Hi there!
I'm Mark and I'm originally from Sacramento, CA. I'm an adventurous and passion soul. I have been an actor for several years. I have an agent in San Francisco and currently looking to take classes in LA.

I currently drive full time for Lyft and Uber in order to have the flexibility to go to auditions.

I grew up in Sacramento, CA. While I've been here for 5 years now, I traveled about 8 years outside of my comfort zone and I wouldn't take anything back!

--First I went to Hollywood for several months for a drama school called the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2003-04.

--Then later around 2006, I traveled with a team of 10 people on an Americorps journey. That's where a team travels to 4 different states and provides community service: disaster relief, education projects. We ended up traveling to help with hurricane disaster relief in Louisiana which was mind-blowing yet it was so great to help people with their already devastated homes.

--Later I decided to travel without knowing many people to the state of Oregon. As the story goes, I followed a girl (a girlfriend at the time). That didn't work out but I stayed in Oregon and attended Western Oregon University. I graduated in 2011 with a degree in Sociology.

--While in college, I traveled abroad to Ethiopia where I got to meet and teach 70 resilient kids who I adored so much. It really was a mesmerizing and soul-shifting time. And I'm so appreciative of that experience because it gave a new lens to look upon living in developed country and understanding that we have so much here.

I'm all about an adventurous life yet I'm pursuing an actor's life which is almost never comfortable. I don't make a lot of money but sometimes you must do what you need to achieve what you really want.

Oh yes, I have some stories from my Uber and Lyft passengers - ha!

Overall, I believe in hard work in achieving what you want. Yes, I am pursuing lofty dream but I'm realistic about it. I don't stride to be a star. I want to do the work! To work on the craft! There's no shortcut to any place in this business or any industry. You just have to do the work. And I'm on the journey now.

Lastly, here are some bullet points:

-Non-smoker of anything
-Drink occasionally
-I like to exercise when I can/ run/ walk/ hike
-Read lots
-I'm clean (I grew up with two females so not the average leave the seat up dude)
-I'm all about helping others in need when I can (homeless, refugees, down and out kind of people; I'm definitely a empath to a T)
-I enjoy life and trying to make the best of it

Cheers! Thanks for your time.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm an actor living in Sacramento and I'm in need to find a room or a couch to sleep on while taking classes in Hollywood. I'm looking for awesome, well-rounded, and fun people. I look forward in meeting new people and explore that city once again.

I'm low-maintenance. All in need is a clean couch or bed to sleep on and a shower. I'm totally up for exploring the city and discussing things. I just don't want to burden you with any extra things.

Just looking for decent and fun people to let me stay at their place while keeping it clean, respecting all of your stuff, and staying in communication whenever needed.

Interests

Right now, I'm passionate about learning and soaking all I can about improvisation. That's why I'm taking the Groundlings Basic course.

Others interests include:
Lots of reading (usually actor bios), watching documentary, and of course, watching movies! Oddly, I'm not a big TV watcher. I eat somewhat healthy and strive to cook at home and I do enjoy home cooked meals. I have a degree in Sociology so I love exploring human behavior. I love psychology too and readings about consciousness and related things.

• acting
• traveling
• exploring new places

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy alternative and folky rock the most such as Mumford and Sons, Coldplay. But I like hip-hop, rap, and others too.

My fav movie is Shawshank Redemption. I'm a sucker for coming of age films which is why Good Will Hunting is my second fav film. I like almost any movie that is about real humans beings going through something. However, I really like some sci-fi or action or romantic based stuff too. The acting has to be good!

I'm always reading Actor autobios. One of my favorites so far is Bryan Cranston's A Life in Parts. But my favorite book of all time is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (she has an incredible story herself!).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've traveled to Ethiopia and served as a teacher at an orphanage for almost 6 months. It was a touching and an incredible whirlwind of an experience. It wasn't a vacation! But I loved that I had the experience. It brought a new lens to my ever-stretching perspective.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my experiences. I'm always willing to have a discussion over a meal.

Countries I’ve Visited

Ethiopia, France

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ethiopia