Bill “Triple-5” Vila, known both for his acting prowess and his role as a bus driver, is steering his career in an exciting new direction.
Vila has just completed his debut play, titled “From Where I Sit,” a project he and his team are actively developing for a full-scale production in the heart of New York City.
A Brooklyn-born talent with Caribbean roots
Born and raised in Brooklyn to a proud Puerto Rican family deeply connected to their Caribbean heritage, Vila is a multi-talented individual. His alias, Triple-5, stems from his past life as an executive car driver when he was assigned the code name “555.”
Beyond acting, Vila’s creative talents extend to music; he composed the music for “From Where I Sit” and is an accomplished singer and pianist.
From the bus driver’s seat to the stage
“From Where I Sit” is a one-act drama infused with music, reflecting Vila’s life experiences as a long-distance coach operator.
Across countless miles and many years, Vila has witnessed and been a part of remarkable stories on his buses—some heartwarming, some tear-inducing, and others infuriating.
He views a long bus ride as a metaphor for life itself, and the play explores these human experiences from the unique perspective of a bus driver.
The leading man behind the wheel
Vila plans to play the lead role—himself—in “From Where I Sit.” Alongside him, an ensemble of actors will transform into various characters, weaving together the anecdotal stories that make up the play.
Vila’s motivation for creating this work was twofold: to provide himself with a platform for performance and to use the stage as a catharsis for the less pleasant moments he encountered on the job.
A journey that began in 2007
Vila embarked on this creative journey back in 2007 after conversations with his voice technician, Susan Baum.
She recognized his passion for sharing his bus excursion stories and encouraged him to start journaling them. That decision marked the inception of “From Where I Sit.”
A lifelong love for storytelling
For Vila, storytelling has been a lifelong passion. He draws inspiration from notable Puerto Rican actors like Raúl Juliá and Rita Moreno.
His journey in the arts began at Simon Baruch Junior High School in Manhattan under the guidance of his music mentor, Dr. Robert Barry Sharon.
Cast as Pepe in a school production of “West Side Story,” Vila’s path was set.
He continued his education at the High School of Music and Art (now Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts) and has since appeared in television productions like “Louie,” “Bull,” and “People You Know.”
A dream inspired by family
Vila’s fascination with buses and driving was fueled by his uncle, a former New York City Transit Authority bus driver. He looked up to his Uncle Mario and aspired to follow in his footsteps.
In June 1997, Vila acquired his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and began his career as a bus driver that October.
Bringing life and art together
With “From Where I Sit,” Bill “Triple-5” Vila is poised to merge his roles as a bus driver and storyteller for the very first time, an opportunity he finds genuinely exhilarating.
He aspires for audiences to gain insight into the dedication, passion, and unique calling required for both his roles—being before an audience and being behind the wheel.
Looking ahead: Staged readings and beyond
Together with director Patrick Marran, Vila has exciting plans for “From Where I Sit.”
They intend to host a series of staged readings in 2024, using feedback to refine and shape the production.
After years of dedication, Vila and his team eagerly anticipate the next chapters in this creative journey, knowing that there’s nothing quite like “From Where I Sit” on the theatrical landscape.
