Charles Andrew Gardner

Charles Gardner is a classically trained actor and SAG/AFTRA member whose career spans theatre, television, film, advertising (print and on-camera) and voice-over work. Charles is best known for his performance as Otha Jeffries in the play My Kind of Town (Timeline Theatre Company) in which he was nominated for best actor by Black Theatre Alliance. With this breakthrough role, Charles was named one of the top ten actors to watch by Chicago Tribune’s chief theater critic Chris Jones. Charles received his training at Northern Illinois University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in acting. He also studied at the Acting Studio and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. He has performed at many of Chicago’s top theaters such as the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Redmoon and Lookingglass. Additional theatre credits include Macbeth and Othello’s Furies (Suitcase Shakespeare). His film credits include: Lucky Undies, Last Day, Interlude and Withering. His recent voice-over, print and TV advertising work includes: The Walt Disney Company, McDonald’s, AT&T;, Western Union and Ford Motor Company. In addition to acting, Charles spends his personal time sharpening his photography skills. He is also a teaching artist for Timeline Theatre’s Living History Program and Chicago Public Schools’ Advanced Arts Education Program.