Cranston native teaches 'Life Lessons' through laughter

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In 1967 the movie The Graduate taught main character Benjamin Braddock “there is a great future in plastics.”

Fast-forward to 1976 at Cranston High School East, where graduating senior Mary Ellen DePetrillo was told by a guidance counselor that her future should be in computers.

She looked at him and said, “They are a fad, just like the hula hoop.”

Foregoing a college education, DePetrillo admitted that she had “no interest in school; I mentally checked out when I was 16.” After graduation, she took a job at the state Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals doing clerical work.

In 1979 she realized it was time for a change and moved to Houston, Texas, where she worked in sales for several businesses including tobacco companies. She felt Houston was the steppingstone she needed. She discovered stand-up while attending a comedy club.

“The drive overtook the fear,” she said, and got on stage.

Hanging out with friends like Thea Vidal and Bill Hicks, she quickly honed her craft and headed back East.

“It was time to come home,” DePetrillo said.

At that time, Boston was a “hot-spot” for young, up-and-coming comics. She met comic Frank Santorelli, who took her under his wing and brought her around to the clubs.

“He gave me the best piece of advice ever, and I still follow it to this day: ‘Keep your mouth shut, and let your act speak for itself,” she said.

There is an unspoken bond shared between comics, and DePetrillo is proud to be part of the Boston group, as well as the tightly knit Providence group including local legends Charlie Hall and Frank O’Donnell.

DePetrillo was a regular performer at Providence’s premiere comedy club Periwinkle’s, which was located first in the Arcade, then moved to Davol Square.

In 1998 she decided to leave comedy because, as she put it, “I don’t look good poor.”

Meeting her future husband at a friend’s wedding, she credits him with giving her a whole new life.

She became a wife and stepmother to an 8-year-old boy, whom she now calls her son, all at once. She was now Mrs. Rinaldi.

Ironically, at this point in her life, she entered the world of technology in computer sales. She quickly learned the game and became “the top of the top” for the company she worked for.

At this time in her life her father became ill, and she realized how important his words of advice had been.

“Don’t ever let your dreams die; they are there for a reason,” he said.

She joined the Toastmasters American club, perfecting her speaking and leadership skills, and realized how quickly it filled the void left from leaving stand-up.

Entering and winning a humor-speaking contest about procrastination, Rinaldi realized she had come full circle in her life.

“This is where I belong,” she said.

She started to work in the daytime corporate market, setting up sales programs and leadership strategies for corporate team building.

In April 2006 her father was diagnosed with ALS, and that changed everything for Rinaldi. At 50 years old, she walked away from her job.

“I wanted to suck up all his wisdom,” she said.

In March 2007 she received a phone call that changed her life forever. Dawn Christensen, the director of new talent for Loretta LaRoche Productions, asked if she would do a fill-in presentation, doing an act for the HR industry. They signed her, and the relationship has grown and blossomed. She has worked with President Clinton at a Power Within conference and as the keynote speaker at the New England Women’s Conference.

One recent Saturday, Rinaldi performed at “Fools Night Out,” a charity event sponsored by Kid’s Klub, Inc., a fundraiser to help send children to summer camp.

Rinaldi customizes her Life Lessons shows to the particular group she is working for. She utilizes a theme of “take this job and love it,” how to rekindle your passion for your job.

In five years she wants to be a brand, focusing on training workshops, women's programs, writing a book and a PBS TV show highlighting Life’s Lessons.

“This is the happiest and most fulfilled I’ve ever been,” Rinaldi said.

For more information about Mary Ellen Rinaldi, visit www.info@maryellenrinaldi.com.

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