Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Gardner.
Raquel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been in the Entertainment Industry for over 25 years. When I was 19, I moved to Los Angeles from Cleveland, Ohio. I have been lucky enough to consistently work in this industry which is a difficult task.
As the years went by, I knew deep down inside all the knowledge I was gaining needed to be shared with the new actors starting in the business, and seasoned actors who were at a standstill. Even with this passion, I wasn’t sure how it was going to happen.
A dear friend of mine and a very well-known African American actress and accomplished acting coach herself, Tasha Smith was opening her Los Angeles studio in 2014 and asked me to be one of her acting coaches. I had never really thought about teaching before and was very hesitant to take on the challenge. After much coaxing, I reluctantly agreed to try teaching for a year. Early into that first year, I realized this was a passion and a purpose of mine. As artists, we give so much of ourselves for the art of acting; It can be a very lonely business. And sometimes it feels selfish. To be able to help actors understand the craft of acting is very gratifying for me and makes me feel like all the hard work was worth it. To be able to transfer my knowledge and experience to other actors and help them move ahead in this tough industry is worth all the blood sweat and tears I’ve endured over the last 25 years.
After 2 and a half years of working at my friend’s studio, I felt it was time to venture out on my own.
One of my long time best friends, Wendy Turner who owns the Aerial Warehouse on the Westside was looking to expand her business and thought an acting studio would be a good fit since a lot of the people coming into the gym were performers. And so, The Actors Mark was born.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think the hardest part of starting anything new is to trust the journey and everything that happens along the way as part of that journey. I have been very fortunate and very blessed to be surrounded with amazing family and friends!! Honestly, I don’t know what I would do in this town without them!!
In my 20’s I had a whole different mindset about the industry, my career and my life. It’s like the old saying goes, I wish I knew then what I know now.
If I had to give anyone advice who is getting into the entertainment industry, it would be to find a mentor and let people help you. When I was young, I thought I could do it on my own and I was so bull headed that when people tried to help me I resisted. We are only going to be as successful as the people we surround ourselves with.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Actors Mark – what should we know?
The Actors Mark is an International Acting Studio located on the Westside of Los Angeles that is shaping careers for actors of all ages. We help build a foundation for their Entertainment career!
We specialize in private coaching, affordable self taping (which is the direction the industry is going in when it comes to auditions). We also are known for our kid’s camps and workshops.
We help adult actors develop a solid technique for their craft.
We guide you to reach your peek confidence level to audition and book the job.
We work with you to help you develop into the artist you were meant to be.
We teach you about the Entertainment Industry from not only a creative perspective but the business side of the industry as well.
We offer Acting Classes, Acting Workshops, Kids Classes, Kids Camps, Career Coaching, Self Tape and Private Coaching.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is a very interesting word to me. Luck is just another word for effort. If we put in our effort and we persevere we can achieve our dreams and desires. If we do not put in any effort and we are lazy and make excuses, so called “luck” will not be on our side and we will struggle.
I have built a wealth of knowledge on acting and the process of integrating myself into the characteristics of the characters that the writer creates. I have studied with some of the most influential coaches in the industry from Ivana Chubback, Howard Fine, Sharron Chatten, Margie Haber, Robert Carnegie and Playhouse West, Groundlings, etc. The list goes on and on!! I have taken nuggets from every teacher who has crossed my path and built my own personal technique that I believe works wonders for actors.
I work with actors of all levels in their career from the super famous to the famously unknown. I am where I am today because of the hard work, effort, tenacity, faith, trust, knowledge, wisdom etc. The list goes on and on.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Actors Mark
3961 Sepulveda Blvd.,
Suite 209,
Culver City, CA 90230 - Website: www.TheActorsMark.com
- Phone: 323-736-1318
- Email: info@theactorsmark.com
- Instagram: TheActorsMark
- Facebook: The Actors Mark
- Twitter: @Theactorsmark
- Yelp: The Actors Mark
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
