Today we’d like to introduce you to Marquis Antonio.
Marquis, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I picked up Acting my sophomore year in high school.
Started acting at my church. Doing plays for the youth ministry. I was in drama class at Westlake High School. After my first play, I pretty much was like this is cool. People would come up to me and shake my hand tell me what good of a job I did, etc. from there I decided to go to college and pursue theater arts degree. Didn’t finish had an opportunity to be apart a major that had plans on traveling l! That didn’t happen. Lol my first “L” smh.
After that, I took a few more classes and got involved in a drama program. We would put in plays each month at the Riverdale Town Center in Clayton County. Did a few years there. Took a break from acting because I wasn’t making money or seeing opportunities happen, then to top it off I was a having baby! So I had to focus on work, I was teaching gymnastics and tumbling and was working on starting my own business with that.
Fast forward to 2016 I decided to get back into acting, give it one last shot. The plan was to transition to T.V. And Movies. I remember going on acting websites submitting my headshots and resume. Then from there I was getting callbacks, booking roles, and getting paid lol. Now I have an agent and I just wrapped up my first guess staring role in the new tv show.
Has it been a smooth road?
Finances: After my daughter was born I had to focus on getting a job to provide for my family. With acting your schedule has to be flexible. After a while, I couldn’t find a job that offered that much flexibility and great pay lol. So I had to let it (acting) go for a while.
Is this the right career path?: I didn’t finish college so I didn’t have anything to fall back on if my acting endeavors didn’t fall through. There was this constant fear of what do I know how to do job wise that would give me enjoyment and could be something that I could pursue for a long time. I was drawing blanks. So I worked odd jobs.
I went through some depression stages because I was getting older, I was stuck in one place for a long time, I was giving up because nothing wasn’t happening for me in the industry. I lost my faith in lot things I was down bad for a while.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m an actor, writer, producer. I’m most known for my acting. I have starred in many theater plays, I’ve been the lead in a few independent films, I just wrapped up my first TV role and I now write, produce and star in my own short films. Outside acting you can catch me at any NBA or College basketball arena jumping off trampolines and dunking basketballs. Or you can catch me at KiDsGyM USA in college Park teaching gymnastics.
I’m most proud of the fact that I can now produce my own content because I can really flex my creative muscle and help other actors and film crew. What sets me apart from everyone else is my charm and charisma. I can work in a room which is also a good skill to have when auditioning
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Hell yea, Atlanta is the “black Hollywood” most of your favorite movies are filmed out here! There is the opportunity it’s about networking with the right people and researching the industry.
Actors who come here think it’s easy but it’s a challenge because the competition is so high. So be prepared to grind, no sleep! Only thing Atlanta needs to improve on is the traffic point blank!
Pricing:
- Price: $250
Contact Info:
- Email: marquisantonioacts@gmail.com
- Instagram: Marquis Antonio
- Other: @Hmtcnation and hmtcnation on YouTube
Image Credit:
Hand Me That Camera Productions, Jamm Lewis, Timothy Richardson
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
