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Mary Rachel Gardner, an award-winning independent filmmaker, was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by a big Greek family. She graduated from USC in 2013 with major studies in Acting, Business and Film Production; she also spent a semester abroad studying at a London theatre conservatory (BADA). Mary Rachel has been performing since she was six years old; constantly active with dance, musical theatre, and filmmaking. She has trained in Classical Theatre (Shakespeare, High Comedy), Dance (Jazz, Tap, Hip-hop, Lyrical Freestyle) and Improv (Second City, UCB).
While theatre and film were significant players in her life, she was also passionate about the development process. Mary Rachel gained hands on experience and knowledge working at independent production companies and talent agencies (Zucker Productions, Carousel Productions and WME). She also had an incredible opportunity to work at The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she learned about the production and operation elements of running a live television show. All of these opportunities further fueled her passion for entertainment, which is why she is currently pursuing her acting, producing and directing career in Los Angeles.
Mary Rachel founded her own film company Kalliste Zoe Productions to explore, create and share original content through visual art and storytelling. Since graduating from USC, she has developed many independent projects including music videos, parodies, comedy sketches, pilots and short films. She has received honorary awards at academy-qualifying film festivals and successfully licensed a few films she produced overseas. A few of the short films she produced have received honorary recognition and awards at academy-qualifying film festivals, as well as were successfully licensed with Shorts.Tv, the world's first and only 24/7 HD TV channel dedicated to short movies. The channel currently has featured her films on TV screens across the US, Europe and Asia.
Mary Rachel is eager and ready to contribute her talents and collaborate professionally with others in the entertainment industry. She truly feels at home when entertaining others, whether she is on the stage, in front of or behind the camera.
"Having a dream is what keeps you alive, and overcoming the challenges is what makes life worth living." - Mary Tyler Moore1st Person
