodness!”​ – charming everyone around her. She was bubbly and excitable, yet remarkably focused when it came to her craft. Backstage during shows, she loved to draw and play games in her downtime, showing that she was still very much a kid at heart despite being in professional productions​. Card games like Spit and Go Fish were favorites that she’d play with castmates, and she often joined other kids in fun little backstage antics to pass the time​.

Outside of theater, Gabriella had a variety of interests. She enjoyed reading and listening to stories; in fact, during long drives or commutes, her family would listen to audiobooks together. She once mentioned that on drives she’d been listening to Stephen King’s 11/22/63 on CD with her mom​, showing her appetite for complex stories even as a tween. She also loved animated movies – citing a film called Jack and the Cuckoo Clock Heart as a favorite around age 12​. Unlike many kids her age at the time, she wasn’t glued to apps or pop music charts; she quipped that she didn’t really use iTunes and preferred listening to whatever was on the radio or cast recordings with her family​.

This hints that her upbringing kept her somewhat grounded and perhaps a bit old-fashioned in habits (likely influenced by spending time with adults in theater and her family’s values).

A fun little-known anecdote about Gabriella’s childhood is her family’s sense of humor with pop culture. She grew up with a pet cat that was humorously named after the fictional serial killer Dexter Morgan from the TV series “Dexter”​. Gabriella once joked that “if growing up with a cat named after Dexter Morgan says anything, it says a lot about me!”​. This quirky detail shows the playful environment at home – her family clearly had a fun, imaginative side (naming a cute pet after an edgy character). It’s the kind of unique childhood tidbit that makes her story all the more relatable and real.

Education and Schooling

Gabriella’s early education took place in her hometown of Niskayuna. She attended Craig Elementary School in the Niskayuna Central School District​. It was there that her teachers first took note of her performative spark. Far from shirking school for stage, Gabriella was an engaged student. In fact, her entry into theater was encouraged by her educators: seeing how animated and passionate she was about music, her elementary music teachers advised her parents that Gabriella should pursue performing – essentially telling them to let her “do the stuff that seemed to make her happy”​. This kind of support within her school set the tone for balancing academics with acting.

When Gabriella’s theater career began to accelerate (we’ll discuss her Broadway debut shortly), her schooling adapted around it. During her stint in Matilda on Broadway, she was homeschooled by her mother to maintain her studies​.

Having a teacher for a mom proved invaluable – Natalie Pizzolo was able to step in as Gabriella’s personal tutor, ensuring that Gabriella kept up with lessons and homework even as she performed eight shows a week in New York City. Homeschooling was a practical solution while she was in full-time theater in 2013-2014, and it kept Gabriella academically on track. The young actress would do schoolwork backstage between scenes or during breaks: she’s recalled spending time in the dressing room doing homework and reading, essentially turning the theater into a classroom when needed​.

Once her run in Matilda ended and she returned to a more normal routine, Gabriella rejoined the traditional school environment. She attended Niskayuna High School for her secondary education​. Remarkably, despite her Broadway credits, she jumped back into being a regular student with enthusiasm. She participated in school theatre productions during middle school and high school, not just resting on her professional laurels​.

Friends and classmates remember her as talented yet humble, the girl who had been on Broadway but was also happy to collaborate in drama club. Gabriella even explored roles off-stage: in her senior year (2020), she became the head stage manager for a student production that she and her classmates put together independently​.

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This was a show they created without adult supervision, a project that likely arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic challenges that year. Gabriella took charge to ensure the actors and crew were safe and organized, demonstrating leadership skills and a love for all aspects of theater, not just performing​

Academically, Gabriella was described as bright and diligent. Balancing school with acting taught her excellent time-management from a young age. There were certainly challenges – for instance, missing the typical high school social events when she had to travel for roles – but she managed to stay connected to her peers. She would return from acting projects with interesting stories (imagine coming back from summer break and telling friends you were filming Stranger Things! Indeed, in 2019 she had “one heck of a what-I-did-this-summer story” when she landed the Netflix role just before junior year​.

Through it all, her teachers were supportive, often excusing absences for auditions or helping her make up work. Gabriella graduated high school around 2021 with a wealth of experiences under her belt.

(As a side note, after high school, Gabriella continued her education – she enrolled in college in New York City, double-majoring in psychology and music composition​.

This commitment to college further highlights how important education has always been in her life, thanks to her upbringing. But that goes beyond her “early years,” so we’ll keep our focus on the childhood and teen timeline.)

Childhood Challenges and Character-Shaping Experiences

Every childhood has its challenges, and for Gabriella Pizzolo the challenges were unique to her precocious path. One early challenge was simply entering the professional world at a young age. Auditioning for Broadway at 9–10 years old meant growing up faster in some ways. She had to handle rejection and persistence very early: notably, Gabriella auditioned for the original Broadway cast of Matilda and after several callbacks, she was not cast on that first try​

For a child, that could have been a tough blow, but it became a formative experience. Instead of giving up, she persevered and auditioned again when new openings for Matilda came around. That year-long process of auditions and workshops taught Gabriella resilience and patience​

She has recalled that it was “a really long process” with hundreds of little girls auditioning, weekly dance and acting callbacks, meet-and-greets, etc., stretching over nearly a year​

Going through such a rigorous process at age 10 taught her how to stay focused under pressure and to not take rejection personally. When she finally earned the role, it was all the more meaningful because of the hard road to get there​

Another challenge was balancing a normal childhood with the demands of a professional career. While other kids played after school or went to summer camp, Gabriella might be rehearsing, performing late shows, or traveling. This could have isolated her, but her family made sure to keep her grounded. They maintained as much normalcy as possible – for example, her mom turning homework time into a routine at the theater kept Gabriella tethered to her student life​.

Still, there were sacrifices: she had to live part-time in New York City away from her hometown friends during runs of shows, and she had less free time for typical kid activities. Gabriella handled this with remarkable maturity. She has said that having supportive cast members and fellow child actors around made it easier – the Matilda girls and later the Fun Home kids became her close friends, so she never felt alone in the journey​.

In fact, the friendships she formed through these experiences are something she treasures more than anything​, which indicates that rather than feeling “robbed” of a normal childhood, she gained an extraordinary extended family in the theater world.

Her family faced challenges too, which in turn shaped Gabriella. The logistics of having a child on Broadway are tough – one parent (in this case, her mom) essentially had to pause their regular life to be with her in the city. Finances, travel, and time were all things the Pizzolos had to manage. There may have been strain in shuttling between upstate and NYC, and ensuring younger sister Gillian also got attention. But overcoming these as a family likely made Gabriella appreciative and responsible. She’s often expressed gratitude for her parents’ support, knowing that she couldn’t have done it without them​.

​In interviews, she’s said “it definitely would have never been just me” and she credits the people who helped her at an early age for her success​.

Such humility was forged by seeing firsthand how much effort so many people (family, teachers, directors) put into helping her chase her dreams.

Another influential experience was working on material that was emotionally complex at a young age. At 11-12, Gabriella was performing in Fun Home, a show that deals with mature themes (identity, family secrets, etc.), and even in Matilda, which has dark comedic elements. Grappling with those stories likely expanded her worldview early. She once performed the poignant song “Ring of Keys” from Fun Home for an audience that included the First Lady at the White House – an intimidating scenario for any pre-teen. Gabriella delivered it flawlessly, and later reflected that that day was “a day I will never forget,” feeling honored to bring performing arts to such a historic place​.

Facing big moments like that (and even the everyday challenge of performing live in front of hundreds of people) built her confidence and shaped her character. By her teens, very little could faze her – she had already handled high-pressure situations that many adults would find daunting.

Lastly, the challenge of multi-tasking and learning quickly left a mark on her. When she joined Fun Home, she was an understudy covering three different roles (Small Alison and her two brothers, John and Christian). She had to learn lines, songs, and blocking for three characters – including two boys – and be ready to go on at a moment’s notice​.

Gabriella approached this like a true problem-solver: she famously color-coded her script with different highlights for each role (blue for John, orange for Christian, and yellow for Alison) to keep everything straight in her head​.

This resourcefulness at age 12 speaks to her intellect and dedication. It also meant she had to be okay with unpredictability – and indeed one day mid-show, she was told with 15 minutes’ notice that she’d have to jump in as Small Alison because the primary actress fell ill​.

Gabriella’s reaction? Excitement. “Oh my goodness. I’m on. For real,” she thought, and she embraced the moment rather than panicking​.

Experiences like that – essentially trial by fire – taught her to trust her skills and remain calm under pressure.

Early Community Theater Involvement

Before Broadway beckoned, Gabriella Pizzolo cut her teeth in community theater, where her raw talent was first nurtured. Living in the Schenectady/Niskayuna area gave her access to local theater groups like the Schenectady Light Opera Company (SLOC) and other regional productions. Gabriella’s very first roles were often in youth or community plays, and she basically grew up on those small stages. At just 7–8 years old, she was already auditioning for any show she could. In fact, one of her first productions was Les Misérables at SLOC’s youth program, where she played Young Cosette and wowed audiences with her rendition of “Castle on a Cloud”​.

This was the 2010–2011 SLOC youth production of Les Misérables, and even at that tender age Gabriella’s voice and stage presence stood out.

From there, she became something of a fixture in local musicals. Directors noticed her eagerness and talent – so much so that Gabriella would audition for shows that sometimes technically had no child roles, and the creative teams would find a way to include her anyway​! She simply loved being on stage, and the community reciprocated by giving her opportunities to learn. Over a few seasons, young Gabriella was seemingly in every local show. “I really found a good home and center for my theatrical education [at SLOC],” she said, reflecting on those years​. The consistency of working with the same theater folks in multiple productions helped her grow. She was like a sponge, absorbing lessons in acting, singing, and professionalism from each experience.

Some of Gabriella’s notable childhood roles in regional theater include:

• Young Cosette in Les Misérables – her first big role at age 8, SLOC’s youth production​.
• Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street – playing the little girl who believes in Santa (a role that suited her precocious charm)​.
• Little Girl in Ragtime – a part in the ensemble of the epic musical, as the immigrant Tateh’s daughter​.
• Roles in classic shows like The Sound of Music, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, and I Remember Mama – often as an ensemble child or featured performer in local productions.

She basically took part in any production that came her way. A BroadwayWorld bio notes that regionally she was seen in Les Miz, Ragtime, and Miracle on 34th Street among others​, and a Playbill profile adds Hairspray, Little Shop, I Remember Mama, and The Sound of Music to the list​. This breadth of experience by age 10 is astounding. It meant that by the time Gabriella set foot in a Broadway audition room, she already had years of stage experience and comfort in front of audiences, unlike many children who are scouted via TV or modeling. She was truly a product of community theater training.

Gabriella also participated in theater workshops and camps in the area. She maintained a connection with Capital Repertory Theatre (Cap Rep) in Albany as well – for example, after she had been on Broadway, she returned home and visited friends performing at Cap Rep, showing she stayed connected to her roots​. In later years, she even gave back by teaching masterclasses to local kids at SLOC, coming full circle to mentor the next generation​. Those early community stage days not only honed her craft but also gave her a sense of gratitude and community that she carries with her. She often mentions the folks at SLOC who “suggested it to me at an early age” – it was actually SLOC mentors who first encouraged Gabriella to audition in New York City for bigger opportunities​. Without them, she muses, she might not have even known where to start or believed it was possible​.​

Breakthrough on Broadway

Gabriella Pizzolo’s big break didn’t happen overnight – it was the result of all the passion and experience she gained in her formative years, coupled with the right opportunity. That opportunity came with Matilda the Musical. As mentioned, Gabriella had auditioned once and not been cast, but her second attempt proved successful. In late 2013, at ten years old, she finally earned the coveted role of Matilda Wormwood on Broadway, joining a small rotation of young actresses who split performances for this demanding part​. After nearly a year of callbacks and workshops​, Gabriella made her Broadway debut as Matilda on December 22, 201, just shy of her 11th birthday. It was a dream come true – she was now starring in a Tony Award–winning show, carrying an entire production on her small shoulders several times a week.

From age 10, Pizzolo balanced school with stage stardom – her mother even homeschooled her during the run to keep up with academics​.

Joining Matilda marked a turning point in Gabriella’s early career. During her run (late 2013 through September 2014), she not only performed on the Shubert Theatre stage but also took part in special events that most kids could only fantasize about. She appeared at Broadway in Bryant Park, sang at a Ralph Lauren Fashion Show, and did press appearances – all as part of representing Matilda​. This period was a whirlwind of new experiences. Gabriella has expressed that while the whole Matilda experience was full of amazing moments, what impacted her most were the people and friendships she gained​. The four Matildas (Gabriella and her fellow young co-stars) became like sisters, and the adult cast members mentored her kindly. It was during this show that she learned how a Broadway “family” operates. She also learned stamina and professionalism: doing multiple shows per week, keeping her voice healthy, and handling the responsibility of a lead role at age 11 is no small feat. With her mom by her side guiding her through, Gabriella thrived.

After Matilda wrapped (her final performance in that role was on September 13, 2014​, Gabriella did not rest. In March 2015, she was cast in the Broadway company of Fun Home, this time as a swing/understudy covering three roles​. Fun Home was a highly acclaimed musical, and being an understudy for all the children’s roles meant Gabriella had to be ready to play Small Alison (the lead child protagonist) as well as Alison’s brothers Christian and John. At just 12 years old, she embraced this challenge. As noted earlier, she even devised a color-coded script to help memorize and separate the three tracks in her mind​. Her preparation paid off dramatically on June 23, 2015, when she got the call to go on as Small Alison in the middle of a show due to the principal actress (Sydney Lucas) falling ill​. Gabriella had only 15 minutes’ notice to get into costume and into character – an experience many Broadway performers describe as an adrenaline-fueled blur. But young Pizzolo handled it with astonishing calm and joy. She later recounted that it was “the funnest ever” and that once on stage, “it almost feels like there’s nobody around you watching. It’s just you and your dad and your family,” referring to immersing herself in the character’s world. Her seamless performance proved her ability, and a few months later, when the original actress left the show, Gabriella took over as the regular Small Alison in October 2015​. She continued in that starring role until Fun Home closed in September 2016.

During her Fun Home tenure, Gabriella had some star-making moments that, while not “mainstream” famous, were significant. She famously performed the song “Ring of Keys” (a powerful number from the show) at several high-profile venues. In October 2015, she delivered it at the 20th SAGE Awards gala, and most notably, she was invited to sing “Ring of Keys” at the White House as part of a special Broadway event for arts education​. In front of First Lady Michelle Obama and an audience of dignitaries, Gabriella’s voice rang out through the halls of the White House – an incredible achievement for a 12-year-old. “A day I will never forget,” she said of that honor, recounting how the First Lady made them feel at home in “the people’s house”​. These experiences solidified Gabriella’s reputation as a remarkable young talent in theater circles.

By the end of 2016, before she even turned 14, Gabriella Pizzolo had two Broadway credits (including originating a role in the Broadway cast of Fun Home after understudying) and had sung at the White House. It’s safe to say her “early career” was already the stuff of dreams. But interestingly, Gabriella remained relatively down-to-earth and wasn’t yet a household name. After Fun Home, she did some regional theater and even ventured into voice acting (voicing a character named Cricket on Nickelodeon’s Butterbean’s Café starting in 2018)​. Each project added to her skills: whether it was acting in a TV pilot or performing in a concert version of Sunday in the Park with George in 2016​, she kept expanding her repertoire. All these formative career steps were building toward a new arena – television – which would soon give her a broader fame.

Little-Known Facts and Anecdotes from Her Early Years

To truly round out the picture of Gabriella’s early life, here are some lesser-known facts and charming anecdotes that highlight her personality and journey:

• Humble Stage Door Moment: Gabriella experienced a funny mix-up after Fun Home began getting buzz. When the show won accolades and performed at the Tony Awards (with original Small Alison Sydney Lucas), Gabriella wasn’t in that particular performance. Yet, she recalls that at the stage door, many theatergoers would excitedly tell her “You were amazing at the Tonys!” mistaking her for Sydney (since Gabriella later took over the role). Instead of taking credit, Gabriella would politely correct them: “Thanks! But that was my amazing friend, Sydney.”​ This anecdote shows her honesty and sweetness – even at 12, she wasn’t one to steal the spotlight from a friend.
• A Young Pro at Balance: During Fun Home, Gabriella shared a dressing room with her castmate (and predecessor in the role) Sydney Lucas. They turned the space into a cozy little haven, even creating a mural together about the show and hanging a Fun Home Pride banner on the wall​. In between scenes, Gabriella would be in that dressing room doing homework, reading books, or playing card games with the other kids​. It’s a lovely image of how she balanced work and play. One minute she’d be on stage in an emotionally intense scene, and the next she’d be back to being a regular kid, curled up with a book or challenging friends to a game of Spit.
• Mentors and Role Models: Throughout her early career, Gabriella was fortunate to have mentors who treated her like an equal. At SLOC, folks like the directors and veteran actors became her teachers. On Broadway, adult co-stars guided her. For instance, in Fun Home she acted alongside Broadway veterans Michael Cerveris and Judy Kuhn, who no doubt offered guidance by example. Gabriella has said she “learned from the adults and liked to hang out with [fellow child actors] Oscar, Zell, Presley, and Ali” backstage. She also mentioned their child guardian, Vanessa, who kept them entertained and safe. These relationships taught her professionalism and kindness. They made such an impression that now, when Gabriella visits home, she gives back by teaching – just as her mentors at SLOC did for her. In January 2024, at 20 years old, she ran masterclasses at SLOC for kids in Matilda and Tarzan, reminiscing that “I feel grateful to be back with the people who really helped it happen because it would have never been just me… I have a lot of great feelings about being back there.”​
• Community Recognition: Despite her youth, Gabriella’s accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed in her hometown. Local media followed her journey closely. When she was cast in Matilda, the Albany Times Union ran a story headlined “Broadway again raids Capital Region talent”, proudly noting that a 10-year-old from Niskayuna was heading to Broadway, and mentioning that she was “the daughter of Natalie and David Pizzolo”​. Later, after her stint on Stranger Things, a New York State Senator honored her with a proclamation. At that 2019 ceremony, Gabriella’s whole family – mom Natalie, dad David, and sister Gillian – attended to celebrate her​. Little Gabriella from Schenectady had become something of a local celebrity, and the community cheered her on every step of the way.
• Personal Passions: Outside of performing, Gabriella’s childhood included some unique interests. We mentioned her love of books and animation. She was (and remains) a bit of a theater nerd too – even as she performed professionally, she was a fan of Broadway shows and performers. She once gushed in an interview about meeting her idol (likely referencing one of the Broadway legends she’s admired). And on social media, now and then she shares that she’s just as excited to meet famous actors as any fan would be, which is endearing considering she’s achieved fame herself. Also, Gabriella enjoyed traveling from a young age. Thanks to tours and family trips, her Instagram (when she eventually got on it as a teen) showed photos of her visiting places like the Bahamas, California, Washington D.C., etc. – indicating she got to see a lot of the world early, either through work or vacations, which broadened her horizons.

First Steps Into TV and Wider Recognition

By her mid-teens, Gabriella’s early life in theater had set her up perfectly for the next chapter: on-screen roles. In 2016, she made a brief TV debut with a guest role on CBS’s BrainDead, and in 2017 she played young CC in the TV movie Beaches. Those were small steps, but in 2019, a much bigger opportunity came along. Gabriella was cast as Suzie Bingham in the third season of Netflix’s smash hit series Stranger Things. This was a breakthrough to mainstream fame, and it happened while she was still just 16 years old.

Stranger Things The Next Chapter Begins: A Broadway Star Steps Into Hawkins

Gabriella Pizzolo was no stranger to the spotlight when she first appeared in Stranger Things. Having already made a name for herself on Broadway with Fun Home and Matilda the Musical, she seamlessly transitioned from theater to television. But her role as Suzie, the whip-smart and adorably nerdy hacker in Stranger Things, would elevate her career in ways she never anticipated. What started as a brief cameo in Season 3 quickly evolved into a fan-favorite character, leading to her return in Season 4—a surprise even to her.

Reflecting on her unexpected return, Pizzolo shared,

“I didn’t have any idea that I was going to be coming back either… when I first auditioned, it was for a one-time role. I immediately was like this is the best thing that could have happened and it’s amazing that it happened one time.”

The Audition: A Secret Kept Well

Gabriella Pizzolo’s journey into the Stranger Things universe was one of both excitement and secrecy. Already an accomplished Broadway actress, Pizzolo was no stranger to the audition process. However, Stranger Things auditions were notoriously cryptic, with actors often unsure of the exact role they were auditioning for. The project was originally under the code name Montauk, which many young actors, including Pizzolo, auditioned for without knowing its true nature. She recalled,

“Everyone I knew was auditioning for it back when it was going by this code name Montauk… and it was based off of the stuff that happened in Montauk… everyone kind of connected that a lot of the scenes were the same, and they were like, ‘Oh, it was for Stranger Things!’”

When she finally received the call confirming she had landed the role of Suzie Bingham, she was overwhelmed with joy, knowing she was about to become part of a show she had long admired. She recalled,

“My first reaction was to get in my car because I was at a dance class and I got this call. I was like, okay, we have crimes.”

Expanding Suzie’s Role: Season 4 and Beyond

Pizzolo’s return in Stranger Things Season 4 expanded Suzie’s role beyond just being Dustin’s girlfriend. In this season, Suzie becomes integral to the Hawkins crew’s plan by using her hacking skills to track down Eleven’s location. Her intelligence and quick thinking proved essential to the storyline, showcasing her character as more than just a side love interest.

The expansion of Suzie’s character also introduced audiences to her chaotic home life. Pizzolo enjoyed this shift, saying,

“I have to hand it to them because honestly, when I was reading it, I was seeing all of my siblings and they were all incredible… they all just immediately started going into this comedic bit and I was like, oh my gosh, these people are amazingly talented.”

She also revealed that Suzie’s relationship with Dustin was a form of rebellion against her strict religious upbringing:

“For Suzie, being with Dustin is risky. In her world, dating at her age is almost forbidden.”

Filming Challenges and Production Delays

Due to the pandemic, Pizzolo had to wait nearly a year before she could start filming Season 4 after being told she would return. She described the anticipation:

“I found out that I was coming back in March of 2020… and then the pandemic started. So I ended up having an entire year to even film any of my scenes.”

One of the most challenging scenes for Pizzolo was the hacking sequence, where she had to type while delivering rapid scientific dialogue.

“I had to type all this tech jargon while acting panicked—it was wild!”

Behind the Scenes: Bonding with the Cast and Funny Moments

Behind the scenes, Pizzolo bonded with other cast members, including Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, and Eduardo Franco, forming friendships that extended beyond filming. She shared,

“I had so much fun hanging out with Noah Schnapp. Even outside of that, it’s funny because we actually lived really like maybe 10 minutes away from each other in New York.”

Additionally, Pizzolo was entertained by some of the wilder fan theories that emerged about her character.

References & Sources:

https://youtu.be/orEFlxXLqas https://youtu.be/DPDKg4gp3hc https://youtu.be/X0PA2HjtBVU https://youtu.be/5GBtpI1H5fQ https://youtu.be/b-MGXQuDsPw https://youtu.be/YETxexU5J6E Wikipedia: Gabriella Pizzolo – Basic biographical details (birthdate, birthplace) and Broadway breakthrough roles​en.wikipedia.org​en.wikipedia.org. Times Union (via CTInsider): Coverage of Gabriella’s local recognition and family details​ctinsider.com​ctinsider.com. Spotlight News interview (Feb 2024) – Gabriella’s reflections on her hometown beginnings, mentors, and first auditions​spotlightnews.com​spotlightnews.com. Playbill feature (July 2015) – Insights into her life as a 12-year-old understudy in Fun Home, including community theater background and personal quirks​playbill.com​playbill.com. BroadwayBox Q&A (Feb 2016) – “Introduce Yourself(ie)” where Gabriella shares favorite memories and fun facts (stage door story, White House performance)​broadwaybox.com​seventeen.com. BroadwayWorld Bio – Credits of her regional roles (Les Misérables, Ragtime, Miracle on 34th Street, etc.)​broadwayworld.com. Instagram (Gabriella’s post) – Personal anecdote about her cat named after Dexter Morgan​instagram.com.