Andrea Navedo was born and raised in New York City. She received her initial professional education at SUNY Old Westbury.

She has studied with Doug Moston at the Drama Project, NYC and with Gloria Maddox at the T. Schreiber Studio, NYC and is a student in the Meisner program here at the Acting Studio. She has been professionally acting for six years and played the role of Linda Soto on ABC's "One Life to Live". Some of her recent credits include, a guest spot on "NY Undercover" for FOX TV, Georgie in "Spike Heels" and Florinda in "The Rover." Other credits include Yerma in "Yerma", Antigone in "Antigone", Puck in "A Midsummers Night Dream", Estelle in "No Exit", Marianne in "Tartuffe", Meadowlands Theatre Co., Elizabeth in "Laundry and Bourbon", and Carla in "Kennedy's Children."

This past August (1998), Andrea is proud to say that she finished her B.A. in Communicative and Creative Arts. Andrea is also a model, recently booking ads for Clean & Clears, Luvs, Bounty and currently has a commercial airing for the American Cancer Society.

BIO 2:

ANDREA NAVEDO recently appeared on two popular daytime dramas, "The Guiding Light" and "One Life to Live." She first appeared professionally as a regular dancer on "Club MTV," and made her feature film acting debut as the phone sex girl in Spike Lee’s "Girl 6." A native New Yorker, Navedo graduated from the State University of New York at Old Westbury College.

In her freshman year she auditioned for Bertolt Brecht’s "The Exception and the Rule," and was cast in the role of the Judge. She then joined the theatre department and appeared in many of their stage productions.

Navedo is also a talented comedienne. She often appears with comic Rich Ramirez and a group of Latin performers whose sketch comedy troupe Salsoul (Salsa and Soul) perform regularly at the famed Carolines comedy club in Manhattan. ANDREA NAVEDO (Maque Sanchez) has recently appeared on two popular daytime dramas, "The Guiding Light" and "One Life to Live."

She first appeared professionally as a regular dancer on "Club MTV," and made her feature-film acting debut as the phone-sex girl in Spike Lee's "Girl 6." A native New Yorker, Navedo graduated from the State University of New York at Old Westbury College. In her freshman year she auditioned for Bertolt Brecht's "The Exception and the Rule" and was cast as the Judge. She then joined the theater department and appeared in many of their stage productions.

Navedo, also a talented comedienne, often appears with comic Rich Ramirez and a group of Latin performers whose sketch comedy troupe Salsoul (Salsa and Soul) performs regularly at the famed Carolines comedy club in Manhattan.

INTERVIEW:

SS: Tell us a little bit about yourself?
AN: Well, I was born and raised in The Bronx. I am a product of the NYC public schools. I earned my High School Diploma from Dewitt Clinton. I received my BFA in Theater Arts from The State University of New York at Old Westbury.

SS: What or who inspired you to become an actor?
AN: As a little girl my dad took me to dance recitals and I remember the excitement of the atmosphere...The lights going down, the buzz from the audience. I would sit there and say "Wow..I like this..." So that's where I think it started.

SS: Was either one or both of your parents an artist?
AN: Although he didn't make a living at it my dad was an artist... He would draw & paint...oils, acrylics, watercolors things like that.

SS: So after you finish college you did what?
AN: After college I wanted to improve my Spanish so I decided to travel to Mexico where I lived for three months. I lived with a Mexican family who did not speak English. And, I studied Spanish at a local school

SS: Wow that sounds exciting.
AN: Yes it was, I had a chance to catch my breath, experience a new culture and prepare myself for a career as an actor

SS: OK, so you spend three months in Mexico and then what?
AN: Well I came back got some headshots, hired an agent, and started to look for work

SS: And your first "significant" acting job was?
AN: You mean my first REAL job? It was what is called an industrial for Zolof the anti-depressant medication (laughs)... Hey I was able to get my S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild) card. After that I was cast in a play titled Spike Heels. This was perfect for me because I played a character who was dealing with issues that I was dealing with in my personal life: relationships, identity, etc. Also, I was able to collaborate with the other actors who were wonderful to work with. All this was great preparation for an audition for a daytime serial called "One life to Live".

SS: Was the audition successful?
AN: Yes, thank God. I was cast as Linda Soto, a woman from the tough side of town (laughs). Linda was good to me. She paid my rent for 2 1/2 years!

SS: You know a lot of people don't consider soap operas "real" acting. What are your thoughts?
AN: To be honest, I had that impression until I actually worked on one. Now, soap operas are different from what I was trained to do. However, it was an opportunity to work on my craft.

SS: An actor acts...
AN: Exactly, and work leads to other work. In my case, I was able to secure work on three national commercials. One for the Ford Contour, Red Lobster, and Lady Footlocker. From that I landed Commercial Print Work.

SS: Is Commercial Print work like modeling?
AN: It's a little different from traditional modeling. It's more promotional, advertising related.

SS: Who did you work for? Any recognizable brands?
AN: Yes, I worked for AT&T, Luvs Diapers, Bounty, Newport, and Budweiser. This was exciting because I was able to travel to San Francisco and the Bahamas!

SS: OK, so now you've done theater, soap operas and commercials any traditional TV work?
AN: Yes, I got some work on New York Undercover, and The District

SS: What led you to working with the SalSoul Comedy Troupe?
AN: Growing up I always felt there was a goofy, silly side to me... I grew up watching Carol Burnett, and I love Lucille Ball... When I met Rich Ramirez (the founder of SalSoul Comedy Troupe) while working on One Life to Live he mentioned he had a comedy troupe. I also knew Patricia Rae ( a former SS member) from a class we took together. I then went to see a SalSoul show at Carolines and as I sat there laughing and enjoying myself I thought --"I can do that! I want to do that" Shortly after I was invited to audition

SS: And the rest as they say is history!
AN: Well I almost didn't go.

SS: To the audition?
AN: Yeah..

SS: Why? What happened?
AN: I was scared (laughs) I didn't think I could do it! I had to come up with three characters which is very difficult. I finally came up with a Flamingo dancer. I also decided to use my grandmother as a character and a little girl....

SS: Well apparently it went well.
AN: Yes, thank God

SS: So has working with SS been productive for you as an artist?
AN: Yes. I believe it helped me prepare for DOUBLE TAKE, my first major role in a feature film!

SS: Which leads to my next topic...
AN: And the reason I'm here (laughs)

SS: (laughing) Yes, and the reason you're here...
AN: Well Double Take which opens January 12, 2001 at a theater near you, "hint, hint" (laughs). I play Maque Sanchez, a chameleon type character.

SS: So you're like the love interest or the loser ex-girlfriend?
AN: Well I don't want to give away the plot before January 12, 2001 when the film will be shown at a theater near you (laughs). Let's just say my character Maque Sanchez is not what she appears to be.

SS: Sounds like my ex-wife...
AN: There's something I didn't need to know (laughs)

SS: (changing topics quickly) So the film will be released on?
AN: (laughing) January 12, 2001, which is a Friday

SS: At a theater near you, correct?
AN: Yes, at a theater near you

SS: Andrea, before we go, any insights you'd like to share with any aspiring actors out there?
AN: Well, I would say study your craft. By that I mean get training. If you want to be an actor I'm a big fan of training for the theater And, as I've mentioned I'm big on taking classes. Finally perseverance! There have been times when I was ready to quit but I didn't. So, don't give up!

SS: Finally, if you weren't doing this what do you think you'd be doing?
AN: No doubt I would be a photographer. I like to be independent. And I don't see myself behind a desk. I HAVE to do something artistic... so, a photographer

SS: What's up next?
AN: Well, I'm going to continue with Salsoul, so I can continue to nurture my comedic talents. And, a trip to Puerto Rico to work on my Spanish and a tan.... (laughs)