Life & Work with Karen Gavelan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Gavelan.

Hi Karen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Lima, Peru and moved to Maryland with my family when I was 12 years old. I didn’t speak the language and it was a complete lifestyle change so it was hard to adjust at first. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I was an artist and performer.

I wanted to be part of the entertainment industry, but I didn’t exactly know where I fit in or how. I experimented with painting, dancing, acting, you name it. My cousins and I use to put together choreographies and would perform for our parents during family get-togethers in Peru. At one point I even made my dad buy me a trumpet because I was determined to learn how to play it and join a salsa group. I did not even learn how to play it lol.

After High School, I started to explore the arts more and ended up in a theatre class. I fell in love with it and knew that this is where I belong. I did a few plays and independent films before I decided that I wanted to take acting serious and make it a career. I investigated all the actors that I admired and whose careers I respected. I noticed they were all theatre trained and a lot had done conservatory programs. I joined The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Washington DC and did a 2-year program. Since then, I have done numerous plays, commercials, industrials, print ads, and tv shows in networks like the Investigation discovery channel TV one.

In 2018 the stars aligned, and I had the opportunity to move to Los Angeles. It was a “It’s now or never moment” so I jumped at the chance. I knew if I wanted my career to grow in the direction I wanted, specially in film, I would need to eventually be in LA or NY. I did some training in New York at the Terry Schreiber studio and auditioned there often. I love New York, but it is freezing in the winter so sunny California was a no-brainer. I have been making my way in Hollywood since.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I was the first in my family and group of friends to pursue a career in acting so I’ve had no guidance. I’ve had to figure a lot of things out on my own. Survival jobs and learning how to make money when I wasn’t working in acting was the main one. You definitely need to have a thick skin because actors experience more rejection than the average person ever will. It took a while to understand that it is just part of the process. At the same time, I have learned so much about myself going down this road and grown a lot. Maybe that wouldn’t have happened without acting.

Being the first actor in the family also meant that it was hard to see it as a legitimate career path because I didn’t know anyone personally who had done it. It did not seem realistic. Well-meaning people would project their fears and doubts onto me and it would work at times. Thankfully, I am hardheaded and deep inside it felt like a calling, so I keep going.

One of the reasons I love LA and New York is that you see people making acting and being creative a career. It’s very inspiring. You also see people not doing so great, but I try to focus on what I want. My mindset has always been “If they can do it, so can I.”

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Above all, I am an actor. I love movies and theatre but specialize in film, commercials, voiceovers, and print work. Eventually, I will like to produce my own mind-bending films. Most of my characters end up being the kind that looks really shy until the moment they bark down your throat. They usually tend to fall on the darker side, but If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see that I also really like making people laugh. I am from the Washington, DC metro area where a lot of the work they have for actors is government-related and for internal use only. I felt like a fraud for a long time when I would tell people I was an actor because they wouldn’t see my acting anywhere. Finally, my family saw me on an investigation discovery show and realized I wasn’t delusional. My family was really proud of me, and that felt really good.

I am also very entrepreneurial and have done sales and marketing for some known cannabis and alcohol brands. I am always trying something new. From dabbling in a new industry to going to Machu Picchu to learn all about my ancestors. I think the combination of all my experiences and background adds to my uniqueness.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Getting together with my cousins at my grandma’s house in Peru every weekend to do our dance shows, eat, and just enjoy each other’s company was my favorite. As everyone gets older, busier, and moves to other places, it makes me appreciate it more.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/karengavelan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Karen.Gavelan/
• Other: imdb.me/karengavelan/

Image Credits
Guillermo Proano