Meet Brian Tichnell | Actor & Acting Teacher

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

Hi Brian, why did you pursue a creative career?
I think it’s a familiar reason for most artists: I could do nothing else. Why does a fish swim? The very idea of doing anything else makes me feel ill inside. So yeah, probably that, the avoidance of feeling ill.
Television telling me I could be anything I wanted to be probably had a hand in my pursuit.
I remember buying a book from the schools ‘Book Fair’’, and it was a biography of Jim Carey for kids. I was 6 years old, and I remember it was the first time I had considered the people on TV and in movies as people who were doing a job, a career. I remember feeling like I wanted to do that. I want to be like Ace Ventura.
It didn’t hurt that I was terrible at sports; my parents put me in summer children’s theater instead, to give me something to do. Hobby became a college major became a passion became a desperate pursuit became a (still-evolving) career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an actor. I love the art of acting in all its forms. I’ve been blessed with some wins in LA, my most notable role being a a recurring as a Brogrammer on Silicon Valley. And I’ve got a nice recurring role on the Pitt which is currently airing. I’m a theater actor at my core; Shakespeare is my guy. I’m also a comedy performer, I do sketch comedy, improv, and experimental theater which drifts into the absurd.

I’m also an acting teacher. I’m a good actor, but separate from that, I have another skill set, which is, I’m very good at watching other actors. I’m a fan of everyone’s gifts, and genuinely love getting to the heart of other actor’s talents and helping them deepen their work. I give a shit; it’s my super power.

What do I want people to know about my art?….’”he’s good, he’s funny, he’s interesting…he did something I didn’t expect.”

I’m originally from a small town in Mississippi. I had great parents and I was blessed with chance encounters with brilliant mentors who shepherded me through high school and college until I was plopped down in the middle of Hollywood and told “Good Luck”. And I did have good luck, also some bad luck; learning to be an adult in LA as a man-child navigating show business has its pitfalls. But having been here for 10+ years I can confidently say, I’ve found my people and I’ve found my bliss. There is joy in the continued pursuit. I do imagine Sisyphus happy, as happy as I am. We are all so lucky we get to do this.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ok I’m going to be lame, I don’t do much. I work, I teach, I audition, I rehearse, and then I go home and watch tv with my wife and my pug.

But things that come to mind:
Sonoratown restaurant on Hauser snd San Vicente is incredible. Incredible burritos and Chivchurri’s. My mouth is watering thinking about it.
Yuko Kitchen on Wilshire, delicious Japanese food.
El Carmen on 3rd St is a terrific bar to grab tacos and margaritas.
Wi Spa! Love occasionally relaxing here. Don’t get there often enough.
A great spot we’ve gone to over the years is Shojin. They offer vegan Sushi…I’m not vegan, but this food is legit amazing.
I work out at Prevail Boxing, I’m addicted to their classes, so if you’re looking for a good place to sweat and hit stuff; I’d check it out.
I take classes at the Groundlings and I always have a great time watching their shows, so I’d definitely recommend a friend to go check out one of their stage shows.
Also, I’d recommend you come see one of my sketch group’s shows: T-Shirt Toss! We always provide a fun time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My goodness so many people deserve a Shout Out.
Michael Laskin, an incredible teacher, for giving me an artistic home, where I now teach.
Antaeus Theater Company, of which I am a member, for giving me a place to work on projects I’m passionate about.
Cameron Watson, for being an incredible director and friend who has my trust forever.
Juli Crockett, genius experimental theater director, who saved my life through making art when I was at my lowest. She works with Padua Playwrights.
Bob Cucuzza, another brilliantly mad director who is creating an incredible space for theatre students LA Mission College. He has given me the opportunity to teach alongside him.
Tony Estrada, for being the realest, kindest, most competent independent film producers in LA.
Denece Ryland, my writing partner for our television series TELL US WHY YOU’RE HERE….,for constantly pushing me to believe that the sky is the limit in our profession.
CalArts Theatre program for teaching me not only how to act, but how to be an artist.
My managers at Main Title Entertainment, Tracy Steinsapir, Stew Strunk, Nikki Griffin and my agents at True Artists Agency, Alicia Ruskin and Jamie Hernandez. They’ve been with me from the beginning of my time in LA, and have afforded me so many opportunities. I’m beyond blessed to be supported by such hard working, super-savvy individuals.
And my wife Kimberly Guevara, who is one of the most spectacular actors I’ve ever known, who keeps me steady, smart, and presentable on this wild journey that we are on as artists together.

There are probably others! I have been blessed to be surrounded by incredible people.

Also shoutout to my pug Muttchops! He is my best friend. Gift from God.

Website: https://www.michaellaskinstudio.com/the-core-bringing-all-of-you-to-the-work.html

Instagram: @briantichnell

Other: https://IMDb.me/briantichnell

Image Credits
Tandem Photography
Jenny Graham
Nick Tag
Crista Downey
James Bernal
HBO’s Silicon Valley