Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerald Rivers.
Hi Gerald, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am 55 years old. I began as an actor at about age six and have been pursuing that dream ever since. I grew up in Compton, CA during a difficult time in the late 70’s early. But I persevered! I attended the Sheenway Theatre Arts Academy in Los Angeles as a teen in Los Angeles, studying Theatre, music dance and Karate. I went on to LA City College where I earned my Associate of Arts Degree in Theatre, served Two Terms as the ASO President and won Several National Championships and Gold Medals in Forensics, Speech and Debate. I then went on to Morehouse College where I studied Business Marketing and Theatre. After College, I toured with the Academy Theatre in Atlanta for five years before going on to become its Associate Artistic Director developing and directing plays that spoke to the emotional needs of people of all ages. I then established and founded my first company Rivers’ Edge Productions, shooting and producing music videos, tv commercials and industrial videos. It’s also where I got my real start in VoiceOver.
I returned to Los Angeles in the mid 90’s and immediately went to work for Tony Plana’s East LA Classic Theatre doing Shakespeare for Latino audiences and Joined the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga where I am still a company member to this day.
I have a well-established voice-over career doing everything from video games like Street Fighter, World of Warcraft, Mortal Kombat, Final Fantasy and the like just to name a few to tv and radio commercials, small parts in feature films like “Wreck-it-Ralph and a host of internet projects and anime projects.
But I am most proud of my work as the Voice of the late, great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For over thirty years, I have been presenting to words and works of Dr. King audiences around the world including schools, churches, colleges and universities, corporations, government agencies and bodies, as well as homeless shelters, rehab centers, adult prisons and juvenile detention facilities.
Oh yeah, I am also a Mater African Drummer playing, teaching and facilitating drum circles across the country, including many local charter schools as an artists in residence. I have developed a group of young people as drummers called the Peace Player Drummers who play all over southern California and use the music to promote Peace, Love and Positivity.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been challenging odd jobs, people who don’t support you or believe in you, marriage divorce and failed engagements, but the art and the work has also provided me with a sense of joy, pride and accomplishment. Like what I do matters and makes a difference. That has always outweighed any negative experiences.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am now on to my second company, Message Media Group, combining artists and audiences and art for a wide array of consumers, from students to fans to other professionals. I do motivational speaking, teach acting and drumming classes, coach voiceover clients, direct voice over sessions and demos. We also import drums from Senegal West Africa to schools and students on the west coast partnered with Africa Love and Da’ Afrtican Village to support the village in Africa where the drums are all handmade.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I have two kids, both grown. A son, Zacahary 35 living in LA who is an artist and muralist, his work can be seen around LA and a daughter, Miquela 28 Living in New York pursuing her career as an actress as well.
Pricing:
- Public drumming class $25 per hour
- Private drumming classes $50 per hour
- Voice over coaching $50 per hour
- VO Demo reel production $1,800
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.geraldcrivers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geraldcrivers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gerald.c.rivers/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeraldCRivers
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC7NlqFr-wGFBCIYRuKRd5A
- Other: www.geraldcriversvo.com
