Charles Andrew Gardner

Born and raised on Chicago's south side, actor, director, producer, and teaching artist Charles Andrew Gardner has a passion for illuminating the stories of the underrepresented. Over the past decade his teaching experience has spanned Dime Child, After School Matters, HHW, Steppenwolf for Young Adults, and Timeline Theatre Company’s Living History program, through which he has reached hundreds of Chicagoland students. On-camera credits include Chicago PD; feature films Olympia, Noise and Color, Every 21 Seconds, and Holding On; as well as multiple national commercials for brands including Hyundai, Liberty Mutual, Ford, and AT&T. Voice-over credits include Pepsi Co. , McDonald’s, Comcast, Walmart, and Dunkin' Donuts. Charles is an Artistic Associate with Timeline Theatre Company where he has appeared in Paradise Blue (BTAA nomination for Best Featured Actor) and My Kind of Town (BTAA nomination for Best Actor) for which Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune named him one of 2012's “Hot New Faces to Watch”. Other Chicago theatre credits include Objects in the Mirror, Stop.Reset.(us), and Buzzer(us) at Goodman Theatre; How Long Will I Cry at Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Macbeth and Othello at The Suitcase Shakespeare Company; The Great Fire(us) at Lookingglass Theatre Company and Spectacle Lunatique at Redmoon Theater. He received his BFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University, and is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association. In addition to his work on stage and in front of the camera, Charles is Vice President of Creative Cypher and President of Chicago Local SAG-AFTRA. 

Charlesandrewgardner.com

Classes

GRADES 9-12: ON CAMERA TECHNIQUE

Translate your acting skills for the camera! Begins Sunday, February 23rd!

See Upcoming Class Times and Dates

ON CAMERA 2

Expand your on-camera skill-set!

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Testimonials

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Charles (Andrew Gardner) did an excellent job of creating a safe environment. I never felt embarrassed when making a bold choice, and he always lifted us up and encouraged us in our learning process! (On Camera II: In Person)
 

— Taylor Moran

The instructor (Charles Andrew Gardner —  On Camera Intro: Online)  did an awesome job in allowing time for industry-related questions every class. Additionally, he allowed the class time to extend when needed in order to make sure everyone got the opportunity to do their self-tape live in class.

— Alleece Baker

Charles (Andrew Gardner —  On Camera Intro: Online) really went above and beyond. I loved how he set the tone for the class by having us decide our own class agreements. It really gave us ownership of how we wanted our few weeks together to go.

— Sierra Rhodes

He (Charles Andrew Gardner - On Camera 2 Online) made sure that everyone in class got time in front of the camera, gave good feedback, and opportunities to apply that feedback. He spread his time to each student very well.

— Reagan James

Charles (Andrew Gardner - Intro to On-Camera) is a powerful instructor who gives pertinent guidance, great notes and suggestions. I feel like a stronger actor and that I now know how to prepare for on-camera auditions.

— Damien Peters

Charles (Charles Andrew Gardner - On Camera 2) was amazing! This class exceeded my expectations. I learned so much from Charles and his feedback was always very constructive and useful. I've signed up for Camera 3!

— Andy Ricci

"Griffin had his very first audition for a commercial this week and he now has a callback!  He is very excited and said that he wasn't very nervous because of what you (Charles Andrew Gardner, Instructor - Grades 3-5 On Camera Technique)  taught him in class. Thank you." 

— Julie Drake

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