Born and raised in the suburbs of New Jersey, Tanya Wheelock is a Central Florida based actress, voice-over artist, singer, and model - Equity Eligible and Agency Represented - with a theatrical history spanning two decades. Before setting her sights on film and television, Tanya performed at multiple regional theatres in New Jersey and Florida.
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Photo by Chris Macke. Hair and Makeup by Rachel Bensimon.
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StellaEARLY YEARS AND EDUCATION
Tanya truly caught the acting bug as a child when she saw the original cast of 'Beauty and the Beast' on Broadway, starring Susan Egan. Her debut acting role was a Munchkin in her middle school's production of 'The Wizard of Oz'.
While attending Morris Knolls High School - the same high school as Laura San Giacomo, Danny Blu, Lexie Fyfe, Neal Casal, and Danielle Jonas - Tanya joined the fencing team but also participated in school plays, musicals, and chorus. During her senior year, she was thrilled to perform with her high school chorus at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Following high school, Tanya attended County College of Morris - double majoring in Drama and Humanities/Social Sciences - before continuing her education and earning a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Acting from Centenary University (Summa Cum Laude Graduate). Her professors included Stephen Davis, Lenny Bart, Carl Wallnau, and Kathryn Hayzer. Through them, she was able to learn a variety of Acting tools, including techniques from Viola Spolin, Konstantin Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Stella Adler, and Meisner,
During her college years, Tanya also studied 'Acting the Song' under Judy Kuhn at Michael Howard Studios in New York City. Her classmates were Andrew Claus, Chisato Wada, David Wells, Geoffrey Kidwell, Heather Cohen, Katie Flahive, Kristin Strouse-Murdock, L.R. Davidson, Nora Brown, Katharine McEnery, and Kevin Kraft.
Tanya truly caught the acting bug as a child when she saw the original cast of 'Beauty and the Beast' on Broadway, starring Susan Egan. Her debut acting role was a Munchkin in her middle school's production of 'The Wizard of Oz'.
While attending Morris Knolls High School - the same high school as Laura San Giacomo, Danny Blu, Lexie Fyfe, Neal Casal, and Danielle Jonas - Tanya joined the fencing team but also participated in school plays, musicals, and chorus. During her senior year, she was thrilled to perform with her high school chorus at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Following high school, Tanya attended County College of Morris - double majoring in Drama and Humanities/Social Sciences - before continuing her education and earning a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Acting from Centenary University (Summa Cum Laude Graduate). Her professors included Stephen Davis, Lenny Bart, Carl Wallnau, and Kathryn Hayzer. Through them, she was able to learn a variety of Acting tools, including techniques from Viola Spolin, Konstantin Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Stella Adler, and Meisner,
During her college years, Tanya also studied 'Acting the Song' under Judy Kuhn at Michael Howard Studios in New York City. Her classmates were Andrew Claus, Chisato Wada, David Wells, Geoffrey Kidwell, Heather Cohen, Katie Flahive, Kristin Strouse-Murdock, L.R. Davidson, Nora Brown, Katharine McEnery, and Kevin Kraft.
CONTINUED TRAINING
In Florida, Tanya studied acting with Book From Tape (Jordan Woods-Robinson - focusing on Viewpoints and techniques from Tadashi Suzuki, Jerzy Grotowski, Rudolf Laban, and Harold Guskin), SAK Comedy Lab (Chelsea Hilend, Emily Fontano, Rebecca Siegel, & Adam Scharf - focusing on Improvisation), and ClassAct Studios (Landon Price & Lauren O'Quinn - focusing on techniques from Sanford Meisner).
Some of her classmates were Matt Yancey, Michael Laboska, Nayshka Miranda, Yasheera Acevedo, Logan Ayala, Parker Padgett, and Brandon Hofmann.
Tanya began her puppetry training at Walt Disney World when instructors, Tony Whitten, Scott Silson, William Horne, Rob, Lott, and Chris Ianuzzi. were nice enough to let her attend their workshops even though she wasn't in the Entertainment department. She went on to study in New York City under John Tartaglia (with special workshop guest Bonnie Erickson).
A big fan of animated voice-over work, Tanya has taken Steve Blum's online Voice Over classes through BlumVox Studios. She studied in person under Maria Riboli.
She also studied Intimacy for Stage & Screen under Tonia Sina Campanella (Intimacy Directors International Co-Founder & Executive Director). Tanya was thrilled to encounter Intimacy Coordination on set for the first time while working on The Deuce: That's a Wrap, where she got to perform in the care of Alicia Rodis (Intimacy Directors International Co-Founder & Associate Director).
In Florida, Tanya studied acting with Book From Tape (Jordan Woods-Robinson - focusing on Viewpoints and techniques from Tadashi Suzuki, Jerzy Grotowski, Rudolf Laban, and Harold Guskin), SAK Comedy Lab (Chelsea Hilend, Emily Fontano, Rebecca Siegel, & Adam Scharf - focusing on Improvisation), and ClassAct Studios (Landon Price & Lauren O'Quinn - focusing on techniques from Sanford Meisner).
Some of her classmates were Matt Yancey, Michael Laboska, Nayshka Miranda, Yasheera Acevedo, Logan Ayala, Parker Padgett, and Brandon Hofmann.
Tanya began her puppetry training at Walt Disney World when instructors, Tony Whitten, Scott Silson, William Horne, Rob, Lott, and Chris Ianuzzi. were nice enough to let her attend their workshops even though she wasn't in the Entertainment department. She went on to study in New York City under John Tartaglia (with special workshop guest Bonnie Erickson).
A big fan of animated voice-over work, Tanya has taken Steve Blum's online Voice Over classes through BlumVox Studios. She studied in person under Maria Riboli.
She also studied Intimacy for Stage & Screen under Tonia Sina Campanella (Intimacy Directors International Co-Founder & Executive Director). Tanya was thrilled to encounter Intimacy Coordination on set for the first time while working on The Deuce: That's a Wrap, where she got to perform in the care of Alicia Rodis (Intimacy Directors International Co-Founder & Associate Director).
WORKING FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD
In 2011, Tanya relocated to Orlando, Florida to participate in the Disney College Program. She worked various jobs at Walt Disney World from January 2011 to December 2019. Her journey began on the Disney College Program Spring Advantage/Fall 2011. Her time as an Attractions/Operations Hostess included Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Fantasmic!, Disney Channel Rocks!, Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun! Parade, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Beauty and the Beast Live Onstage, Main Street Electrical Parade, Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and Barnstormer. She also had a brief stint as a Magic Kingdom Park Greeter.
Tanya spent time as a Resort Guest Service Cast Member where she worked as a Front Desk Cashier, Runner, Runner Dispatch, and Curbside Hostess at Disney's Art of Animation Resort - where she was also hand-selected to work on two commercial/industrial shoots. Looking for a change, Tanya became a Children's Activities Hostess with the Wilderness Lodge Recreation and Fort Wilderness Recreation department. There she was also part of the Wilderness Lodge Cub's Den team.
During those 9 years, Tanya got some special opportunities including working for the Scotty McCreery American Idol Motorcade, Star Wars Weekends Legends of the Force Motorcade 2011, Tatooine Traders Merchandise randomly wielding a lightsabre and greeting people, Star Wars Weekends Legends of the Force Motorcade 2012, runner support for the Walt Disney World Marathon 2013, handing out wristbands for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (which featured her favorite costume that she got to wear).
One of the highlights of Tanya's time at Walt Disney World was performing as part of the cast choir in the internationally-renowned Candlelight Processional in 2012, 2016, 2017, and 2018. During her time in the choir, she was able to sing on stage with Jodi Benson, Robby Benson, Auli'i Cravalho, Warwick Davis, Ana Gasteyer, Neil Patrick Harris, Anthony Mackie, Alfonso Ribeiro, Kurt Russell, Lea Salonga, Gary Sinise, and Ming-Na Wen.
Her final job was returning to her favorite themed location - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - after a few years away. She attended her first Disney performer audition in October 2010 but was never hired to act in all her years of auditioning and working for the company.
In 2011, Tanya relocated to Orlando, Florida to participate in the Disney College Program. She worked various jobs at Walt Disney World from January 2011 to December 2019. Her journey began on the Disney College Program Spring Advantage/Fall 2011. Her time as an Attractions/Operations Hostess included Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Fantasmic!, Disney Channel Rocks!, Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun! Parade, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Beauty and the Beast Live Onstage, Main Street Electrical Parade, Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and Barnstormer. She also had a brief stint as a Magic Kingdom Park Greeter.
Tanya spent time as a Resort Guest Service Cast Member where she worked as a Front Desk Cashier, Runner, Runner Dispatch, and Curbside Hostess at Disney's Art of Animation Resort - where she was also hand-selected to work on two commercial/industrial shoots. Looking for a change, Tanya became a Children's Activities Hostess with the Wilderness Lodge Recreation and Fort Wilderness Recreation department. There she was also part of the Wilderness Lodge Cub's Den team.
During those 9 years, Tanya got some special opportunities including working for the Scotty McCreery American Idol Motorcade, Star Wars Weekends Legends of the Force Motorcade 2011, Tatooine Traders Merchandise randomly wielding a lightsabre and greeting people, Star Wars Weekends Legends of the Force Motorcade 2012, runner support for the Walt Disney World Marathon 2013, handing out wristbands for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (which featured her favorite costume that she got to wear).
One of the highlights of Tanya's time at Walt Disney World was performing as part of the cast choir in the internationally-renowned Candlelight Processional in 2012, 2016, 2017, and 2018. During her time in the choir, she was able to sing on stage with Jodi Benson, Robby Benson, Auli'i Cravalho, Warwick Davis, Ana Gasteyer, Neil Patrick Harris, Anthony Mackie, Alfonso Ribeiro, Kurt Russell, Lea Salonga, Gary Sinise, and Ming-Na Wen.
Her final job was returning to her favorite themed location - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - after a few years away. She attended her first Disney performer audition in October 2010 but was never hired to act in all her years of auditioning and working for the company.
ACTION AND INSPIRATION
Inspired by strong female roles on screen, Tanya studied and took workshops in various aspects of stunt work - including fighting for the camera, ratchet pulls, and falls - under Phi-Long Nguyen, Michael R. Long, Shelby Swatek, Ryan McVeigh, Carlos Guity, Alex Wiggins, Michelle Ladd, Michael Yahn, Nik Nieves, and Jason Paul Tate so she could be more knowledgeable and skilled as an actress in action sequences. Some of her classmates included Steven Legate, Trent Fogleman, Kim Constantinesco, Cody Hesse, Gregory French, Josh May, Tim J. Hays, and Shannon Beshears. She worked with personal trainers, Eric Johnson and Jacob Kyle Glassmeyer, to build her strength and endurance. Also studied Firearms & Tactics for Camera under Matt Clanton.
In March 2017, Tanya got to visit Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Georgia and don Black Widow's uniform to be considered as a body double for Scarlett Johansson on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. As a big Marvel fan, she was thrilled to be in the running.
In Marvel comics, Dr. Jane Foster received her chemotherapeutic treatments at the Maria Wheelock Cancer Center - named after Tanya and her sister's mom. Since its debut, The Maria Wheelock Cancer Center has appeared in multiple Marvel comic issues.
In a November 2015 interview, Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso stated: "By the way, over the summer a reader (Autumn Wheelock) contacted Russell to express her excitement about the revelation that Jane is Thor, saying that Jane's courage reminded her of her late mother's own battle with cancer. So, with the blessing of that reader and her family, we named the cancer center that Jane is receiving treatment at in "The Mighty Thor" #1 (by Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman) after the reader's mother, Maria Wheelock. It's a small way of not only honoring Maria but also acknowledging all the other real people out there who are battling or have battled this illness."
Inspired by strong female roles on screen, Tanya studied and took workshops in various aspects of stunt work - including fighting for the camera, ratchet pulls, and falls - under Phi-Long Nguyen, Michael R. Long, Shelby Swatek, Ryan McVeigh, Carlos Guity, Alex Wiggins, Michelle Ladd, Michael Yahn, Nik Nieves, and Jason Paul Tate so she could be more knowledgeable and skilled as an actress in action sequences. Some of her classmates included Steven Legate, Trent Fogleman, Kim Constantinesco, Cody Hesse, Gregory French, Josh May, Tim J. Hays, and Shannon Beshears. She worked with personal trainers, Eric Johnson and Jacob Kyle Glassmeyer, to build her strength and endurance. Also studied Firearms & Tactics for Camera under Matt Clanton.
In March 2017, Tanya got to visit Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Georgia and don Black Widow's uniform to be considered as a body double for Scarlett Johansson on Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. As a big Marvel fan, she was thrilled to be in the running.
In Marvel comics, Dr. Jane Foster received her chemotherapeutic treatments at the Maria Wheelock Cancer Center - named after Tanya and her sister's mom. Since its debut, The Maria Wheelock Cancer Center has appeared in multiple Marvel comic issues.
In a November 2015 interview, Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso stated: "By the way, over the summer a reader (Autumn Wheelock) contacted Russell to express her excitement about the revelation that Jane is Thor, saying that Jane's courage reminded her of her late mother's own battle with cancer. So, with the blessing of that reader and her family, we named the cancer center that Jane is receiving treatment at in "The Mighty Thor" #1 (by Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman) after the reader's mother, Maria Wheelock. It's a small way of not only honoring Maria but also acknowledging all the other real people out there who are battling or have battled this illness."
CREATING HER OWN CONTENT
Inspired by Amy Poehler's quote, "Do work that you are proud of with your talented friends," Chimerical Lotus Co. was founded by Tanya in 2017 with the mission of collaborating to create art and tell stories for audiences all over the world, by honing in on the strengths of those around her to make the best product possible. "Like a lotus flower, we rise above struggles and obstacles to bloom and thrive." On the creative end, via Chimerical Lotus Co. and other outlets, Tanya has been involved in:
Inspired by Amy Poehler's quote, "Do work that you are proud of with your talented friends," Chimerical Lotus Co. was founded by Tanya in 2017 with the mission of collaborating to create art and tell stories for audiences all over the world, by honing in on the strengths of those around her to make the best product possible. "Like a lotus flower, we rise above struggles and obstacles to bloom and thrive." On the creative end, via Chimerical Lotus Co. and other outlets, Tanya has been involved in:
- FEATURE FILM: The Moonstruck (Co-Writer, Producer)
- SHORT FILM: She Was Flirting With You (Producer)
- VIDEO SHORT: Better Uses for the Infinity Gauntlet: A Super Satire (Co-Writer, Co-Director, Co-Producer)
- VIDEO SHORT: Astray (Co-Producer)
- SHORT FILM: Free Pudding (Co-Producer)
- SHORT FILM: Until We Meet Again (Co-Producer)
- SHORT FILM: Last Day Together (Co-Producer)
- SHORT FILM: Life Imitating Art (Co-Producer)
- THEATRE: Lobby Hero with Centenary Stage Company (Assistant Director, under Stephen Davis)
- THEATRE / VIDEO SHORT: The Vagina Monologues (V-Day 2010) with Centenary Stage Company (Director, Producer)
- THEATRE: Sure Thing at Centenary University (Director)
- THEATRE: Monopoly: the Musical at Morris Knolls Theatre (Co-Writer)
- THEATRE: Fall Drama 2005 at Morris Knolls Theatre (Co-Writer)
- THEATRE: Peter Pan in Neverland: The E! True Hollywood Story at Morris Knolls Theatre (Co-Writer)
For more information on projects from Chimerical Lotus Co., please visit http://chimericallotusco.weebly.com/
Behind the Scenes
Tanya loves to work in the arts, and has been able to hold crew positions in addition to cast and creative.
Tanya loves to work in the arts, and has been able to hold crew positions in addition to cast and creative.
- SAG-AFTRA TELEVISION: The Right Stuff with National Geographic Channel and Appian Way (Stand-in)
- AEA THEATRE: Breakfast With Mugabe with Centenary Stage Company, directed by David Shookhoff (Assistant Stage Manager, under Kathryn 'China' Hayzer)
- THEATRE: The Vagina Monologues (V-Day 2010) with Centenary Stage Company (Set Designer)
- THEATRE: Sure Thing at Centenary University (Set Designer)
- THEATRE: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr. with The Music Shop, directed by Kaitlin Dalakian (Stage Manager)
- THEATRE: Tape with Centenary Stage Company (Sound Board Operator)
- THEATRE: The Almost True & Truly Remarkable Adventures of Israel Potter, American Patriot with CCM Shakespeare & Company, directed by Robert Cioffi (Stage Manager)