Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to China Pharr. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

China, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned the techniques of acting by attending The Stella Adler Studio in NYC. I applied on a whim and was accepted to the three year Day Conservatory program, I graduated April 2023. Learning the technique was one thing, but I also learned to trust my instincts. I learned that there is no timing to the process and that it’s better to surrender and trust the universe. I learned that I am usually where I need to be and that’s the hardest aspect to trust. As a creative, we see so many things on social media about how to make money off of your craft, quitting your day job, all that is great but I think the most important thing is learning to trust your instinct. It will never lead you astray.

The skills I developed at Stella Adler were more than just acting skills, but life skills. Movement and vocal work, meditation techniques, working with others, these are all skills that are valuable for any aspect of your life. Our motto is, “Growth as an actor and growth as a human being are synonymous.” This is something I live my life by. Each time I develop in my craft, I develop in my humanity. All the accolades, the money made, it will come as long as one sticks to their craft, and begins the journey to master it. Most people don’t master anything in their lifetime, the privilege is the mastery, the privilege is being able to do what you love everyday.

Finances are a consistent obstacle for every artist I believe, but that can’t hold one back. For me, I was respected for my work ethic, in the studio and outside of it. Good work ethic cannot be taught, one either has it or doesn’t. I’ve learned to take every obstacle as an opportunity to pivot. The art of pivoting is essential to every artist. Obstacles are a part of life, it’s how one handle them that demonstrates their character.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an actress and movement artist. I started performing at age 8 in local talent shows and dance groups. As I got older, I got involved in more organized performing groups including attending an arts high school. I stopped performing for some time in college and after, but continued in my mid-twenties when I became an exotic entertainer. Moving to NYC in the exotic entertainment world led me to meet a whole host of creatives that opened me up to a world I never knew existed. From there, I started working with an indie-theater group, The Anthropologists. My first role in off-Broadway theater was with The Up Theater Company. I later applied for drama school at Stella Adler, where I was accepted at the 3-year Day Conservatory with a full scholarship. I was approached by the Head of Movement after graduation to become a teaching apprentice in the movement department, and I’ve been working as an apprentice in the movement department for almost a year. I got signed to Untamed Artists LA at the beginning of 2024 and began working on my own one-woman show, Body Electric, which will premiere in Fall of 2025. It’s been a ride, but an amazing one.

I’m most proud of my artistic journey. Through all the twists and turns, I’ve been able to return home to my first love and it has taken off organically. It’s never too late to pick anything back up or to start anything. The universe will give you what you need to succeed when you unlock what is meant for you. I’ve learned to not be discouraged and to keep pushing for what you believe is yours. Anything is possible!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I believe that the ability to transmute our painful and joyful experiences into something that others can see themselves in is the most rewarding aspect for me. I’m not super religious, but I remember that feeling in church when the pastor was giving a sermon, and I felt he was talking to me only. That’s the feeling that the theater or film/TV can give the audience, you see yourself reflected back. It can be such a learning experience not only for the artist but for the audience, and being able to share that is better than any drug! The most painful experience can be alchemized into something beautiful because it touches someone else and helps them deal with their own reality. Art is a reflection of our times, and it helps those living in the current times and the future time. Being able to be a part of something so spiritual is the ultimate reward!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that time is working against me. I would feel that I was constantly behind time, or that I didn’t have enough time, or that time was not something that I could shape or manipulate. I believe growing up in the digital age and being in an era of instant gratification, made me feel like if it didn’t happen fast it wasn’t supposed to happen. I had to learn to stop comparing my timetable to other people’s timetables and that good things sometimes take longer to come into fruition. With that being said, I also learned that baby steps everyday will create some type of result, instead of focusing on the big picture all the time, I break things down into daily manageable chunks and that does a lot for my discipline, mental health, and ability to sustain a project.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @china_theedoll
• Youtube: @negritabandita
• Other: TikTok: @chinamarchae

Image Credits

Carlos Lopez
Kathel Griffin Photography