Today we’d like to introduce you to Will McFadden.
Will, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a local boy. Born and raised in Los Angeles. I grew up in Santa Monica Canyon by the beach, moved to Brentwood and lived on Bundy Dr. during the OJ saga, then finally settled down in Topanga. My father Thom, worked as an Actor and Acting Coach. My mom, Nancy, was the librarian at my elementary school and then went back to school and became an Occupational Therapist at UCLA Medical Center. My parents have been married for 42 years now. Pretty much the poster child for white privilege.
I was always a creative kid. When my older brothers, James and Tyler, started a lemonade stand, I started an art stand; selling my drawings of muppets and Simpsons characters. When I was 9, I booked my first acting job in a movie called “Only You” with Helen Hunt and Andrew Mccarthy. I was a leader in the Theater Department at Palisades High School, directing multiple first-place winning DTASC Festival scenes and starring in many Spring Musicals. I continued my training at UC Santa Barbara, earning a BFA in Theater. During my studies, I worked at the Santa Barbara Zoo in their Theater Gone Wild program. I had the honor of donning the mask and cape of their official mascot: Zooperman! After college, I returned home to Los Angeles and began pursuing a career in acting.
Meaning, I waited tables. I also did in store informercials, selling gourmet cheese mill graters and microfiber mops at various department stores. I directed children’s musical theater at a company called Class Act in Woodland Hills. My brothers and I started creating digital short-form comedy and posting them on the internet which later turned into a successful new media company called Collab. We help creators build their audience, grow their brand, and create new revenue streams so that they can quit their soul-sucking day jobs and focus on doing what they love: creating.
In 2011, I found my creative home and joined The Actors’ Gang Theater in Culver City. Over the past nine years there, I’ve gotten to perform in Italy, France, Spain, China, Brazil as well as all around the US. I’ve directed multiple shows, including the award-winning production of Dario Fo’s “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” as well as the family-friendly Summer Shakespeare in the park series. I’ve become a lead teacher in the training program, passing on The Actors’ Gang unique style to hundreds of actors. That pretty much brings us up to date!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road for most Actors is pretty bumpy. Rejection is an inherent part of the business. There is also not a clear path to success, every actor has to find their own way.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Actors’ Gang – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Actors’ Gang is the longest-running ensemble theater company in Los Angeles. Founded in 1981 by a group of young actors at UCLA looking to build a theater that would present relevant and vibrantly entertaining plays. The Gang has cultivated a unique performance approach called “The Style”, drawing inspiration from Commedia Del Arte and rooted in four core emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger and Fear. We strive to meet our audience anew each night, connect with them and deliver an honest once in a lifetime performance. There are no fourth walls at The Gang. To present new, unconventional and uncompromising plays and dynamic reinterpretations of the classics. To introduce theatre to children and help them find their own creative voices. To bring the freedom of self-expression to the incarcerated.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I look forward to a future where we can all safely gather in a theater and enjoy a live performance again.
Pricing:
- Every Thursday night we offer pay what you can tickets.
- 8 week training course for adults is $500
Contact Info:
- Address: 9070 Venice Blvd,
Culver City, CA 90232 - Website: theactorsgang.com
- Phone: (310) 838-4264
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theactorsgang/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/theactorsgang
Image Credit:
Bob Turton (Personal Photo)
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