Check Out Monica Garcia’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Garcia.

Hi Monica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I discovered acting at Riverside City College and fell in love with theatre. I moved to Los Angeles and began studying the Stella Adler Technique in 1997. I became a theatre manager where I was studying and my teacher noticed that when I assisted my classmates with their scenes there was a noticeable difference. My mentor then, (for the first time in their 30 years of teaching) asked me if I would be interested in teaching. I said NO! No, thank you. I wanted to work as an actor not teach. He said to think about it, not to answer right away. I realized I was saying no out of fear of not working so I had to at least try it and if I didn’t like it then I didn’t need to continue. I began to be mentored and actually started to book more acting jobs because I was learning on a much deeper level, teaching. I have been teaching and coaching actors for the past 21 years and have continued to thrive as an actor and have started my own production company, producing, writing, and directing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have enjoyed the ups and downs of my journey. The road of an artist is unique and can be challenging. Balancing students and my own career has been one of my biggest challenges.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of helping as many actors as I have. I love teaching the Stella Adler technique because it uses the imagination, not your personal traumas. Hopefully, we heal from our past not try and relive it. I love that I am fortunate enough to work as an actor and teach from my practical experience. Everything I teach, I do myself. As a director, I speak actor fluently, and as a teacher I know what it is like for the students. As an actor, I am most proud of my work with Sir Anthony Hopkins. I played his assistant in the film Fracture, and he also cast me in his film that he wrote and directed, Slipstream. I have had the honor of working with so many incredible artists like Billy Bob Thornton, Allison Jannney, Lily Tomlin, Greg Kinnear, Margo Martindale, and Christian Slater just to name a special few.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
The Art of Acting by Stella Adler is the best book out there on her technique. Some of my favorite podcasts are Next Level Soul, and We Can Do Hard Things. I also love Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed Heart. There are so many great books on acting but it is so important that we work on ourselves as healthy, thriving human beings. If we do not know who we are and are okay with ourselves it is very easy to get lost in this business. Healing, learning, and growing are just as important as have great representation and a team who believes in you. You need to believe in yourself first.

Contact Info:

• Website: actingartists.com
• Instagram: @thefirstmonicagarcia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActingArtistsStudio?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/acting-artists-studio-hollywood-2
• IMDB: imdb.me/thefirstmonicagarcia
• Podcast: Conversations with Warrior Women – Liz Svatek