We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tony Donn Rich a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tony Donn, thanks for joining us today. Have you signed with an agent or manager? Why or why not?
I’m so grateful for my agents in different divisions of my career, because without them I wouldn’t have the opportunity to share my talents for as many high end projects as I want to be apart of. I recently signed with Crown North Talent Agency for voiceovers, and it has been amazing working with Tony Jima and his whole team. I was connected with them through my manager Bayley, and I’m excited to see what the future holds. I love their reputation as a professional boutique agency connected to top notch opportunities where I can be a big fish in a smaller pond, versus my previous experience signed with a top 10 agency where I felt overlooked. Feeling supported and encouraged is essential in all of my relationships, and I feel that special connection with Crown North along with my agents at the Movement Talent Agency who represent me in dance, musical theater, commercial, and print modeling. Having people I care for and respect advocating for me and putting me in rooms that I otherwise wouldn’t be allowed in is a privilege I cherish immensely.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born in Radford, Virginia. However I was raised in Los Angeles, California. I’ve been surrounded by the performing arts my whole life since my father was a professional songwriter, music producer, and actor. Naturally, I showed interest in the performing arts at a young age. I began my training as an actor, dancer, and singer at summer camps with the Towne Street Theater company. I furthered my training at various performing arts workshops, group classes, and private lessons. Eventually, I left the normal middle school I was attending to study in the musical theater department at Millikan Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet in Sherman Oaks, CA. Finally, I auditioned and was accepted into the number one ranked arts high school in the country, the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts. There, I received a college level curriculum in theater, and also performed in numerous musical theater productions, short films, and opera productions. Upon graduating cum laude from the esteemed program, I applied my knowledge and swiftly started working in the entertainment industry. I’ve been blessed to work on television shows, commercials, music videos, video games, theatrical productions, and films. In addition, I’m an award winning choreographer and have taught at numerous dance conventions, schools, and performing arts studios throughout the USA including the popular Millennium Dance Complex. Recently, I performed around the world for six years with Carnival Cruise Lines in their Broadway quality “Playlist Production” musicals. You can see my work as a choreographer and motion capture performer in the new video game NBA2K25 from 2kGames. Currently based in Los Angeles, I’m focused on growing in my craft and working consistently in the entertainment industry. I’m passionate about uplifting people and society’s vibration as a whole, so I gravitate to projects that are positive in essence and speak to my soul. You might see me DJ/MCing an event near you, as I love providing the perfect soundtrack and energy for events with VOX DJs. I’m very grateful for my dedicated team at the Movement Talent Agency, Crown North Talent Agency, and my insightful manager Bayley Ra. I’m not sure where I’d be without all their help, my amazing family & friends, and God’s guidance.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I absolutely love diving into podcasts, videos, and books. Especially ones that explore deeper into wellness, science, philosophy, entrepreneurship, and the arts. I have been heavily inspired by Deepak Chopra’s “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success”, Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The Four Agreements”, everything written by Jen Sincero, along with Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power of Now”.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My ultimate goal within the performing arts world would be to open a performing arts school someday! This school would be free of cost, open to all ages, and allow access to training with the industry’s elite. The arts curriculum would be paired with classes focusing on the power of meditation, faith, nutrition, plus exercise & movement. In addition, I want to help bring fresh water to every human on this earth. It breaks my heart knowing how many people are without access to fresh water daily, and I pray that issue is a thing of the past someday soon. I donate monthly to Charity: Water , and I plan to do much more in the future.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tonyiiirich
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonydonnrich/
Image Credits
Alan Rivas, Abigail Gorden, Lee Barrett, Ciara Cusseaux, Sed McCray