About Maria
Maria Guardino is an actor born and raised in Cleveland, OH. Her family comprises generations of individuals in the performing arts, including the late actor, Harry Guardino.
Maria has worked with prominent theater companies including Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Dobama Theatre, and All-City Shakespeare. In 2019, Maria won first place in the National Shakespeare Competition sponsored by the English-Speaking Union. During her tenure at Sarah Lawrence College, she acted in nearly every mainstage production. She also designed costumes and lights for multiple extracurricular productions.
Maria has shared her passion for the arts by volunteering at Playhouse Square, sharing her experiences as a working artist with local youth, and engaging with theater that spurs thought.
Age: 25
Height: 5' 5"
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Bronxville, NY
Class of 2023
Cleveland, OH
Class of 2019
Awards
The English-Speaking Union | 36th Annual National Shakespeare Competition | 2019
National 1st Place Winner
The English-Speaking Union | 35th Annual National Shakespeare Competition | 2018
National Semi-Finalist | Regional 1st Place Winner
The English-Speaking Union | 34th Annual National Shakespeare Competition | 2017
Regional Finalist
Education | Training
B.A. in Theater Performance and Design | Sarah Lawrence College, Class of 2023
British American Drama Academy | London Theatre Program | Spring 2022
The London Theatre Program is BADA’s undergraduate Conservatory Acting Program in London sponsored by BADA and Sarah Lawrence College
British American Drama Academy, Oxford UK | Midsummer Conservatory Program | 2019
Full scholarship to Shakespeare-centric conservatory program presented by Eunice Roberts, Dean of BADA, upon winning 2019 ESU National Shakespeare Competition
Stratford Festival, Ontario, Canada | Internship | 2019
Personalized training and master classes with resident artists including Martha Henry and EB Smith
Dobama Theatre | Dobama Emerging Actors Program (DEAP) | 2017
Summer Intensive Acting Program
Cleveland Playhouse | KeyBank CPH College | 2016, 2015
Master classes in dance, make-up, tech, improvisation, monologues, singing, Shakespearean sword fighting, and costume and set design
Playhouse Square | RedCoat Student Volunteer | 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Usher Broadway Series and other theatrical performances
Voice
Hawken School | Hawken Harmony | Jodie Ricci | 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
Alto 1, Soprano in acapella ensemble
Fine Arts Association | Private Instruction | Phyllis Speirs | 2017, 2016, 2015
Mezzo-Soprano voice coaching
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus | Dr. Lisa Wong | 2016, 2015
Alto 1
Contemporary Youth Chorus | Daniel Singer | 2016
Alto 1