Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Gorlow.

Hi Tanya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I knew I wanted to get into the arts since I was a kiddo, but I got serious about acting in junior high and high school. I got my BA in theatre and moved to Los Angeles to break into the biz. It was in LA that I learned how much I love the stage, and while there are certainly some very wonderful things about working on-camera, having the time to explore a role, making discoveries during multiple performances, and sharing a story with different audiences is what really interests me.

It was through film that I started producing, which I also love doing. Bringing a piece together and working collaboratively feeds my artistic soul. I had found a group on Meetup that had decided to produce a short film a month. From there, we started doing more ambitious projects. The genre was primarily horror, which is not my favorite, but I learned how to be a producer and how to run a set, and I really loved the people I was working with. So much so, that I eventually ended up working for a small studio in Los Angeles with one of those folks.

Currently, I’m in New York State, near Albany. We had moved to the east coast to get closer to NYC, but ended up falling in love with the natural beauty of the Capital Region. We also found that there is a thriving theatre scene here and quickly became involved. I’m acting regularly and am looking for the right project for my first production on this side of the country.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think anyone with a desire to create faces some struggles. Our current social outlook on the arts is that it’s a nice to have, rather than a must have. I can tell you for me, it’s a must have, and so I’ve had to find the time, money, and energy to create. Coming out of college, I thought that my creative career would support me financially. My biggest struggle has been coming to terms with the fact that sometimes I’ll get paid to act and produce, and sometimes I need to have skin in the game to do it. Knowing other small business owners in other industries, that is often the case, even if your business isn’t creative. However, it was still a frustrating realization. If I were to change one thing about training for theatre and other creative pursuits, it would be to have programs and classes emphasize how important having some business experience or instruction is, if you want to have a career.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am primarily an actor, although I produce theatre and some film and commercial work, as well.

As an actor, I’m known for taking difficult characters and making them multi-dimensional and compelling.
As a producer, I’m known for finding creative solutions to complex problems and fostering a collaborative, enjoyable working enviornment.

I know a lot of actors who produce and a lot of producers who act. What sets me apart has been my willingness to learn from all of my experiences, not just my artistic ones, and apply them to my work. I have a 20 year career in marketing, as well as experience in business development and sales. I find myself pulling from both of those more often than I can count. When I was in college, I was double majoring in physics and theatre and I kept seeing overlap there as well. I eventually got my second degree in Anthropology, but finding overlap between that and theatre is pretty simple.

How do you think about luck?
I’ve had a lot of luck, both good and bad. My family has moved right when very positive local opportunities opened up, and that was some bad luck and also Murphy’s Law. My best luck has been around the people I have in my life. Getting to make theatre with Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm, Matt Hill, Denise Blasor, and Jeffery Brooks has been one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I have countless friends that I’ve made through acting and producing, and that as very, very good luck indeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: tanyagorlow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tigerhaus/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyagorlow/

Image Credits
Amanda Lane Photography Best Frame Forward Fort Salem Theatre David Quinones Rowan Daly