GwendolynOliver

Gwendolyn got bit by the acting bug in 5th grade when she landed the lead role in a school drama production. Years later, she’s still infected and not looking for a cure.

 

As an accomplished actress, Gwendolyn has appeared in numerous films and television shows, both dramatic and comedic. She walked the red carpet with co-star Dennis Hopper for the USA/NBC movie premiere “The Last Ride”. Her roles have ranged from a homeless crack addict to a hot shot homicide detective. She’s great with complex, nuanced characters and has a deep well of emotions to draw upon from her life experiences. Gwendolyn is a strong actress who is well-traveled, fearless and confident.

 

After her 5th grade acting debut, Gwendolyn began taking acting classes and performed throughout middle school, high school and in local community theater. Today, Gwendolyn continues to hone her acting skills by constantly working on her craft.  She currently works with Judith Weston but has also studied with John Kirby, Marjorie Ballentine and Charlie Holliday, among others.

 

A triple threat, Gwendolyn was seven years old when she took her first dance class. Her extensive dance training in ballet and jazz led to an invitation to join a professional dance company in the San Francisco area. Gwendolyn’s singing talent (mezzo soprano) was nurtured at home, in church, in high school musical theater performances, community musical theater productions and by her voice/singing coach, Dan Saunders.

 

At eight years old, Gwendolyn taught herself how to play classical piano by listening to her mother play. She subsequently began classical piano lessons and violin lessons. She continued her musical studies until she left for college at 18. You can still catch Gwendolyn tickling the ivories, but you’ll more likely find her playing her candy apple red bass guitar.

 

Along with her artistic abilities, in school Gwendolyn excelled in math and science. After graduating from college, she worked in the Silicon Valley high tech industry until she decided to pursue her true passion of acting. After spending several years taking additional acting classes in San Francisco and working locally in theater, film and commercials, Gwendolyn packed her bags and moved to LA.

 

Gwendolyn brings her love of acting and dancing to her volunteer work. She teaches dance, drama and also choreographs/directs musical theater for at-risk, inner city children through the nonprofit organization, City Hearts. She finds great joy in sharing the arts with children.  www.cityhearts.org  Gwendolyn was honored, by the Neighborhood Youth Association, with the “2007 Volunteer Honoree Award” for her work with at-risk children. www.nyayouth.org

 

In addition, Gwendolyn also works with Free the Slaves, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eradicate modern day slavery and free the 27 million people enslaved around the world. Gwendolyn is frequently the voiceover talent in the Free the Slaves documentaries and she also works with the marketing department to help spread the word about modern day slavery.  www.freetheslaves.net

 

In her spare time, you’ll most likely find Gwendolyn surfing in Hawaii, water skiing on Rollins Lake, snowboarding and snow skiing in Tahoe, whitewater rafting down the American River, rollerblading along The Strand, hiking to the top of San Jacinto, playing her bass guitar, improving her fluency in French or traveling. She’s visited countries in Europe, Asia, South America and the South Pacific as well as traveled in Mexico and Canada.

 

Also, Gwendolyn loves dessert. She’s got her favorites, but any combination of flour, sugar and butter will do.