Meet Beth Gudenrath | Actress, Voice Teacher, Mom & Muse

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Gudenrath and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As all artist’s lives are, my life as an artist is uniquely my own. That is why we have no other choice but to follow our hearts into the arts. I was lucky to have a support system in my now, late, parents, and know that not everyone who chooses to pursue a career as an artist has that privilege. If I didn’t follow my dream to move to Hollywood at the age of 21, I wouldn’t be the change-maker I am in the world today. By “change-maker,” I mean having the wisdom, courage, and guidance to help shape the environment I am in…to make the world a better place through small ways that radiate in larger ways.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an actress!! It has taken me a long time to be able to say that phrase again, let alone with expression marks. I am proud that I overcame so much on my journey to become the ACTRESS I am today. Growing up in Nebraska, I lived quite the sheltered mid-west life. I grew up singing, dancing in all of my school plays. After High School I decided to make acting my career. Moving to Los Angeles at the age of 21 proved to be exciting with a side of culture shock. Show business was nothing like I had ever experienced. From over-bearing managers that made me change my name, famous directors who gas-lit me, producers who told me I had no talent, and to casting directors who told me I should get a nose job, I somehow still found the resilience to continue on the path of following my dreams… I fell in love with the city and all it had to offer.

That dream took a detour when I decided to have a child with my partner. Acting was less and less the first role in my life, being a mother was. I decided to get Certified in Fitzmaurice Voicework, an approach to the voice through the breath and body, since it had helped me so much along the way. I eventually started doing more teaching instead of acting. Teaching from my own experiences and giving younger actors permission to be fully themselves, be present, and have a voice in the face of adversity (when I didn’t) became my new pursuit. All of this while still bartending on the side to pay the bills, my husband and I eventually decided we were not sucking the marrow out of LA anymore and made the move to Southern Oregon. We now own our own restaurants, and I act on several stages, both professionally and non-professional. I continue to pursue film and television roles, teach privately out of my own home, and hold community classes in Ashland.

I want to thank Los Angeles for helping me to grow up, find my spine, and garner friendships that will last a lifetime. I still dream of moving back… I crave the possibility LA possesses, and being one of the angels in the city.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh wow! Whenever I had family in town we would do some very “touristy” things like Hollywood Blvd, and Mann’s Chinese Theatre. We’d also do the typical Santa Monica Blvd action and sometimes Beverly Hills. I’m an east side girlie, so I spent a lot of time and lived in Pasadena and Altadena. I crave hikes to the waterfalls in Eaton Canyon and lunch at small cafe’s in Sierra Madre. I love Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena and Alexandria II on North Lake. The Norton Simon Museum is such a lovely afternoon as well. Christmas Tree Lane is magical during the holidays, and there is nothing like the long drive via the 210 to the 118…taking the winding Malibu Canyon to get to the beach and spending the day on a blanket in the sun swimming in the ocean…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am a true believer in community and raising each other up to be the best we can be. I am grateful to The Fitzmaurice Voice Institute. During my journey in Los Angeles, Fitzmaurice Voicework classes saved me. The space was a safe place where I could get away from the “hustle and bustle” of Hollywood, clear my head, breathe, and find myself and my spine. I am also grateful to Stuart Rogers Studios who was my “home away from home” many days. Stuart Roger’s classes helped to ground me and give me permission to be the actress I knew I could be. I am also forever indebted to my LA friends who became family, notably Beth Navarro (who nominated me for this). She taught me resilience, fortitude, and how to be cool. We raised babies together, and also ourselves… our artist inner children needed the friendship.

Website: https://www.elizabethgudenrath.com

Instagram: @BethGudenrath

Facebook: Beth Gudenrath

Image Credits
Brian O’Connor, Rick Robinson, Octavio Solis