LEGENDS | Wes Studi, Oscar-Winning Actor, Started His Career at The Church Studio

An exclusive interview with the legendary Wes Studi! In this video, he tells the story of how he became interested in acting while attending acting workshops at The Church Studio, leading up to a national tour for the massively successful play, “Black Elk Speaks,” where he starred alongside David Carradine and Will Sampson before they all became internationally renowned actors. His time at the Church was after Leon Russell's when it was converted to an acting and dance studio for Native Americans.

Wes Studi is a prominent Native American actor known for his powerful performances in film and television. Born in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, Wes Studi is a member of the Cherokee Nation. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and later began his acting career in the 1980s. Wes Studi gained recognition for his roles in several critically acclaimed films, including "Dances with Wolves" (1990), "The Last of the Mohicans" (1992), and “Avatar” (2009). His commanding presence and ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters have made him one of the most respected Native American actors in the industry. In 2019, Wes Studi was honored with an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement, becoming the first Native American actor to receive this prestigious recognition.

The Church Studio is a historic studio that was built in 1915 as Grace M.E. Church. It came to life in 1972 when Leon Russell, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy-Award winning artist, purchased the old church and turned it into an analog recording studio and home office to Shelter Records. Teresa Knox, a Leon Russell fan and Tulsa native, purchased The Church Studio and has brought it back to life as a professional analog and digital recording studio, event center, audio engineering school, entertainment network, and home to The Church Studio Archive.

Locations, artists, and songs mentioned in this video:
The Church Studio
Tulsa
Jay Whitecrow
American Indian Theater Company of Oklahoma
The Sting
J.R. Matthews
Will Sampson
David Carradine
Black Elk Speaks
The Trial of Standing Bear
Gaslight Theater
The Ranch House

Location: Harwelden Mansion, Tulsa Oklahoma
Artist: Wes Studi
Producer: Teresa Knox
Cinematography and Post-Production: Garrison Marsh, Matthew Simonson

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