Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Naheem Garcia. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Naheem, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from believing there’s a better way. Having a strong faith in your creator, whatever or whomever that could be and counting on yourself. You have to believe in the better you.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was born. Alexis Rene Garcia, professionally known as Naheem Garcia,. I’ve been an actor and theatre educator for thirty years. I grew up in Boston, arriving here from Cuba with his mother, grandmother and aunt in 1968. As a proud bilingual (English and Spanish) artist im known for his deep, mellifluous voice. As a teenager, I developed my acting skills in Boston Youth Theater and received formal training in theater arts at New African Company, where I’ve been a Distinguished Artist-In-Residence since 2004. I am the Founder and lead teaching Artist for NG edutainment, an Arts/Education Program, founded here in Boston Massachusetts. I am the Residence Teaching Artist and a member of the Huntington Theatre Company’s Education Department, for close to 30 years. I was the Speaker of Residents for the METCO Program at Sharon High and Middle School, Sharon, MA, in the 2020-2022 school year. I’ve worked with the Boston Police Department in collaboration with Acting Up With the 5-0 Program another youth organization. I am the Representative for the National Latino Committee, SAG-AFTRA, New England as well as a long time member of the union. I am also the Artistic Director for the Oversoul Theatre Collective, and a member of the Board of Directors for Song Keepers, LTD. Most recently, I had the honor and privilege to be the narrator for the King Embrace Monument located in the Boston Common, Boston, MA. I’ve appeared in several prominent Hollywood-and independently-produced feature films. A selected list includes: Billy Somethin Directed by Brandon Scales
Any Day Now Prison Guard
YE! Directed by A John Oluwole ADEKOJE film
Madam Web, Directed by S.J. Clarkson
Challenger Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Money Games Directed by Julian Lowenthal
HOLDOVERS Directed by Alexander Payne
I Just Wanna Dance With Somebody Directed by Kasi Lemmons
Hocus Pocus 2 Directed by Ann Fletcher
Spirited Directed by Sean Anders
Kevin Can Go F Himself (AMC)
The Sleepover (NetFlix Movie)
Free Guy (Ryan Reynolds)
Jungleland (Charlie Hunnam, Jessica Barden, Jack O’Connell)
Equalizer2 (Denzel Washington)
Daddy’s Home2 (Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow)
Joy (Jennifer Lawrence),
Black Mass (Johnny Depp)
The Proposal (Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds)
The Heat (Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy)
Maiden Heist (Morgan Freeman, Christopher Waken, William H. Macy, Marsha Gay Harden)
Purge3 Election Year (Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mykelti Williamson)
and I recently played Elmore, in August Wilson’s King Hedley II, produced by Actors Shakespeare Project in Roxbury MA
My work has been lauded by my peers and I’ve received the The Brown Sugar Culture Excellence Award 2021, State Street-El Planeta Powermeter 100 of the Most Influential Latinx (2014), OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center-Sojourner Truth Award (2007) and In recognition of his excellence as a theatre educator, I represented the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation for NeighborWorks American and Community Leadership Institute Los Angeles California in 2017, in same year, I completed the Aesthetic Education Immersion program with the Lincoln Center Summer Forum at Juliard, New York, NY.
Naheem continues his path as an actor and theatre educator whose mission is to represent and encourage youth and audiences through his work.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Knowledge – what I learned through out my life. Wisdom – what I experienced to make me who I am.
Understanding – the result of my experience that built good character in me.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
As a freelance Teaching Artist and Actor, I am always challenged with finances. Fair wages, broader opportunities to advance in my field constantly building the infrastructure so I am others can work right here in New England. When you work for yourself it’s a constant grind. I don’t know how long I can go without having someone to help manage my company and brand but that requires money to pay people. The one man band is getting tough as I progress in my career.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Naheemgarcia5776
- Facebook: Naheem Garcia
- Linkedin: Naheem Garcia
Image Credits
King Hedley II by August Wilson produced by Actors Shakespeare Project 2024 Head Shot by Robert Mighty The Holdovers with Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa directed by Alexander Payne
