The Actors Lounge: Recent Episodes
Melanie Victor
Welcome to The Actors Lounge Podcast, where actors share their stories including the challenges, successes and lessons learned along the way! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support
Mahdi Cocci currently stars in the BET+ series “Bruh,” a 30-min comedy series from powerhouse producer Tyler Perry, which celebrates black male brotherhood. Cocci also co-stars in the NETFLIX romantic comedy feature THE LOVEBIRDS opposite Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, which is now streaming.
BET+ series “Bruh” examines the contemporary world of dating, career, and friendship through the lens of four African American men with a brother-like bond. Cocci plays Tom, a doctor with lady problems, but he is also the glue that holds the group together. “Bruh” Seasons 1 and 2 can be streamed on BET+, and they have been renewed for a third season.
THE LOVEBIRDS is a rom-com from Paramount/Netflix that tells the story of couple Jibran (Nanjiani) and Leilani (Rae), who on the brink of breaking up, get unintentionally embroiled in a bizarre murder mystery. Cocci portrays Keith, a coworker to Leilani, whose friendship with Leilani causes Jibran to be jealous. Originally scheduled to premiere at SXSW, the film is now streaming on Netflix.
Cocci was born in Minneapolis, MN, and was raised by his mother, Stephanie. Education was always emphasized growing up, and Mahdi earned a full Navy ROTC scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. He put his burgeoning modeling career on hold to serve as an officer in the Navy upon graduation. After serving honorably, Cocci shifted gears and pursued a career in acting. His first professional credit was earned on the TV series, Dynasty, in 2018, roles on other network shows soon followed, including The Gifted, The Resident, MacGyver and more. Mahdi will appear in recurring roles in The Terminal List, Games People Play, and an upcoming Marvel project in 2022.
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Caroline Harris is an actor from Chicago who is currently based in Los Angeles. Caroline's recent TV credits include WESTWORLD (HBO), AMERICAN GIGOLO (Showtime), BRUH (BET+), and SHOOK (Disney Youtube). Feature credits include a supporting role in HAPPIEST SEASON (Sony) and a leading role in DASHING IN DECEMBER (Paramount Network). Caroline is a graduate of Northwestern University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
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Register for the virtual screening & talkback of PAWN, here!
Kinnik Sky IG
Kinnik is a veteran of stage, television, and film. Originally from Columbia, SC, she spent 14 years honing her craft in Atlanta, GA working professionally in musical theater. She has performed in more than 30 stage plays over the past 20 years with major theatre credits including, “Dreamgirls,” “For Colored Girls,” and Tyler Perry’s “Madea's Class Reunion.” Finishing as a Top 13 Finalist in the hit show American Idol (Season 5), Kinnik then went on to win the Dreamgirls competition sponsored by the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, CA and Blackweekly.com and was flown to Italy to perform. She also executive-produced, wrote, and hosted the celebrity and entertainment news web series, “Straight From the Sky” that can be seen on KinnikSky.com.
Powerhouse directors and producers Tyler Perry, Robert Townsend, Will Packer, and Kenny Leon have cast Kinnik in their projects to utilize her vocal range and acting abilities, but Kinnik’s greatest theatrical achievement to date is writing, producing, and starring in the stage production, “Sunday Mourning” under her Dazzal Mi Entertainment production company (pronounced Dazzle Me), which won three NAACP Theater Awards. The play received a total of seven NAACP Theatre Award nominations, including her nomination for “Best Playwright” and her win for “Best Leading Female.” To date, her production company has received a total of 11 NAACP Theatre Award nominations and seven wins for its stage productions.
In 2017, Kinnik launched Dazzal Mi Entertainment’s 501c3, Athletes and Entertainers For Change. AEFC’s first program offering is The Sky Academy designed to expose underserved youth in Los Angeles to jobs in theater and filmmaking, as well as arts and culture.
In 2019, Kinnik Sky Films released its first short film, “PAWN,” which was written, directed, and produced by Kinnik, who also starred in the production. “PAWN” world premiered at the prestigious, Oscar-qualifying 2019 BronzeLens Film Festival where it was the official selection. The film has received multiple accolades, including being named the official winner of the Los Angeles Movie Awards 2019, the official selection of the Las Vegas Premiere Film Festival 2019, and the Top Shorts Film Festival 2019 Honorable Mention for Best Story.
Kinnik continues to climb in notoriety, expanding into directing and coaching. In 2019, she was hired as the Dialogue Coach for the ABC hit comedy Mixed-ish. She is consistently referred to by writers and directors on the set of Mixed-ish as the “Youth Whisperer” due to her innate and invaluable talent for nurturing young actors in a way that empowers and excites them to give their best performances. In 2020 after watching her work, the show’s staff and crew began requesting that Kinnik privately coach their kids, which inspired her to launch Stars and Sky Private Coaching for actors. Kinnik is also the second Black female instructor ever to join the team at the highly prestigious Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in Los Angeles by personal invitation from founder Lee Strasberg’s son. The institute boasts A-list alumni including, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, Shandra Wilson, Lady Gaga, and Matt Dillon.
Currently, Kinnik Sky Films is in pre-production to turn her award-winning stage play Sunday Mourning into a feature film. Kinnik continues to break new ground and push barriers as an artist, and her motto guides her work: “Not even the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”
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Philadelphia/ South Jersey native, Ashley Monique Harper was born on June 10th. Both the acting and tennis bugs bit her at nine years old. She began her career interning at radio stations in Philadelphia and hosting radio shows while attending college at Morgan State University. She later transferred to St. John's University, in New York, from where she would ultimately graduate with her bachelor's degree. While there, she began her hosting career. She attended both schools on a full tennis scholarship.
Best described as witty, sarcastic and humorous; her talent, girl next door looks and welcoming smile have landed her roles in Netflix series', on BET stages and Disney shows alike. Throughout the years of her career, Harper has worked on voice overs, promos, independent films, print ads and served as a correspondent for many MTV Networks programs. Ashley is best known for her role of Jean Peterson on Tyler Perry's 'The Oval' (2020) on BET Networks.
When she's not in front of the camera, Harper can be found behind it, with her DSLR draped around her neck, taking photos of your favorite's favorites. A true content creator, her shooting eye is always open.
There is one main goal... Ashley desires to continue to passionately and enthusiastically tell people's stories; the good, bad, ugly and the funny ones.
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The exciting talent of Alyssa Goss was quickly discovered by the ABC Discovers program in 2016. From the program Alyssa Goss quickly started working and found herself in the BET Mini-series THE BOBBY BROWN STORY - the successful follow up the the groundbreaking mini-series THE NEW EDITION STORY.
Alyssa starred as the ethereal yet complex Alicia Etheridge (Bobby Brown’s current and long term wife) opposite Woody McClain who once again portrayed Bobbie Brown. Alyssa brought her talents to portray strength with heart and was singled out as a grounding performance.
Additionally, Alyssa eager to exercise her comedy skills, moved to the female lead in the MTV Productions HOW HIGH 2. In the fun and irreverent comedy Alyssa relished her ability to be a comedic artist while at the same time providing a grounded performance.
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Courtney Coffey is an actor, dancer, television producer, & mindset coach for performing artists based in Los Angeles, CA. After feeling stuck and going through a period of depression, she decided that something needed to change. She began to work on her mindset and her life changed—within a few months she signed with 2 agents and a manager, booked a pilot and a national commercial, and was more happy and confident than ever.
She understands the mindset shifts that artists need to go through to excel in their chosen field, and started her coaching practice to help them do just that. She uses human design, energetics, rational emotive behavioral therapy, and her “Triple E formula” to help her clients begin to live the life of their dreams.
Link to a free meditation, from Courtney!
Instagram & Youtube Channel
Website for more info and to work with Courtney.
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Desean is an actor, director, and educator. His directing credits include Gunshot Medley: Part 1by Diona Michelle Daniel, In The Bloodby Susan Lori Parks, Blues for Mister Charlie by James Baldwin, Day of Absence by Douglas Turner Ward. As an actor, his television credits include Scorpion, Southland, Shameless, ER, Monk, Harry's Law, The Night Shift, Sleeper Cell, House,Grey's Anatomy, NCIS Los Angeles, the HBO series Room 104 and several more. He is currently a series regular on The Morning Showon Apple TV opposite Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. He is a graduate of Julliard with an MFA from Cal State University Long Beach in Acting Pedagogy and Directing, where he currently teaches and directs. He is Co-Artistic Director of Collaborative Artists Bloc, a theatre company in South Los Angeles dedicated to producing culturally relevant theatre in communities of color. You can find out more about Desean and any of his storytelling adventures at www.deseanterry.com.
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Since wrapping a Recurring Role on BET+'s RUTHLESS, Guest Starring on CBS's NCIS, and a Lead in Black++ Production's indie film HATSHEPSUT, Selina is becoming a recognizably distinct actor.
Before Recurring on RUTHLESS, Selina Guest Starred on Paul Feig's FRANCES 2.0, Dr. Dre's VITAL SIGNS, STITCHERS on Freeform and MARRIED on FX. Most recently, her coaching clients have successfully booked a Series Regular role on STARZ's B.M.F., a top-of-show Guest Star on NCIS, and a Guest Star on SHAMELESS & BOSCH.
Originally from Buffalo NY, Selina majored in Broadcast Journalism from Buffalo State College. She started her career as a VJ & radio personality for 93.7 WBLK, the #1 radio station for Hip-Hop & R&B in Buffalo. She has studied and worked in Los Angeles for almost a decade and has been invested in and worked with Graham Shiels Studios since 2015.
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Actor, Model, Athlete, Stunt Performer, From Winston-Salem North Carolina. Jejuan was a full time football & basketball player through grade school earning him a football scholarship. Starting with modeling at 16 for a local clothing line, then on going appearing in numerous music videos. Jejuan has made no stoppage since that point. From starting as a background extra on Drop Dead Diva & other hit shows to being a stand in & stunt double on films like Ant Man, Sleepless Nights, & AtlantaFX series over the years. Involved In Writing & Directing films in which he directed "Walk A Mile" which starred himself & other cast mates that he met alongside of networking. The film has been featured in numerous film festivals and other movie screenings gaining notice. Traveling across the country Between Atlanta GA, & Los Angeles , CA throughout the years, He has made no stoppage in pursuing his growth as an actor. Utilizing Modeling, & creative control with his projects to continue to pursuit his craft.
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Candice Renéeis an L.A. native who spent half of her life in New York. Candice began her acting career at age 12 when she booked her first play while training. After that, there was no turning back.
She received an acting degree while in New York. These skills have helped land her recent roles on Black Jesus on Adult Swim, and the most recent seasons of both Westworld and Insecure on HBO where she plays Condola's best friend. She was recently seen in the feature film, BODIED produced by Eminem. Candice is currently a series regular on Tyler Perry's Bruh, playing the no-nonsense Regina and can be heard on the upcoming season of Archer on FX.
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Graham Shiels Studios
A graduate of the Yale School of Drama and currently a Recurring top-of-show Guest Star on AppleTV+'s TRUTH BE TOLD with Oscar award-winner Octavia Spencer and Ryan Murphy's "9-1-1: Lone Star" on FOX. Graham is a working actor with experience and knowledge spanning over 20 years. A celebrity acting coach in Los Angeles, Graham coaches Series Regulars and up-and-coming actors alike. Graham himself was a Series Regular on Syfy's fantasy psychological thriller OLYMPUS, a Recurring top-of-show Guest Star on HBO's TRUE BLOOD, The CW's ARROW, and Disney XD's comedy LAB RATS, and has booked over 30 network Guest Stars including most recently CBS All Access' STAR TREK: PICARD opposite Sir Patrick Stewart. Graham has also appeared in major Hollywood blockbusters: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, THOR: THE DARK WORLD, and YES MAN opposite Jim Carrey. His theatre roots are reflected in his regional theatre credits: The Mark Taper Forum (directed by Tony award-winner Brian Bedford), South Coast Repertory (world premiere by Howard Korder, creator of HBO's BOARDWALK EMPIRE), California Shakespeare Theatre, and the Yale Repertory Theatre. Graham has shared the screen and stage with Oscar award winners Holly Hunter, Marrcia Gay Harden, and Anna Paquin, and numerable Tony and Emmy award-winners.
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Experience the journey to an Oscar with celebrity acting coach Carnetta Jones. Her unique approach is borne out of 20 years in the entertainment industry. Carnetta was bitten by the acting bug at the age of 12 after sneaking into her father's rehearsal of the musical, Bye Bye Birdie. Recognizing her excitement, he arranged for the director to give her a part. This started a journey that took her from the stage to the big screen. Along the way she worked with great directors like Oliver Stone and Tyler Perry, and with great actors like Meagan Good, Taryn Manning, Kim Whitley, Guy Torry, Bill Bellamy, Faune Chambers, Tasha Smith, Malika & Khadijah, Kirk Franklin, and Macy Gray (pictured below). She also transitions comedians, singers, and musicians into professional actors.
Carnetta succeeds with her own “natural” technique: a powerful blend of Susan Batson, Meisner and Stanislavski. She tailors an individual plan that strengthens weaknesses and builds ones strengths. In addition to private and set coaching, she conducts seminars, workshops and webinars.
Carnetta's success didn’t happen over night! She received her baccalaureate from the Claremont Colleges and her Master's from UCLA. In college she honed her craft through performance and education which led her to writing, directing and acting in plays and film. This led to teaching acting to everyone who asked for her expertise- college students, children, adults and seniors. These experiences prepared her to coach celebrities on studio lots and many unique locations! Carnetta's evolution of impartation continues to expand as she prepares to use her unique approach to introduce Hollywood-style acting to Japan.
Carnetta resides with her husband and three daughters in Southern California.
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Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Barry Brewer began his career as a stand-up comedian in 2002 when he was just a teenager. Originally getting his start performing at local churches, Brewer perfected his craft performing in comedy clubs throughout Chicago before moving to Los Angeles in 2004. Brewer's early success came from televised comedy competitions such as Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes on TV One alongside his peers, Tiffany Haddish and Lil Rel Howery and Comedy Dynamics' comedian showcase, Coming to the Stage.
Brewer is best known for his stand-up comedy special, Chicago I'm Home, streaming on Amazon Prime. He currently stars in Tyler Perry's Bruh and recently had a recurring role on the BET series, Games People Play. He appeared in Kevin Hart's Netflix show, Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History, as well as Tru TV's Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks and Comedy Central's Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution.
In addition to his comedy, Brewer is an accomplished musician, songwriter and music producer. He has worked with numerous artists including Brandy, Ray J and Tank and has recorded two studio albums.
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Liz LaFontant is a Haitian-American Actress native to Orlando, FL. She attended the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL to receive her Bachelors in Public Health in the midst of pursuing a career as a Model and soon after an Actress. Liz has worked on projects such as Killroy Was Here, Tyler Perry’s The Oval, and Tyler Perry’s Bruh as a recurring Guest Star which will be premiering on May 27th. She studied at Performer’s Studio Workshop, Andi Matheny Acting Studio, Russ Blackwell, and The American Stage. She recently relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time but continues to work in other markets.
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Abercrumbie, a stalwart of the Chicago stage, is known more widely for her television roles on “The Chi” created by awarding wining, Chicago native, Lena Waithe. The Chi entering it’s forth season. Set to begin May 23, 2021. Abercrumbie plays Nina Williams, mother of two teenagers played by Birgundi Baker (Kiesha) and Alex Hibert (Kevin), together they face more than their fair share of challenges as residents of Chicago’s south side. Abercrumbie has regularly appeared in programs over the past several years including, Proven Innocent, Easy, ChicagoPD, ChicagoMed, Girlfriend Experience, Shrink, Unexpected, The Animator - to name a few.She has acted at Court, Goodman, Northlight, Victory Gardens and Chicago Shakespeare, among other regional theaters. A talented writer, Director, she is the inaugural recipient of The North Side’s Raven Theater $25,000 new-play initiative. Her play “Relentless” formally scheduled to open at Timeline Theatre last May before the pandemic shutdown is currently in negotiations for a winter date this season. She is also slated to direct a postponed world premiere “The Last Pair of Earlies” at Raven, this fall. Her favorite quote to live by -
“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” - Frederick Douglass
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NIRINE S. BROWNis a native New Yorker born and raised in Queens, New York. She first explored the world of dance at the age of 5 under the direction of Bernice Johnson at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center. Nirine continued to train at local dance studios & joined companies such as KECEDE Company, Devore Dance Studio, The Alvin Alley School, Ballet Hispanico School, Balance Dance Company, and Broadway Theater Project in which she received full scholarships. Nirine attended the Performing Arts Talent Unlimited High School as a Dance/ Musical Theater Major. She began her first professional dance career with The Radio City Christmas Spectacular as a Rockette upon graduating High School. Inorder to take part of the opportunity she deferred her full dance scholarship offered by SUNY Purchase Conservatory College to spring semester. Her dancing talents allowed her to go on tour and/or perform notable Artists such as Beyonce, Janelle Monae, Lauryn Hill, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Jidenna, and Black Eye Pea.
Nirine’s training maturity in Musical Theater was honed through the program Broadway Theater Project in Tampa, Fl where she received a full Scholarship. Some of her credits exist in performing with the First National tour of Wicked the Musical, Fringe NYC Festival musical production of "Scandalous People" at the Minetta Lane Theater, "Dinner at Grandma’s" at The Black Spectrum Theatre, and the production of "Hattie... What I Need You to Know" playing as the young Hattie McDaniel staring actress Vickilyn Reynolds at The National Black Theatre located in Harlem, NY. Vocal Training: LaVoix Studio
Nirine has vigorously pursued an acting career as well. Her most recent television appearance is with Tyler Perry new hit Drama series RUTHLESS for her role as Lynn Rollins (Series Regular).
She has also appeared in media ranging from commercial, print work, special events to independent films. As Nirine continues to pursue her career & dreams in the Arts she will continue to be humble & generous to her family, friends & community.
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DaJuan Johnson is a consistently working actor, certified life coach and the founder of Think Bigger Coaching. Currently you can catch him recurring as Detective Rondell Pierce on Amazon’s hit showBOSCH -the seventh season premieres June 25th. DaJuan’s credits include his ABC backed Emmy campaigned performance on Grey’s Anatomy and his lead role in the Emmy nominated YouTube seriesThe New 30. Credits also includeNCIS, Narcos, Suits, Agent Carter, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, Private Practice, 24, and Bones, and now he is also on a mission to help actors #uplevel their careers with confidence.
His mindset strategies are grounded in real-life experience as a veteran working actor. He has helped hundreds of others break through personal blocks and integrate best audition practices so they can book more work and quickly move to the next level.
To learn more about DaJuan, head on over to: https://thinkbiggercoaching.com.
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From the artist...
Because 2020 is the best show ever written, I’ll use it to highlight my experiences and multi-cultural sensibilities.
I spent the last weeks of 2019 writing a comedy feature. Having spent most of that year battling depression, I was trying to write my way out of it. I entered the new year working on a rewrite, as well as a new comedy pilot. I was optimistic, determined and prepared for some wins.
Then Covid-19 hit.
I didn’t fear the illness as I successfully battled the flu. And quite frankly, the only thing that scared me more than finding a lump in my breast was the surgery to have it removed. It’s felt much easier to keep something from getting into my body than to having to get something out. Certainly, I could wear a mask and wash my hands.
Then outside closed.
I was relieved at first. I was scheduled for three weddings and a baby shower that I didn’t want to attend, all before June. Now I had time to write with no interruptions. But the walls started closing in. It was a familiar feeling. Around 2010, during my first stint in Los Angeles, I had a bachelor apartment in Hollywood. I only left home for necessities. I had no car and no money, and it was too hot to run through tourists on Hollywood Blvd chasing the metro. LA residents spend roughly $75 every time they leave the house. I made up that statistic but you get it. My studio apartment went from being a refuge to feeling like a prison.
Then the economy crashed.
I’ve been through that as well. I graduated from college into a recession. As an actor, I’ve learned to live below my means. Freelancing is a skillset I mastered in Atlanta, when I pursued survival jobs that were reliable and flexible. In 2014 it was substitute teaching. By 2015, I was working as a stand-in. In 2016, I founded a social media management company. I could make money as long as I had wifi. In 2017, I returned to Los Angeles with a roster of clients. For the brands I represent, the nationwide lockdown turned me into an essential worker. I don’t make as much as the folks on Only Fans but I get to keep my clothes on.
Then both the George Floyd and Amy Cooper videos surfaced on the same day.
Overnight the world was forced to deal with something that has suffocated black people for more than 400 years: racism. I’ve endured microaggressions like having women clutch their purses when I walk by, not having the door held for me in my apartment building by whites and Asians, granting requests to be more urban during auditions, and my favorite, taking the notes that my writing sounds too much like Insecure or Atlanta because that’s the only experience the reader has with black shows. So now I get to protest for equal rights. Again.
And I get to do it all in a mask, which makes me look like a threat.
Meanwhile, corporations offer apologies, cities are painting streets yellow, and all I’d really like to know is when did black pain become the new currency? Where was this ‘support’ when countless black people were murdered on and off camera? What will Hollywood do to tell more authentic stories that not only shape the perception of blacks in the public, but also employ us in rooms where 67% of shows have no black writers at all? I did not make up that statistic.
The sudden interest in my work may be fueled by this moment in time. But my perspective and sensibility have always been needed. Black women are simultaneously the most lucrative and underserved demographics in entertainment. My entire existence has prepared me for this. So I’m here, ready, vulnerable, and generous. Because in reality, 2020 has taught me nothing at all.
Everybody else is just late to the party.
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Host Melanie Victor reflects on 200 episodes of the podcast. Her husband BJ interviews her and they talk about the growth of the podcast, the future of it and she gives more information about The Actors Lounge Membership Club, launching on June 1, 2021. Stay tuned!!
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Katt Arcos is an Ecuadorian & Peruvian Talent Manager/Casting Director/Executive Producer born and raised in Jersey City, NJ. She has worked as a business analyst for Showtime and that's when she realized her love for the entertainment industry. In 2015 she opened Arcos Management, a full service talent management company started in Jersey City and has been a passionate Latina talent manager ever since then.
Her mission has and will always be to represent the most diverse actors and provide them with the support, development and guidance they need in each step of their acting career. She pushes her clients to reach their goals and is dedicated to helping them push their career forward. Katt has helped her clients land huge bookings that they never believed they could.
She also works as a Executive Producer and/or Casting Director for independent short films with production company, Witness Entertainment, and has been able to secure roles for her clients on films that are currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. She's all for actors creating their own content and building their own opportunities as well!
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In January of 2021, Taylor founded a virtual talent casting company called Aura Casting. Where once auditions were held in a studio, Taylor realized the enormous efficiency and convenience of auditioning from home due to the pandemic. When actors sign up on the website, they become eligible for Aura auditions as well as gain access to the growing community of talent, filmmakers, and local artists.
Originally from Washington DC, Taylor took a spontaneous road trip out west to California in the summer of 2011, and never looked back! He began his career as a working actor in the San Francisco Bay Area for several years. He was heavily involved in the community, co-founding a very popular actor meetup group called Coffee and Catchup in 2014.
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"Inspired To Be" children's book series @inspiredtobe_cp Crystel is a hardworking mother of two boys, a wife, an active member of her community, and a self-published children's book author. Her long lost love for writing re-emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, following the murder of George Floyd. in January 2021, She published her first children’s book titled, One Flip, Two Flip, Three Flip, Four, which is part of her book series entitled "Inspired to Be". this book series is a direct outcome of a question her then 8-year old son asked her following the murder of George Floyd: “Why does the police keep killing black people?”. In that moment she wanted her son to know a different and better narrative. Her vision for the “Inspired to Be” book series came to her a few nights later while reading a bedtime story to her two sons. They were so into the story, that she started to wonder how the story in that very moment was shaping their young minds. She started to think about how books help children to develop their own narratives and how important it is for children to see themselves in the characters, especially when the character is a positive one. So she decided to write stories inspired by the culture, experience, and dreams of Black people with the goal of using these stories to help change the narrative of black people in the minds of all children. She decided to write stories filled with inspiration from real people so that young readers can say, “if they did can do it, then so can I”.
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Janette R. Smith is a compassionate and fiery personal coach, speaker, author, and changeagent, most sought after for being able to help clients "push past stuck." Janette has been honored to travel the world to interview, work with, and for some of the great change agents and thought leaders of our time, including Oprah, Zig Ziglar, TD Jakes, Iyanla Vanzant, Laurie Beth Jones, and John Maxwell. Janette' holds a Strategic Intervention Life Coaching Certification through Robbins - Madanes Training. She holds a second coaching certification through Harvard's EdX program, "The Immunity to Change." One of Janette's most powerful tools is her action journal, "From Dream to Reality: Navigating the Path to Your Life Purpose". Through this book and the eCourse by the same name, hundreds of people have been able to focus on their purpose, while creating a strategic plan to succeed. "The 21-Day Release Action Journal" is her other must-have book that walks women through the journey of healing and empowerment. This cancer ‘slayer’ as she calls herself, fervently supports messages of early detection. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. —rocking the Chucks and Pearls, and is the proud Fur Mama to Misa & Nahla her Shih Tzu and Bichon mixed babies.
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Angelo Maldonado Jr. is a Brooklyn born Latino-American actor, rapper, singer & comedian. His multifaceted talents have been showcased in principal roles on platforms such as Viceland (Danny's House), MTV (Revenge Prank), NBC (Last Call with Carson Daly), & Caroline's to name a few. Angelo is also an improvisator, impersonator & his vocal ranges are Soprano, Alto & Bari-tenor. Angelo's ability to adapt to any creative environment whether on screen or on stage makes his versatility & talent hard to ignore.
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Amy Lyndon has been entertaining the public since the age of 10. Having grown up in New Rochelle, New York, formal training was as easy as jumping on a train. At 16, Lyndon studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse (NYC) and went on to England to tackle the prestigious London Academy of Performing Arts. After earning her BFA from Syracuse University, she experienced intense drama training with Stella Adler and Harry Mastrogeorge and extensive comedy training with The Groundlings, CBS Comedy on The Lot, Int’l Blend Comedy Troupe with Rick Overton and The Comedy Store. Lyndon has over 100 IMDB Credits.
She has 45+ films to her credit, some including: "The UnMiracle" with Stephen Baldwin, "And They're Off" with Sean Astin, "The Poughkeepsie Tapes" for MGM, "The House That Jack Built” with Joe Mantegna and 4 LionsGate Feature Films: "B.T.K," “Dracula's Guest," "Ed Gein: The Butcher Of Plainfield” and "Chicago Massacre: Richard Speck." Lyndon also Starred in Chris Pratt's first film "Cursed Part 3," written & directed by Rae Dawn Chong.
On Television, Lyndon Guest Starred in over 30+ television shows, some including: "NCIS," "Adopting Terror" for Lifetime, "Law and Order: Los Angeles," "Eagleheart," "Ugly Betty," "Entourage," "NYPD Blue" and "JAG." She was also Recurring in "Days of Our Lives," "The Bold and the Beautiful," "General Hospital," "Young and The Restless" and a Recurring Guest Lead in "Freddy's Nightmares."
On stage, Lyndon's wacky performance as “Bobbi Michelle” in "Last of The Red Hot Lovers" at The Tiffany Theatre earned her a “Marquee Comedy Award” and critical acclaim starring as “Roberta” in “Danny And The Deep Blue Sea.”
Additionally, Amy Lyndon is a Multi-Award Winning director, writer, producer. Her film "Odessa" starring the late Yolanda King (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Eldest Daughter) won “The Gold Plaque Jury’s Choice Award” at the TV/FEST Chicago International Television Competition, “The Diamond Halo Award” at the Angelciti International Film Festival, “Jury’s Choice Award” at the Temecula Valley International Film Festival and was honored to be chosen 15 times for Official Selections. She won the “Spirit of Moondance Award” for the Best Family Screenplay "Unleash My Heart" at the Moondance International Film Festival and she directed her first World Premiere Play "The Parasites," which was produced by The Met Theatre to sold out audiences. Lyndon also directed and produced "Award-Winning," which won “Best Comedy” at the G.I.A.A. Film Festival in NYC, “Audience Choice Award” at the Washougal International Film Festival and then received a “Directing Award” and an “Audience Choice Award” for the film "The Whiskey Girls" from The New York International Film Festival. Lyndon also wrote, directed and produced the Pilot sitcom "I Wanna Marry Larry," directed the films “Chloe’s Song,” “Dice,” “#Unfiltered” and “Faking Death.” “Love is a Tickle in the Heart” just won “Best Documentary Short” from Studio City International Film Festival and her award winning short “Odessa” is now being shopped to studios by a big time production company.
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Meet J Nycole Ralph
J Nycole Ralph IG
As one of the top 2% of actors in the industry, J Nycole Ralph loves helping other artists and entrepreneurs make an impact in the world and get paid well to do it! She was a full time teacher in the poorest district in the United States and was burnt out and started resenting going to work because it was not her actual dream. She decided to change that, and she proudly boasts that she’s now a Broadway actor, an award-winning film producer, and a bad bitch entrepreneurial coach. She loves to help boss divas do what she did and transition from their office job to making 6 figures or more as an artist-entrepreneur within 12 months, in an eye opening way without having to put in tons of hours of work.
J Nycole has been living her dream of performing on Broadway and touring around the world for the past several years, telling the heartwarmingly impactful yet hilarious story, The Book of Mormon (written by Matt Stone & Trey Parker, writers of South Park), while also working on several star-studded, award-winning films alongside Adam Sandler, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Rosario Dawson, and Yara Shahidi, just to name a few. She has also created her own comedic series called Working Out the Kinks, streaming on Black Oak TV, that not only makes you laugh, but also uses hair as a vehicle to explore and educate on the differences between black and white culture. Additionally, J Nycole is an executive producer on the American Black Film Festival feature film selection, Lola, the first African-American female boxing movie, starring Taja V. Simpson of The Bold and the Beautiful and Tyler Perry’s Boo 2.
J Nycole is also a certified life coach and entrepreneurial coach with the world-renowned organization, Inner Access, as well as a contributing coach with the Forbes celebrated organization for actors, The Actor's Green Room. J Nycole's mission is to carry out the legacy of entertaining while empowering and educating- a legacy left to her by her mother and grandparents to whom she gives thanks and honor, for without them, she would not be the woman she is today.
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Brian Confer, has been an actor for over 25 years, living in NYC and Chicago before moving to LA 16 years ago. In the last 6 years he has transitioned from being in front of the screen to behind it, by producing digital series and films. Most actors have day jobs, and Brian did sales and marketing for 10+ years before deciding to start his own company. In 2014 he became a Co-Founder of The Headshot Truck, which is the first mobile photography studio in the country. The Headshot Truck was designed by actors, for actors and delivers high quality headshots at affordable prices.
Over the years The Headshot Truck has developed relationships with amazing actors, agents, casting directors, and studios. Recently they started the first ever actor headshot subscription, which allows actors to shoot 6 looks per year for only $49 per month.
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Steven St. Pierre is a New York native; born to Haitian immigrant parents and raised in Queens. He began acting professionally in 2016 and has since appeared in over 20 film and TV productions, including Emmy Nominated web series Tough Love, HBO’s High Maintenance, and Discovery ID's The Perfect Murder. St. Pierre's upcoming projects are in the feature films The Pill as the lead and Serial Killerin Harlem in a supporting role.
His filmography also include credits as both a writer and director, most notably for his award winning short film Corey, now streaming on Amazon Prime. Corey written, directed, produced and starring St. Pierre, was screened in 20+ film festivals across the country and Canada. The film won 7 awards including 2 best short film wins.
Steven is an avid creative constantly producing new ways to tell stories and entertain an audience both with original drama and comedy content. St. Pierre created the mini-series Room for Rent, a 1 minute character based comedy series that premeired on BronxNet TV in September 2020. He is also a contributing writer at Monologuestogo.com where original monologues can be purchased by performers. Steven also wrote and performed on the inaugural season of the People's Improv Theatre house sketch team "Victory Cereal" for 2 seasons. He's directed the theatre's signature Saturday night show "Old School Sketch Show" held monthly at the PIT on several occasions. St. Pierre honed his comedic ability at the PIT and UCB.
Fun fact: He and Spike Lee share the same birthday and are die hard, suffering Knicks fan.
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Sean Perez has been a Talent Agent since 2015. He has been a Talent Booker since 2013 starting in experiential marketing booking talent for corporate businesses & well known brands for events, activations & campaigns.
Sean Perez has a wealth of experience being on both sides of the table as he is a performer as well as an agent. Sean has a BA Music (Music Theatre) from The Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Mackay - CQUniversity, Cert IV Music Theatre from The Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, NSW & a Cert II & III in Live Technical Theatre & Production.
He is known for empowering his clients & other actors in the business that is Show Business which allows them to confidently pursue their dreams with the tools he has given them. He is also an acting coach where his actors have booked, been flown to LA for Pilot Season & callbacks for Networks TV Shows.
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Kinnik is a veteran of stage, television, and film. Originally from Columbia, SC, she spent 14 years honing her craft in Atlanta, GA working professionally in musical theater. She has performed in more than 30 stage plays over the past 20 years with major theatre credits including, “Dreamgirls,” “For Colored Girls,” and Tyler Perry’s “Madea's Class Reunion.” Finishing as a Top 13 Finalist in the hit show American Idol (Season 5), Kinnik then went on to win the Dreamgirls competition sponsored by the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, CA and Blackweekly.com and was flown to Italy to perform. She also executive-produced, wrote, and hosted the celebrity and entertainment news web series, “Straight From the Sky” that can be seen on KinnikSky.com.
Powerhouse directors and producers Tyler Perry, Robert Townsend, Will Packer, and Kenny Leon have cast Kinnik in their projects to utilize her vocal range and acting abilities, but Kinnik’s greatest theatrical achievement to date is writing, producing, and starring in the stage production, “Sunday Mourning” under her Dazzal Mi Entertainment production company (pronounced Dazzle Me), which won three NAACP Theater Awards. The play received a total of seven NAACP Theatre Award nominations, including her nomination for “Best Playwright” and her win for “Best Leading Female.” To date, her production company has received a total of 11 NAACP Theatre Award nominations and seven wins for its stage productions.
In 2017, Kinnik launched Dazzal Mi Entertainment’s 501c3, Athletes and Entertainers For Change. AEFC’s first program offering is The Sky Academy designed to expose underserved youth in Los Angeles to jobs in theater and filmmaking, as well as arts and culture.
In 2019, Kinnik Sky Films released its first short film, “PAWN,” which was written, directed, and produced by Kinnik, who also starred in the production. “PAWN” world premiered at the prestigious, Oscar-qualifying 2019 BronzeLens Film Festival where it was the official selection. The film has received multiple accolades, including being named the official winner of the Los Angeles Movie Awards 2019, the official selection of the Las Vegas Premiere Film Festival 2019, and the Top Shorts Film Festival 2019 Honorable Mention for Best Story.
Kinnik continues to climb in notoriety, expanding into directing and coaching. In 2019, she was hired as the Dialogue Coach for the ABC hit comedy Mixed-ish. She is consistently referred to by writers and directors on the set of Mixed-ish as the “Youth Whisperer” due to her innate and invaluable talent for nurturing young actors in a way that empowers and excites them to give their best performances. In 2020 after watching her work, the show’s staff and crew began requesting that Kinnik privately coach their kids, which inspired her to launch Stars and Sky Private Coaching for actors. Kinnik is also the second Black female instructor ever to join the team at the highly prestigious Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in Los Angeles by personal invitation from founder Lee Strasberg’s son. The institute boasts A-list alumni including, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, Shandra Wilson, Lady Gaga, and Matt Dillon.
Currently, Kinnik Sky Films is in pre-production to turn her award-winning stage play Sunday Mourning into a feature film. Kinnik continues to break new ground and push barriers as an artist, and her motto guides her work: “Not even the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”
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Joseph Pearlman helps actors launch their careers faster, win series leads before they go to casting, and reach Oscar level performances on set.
Pearlman Acting Academy (PAA), is based in Los Angeles with affiliates around the world, including New York City, London, New Orleans, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Tokyo.
Voted “Best Acting Studio & Coach In L.A." PAA is Hollywood's most respected film and TV training studio offering the industry's most advanced private coaching and classes for beginners to celebrities. From Hollywood via Zoom to anywhere in the world.
Some of Joseph's clients include:
Ridley Scott's Scott Free Productions, Amy Adams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ryan Reynolds, HBO, Amazon Studios, AMC, TED Talks, Iliza Shlesinger (NETFLIX, comedian), Sian Clifford (Emmy nominated for Fleabag), Eugene Simon (Game of Thrones), Julian Sands, Alex MacNicoll (Transparent), Skylar Grey (5-time Grammy nominee), Sherri Shepherd (30 Rock), and many others.
Joseph also coaches presenters for all the major award ceremonies, including the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes, and Independent Spirit Awards.
Joseph has been featured on: The Oscars, Coca-Cola.com, Emmys, AMC, Grammy Awards, Inc. Magazine, Backstage Magazine, SAG-AFTRA, among many others (see website below). You can also check out Joseph's Today Show Oscars feature video here: “Coaching Celebrities To Present At The Oscars.”
Joseph is also a regular guest speaker and presenter at: TED Talks, SAG-AFTRA, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, University of Southern California’s (USC) Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, McGill University’s International Masters for Health Leadership (IMHL) executive program, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), United Nations, World Health Organization (WHO), and many others.
Sign up here to get Joseph’s FREE "Acting & Career Tips" delivered to your inbox. Email info@JosephPearlman.com to launch your career now from anywhere in the world and schedule a FREE audit via Zoom and meet our celebrity clients.
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE LINKS
Website: http://www.josephpearlman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephpearlman/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/josephpearlman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PearlmanActingAcademy/
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William Jefferson Jr is an American Actor, Entrepreneur, and Creative Artist from the Southside of Chicago. Growing up in the Bronzeville area, His first gig was in the hit series "Juke A Chicago Story" as Albert on YouTube that has over 1million views. He attended a small Historical Black College in Fairfield, Alabama Thee Prestigious " Miles College " graduating with a BA in Communications studying Radio/TV/Film. After college He then continued his acting career moving back to his hometown in another web series titled "Tracey Story" as Matthew. Which hit over 200k views on YouTube He has collaborated with other Indie Filmmakers and has since directed and produced his own projects. He is set to star in several upcoming films, and projects under New Black Cinema Productions. He launched his business "The Actor Advisor" January 1st 2021 helping actors get signed with agencies and working on their careers.
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Mike Dolphy has been seen in numerous commercials worldwide. His commercial success opened new doors for him in television (Scandal, All-American, The Upshaws), film, hosting, and entrepreneurship.
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An 11-year native of Atlanta with York, Pennsylvania origins, Autumn Bailey has been deemed as a results-driven and highly qualified entertainment executive specializing in independent film production and distribution. She completed her undergraduate studies in Mass Communication with a minor in Philosophy at Shaw University.
Mrs. Bailey-Ford is the founder of Autumn Bailey Entertainment whose mission is to produce high quality feature films and television shows. She has worked on over three dozen independent film projects as a producer and has assisted numerous filmmakers secure film distribution for their projects. Autumn is also a member of the Producer Guild of America, Women in film Atlanta & Los Angels, Black Women in Film, SouthEast Emmys Member and one of the charter founding members of Real Divas Atlanta organization.
When asked about her passions, she states “to help others, give back and connect individuals from various backgrounds and cultures to achieve a common goal in furthering their entertainment careers.” Mrs. Bailey has played a pivotal role in expanding awareness of the indie film community in Georgia. She founded the Georgia Entertainment Gala in 2013 attracting over 1800 people to the City of Atlanta annually to celebrate Georgia’s talent rise in film, television and film. Through this gala, Mrs. Bailey has garnered the support of numerous community leaders, brands and organizations.
Currently, Mrs. Bailey is producing several film and television projects. She is a highly sought after indie producer with over 30 films under her belt both on the small and big screens. Of those films, she has received multiple accolades and won numerous awards. She has expanded her brand on the East and West Coast of the United States to further her reach in assisting indie film communities. Through hard work, faith, dedication and doing good business, Mrs. Bailey is certain to continue breaking through barriers within indie film communities across the U.S. Most recently, Mrs. Bailey has started a co-production company with Cameron Burnett (Son of acclaimed Hollywood Producer Mark Burnett) called Prominent Productions.
Aside from being a producer, Mrs. Bailey’s commitment to community enrichment and charitable organizations is never ending. Through her Get Connected Atlanta monthly industry mixer established in 2011 created for the people by the people, Mrs. Bailey utilizes this established platform to donate proceeds to various social organizations across Georgia while providing a networking opportunity platform for novice and seasoned industry professionals. Her advice to young aspiring producers and professionals “Work hard, do business that uplifts others and show people that if they believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to accomplish.”
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NUMA PERRIER
DIRECTOR, ACTOR,WRITER, PRODUCER
Born in Haiti and raised in small town USA, Numa Perrier has emerged as an exciting multi hyphenate in the film/TV landscape. Her early work includes starring in and writing the hit web series, The Couple, which scored a deal at HBO. She co-founded the pioneering streaming platform Black&Sexy TV serving as a creator, director, and showrunner on over a dozen series including Roomieloverfriends (produced by Issa Rae) and Hello Cupid (co-created by Lena Waithe) She then moved on to her feature film directorial debut, Jezebel, which premiered at SXSW 2019 and is distributed on Netflix via Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Releasing. Numa is the recipient of the Best Feature and Best Director Awards at the American Black Film Festival, is a Root100 alumni and is also counted as one of the all women directing team on Queen Sugar, helming an episode that trended nationally. In front of the camera Numa recurred as guest star on Showtime's irreverent comedy SMILF in an critically acclaimed story arc about immigrants. Numa is currently starring in the surreal thriller Fuzzyhead alongside Rain Phoenix, and is in development on numerous projects including TOXIC, an erotic thriller series, and her follow up feature, Blood Mother, via her boutique production arm House of Numa.
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Denim Richards has been performing for over two decades with 20+ musical theater productions as well as numerous TV and film credits under his belt. He can currently be seen in the series regular role of ‘Colby’ opposite Kevin Costner in the hit Paramount Network series "Yellowstone," currently airing Season Three.
On the feature film front, Denim will next appear as ‘Jack Brown’ in “The Chickasaw Rancher,” which tells the remarkable story inspired by the life of renowned Chickasaw cattleman Montford T. Johnson. Denim also directed and co-wrote a short film called “The Zoo” – a dark, gritty WWII psychological thriller highlighting the black experience during the Holocaust, currently in post-production.
Also on the writing front, Denim has released an inspirational self-help and wellness book called Mastering The Mind, currently available for purchase as an e-book. All proceeds from the book are going to Operation Underground Railroad, whose mission is to eradicate human trafficking, specifically child trafficking.
**In 2006, Denim took first place in acting and singing in the Los Angeles NAACP competition. He went on to take fourth in nationals. For those who knew him well, the accolades came as no surprise. Denim found his passion for the arts when he was just six years old while performing as a guest soloist at the world-renowned Crystal Cathedral. Since then, he has never looked back. Through his acting, Denim loves to guide audiences through a range of emotions that leave them feeling uplifted and inspired. He is often attracted to roles that require extreme character development and vocal ability.
Denim has always had a burning desire to own and create, so in 2010, he established his own production company, Lazer Focus Productions, LLC (LFP). LFP is a multi-ethnic company that takes pride in telling original stories of quality while providing opportunities for professionals in the entertainment industry. Denim believes that there is amazing talent everywhere, and LFP is the platform that is needed to showcase that talent.
Denim's brand is Love. He believes that everyone should receive it, especially children. Denim strongly believes that, "in this day in age where everyone is so busy, we have to remember that the youth are our future." With this in mind, he launched Youth Empowering Success (YES). YES is a nonprofit organization that focuses on giving youth a positive voice through the arts: singing, acting, dancing, public speaking and/or filmmaking. In conjunction with his nonprofit, Denim also mentors third, fourth and fifth-grade children at MLK Elementary.
Denim is also very active in many different charities such as United Steps, which addresses homelessness; RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network); Rowell's Foster Children's Positive Plan and the Innocent Justice Foundation.
Denim hopes to continue being a positive role model and an inspiration of hope.**
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Asanté (which means "thank you" in the African language of Swahili) was born Asanté Deshon Parker, in the south side of Chicago, to Wendy and Derrick Parker, both former creatives. Asanté first showcased his acting capabilities at the age of five when his parents placed him in his school's Christmas production. Playing a minute role as one of the twelve mice, he believed he indeed caught his love for acting at that very moment. Growing up in the south of South of Chicago wasn't ideally the safest part of town, however, his parents made sure he was not stirred by his environments during his upbringing. Asanté’s parents tossed both him and his little sister Shanté into every extra curricular activity they could think of but nothing stood like his passion to bring joy to others. Starring in the hit television show “Chicago Fire” as Mikey on NBC, playing Dwayne in the feature film “Teacher” and so much more, he eventually went off to pursue what he knows is his purpose.
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Jessica Obilom is a magnetic Nigerian-American actress and writer, and her star is quickly rising. She was born and raised in Austin, TX, but her love for her Nigerian culture is identifiable in some of her work as an actress, writer and philanthropist. Jessica has been acting since childhood, and one of her goals as an artist is to work on projects that make a difference not only in people, but in the world. She accomplishes that in her breakout lead role in the gripping feature film 'Trafficked', and the feature 'Beautifully Broken'. Jessica had transformational roles in these projects, and they both received theatrical releases. She can currently be seen playing Katrina in the UMC series 'Stuck With You'. Other recent credits include the Lifetime movie 'Christmas Harmony' and the spicy webseries 'Stepford Sidechix', which was Pre-Nominated for the 2019 Daytime Emmy Awards.
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Born and raised in New York City, Lenny attended Midtown West School, a performance and art based elementary school in Manhattan however, acting didn’t become an interest of his until a few years later when he took an improv class as a high school elective. Eventually, Lenny began taking liberal arts classes and joined Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater which he says, “shot him out of the cannon”.
In 2016, after spending many years studying his craft under James Brill and performing in local theater, Lenny signed with an agent and landed his television role as a Costar in USA’s Falling Water just a month later. Lenny has since gone on to book several television and film projects including: The Breaks (VH1), I Am Homicide (Investigation Discovery), The Blacklist (NBC), The Things In Between, and The Dark Room (shorts), to name a few.
To date, booking Ruthless is one of Lenny’s most rewarding moments as an actor as it was done entirely through self-tape. The whole experience was a whirlwind and adrenaline rush as he booked the role on a Thursday, had his bags packed and headed to Atlanta on Sunday and was shooting by the following Wednesday. Lenny’s favorite part of playing the menacing character is having the opportunity to tell the story of someone who had the opportunity to redeem themselves, but instead chose not to and is now paying the price. Lenny also stars in the comedy short, Puppet Seizure, as well as the independent thriller, Blood Conscious, both set to be released this year.
In his free time, Lenny enjoys sharpening his cinematography skills and creating fun, engaging content with fellow actors and friends. He leans to video games and yoga to clear his mind and is in the process of developing and recording his first motivational podcast. Lenny currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
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Erica Hubbard started her career in 1988 doing voice-overs and starring in commercials such as: McDonald's, MCI, Reebok and Sears. She has worked in many markets, including Chicago, New York and California.
Ms. Hubbard has performed in feature films distributed by Paramount, 20th Century Fox and TSIBILI Pictures. She has starred in television shows on various networks such as: CBS, NBC, MTV and the WB. In addition, she has graced the pages of many popular magazines, including Seventeen, Honey, Ebony and YM (as the Noxzema Girl).
Erica attended Columbia College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in three years. After graduating, Erica already had her own television show on WPWR, a UPN affiliate in Chicago. Before Erica's third season was aired, she received a Regional Emmy and earned a Service To America Award from the National Association of Broadcasters. This was a result of hosting the children/teen show: Up'N Running (1997). Erica's dynamic resume includes credits such as Save the Last Dance (2001), A Cinderella Story (2004), Light It Up (1999) and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) (a New York Times Best Selling Novel). Erica just wrapped Akeelah and the Bee (2006) for Lions Gate Films. Erica is working as a Regular on the series, Lincoln Heights (2006), on ABC Family Channel and Erica's animated series, The Replacements (2006), is airing now on Disney.
As a unionized actress, she knows how important it is to be affiliated with organizations in her profession. Furthermore, she is a proud member of NATAS, IFP/West, AFI and WIF, and successfully continues her career, coast to coast.
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Before returning to UMC to helm the subscription service of UMC, , Brett Dismuke maintained his own entertainment outfit, So Chi Entertainment as well as served as President/COO of The Swirl Group, President of Moguldom Entertainment, and previously as the Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Urban Programming for RLJ Entertainment's One Village studio. Brett has over 25 years of marketing, production, sales and branding experience.
Through partnership with Swirl Films in 2014, Dismuke formed The Swirl Group. Through the power of their collaboration, the company established itself as the leading urban independent production company in North America, with over 80 productions in their catalog. This multi- hyphenate outfit was devoted to offering high-quality production value at lower costs, including production of independent features and multi-camera content, casting, budget creation, scheduling, post-production, talent relations and distribution. With the solid foundation, So Chi Entertainment continued the legacy, priding itself on developing the highest quality productions, developing the most interesting content and acquiring the best product available within its genre.
In addition to locating and securing new content, Dismuke oversaw strategic planning, financial management, brand-building and product lines for So Chi Entertainment. Over the last few years, he has acquired and/or produced several films; including notables such as 35 & Ticking, a theatrical comedy starring Kevin Hart, Meagan Good, Wendy Raquel Robinson and Nicole Ari Parker; What My Husband Doesn't Know, a musical stage play written and directed by David E. Talbert and starring Morris Chestnut, Michelle Williams and Tiffany Haddish; and Back to the Goode Life, a critically-acclaimed, comedy, starring Kyla Pratt, London Brown, Lahmard Tate and Kelly Jenrette.
After graduating from the University of Southern California, Brett Dismuke worked for Motown, PolyGram Group Distribution, Universal Music and Video Distribution, Hollywood Records, UrbanWorks Entertainment, First Look Studios and Image Entertainment. His list of projects supervised includes Jay-Z, Brian McKnight, Mary J. Blige, Mike Epps, The Cosby Show and Ultimate Fighting Championship; as well as numerous award-winning independent films.
Brett is a Chicago native and currently lives in Los Angeles where he enjoys time as an empty- nester, while his son is attending college on the East Coast.
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CARA CHUTE ROSENBAUM, CSA is a Casting Director based in Los Angeles, CA. Notable feature credits include JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL and STUBER, and television credits include THE MINDY PROJECT, THE PEOPLE VS OJ SIMPSON, THE CARMICHAEL SHOW, and THE LEAGUE. She and Erica Bream are the Casting Directors for the main stage productions at THE BLANK THEATRE in Hollywood, including The Blank’s prestigious Annual Young Playwrights Festival for which they were awarded the 2018 Artios Award for Outstanding Casting for Los Angeles Theatre. Cara is a proud member of the Casting Society of America, amama, and an aquarium lover.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ccrcasting
Website: ccrcasting.com
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KRON MOORE is known for bringing dynamic female characters to life, showcasing her ability to illuminate their strong inner compass, unshakeable drive and sheer determination. She has proven to be a juggernaut performer who dominates any stage and captures the hearts of her audiences. It is this dedication that makes Kron one the industry's newest well respected and revered actors by fans and peers alike.
Each Wednesday night, she brings to life the First Lady of the United States Victoria Franklin (one of primetime most talked about villains who trends social media for days) in the hit Tyler Perry/BET’s #1 rated series THE OVAL. The dramatic series captures the volatile relationship between the President, First lady, and First children, as they navigate their new life in the White House.
Touted as the show’s “breakout star,” the unapologetic FLOTUS continues gaining national prominence for her devilish ways and being a strong-willed ambitious woman with a master plan. Her character has been compared to Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope, and Viola Davis’ Annalise Keating and others. The Oval returns on BET May 6th.
Next, Moore will recur as Dr. Chapel in STARGIRL based on the DC Comics superhero Stargirl created by Geoff Johns and Lee Moder, that is set to premiere in May 2020 on DC Universe and The CW.
No stranger to performing, Moore has been entertaining since her youth. As a vocalist, her voice can be heard on several albums and has been part of various singing groups. The Detroit native boasts a host of television credits including OWN’s David Makes Man as Grace, Amazon Prime’s THEM as Nadine Sims, as well as OWN’s The Haves and the Have Nots, TLC’s Too Close to Home, ID TV’s Swamp Murders, Detroit 1-8-7, among others.
Film credits include starring as Linney in the Sundance Film Festival official selection and Alec Baldwin executive produced BEAST BEAST, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, Into the Storm, Mosquito-Man to name a few. Moore also boasts a storied career in theatre with credits including "Ain't Misbehavin', "Triumph and Tragedy- The Life of Sam," "Little Shop of Horrors" and has a number of television commercials, industrial projects and voice-overs under her belt.
Committed to using her visibility and influence in positive ways, Moore remains an advocate for wellness, mental health, anti-bullying, women empowerment and education.
Moore is a graduate of The University of Alabama with a degree in Psychology. She also studied Film, Television and Radio Broadcasting at Specs Howard School of Media Arts ranking second in her graduating class.
Kron currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
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David Alan Madrick is an award winning American actor, model and writer from Queens, New York City. He attended SUNY Oneonta to pursue a career in Social work, but fell in love with the many facets of the creative world. While professionally modeling, he studied under Geoffrey Owens and James Franco. David later on work with Franco on two projects; Pretenders and High School Lovers. He is best known for his role as Dr. Collins on Blackish (2019). David currently plays Jay in Tyler Perry's new show Ruthless on BET+ and has recently signed with NEXT Models LA.
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Memphis native Brandee Evans is a former high-school English teacher who wrote her resignation letter to the school board while on vacation in Los Angeles. Determined to live her dream, she has graced the stage all over the world as a professional dancer and choreographer. In 2010, Evans created a series of dance classes for women focusing on improving confidence, building strength, finding "sexy" and having fun. She encouraged dancers of all experience and ability levels to take the class in a fierce pair of pumps. Her classes grew quickly in popularity, and she has gone on to teach sessions in Los Angeles, Memphis, Georgia, Vegas, Japan and the U.K. She was featured in the Oprah Winfrey Network television special "Dance Crash," which focuses on bringing together a group of girls through tough love and sisterhood.
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Kristian Diaz, released his debut feature film,Retrocausality, on June 26th on Amazon Prime.Retrocausality by definition is the idea that the future can influence the present and the present can influence the past. The quirky and cleverly narrated indie takes place at the beginning of a global pandemic and follows Scott, a 22-year-old blockbuster actor as he navigates dealing with his mom who is infected with a strange new virus, and finding a mystery woman, Max, who he has a strange, powerful connection with-- before it's too late.
Diaz wrote, directed and stars in the film, which has been a passion project of his for many years as it was the first screenplay he wrote, many years ago. The story was inspired by a real life event, when the Canadian native was walking around Toronto with his headphones on and stopped dead in his tracks to listen to a young woman perform on the street. He felt so drawn to her, almost like he had known her before, and that was the first spark of an idea that lead to the film.
Retrocausality will premiere and be available for streaming on Amazon June 26th.
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Carl Seaton, born in Chicago, grew up with a strong affinity for movies and television shows. The meteoric rise of the VCR turned his affinity for movies in to a full-blown addiction.
Carl’s addiction led him to Columbia College Film School where he studied the crafts of Directing and Screenwriting. The creative environment at Columbia allowed Carl to flourish where he graduated with Honors.
Carl’s first feature film, One Week, was a drama about a heterosexual man that has to wait a week for the results of an HIV test as he prepares for his wedding. The ultra-low budget filmscreened all over the world in prestigious festivals like the Toronto International Film Festival, and Fespaco. One Week also garnered awards at several film festivals including the American Black Film Festival, Urbanworld, and the Chicago International Film Festival. Following the success of One Week, Carl co-wrote a screenplay, Step In The Name Of Love, that was acquired by MGM.
In 2016, Carl premiered his latest film, a Movie of the Week for the TvOne Network, Bad Dad Rehab, starring Malik Yoba, the film is about four men that go to a rehab program that helps them become better fathers. The film garnered Carl a NAACP Image Award nomination.
Carl’s career in episodic directing began when he was hired by John Singleton to direct two episodes of the TV show Rebel.
Since then, Carl has gone on to direct a wide range of shows like The CW’s, The Originals, Batowman, Dynasty, and Supergirl, Dick Wolf’s Chicago PD, Fire, Med, and FBI, the CBS drama Bull, and Showtime’s The Chi. In February, Carl was nominated for a NAACP Image award for his work on directing the show , Snowfall, created by his mentor, the late John Singleton.
Carl is currently gearing up to direct more shows in this next era of filmmaking - post pandemic, while developing a miniseries that will be based in Chicago.
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Todd Anthony is an artist with purpose. This actor, writer, producer and singer is one of the brightest rising artists in entertainment. The light that shines within him transcends into his art on screen and stage. He truly believes the Nelson Mandela quote that “when you let your light shine, you unconsciously give others the right to do so” in life as well as his work.
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Carrie Bernans was born in Richmond, VA with the magical enthusiasm and talents she is known for. Change became an early yet conquerable constant for her as a little girl. She grew up with a single-parent mother and an early nomadic lifestyle. From her birthplace to Panama, Central America, back to Richmond to Memphis, TN, and to the townships along the Eastern and Southern U.S. coast. These childhood experiences reflexively prepared Carrie for extensive independent traveling and coaching abroad in Shanghai, China, Paris, France, London, England, and Berlin, Germany.
Carrie always loved performing from plays at church and school to dance competitions to putting on a living room show for her family to impersonating people she watched on, entertaining was her thing.
Maximizing the ABCs of Life at Full Flame, Carrie Bernans is “D” EFG. To clarify, Defining Emmy-Excellence as a Futuristic-Global force, a captivating role model, and philanthropist!
Having thought of herself as the black girl, James Bond, and after years of studying Theater, Economics, and International dealings in college, Carrie performed in plays, dance recitals, Fortune 500 internships, and competed in track and field.
Even as a high school student, Carrie networked and trained with real investment bankers and accountants. Her mentors do Merger & Acquisition simulations on the Vanderbilt, Emory, and Columbia University campuses. She went on to run track at her Alma Mater, the University of Memphis in Tennessee. Home away from home for her. She is the featured alumnae in the May 2018 University of Memphis Magazine. However, once facing a serious running injury, Carrie decided to leave the plans for the Olympics behind.
She left the track and took off studying and coaching around the world for about one and a half years. Her focus was/is the passion for solving youth homelessness, reading and financial literacy, and communication/self-esteem building among youth. Carrie’s works including her as a model have been published in magazines. In over 40+ publications, including FastCompany, and Marvel Universe, featured her in their articles.
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Trey Haley is President and Partner at Tri Destined Studios where he is responsible for the implementation of productions and events. He is also tasked with overseeing the company’s in-house production service division, Tri Destined VIP, as well as developing diverse venture collaborations and strategic alliances based on shared vision, values and goals. With its motto of “Destined to Change the Perception of the World,” Tri Destined Studios continues to create a successful blueprint for independent studios in realizing its mission to be the number one brand in urban entertainment, production and distribution. Trey was born and raised in Arlington, Texas. He attended the University of North Texas and majored in Radio, Television and Film. After relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television, Trey was mentored by some of the top music video directors in the industry. He was also fortunate to have further honed his production skills at several leading television and film production companies including Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment. A passionate filmmaker with a diverse breadth and sensibility, Trey has directed a variety of genres and has multiple projects scheduled for release. He is a Producer of the compelling documentary “Black Gold,” which examines the economic, political and ecological implications of the worldwide gold, precious stone market and its effects on Sierra Leone. The “Preacher’s Son,” starring Christian Keyes, Drew Sidora, Valarie Pettiford, Clifton Powell, Kellita Smith and Vanessa Bell Calloway, premiered on Netflix and made its television world debut on BET in 2017. Other projects released in the fall of 2018 included the mystery/thriller “Woman on the Edge,” starring Rumer Willis and “A Mother’s Sacrifice,” starring Kristy Swanson which has already aired on the top networks in France, Spain, and South America and Mexico. His drama/thriller “The Man in 3B,” starring Lamman Rucker, Christian Keyes, DB Woodside, Robert Ri’chard, Brely Evans, and Billy Dee Williams, had a limited theatrical release in 2015 and is still experiencing a successful run on BET and Netflix. It ranked as one of the top films aired on BET in 2016. Trey was also behind the lens for the indie action/thriller “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” starring and “The Choir Director,” (sequel to “The Preacher’s Son). “The Man in 3B,” “The Preacher’s Son,” “The Choir Director,” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” are also based on novels by New York Times best-selling author Carl Weber and produced by Tri Destined Studios.
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Over the course of her career, Casting Director Erica S. Bream (CSA) has had the opportunity to work on a myriad of projects across all platforms. A few of these titles include TV series such as ALTERED CARBON, COLONY, WORKAHOLICS, HOUSE OF LIES, CRIMINAL MINDS, and the upcoming TELL ME YOUR SECRETS, PANDORA as well as numerous TV pilots and miniseries, including Hulu’s 11.22.63, and FULL CIRCLE from DirecTV. She has worked on several feature films including STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS and many indie films, such as the John Legend-produced BREAKING THROUGH.
Bream has also worked extensively in the internet and short film worlds, most recently casting award-winning AFI short, RITA MAHTOUBIAN IS NOT A TERRORIST as well as PINKY for Refinery29. She has also ventured back to her first love, theatre, working closely with THE BLANK THEATRE COMPANY and IAMA THEATRE COMPANY in Los Angeles on many main-stage plays, as well as eleven years casting The Blank's prestigious YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
Bream is an Artios Award winner (Casting Society of America) and nine-time nominee for her work in theatre, television and short films.
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Emerging Actress Valeka Jessica is creating her own content and building a lane of her own. From her one woman show I'm A Motherfucking Superstar: So Where Are My Babies?that hilariously tackles infertility in the black community, being an acting professor and teaching the next generation of actors how to soar and create their own content, to her starring in plays and movies at the top theatres and film festivals across the world. Valeka is redefining what being a self-producing actress in the 21 century entails.
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Two-time Emmy-nominated actress and screenwriter Kelsey Scott began her career in the theatre scene of her hometown of Atlanta.
Best known for her role as Anne Northup in the Oscar-winning 12 Years A Slave and her two-season arc as Wes Gibbins’ mother, Rose, on How to Get Away With Murder, her credits also include: Insecure, NCIS, Grey's Anatomy, True Detective,and Army Wives.
She is a 2019 Daytime Emmy nominee for her Guest Star role on Giants. And in 2017, she received a Primetime Emmy Nomination for her leading role on Fear the Walking Dead: Passage.
On stage, Kelsey originated the role of Ann Madison in Pearl Cleage's political romance, "What I Learned in Paris". Additional stage credits showcase her work as a vocalist - with productions like "Once On This Island", "Little Shop of Horrors", "The Wiz" and a touring company of "Dreamgirls".
Kelsey penned the Sony Pictures thrillers Motives and Motives 2: Retribution. She consults for studio and private clients, and continues to write commissioned scripts - in addition to shepherding her slate of original projects. Her popular screenwriting seminars are offered to the public and to educational communities. And she sits on the Dean's Alumni Council of the Florida State U.
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Ashleigh Morghan is an Akron, Ohio native. She is an award-winning Actress, a Writer, a TV Personality, and Host on a mission to not only entertain, but to create a positive change within her community.
Throughout her creative career, she has had the opportunity to act in lead roles in various films like the Netflix horror “Head Count”, which she won an award from the Los Angeles Film Festival. Since then you can also has see her in HBO’s “Native Son”, CBS’s The Neighborhood, Hulu's Veronica Mars FX’s Snowfall and on an upcoming episode of “Kidding” where she plays opposite Jim Carrey. She is looking forward to her recurring role on Tyler Perry’s new show Ruthless.
In addition to acting, Ashleigh enjoys giving back to the cancer society, inspiring others, playing music, writing and nerding out on video games.
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Carole is a former television news reporter turned prosecutor and now a SAG-AFTRA professional actress who recently relocated to Los Angeles from Northern California.
As a television news reporter, Carole covered crime, politics, breaking new stories and entertainment. Over the years, Carole was fortunate to interview many inspiring individuals including former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal, gymnast Bart Conner, country singer Leann Rimes and R&B legend Patti LaBelle. Carole also covered the Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards show as a news reporter for KTNV-TV, ABC in Las Vegas. Of course, Carole covered a lot snowstorms as a rookie reporter at WOWT-NBC in the midwest as well.
As an actress, Carole played the lead role of "Pecola" in the highly successful production of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" at Celebration Arts Theatre. The Bluest Eye was named one of the best stage productions of the year. Since that time, Carole played roles in several films and commercials, including a featured role in a national commercial.
In addition to journalism, her legal career and acting, Carole has been active in a number of civic organizations over the years, including the Nebraska AIDS Project, Omaha Girls Club, The Clark County Stay In School Program and the San Francisco Black Coalition on HIV & AIDS. While attending law school Carole served as a student teacher and a mock trial coach. Carole is also deeply committed to transforming the lives of children in the foster care system and her faith.
And did Carole mention she loves to travel? Carole has never traveled to a country she didn't enjoy.
Approximately 15 and counting...... :)
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Rachael Grace, began her journey a little out of order, but in Hollywood there are no rules. Though still a new face, the Los Angeles native describes her journey thus far as being quite seamless and has the strong attitude of “what’s for me will be for me”; so there is no failure, only feedback.
She got her SAG eligibility just a month and a half after stepping foot on a set, and was offered her first co-star role on a big hit show, without ever dipping her toe into an acting class nor with any representation at the time.
The re-discovery of her deep love for acting that she first noticed at age 14, finally catapulted her into making the big switch from continuing a career path in the oncology or veterinary field that supplemented her Bachelor’s degree in Health-Sciences. From that moment, Rachael feverishly dedicated all of her time attending acting classes in LA, including flying to New York and London for short courses, got herself inducted into drama school, and simultaneously getting her Masters Degree in Business, all while observing and learning the industry by working crew jobs on set.
Rachael landed her manager in October whom she views as a force to be reckoned with, and despite the COVID-19 epidemic, describes her first pilot season as a great experience.
Additionally, currently certifying as a life coach specializing in conscious relationship and mind power, Rachael is a huge believer in moving smart and meticulous rather than fast and sporadic; quality over quantity. It’s important to know who you are and where you’re headed in your career, and to do so consciously.
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Wendy is a former Hollywood Talent Manager and the Founder of Hollywood Winners Circle Academy, the #1 online Business training for Actors.
She coaches tens of thousands of actors around the world through her popular You Tube Channel “Secrets of A Hollywood Talent Manager” (80,000 subscribers and 4 Million views)
as well as her Facebook group Talent Managers For Actors. (62,000 subscribers)
Wendy is the author of 7 books, a writer for Backstage.com, is regularly a guest on Industry podcasts, Magazines and has appeared with Oprah Winfrey talking about the Law Of Attraction.
As a Talent Manager Wendy’s clients have worked on television networks such as ABC, NBC, TNT, CBS, Comedy Central, BIO, Lifetime, and more. They have booked TV shows including “Modern Family,” “Blackish,” “Extant,” “The Colony,” “Animal Kingdom,” “Sharp Objects” “My Haunted House,” and “Henry Danger,” as well as hundreds of commercials for major spots including Shutterfly, Mercedes, Visa, Taco Bell, Honda, Legos, Universal Studios, Hot Wheels, and many more.
Wendy has created a proven strategy that can be replicated by actors. She tours the world teaching her process at private acting studios and Universities. Today her successful strategy has converted her Coaching Clients into Network Series Regulars, Guest Stars, Co-Stars, Supporting and Lead Actors in Feature Films.
“An actor can build a successful acting career if they have the right information, talent, belief in themselves and the support and guidance of an experienced professional. I am extremely passionate about helping new actors get started in show business. So if you have the dream to be on the big screen… I am devoted to providing you the information necessary to make it happen!”
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Born in Salem, Massachusetts to Dominican parents, Presilah Nunez is an actress/ singer by day and pseudo Instastory chef by night. Presilah started performing at a very young age and at 18 years old she deferred her college plans of studying forensic psychology to take a leap of faith in becoming a “real life” performer in NYC. Within a year she was cast in an in- ternational production of "Fame: The Musical" that toured mainland China for a few months and a production of "Grease" that played in Istanbul, Turkey.
Upon her return to the states, Presilah was cast in the national tour of "In The Heights”, the Tony Award winning musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, in which she was blessed to play her dream role, “Vanessa”. After completing that tour, she moved to LA where she’s now resided for nearly a decade (but she’ll always be an east-coaster at heart). /a few of her TV credits include: NCIS, MacGyver, Hawaii 5-O, Designated Survivor, Dear White People and she also played the role of “Erica” in Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and The Have Nots” for several sea- sons.
Aside from being a professional storyteller, Presilah enjoys learning Italian, binge watch- ing British crime dramas, and promoting her passion for childhood literacy by being a faithful volunteer at Reading to Kids- a grassroots organization that is dedicated to inspiring under- served children in the LA community with a love of reading.
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YVONNE SENAT JONES left a great impression on Director Tyler Perry with her performance as recurring guest star Tally in The Oval. So much so, that when he created a spinoff series, he made her a series regular. Yvonne is currently appearing as Tally in Tyler Perry’s Ruthless **on BET Plus.
Her last project, The Bobby Brown Story won the 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding TV Movie this April.**
Yvonne played the Supporting Role of "Robyn Crawford", best friend to Whitney Houston.
Emmy-Winning Casting Director Robi Reed stated, "Yvonne embodied the role of Robyn!"
Yvonne also appeared on FOX this Spring as "Osaia", an Amazonian Alien, in "THE ORVILLE" opposite Seth MacFarlane.
She has also appeared in Code Black opposite Boris Kodjoe and S.W.A.T. opposite Shemar Moore.
Yvonne has been directed by Academy Award Winning Director Dianne Houston in the Lifetime film "Searching for Neverland: The Michael Jackson Story" and her short film "Iman & The Light Warriors" was a selection in the HollyShorts Film Festival, DC Shorts Film Festival and the American Black Film Festival. She holds an MFA in Acting from the University of South Carolina.
Yvonne Senat Jones is Bolivian-Haitian and speaks Spanish fluently. When she's not acting, she teaches Theatre Arts at Discovery Charter Prep Highschool. She does this through the nonprofit group City Hearts; an organization which brings the arts to schools that wouldn't normally be able to fund an arts program.
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Andrea J. Myles was born on November 23rd in Jackson, Mississippi. As a child, Andrea was always the fun one, dressing up in costumes, playing different characters and making up accents and changing her voice. Andrea knew at a young age that she wanted to be an entertainer. Whenever there was a talent show at school or a chance to audition for a play, she was there. Her very first play she was in was “Amelia Bedilia” at her elementary school. The first time she stepped foot on that stage and saw all those eyes fixated on her, she knew at that moment, this is where she was supposed to be. Being born and raised in Mississippi where there weren't many opportunities for entertainment, Andrea knew that she would have to move to a bigger city because she had big dreams.
Andrea moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2013 to pursue her acting career seriously. In 2014 she began learning her craft and taking beginners acting classes at Premiere Actor’s Network. From there she started to book and star in some local plays, independent films and webseries. Andrea continued to further her education and continued dedicating countless hours and tears to her craft over the next few years. In 2018, Andrea landed her first ever role on network television recurring on OWN’s “Queen Sugar” playing Rhonda Richards, the sweet and sometimes sassy employee at Vi’s Prized Pies ; and she can currently be seen on Seasons 3 and 4 of the award winning show.
Andrea’s huge personality, sense of humor and infectious smile has won over many people and will continue to take her far in this industry. She is so tenacious and works very hard for what she loves and believes in and she’s the type of person that never stops learning. Andrea is working towards longevity in her acting career and she plans to be around for a very long time.
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Are you bored in the house or are you in the house bored?❗️ • Well you don’t have to be anymore because..... if you’re an actor you should be preparing to be on the TV screen, the movie screen or in a stage play on Broadway to get you ready we’ve created the acting class that tells you everything you wouldnt learn in a traditional acting class❗️ • SPECIAL QUARANTINE PRICE OF ONLY $47 (Limited Seating) • You’re going to experience insider information from actors who are doing what you love. We will be revealing secrets to prepare you for the first day you walk on set, to things you never realized when you've already booked the job. This virtual class is for the beginner, for the seasoned actor and the parent of a young actor who needs to know more. • Hosted by @BrelyEvans• A New Special Guest will be joining her each week while they take you on their journeys behind the scenes. • MASTER CLASS COMING SOON‼️ There will be a range of actors you love, acting coaches, casting directors, producers and directors who will pour into you so your are MORE THAN READY to SHINE!!! Sign up now! Your Dreams are waiting on you!
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Christina Elmore is a film, televison and theater performer living and working in Los Angeles. With an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a MFA in acting from American Conservatory Theater, Christina has performed roles across all genres. After five seasons as a series regular on TNT's hit series, The Last Ship, she now stars as Marie in Lena Waithe's newest scripted series, Twenties, on BET. She has a recurring role as Condola on HBO's Insecure and can be seen in Ryan Coogler's Fruitvale Station, Lady Bouncer on HBO and the CBS pilot, Under the Bridge. Her favorite roles in the theater include Juliet at Los Angeles Shakespeare Company and Monique in the world premiere of Adam Rapp's "The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois" at South Coast Rep. She is repped by SDB Partners.
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A Sound Vision, Inc. (ASV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation located in Sacramento, CA, servicing the greater Sacramento area. Founded in 2008, its mission is to provide hope and motivation through inspirational based stage plays, in a family friendly environment. The organizational goals are to provide theatrical training, and exposure to under privileged children and at risk youth. Every year, ASV holds auditions for its upcoming plays. Those chosen are given an opportunity to participate in the art of theater in all its parts. For example, participants may act, direct, sing, dance, design, manage, build, and provide crew support on our productions as part of their training.
It is important for a participant to learn what is involved in creating a role, working in an ensemble, making the space of the theater come alive with a design, and learning how to communicate, and be clear about ideas and the basic needs for a production.
With a solid grounding in fundamental theater practices, participants begin their journey to find their unique voice while building their confidence, public speaking and reading skills.
The opportunity to perform and understudy in ASV’s professional productions is invaluable, although these opportunities will vary widely from season to season. Participants may also perform in staged readings or workshops of new scripts being developed by playwright Fernlea Murchison's unique perspective on theater.
The impact theater can have on the community is important; hence, ASV's unwavering dedication is to provide high quality - low cost entertainment for Sacramento working families
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Paula Bryant-Ellis is a Los Angeles-based film director and producer. Prior to returning to the entertainment industry, where she started her career as an accountant in television, she held multiple leadership roles in banking and finance; including Chief Operating Officer.
She’s studied filmmaking and producing at the New York Film Academy in New York and Los Angeles. She’s a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, she holds MBA from University of Phoenix and a BA in Accounting from Concordia University.
She’s a wife (married 37 years), mother and entrepreneur and she understands the challenges women face today with relationships, families and careers.
Through her blog “Mary Esther Ruth” she shares inspirational and motivational tools and resources, and life stories about her relationship with Christ.
Although the purpose walk she faces today may be different from what Mary, Esther and Ruth faced in their time, she understands that the responsibility to God’s calling and purpose for her life is still the same. Her vision is to empower Christian women as they make choices that will impact generations to come; just like Mary, Esther and Ruth.
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I am a working actress, singer and motivational speaker whose blessed to be doing what I love and changing lives in the process. I was raised as an only child on the South Side of Chicago and learned at an early age that I had a knack for the performing arts and helping my community.
My first television appearance was as a solo vocalist on the nationally syndicated competition show "Showtime at the Apollo". I was a junior at Hampton Univeristy and was majoring in 'Theatre Arts'. Shortly after graduation, I garnered a small role on HBO's hit series "Six Feet Under". However, my first break came in 2007 when I landed the lead role of Renee Devereaux in the hit stage play "The Bachelorette Party" written by Don B. Welch and in association with Will Smith. The play was nominated for a NAACP theatre award and toured nationally for over 2 years. The show was reprised this past year by the fans with most of the original cast in tow. A plan for a "Bachelorette Party" movie is in talks.
I have also been blessed to book roles that I am proud of and that hopefully incite change in our community. Several critically acclaimed films and television roles include "Courage", the "Whitney Houston miniseries" for the Reelz channel where I star as Whitney Houston, Netflix "Drug Lords", "Dear Vivian", and "Just a Phase".
My big break, however, came when I booked the official role of Billie Holiday. Booking the role of 'Lady Day' for Hologram USA was a dream come true! That whole year changed my life. A year before I booked the role, God also decided to send me back to school where I enrolled fulltime in Loyola Marymount Universities 'Pastoral Theology' program. I have been busy, booked and blessed ever since!
Playing the role of Billie Holiday has been the role of a lifetime. Paying homage to one of my vocal idols was an amazing experience. I perform all the icons greatest hits with a full live band and dancers. Produced by the estate of Billie Holiday and Hologram USA, this one of a kind 3D concert has received amazing reviews and become one of Hollywood's "must see" tourist attractions on the Walk of Fame.
I have always been very active in my church and community. There have been a lot of ups and downs over the years, but my one constant has been my relationship with God. This industry can be difficult to navigate if one is not centered and vertically aligned. I have delt with depression, rejection, and loss. I try and teach when I speak on the importance of prayer, following your dreams, and giving back to ones community. I look forward to every opportunity God gives me to share my giftings, shine my light, and to make the world an even better place.
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Hi, my name is Samah Damanhoori. I came to the U.S in 2014 from Saudi Arabia on a Saudi scholarship to study at Notre Dame de Namur, Belmont, CA. I was doing great at school when, in 2016, without warning Mahram (male-guardian) decided to cancel my scholarship and ordered me under threats of violence, to return home. My new friends, the Bay Area provided me with housing, food, a car, boxing classes, and paid off my university tuition. They also hired a lawyer, and I was granted asylum in 2018. With much gratitude, I was able to complete my Master's in creative writing in 2017.
Now, I am working on this beautiful animated short film, as well as a VR project "Souvenir," about my experience. These days I also work as a producer at Apple. I produced an HBO documentary highlighting two Saudi women escaping from Turkey in 2019. I was part of the Freedom Drive campaign that won the right to travel for Saudi women. I am actively speaking at public events, educating young students about women’s lives in the Middle East, where male guardians make life decisions over women.
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Allyse is a singer and actor from South Florida. With many years of professional cheer and dance experience, Allyse is a high-energy performer and enjoys connecting with fans live on stage. She is known for her petite stature, animated performance and multi-talents. Her style ranges from flowy R&B, to up-tempo Pop and catchy Hip Hop. Allyse released two pop singles (on all major music apps) with accompanying music videos in 2019. Her first official EP is in post production and the first single from the project is set for release in early 2020.
After creating her own web series The Ally Show, Allyse fell in love with tv production and on camera process and began pursing acting seriously. She studied Meisner technique at Playhouse West, commercial acting at Carolyne Barry and scene study at Keep It Real acting studios. Allyse has co-stared in the web series The Office Bully (set to reboot in 2020), recently completed a supporting role in the short film The Move On and booked roles in two upcoming films. Allyse's type is college co-ed, cheerleader, vixen and best friend. She also aims to play characters that allow her to utilize her singing and dance talent. Allyse's multi-talents, professionalism and determination aid in her journey to become a successful recording artist and TV/Film actor.
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Shana Solomon is one of the industries leading career coaches for actors. She uses a culturally responsive approach in coaching beginning, intermediate and experienced actors on how to become working actors on television and in film. Shana is an award winning actor with almost 15 years of experience on network television, major streaming platforms and films such as STARZ' 'POWER', NBC's 'Law & Order', 'New Amsterdam' and 'Shades of Blue' where shana had a recurring role for 2 seasons, BET +'s, 'First Wives Club', HBO's 'Divorce' and the 'The Deuce' and oscar nominated comedic film 'The Big Sick' as well as many more. Shana Solomon has established herself as a thought leader, producer and trusted voice in the Sag-Aftra, acting and NYC Theater communities. Shana also created, wrote, produced and starred in her one-woman show, 'The Closet B.I.T.C.H.' (Bold Individual who Thinks Confidently of Herself) where she plays 19 characters and has performed the show 52 times off broadway and 46 of those shows were sold out. Shana along with director, William Alexander Runnels, created The Closet B.I.T.C.H. web series, which can be found on YouTube. Shana is not only best known for her character acting but she's also known for helping actors maximize their full potential by giving them the inspiration, tools, steps and resources needed to accomplish their goals and show them how to become consistently working actors. Her new book “The Actor’s Hustle: A step by step guide to getting your foot in the door in TV & Film and how to make money with your craft”, is currently an amazon best seller and is helping actors not only start their joinery in the industry but it literally takes them by the hand and shows actors at just about every level how they can take their careers to the next level by booking supporting, leading, co-star, guest starring, recurring and series regular roles.
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CHARMIN LEE, Creator/Executive Producer
"Bread and buttered" in Denver Colorado, Charmin Lee is most known for her role as "Maya’s mom, Jeanette," on ABC’s Girlfriends. Since then her career has continued to soar with big screen credits like Just Mercy, What Men Want, Alvin and the Chipmunks (road trip), Honey, Rise Up & Dance... Ms. Lee’s television credits include, Westworld, The Resident, Homeland, Doom Patrol, Paradise Lost, The Inspectors, Outcast, Tales, Being Mary Jane, Greenleaf, Vampire Diaries, The Quad, Sleepy Hollow, Bones, Nashville & The Game to name a few.
When Charmin is not on camera she is eagerly helping others realize their dreams. As a result, she is a sought after acting coach with clients around the world. Her favorite quote is, “great people make other people great!” What started as instruction has blossomed also into production. Thus, the birth of Total Package Entertainment (TPE), where Ms. Lee leads a team of amazing people who make it possible for TPE to produce everything from demo reels, music videos, commercials & feature films to 30 minute or one hour television pilots.
More than anything Ms. Lee loves her family and inner circle, who keep her grounded and encouraged! She says, "My family is a major source of my joy!" To Quote Billy Dee (from the movie Mahogany), “Success is nothing without someone you love to share it with!"
Online Masterclass- Book IT- Audition Technique- The Secrets
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Whereas many influencers and icons in Hollywood seek to gain a greater following nationwide, her purpose is so much bigger. For film producer, author and motivational speaker, Angela White, it’s not about the lights and cameras. It’s about the legacy she will leave to her heirs and those who will come behind her in the entertainment industry. Featured on Fox News, Sirius XM Radio, TBN, and ABC News, to name a few, Angela has served as a trailblazer and mentor for thousands in the media and entertainment world—positioning them to better understand show business and, ultimately, earn more income.
Although Angela holds both a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware, and a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Rutgers University, she chose the road less traveled. Even after obtaining a Juris Doctorate degree from the New York Law School, instead of becoming the go-to lawyer, she became the go-to manager for comedians and comedic actors, such as JB Smoove, in Hollywood. However, it’s her professional and educational background that positions her to translate the entertainment industry in a practical, sensible way—benefitting her clientele firsthand. Her jumpstart to producing and managing comedy shows led her to become the series creator and executive producer of The Comedy Underground Series, which was one of the first original comedy stand-up shows from RLJ Entertainment (the company owned by BET founder Bob Johnson and AMC Networks), now known as the Urban Movie Channel.
In addition to founding Silver Lining Entertainment, a family-owned multimedia entertainment company based in Los Angeles, California, Angela also founded Backstage Pass to the Movie Industry, an educational platform for those who wish to gain more knowledge in arts, entertainment, and media. Most recently, she launched Dreamers with Purpose, a non-profit organization that assists people of color, women, and those who are financially disadvantaged with dream and purpose fulfillment. Having been poured into professionally and personally by industry professionals and leaders, Angela is intentional about paying it forward in her day-to-day work.
As the first African American woman to produce and own a production company that released a theatrically faith-based film, entitled A Question of Faith,featuring Kim Fields and Richard T. Jones, Angela continues to open doors of opportunity for people of all backgrounds and walks of life through her work. Transitioning from talent management to production, Angela serves as a member of the Producer’s Guild of America and her films have showcased some of today’s top Hollywood talent, including 4Play, featuring Tiffany Haddish; The Last Letter, starring Omari Hardwick; The Sin Seer, starring Isaiah Washington and Salli Richardson; and My Favorite Five, starring Brian White and Jay Ellis, among others. Her work can also be seen on the TV series, Pump, which features Ray J and Michael Jai White and the TV series, Laugh Tonight with Damon Williams that will premiere on UrbanFlix TV in 2020—further positioning Angela as a force to be reckoned with onscreen and offscreen. On the heels of making other’s dreams come true, Angela has now taken a leap of faith by entering the world of screenplay writing and directing with her directorial debut Transgress, and Hands Up. As she further explores the world of writing and directing, Angela is ecstatic about crafting new multi-cultural stories and leaving an impact on this nation that cannot be erased.
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Actor and filmmaker Damien D. Smith is a lifelong storyteller. With more than 15 years of experience in theatre, television, and film, Smith is driven by both a responsibility to shed light on injustice and oppression and a deep-rooted passion for community, faith, and social activism. This empathy was sparked and fostered by his grandmother, who raised him in St. Louis, Missouri. Because of her influence, a message of acceptance and love to humanity is central to his work.
Damien uses art as a tool to address sexism, racism, and bigotry and to shed light on the issues that affect communities that are historically underserved and undervalued. He explores themes such as mental illness, sexual abuse, and environmental racism in his work with the goal of engaging audiences in meaningful discussions on the subject matter.
In addition to pursuing these themes in his work in theatre, film, and television, Damien lives these values through volunteer work and activism with a host of nonprofits across the country. His work in the community focuses on exposing young people and people of color to the arts, including work with Boys and Men of Color, teaching Film and Social Activism at California You Think.
Smith’s stage and television credits include the NAACP Theater Award-winning production of “12x9,” and most recently the television series “Snowfall” on Fx Networks and “The Purge”on USA networks. His directorial debut short narrative film entitled ABOUT THAT..., a powerful look at love through the eyes of a mentally disturbed young man won the Arts with Impact film Award.
Smith’s last short film Daddy’s Big Girl won the Gentleman Jack Daniel’s Reel to Real Filmmaker of the Year Awards.
Smith resides in Los Angeles, where he is currently working on pre-production for his film feature film “The V (Victory High) ” and in pre-launch of his feature documentary film “Target: St. Louis, Vol. 1.” That focuses on Post WW2 the government conducting secret chemical test on poor of St. Louis Mo.
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Acting Coach, Louis Stancil, saw the need to help talent better understand the entertainment industry. Through his talkback platform and with the help of top industry professionals, he has helped elevate the careers of countless talent across the country. Born and raised in
Baltimore, Maryland, Louis Stancil is creating a buzz for himself in the entertainment industry! In 2013, Louis opened his Talent Training Service Center in 5 major markets across the country, including NYC, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Chicago. In 2016, Louis was
named one of the top 5 training service providers by the Hollywood Reporter. He began his career as an actor, then worked as a talent scout for a well-known talent agency before transitioning to casting, directing,
and producing on various projects.
Most recently, Louis coached Meek Mill in Overbrook & Sony's highly anticipated film Charm City Kings, a Netflix adaptation film. Louis was the Casting Director for a Pilot Presentation executively produced by Lil Rel Howery (Get Out). Louis Stancil is the CEO of LS Studios Atlanta, LS Studios Los Angeles and is a Celebrity Acting Coach.
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Linara Washington was born in the little town of Beaufort, SC to a beautiful Brazilian woman and an American son of a preacher man. Her mother spoke no English at the time, which has given Linara the added benefit of being fluent in Portuguese. She attended the prestigious University of Chicago where she started her courses as a Pre-med Biology major. But, as with all things that are meant to be, she soon found herself participating in the campus’s theater productions and eventually took her MCAT money and purchased headshots, and did not tell her parents until graduation day that she was going to pursue acting.
Linara’s gutsy move proved to be the right one; she has had the pleasure of working at a number of Chicago’s most acclaimed theaters including The Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, Northlight, and the Tony Award winning Victory Gardens. She has appeared in over 50 commercials nationally and internationally. A supporting role as Keisha, the cute and sassy receptionist in Barbershop 2 motivated her move to Los Angeles where she immediately landed recurring roles on American Dreams and E.R. Linara has since guest starred on hit shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Madame Secretary, NCIS, Station 19, Code Black, CSI, The Defenders, Touch, Ghost Whisperer, and many others. Feature film credits include working with Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and acclaimed director Marc Forster on Stranger Than Fiction, and performing opposite Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini in Killing Them Softly. She also starred in the award winning, Kings of the Evening with Lynn Whitfield, Glynn Turman, and Tyson Beckford.
Linara is currently working on Casting The Net, an original series for a new streaming service due to debut in November. When she’s not on set, Linara enjoys spending time with her 5 year old daughter, director/writer/producer husband Andrew P. Jones, and their two crazy cats.
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Sheila Jaye is a trained actress for film and television, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Originally being born in Flint, MI, she spent a great deal of her childhood being raised in Atlanta, GA. It was there where she discovered, and honed her craft, by performing plays at the Southside Theatre Guild. It was there where she also discovered her knack for writing and producing, by co-producing her first stage play. Eventually Sheila became a graduate of Georgia State University, receiving her Bachelors of Arts in Film and Video Production, with a concentration in Theatre. In addition, she studied with notable acting coaches throughout the Atlanta area: Kristen Shaw( B4H, Kristen Shaw Acting Studio), Lalanya Masters(Alchemy of Acting), BJ Winfrey(Creative Studios of Atlanta), and etc.
Sheila has a intriguing and intense personality, and can attribute growing up in Atlanta, for her southern charm. She has gone on to be apart of various film, and theatre projects, having supporting and lead roles. Most notably, she can thank her training techniques she pocketed, from the well know Robey Theatre Company, in DTLA. It helped her get casted, and film for the supporting role of Aya, in the afro-futuristic film, Mino. Mino was written and directed by Ashunda Norris. This film is currently screening at film festivals. In the southeast, (Afrikana Independent Film Festival) and the midwest (Gary International Black Film Festival). Sheila is also super excited to have written and produced her Sag-Aftra indie project called, Jane and Marlow. The pilot is due to be released before the end of the year, and is also currently working with her writing team, to write the full episodes for the first season.
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Daytime Emmy Winning Actor, Terrence Terrell was raised in the small town of Cleveland, Mississippi. He displayed an affinity for entertainment at a young age. As a child, he would entertain anyone who would watch and listen. The 80's hit "My Prerogative" by Bobby Brown was one of the first songs he sang, danced and even performed to. "I don't know what it was but there was something about it that made me just want to move" recalls Terrell. Throughout his teenage years, he was bullied, but coped by turning the negativity into humor. As an adult, Terrell moved out of Mississippi to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a dream of acting and writing.
Terrence Terrell is a well established actor known for his roles in shows like "Criminal Minds", "Modern Family" and "Giants" to name a few. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed books "BLACKY" and "THE SHES"...and the empire keeps growing!
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Drive, passion and beauty is personified within Lena Anthony. This Philadelphia Native has taken the Los Angeles acting scene by storm since her emergence a few years ago. As a young girl, Anthony knew she would be successful. She’s a Penn State graduate, communications and theatre major. Anthony has starred in several Independent films and TV shows. Her latest film project ”All In” will be in theatres late 2019. Anthony has spent the last two years building as a writer/producer. With much new content in her portfolio, Anthony presents SOULFUL SUNDAZE and 3SOME as her entrance into modern television as a triple threat actress, writer and producer. Lena Anthony studies at Identity School of Acting. According to deadline the #1 school in LA that emerge from the UK. She will be making history as the first class to graduate this year. John Boyega, Letitia Wright & Damson Idris among patrons of the new LA drama school.
IG: @lenaanthony_
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Tray Chaney (Saints And Sinners, The Wire) , a multitalented artist/entertainer who first began performing at the age of 8 as a rapper/dancer, is best known for his role as “Poot” on HBO’s original hit series The Wire. He made his first film appearance in 2003’s Head of Statewith Chris Rock and Bernie Mac, followed by roles in The Salon(co-starring Vivica A. Fox) and Streets(co-starring rapper/actor Meek Mill). Tray later had the opportunity to star in rap artist Bow Wow's chart-topping video “My Baby,”featuring the multi-platinum R&B group Jagged Edge.
In 2006, Tray debuted as an author with the release of aninspirational autobiography entitled The Truth You Can’t beTray. And in 2017, he starred in and produced the movie love story 6 Hearts 1 Beat which landed a distribution deal with PUREFLIX . Tray's latest creative venture entails stepping into the world of music as a writer, producer, and rapper. His original song “Self Made Star” is featured in the film Jamesy Boy,which he also stars in alongside Ving Rhames, James Woods, and Mary-Louise Parker. Most recently in 2016-current Tray landed a series regular role on Bounce TV original series Saints & Sinners as the character "KENDRICK" filming in atlanta ga. Tray, a Maryland native, uses every minute to hone his talents as he continues to innovate and entertain.
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Nadia Flamenco is an actress, producer and filmmaker known for Good For One Free Hug (2018), Millennial Dating and K.C. (2018). She talks about how she got her start at 4 years old in El Salvador to eventually moving to the United States and reinventing herself and career. Check out her story.
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Judi Johnson discovered her love for entertainment as a young girl in Jamaica. Watching her eldest sister compete in the “Miss Jamaica” pageant ignited in her a passion for the runway, inspiring her to emulate the glamour models she saw onscreen and in magazines.
At the age of 14, the still-shy Judi received the opportunity to become what she revered with her first modeling job. Gaining confidence with each gig, Judi’s modeling career reached a new peak when she was featured as a “Rising Jamaican Model” in The Caribbean Magazine. Shyness all but vanished; Judi turned her attention to acting, beginning lessons to immerse herself in developing her craft.
Since then, she has worked in several Film and Television productions. Landing role on BET’s T'he Game', CW’s 'Vampire Diaries', MTV’s 'Single Ladies' and supporting roles in original TV Movies such as 'Hear No Evil', 'My Other Mother', 'Lyfe’s Journey' and 'My First Love', all airing on various Networks. By her persistence and determination to be successful, Judi landed her first and second Feature Film as the leading lady in 'What Love Will Make You Do' alongside Darrin Henson and 'Last Night' alongside Danny Gavigan. Johnson worked hand-in-hand with Channing Tatum and Jada Pinkett-Smith in Magic Mike XXL and later as Faun in Tyler Perry's 'If Loving You is Wrong' on OWN.
In addition to a thriving acting career, with her husband, Pierre Johnson, they own OakTree Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based multifaceted production company dedicated to developing creative content, producing independent and studio films. They strive to create thoughtful, intelligent and unique entertainment.
Of all of her accomplishments, Judi insist that motivating others to live their dreams is the most rewarding element of her journey. She believes we are all connected and continues to live her dreams as she reminds others to “Live Alive”.
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Kiah Alexandria Clingman is an actress and producer from Cincinnati, OH. A 2015 summa cum laude graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., she received a degree in Communications with emphasis on Advertising and a minor in Theatre Arts and History. During her time in undergrad, she had the opportunity to study theatre in London, England and was selected to play Laura in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. Her love for acting took her to New York where she studied at the Maggie Flannigan Conservatory Studio. She has also studied with Sara Mornell, Matt Stanton from Dad’s Garage, and Catherine Dyer from Drama Inc.
Kiah is well-known for her supporting role in Black Lightning and will be seen in Undercover Brother 2 premiering later this year. She played the lead role, Chanel, in Black & Sexy TV’s series, Doing It Wrong, which premiered on Black & Sexy TV’s paid subscription service as a part of their HBCU initiative.
Not only does Kiah thrive in front of the camera and stage, she loves working behind-the-scenes. Her production company, KiahCan Productions LLC, was founded in 2018 and with it, she has produced and cast for 7 short films, 1 pilot, 2 webseries and 1 music video. She is currently producing and has a lead role, CAMI, in the newest web series Outlandish. She also is the lead, OLIVIA, in the web series, Thick Skin.
The series she is producing now, Outlandish, has over 250k views on YouTube and is steadily growing. She is currently working hard to prepare for a successful Season 2.
Having worked at FOX Sports, HBO, Viacom (MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Spike & Logo), and Weber Shandwick, she has acquired a vast array of skills that have prepared her to take on the entertainment industry.
She is working hard to combine her writing, performing, and speaking abilities in preparation for a successful career in film and television.
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Erman Baradi is a blossoming filmmaker and screenwriter from Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 2012, he received a Bachelor of Communication & Arts in Cinema-Television at Regent University. His first gig in the entertainment industry was working with No Malice of Grammy-nominated rap duo The Clipse. He would then intern at Jimmy Miller's Mosaic Media Group. In 2016 at just 26, he was featured in The Huffington Post as "a top networker in Hollywood" due to his extensive background in producing film, television, and music panel and Q&A events which has taken place in Los Angeles, New York City, London, Chicago, Miami, Toronto, and Virginia Beach, with more major cities to be announced soon. Erman would produce events under different incarnations such as MixKnowledgy, but would eventually co-found The Film Empire, that, in addition to events, offers a series of film and screenwriting mentorship initiatives featuring notable names in film and television production, writing, and representation. Erman's passions as a storyteller include bridging entertainment and humanitarian efforts, in addition to being a voice for Asian Americans in cinema. In 2018, Erman launched Ermantourage for film, television, and music events and initiatives that spotlight and give back to special causes, such as mental health/suicide prevention endeavors, cancer prevention, and children's art programs, all the while connecting people. Erman is managed by Emagine Content and strives to write, produce, and direct original content.
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Maria Tornberg is a former international fashion model and actress. Born and raised in Sweden, she has lived and worked in Paris, Milan, Barcelona and New York. Most well known for her roles in the comedies “Super Troopers” and “Two and a Half Men”, Maria has now become one of the most successful photographers in Los Angeles.
She has been sought out by actors such as Danny Trejo (Sons of Anarchy), Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood), Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Killing), Steven Bauer (Ray Donovan) as well as other celebrities such as Matt Barnes (Memphis Grizzlies) and international author Salman Rushdie.
Beyond her passion for photography, Maria’s industry knowledge and experience as talent give her unique perspective on how actors and models can prepare for shoots, distinguish their own individual brand within a competitive industry and take their careers to the next level.
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Taja V. Simpson is a Louisiana native of West African and European decent and her colorful background allows her to constantly bring new characters to life. She fell in love with acting when she was seven years old when she and her cousins would ‘play pretend’. They would watch movies, learn all the lines and then act them out for fun. Her favorite movie at that time was Berry Gordy’s "The Last Dragon” and to this day she can still recite all the lines in the movie. “Who’s The Master? Sho-Nuff!”
Although she loved acting at a young age, there weren’t any programs or schools in Lake Charles, LA that would help cultivate that skill set. She went on to graduate from McNeese State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communication and an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. From there, she was on the path of being a News Reporter/Anchor.
After College, she moved to Houston, TX but there was a still small voice in her that kept saying, ‘you should try acting,’ so she did. She enrolled in acting workshops and ended up winning three awards for her performances. (Best Actress, Best Overall Performance and People’s Choice) Now, she was bit by the acting bug and there was no turning back. She would have never thought that 'playing pretend’ with her family as a young child would also be what she ultimately would do for a living.
Versatility is Taja's greatest accomplishments which is what lead her to guest star in multiple roles on some of the most popular television shows of our time. She received her first breakout role in The Bold & The Beautiful as Adele which she recurred on the show for over two years. Since then some of the shows she has appeared in are; Grey’s Anatomy, NCIA, The Thundermans, NCIS:LA, The Soul Man, KC Undercover, and Lethal Weapon. Taja was widely known for her role as the fun and sassy wife opposite legendary Actor and Director Tyler Perry; in Lionsgate’s “Tyler Perry’s Boo2! A Madea Halloween,“ and can now be seen weekly as Priscilla Owen in BET's newest drama,
Tyler Perry's "THE OVAL."
Taja is also a film director with over 40 plus productions under her belt from stage plays to music videos and short films. Next up is directing television and her first feature.
She can currently be seen in Christopher Nolan’s “My Online Valentine” on Amazon where she leads this film down the dating woes in this hilarious Romantic Comedy. She can next be seen in the Christmas film, "London Mitchell’s Christmas" slated for December 2019 along with 3 additional films in the pipeline. You can also see her in other films on Netflix and Amazon.
In her new book,"Cracking The Acting Code: A Practical Step By Step Guide To Becoming A Professional Actor", Taja shares her unique story and expertise from moving from a small town in Louisiana, making it on the big screen in Hollywood, and becoming one of the most trusted names in the entertainment business.
Taja’s hobbies include: writing, watching and studying films, learning new words and cooking. Her personal interests involve, spending time with her two dogs, working out, boxing, traveling and always being open to learn new things.
In order to succeed in the entertainment industry its important to be multi-talented both on and off screen. From behind the scenes to being in front and center, Actor, Author, Director and Keynote Speaker Taja V. Simpson has proven just that.
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Passionate, Purpose Driven, Accomplished and Enterprising, Chasity Saunders is a notable american actress, plus-size supermodel and TV host with a professional career boasting hundreds of credits, editorials and major fashion campaigns with clients like Ashley Stewart, Target and Beyoncé. Chasity has graced the TV screen and the pages of major publications such as Essence, Glamour and Ebony Magazine. Her budding acting career includes being cast in Award Winning web-series and films such as ISSA RAE Presents: "Get Your Life", Pan African Film Festival and BlackStar Film Festival official selections, "The Divorce Counselor" and Summer hit #FRIEND-ZONED. She was named 1 of Ebony Magazines top 5 black plus size models to know and profiled as 1 of Hello Beautiful’s Top 30 under 30. She is currently signed with STATE Management for modeling representation globally and managed by LINK Entertainment. In addition to maintaining a full time acting & modeling career after moving to Los Angeles from New York City where she got her start, this Multitalented Artist is also a freelance TV Host and Entertainment Correspondent who co-owns new media company @AvenuePink She is the host and Executive Producer for YouTube talk show @officialviphappyhour Chasity is also a fashion expert and was recently tapped to appear on BET's The Westbrooks coaching aspiring models; and as the host of "The Art Of Fabulous" a style and beauty TV Show that aired on VIACOM's BET and Centric Television Networks. In addition she's hosted 100's of red carpets and interviewed some of today's biggest stars such as Kevin Hart, Nicki Minaj, Tyler Perry, Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson just to name a few. As a writer she's penned cover stories for major publications most recently Interviewing Chadwick Boseman, Anthony Anderson & Tracee Ellis Ross for the cover of Ebony Magazine. Networks and Media Companies such as FOX TV, Allied Moxy and The Cashmere Agency often tap @chasitysaunders for her wide reach as a social media influencer! Chasity is often sought after for brand launches, and pop culture events for film, fashion & beauty that help curate the culture; as she is known for keeping her finger on the pulse of what is new, now and next! A Triple Threat with her eyes on empowering other powerful multidimensional millennials to take their lives and their careers to the next tier; she’s currently doing the same with her own career by taking her acting to the next level; Saunders was most recently cast and made her TV debut on the highly anticipated Second Season of #TalesOnBET which aired April, 2019! With a true love and passion for fashion she found time last year to launch her first fashion line "Ronnie Leigh" @_ShopRonnieLeigh a unisex fashion brand paying homage to her late father with a fashion show aboard the gorgeous, private Sir Winston Yacht of Long Beach, CA. championing all people to believe in "The Freedom of Fashion for everyBODY" and beauty beyond size leaving us all highly anticipating what’s next for this rising star.
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Gi’onna Kamille was born and raised in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, PA. She caught the acting bug at the age of five and began working in print modeling until she was eight. She went on to study theatre and dance at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) and the Freedom Theatre! Some of her work includes programs such as Blindspot (NBC), Orange is the New Black (Netflix), Good Girls (NBC) & more! During her down time Gi’onna loves to commit her time to an organization her mother founded called P.O.W.W.O.W ( Passing On Womanly Words Of Wisdom) where she mentors and advises other girls and young women who struggle with abuse, self-esteem, mental illnesses and more!
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Multi-hyphenate Caryn Ward Ross is an actress, producer, and writer born and based in Los Angeles. Her television acting credits include guest starring and recurring roles on such hit shows as BET’s “The Game", HBO’s “ Entourage”, “Jane The Virgin,” and “Lucifer” on FOX. Caryn is a series regular on Bounce TV’s “Grown Folks” from creator Bentley Kyke Evans, and recurred on TruTV’s comedy series "Fameless" from executive producer David Spades. Caryn was nominated for Best Actress in a comedy series by the Indie Spirit Awards.
Currently, Caryn is the Executive Producer of the provocative drama series, “Craig Ross Jr’s Monogamy,” of which she also stars, on UMC.tv (recently acquired by AMC Network). Mr. and Mrs. Ross just completed filming the second season of of the hit show, and it will premiere this fall on UMC.tv, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
Caryn Ward Ross serves on the board of advisors for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. She is also a graduate of Howard University with a B.S. in Psychology. Ward Ross is the founder of the Creative Institute of Los Angeles (the intersection of creatives + personal growth), a wife, a mother of two amazing girls and pit bull with floppy ears.
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Judy has been a professional actress for 40 years, showcasing her skills &
talents in over 350 commercials & in over 80 roles for film and television.
Some of her more well-known credits include a recurring role on the Emmy-
winning show Mad Men, as Olive Healey ( Peggy’s Secretary) which won
her a SAG Award. Her other favorite recurring credits include Odd Couple
with Matthew Perry, Hand of God with Ron Pearlman, Married with
Children, For Your Love, Grosse Pointe, and Manhattan, AZ with Chad
Everett. She has done numerous guest appearances on the hit shows
Modern Family, The Middle, Bones, Castle, Rizzoli & Isles, Scrubs,
Desperate Housewives, ER, Seinfeld, The District, The West Wing,
NYPD Blue, Friends, and The Drew Carey Show just to name a few.
She's appeared in 2 acclaimed Super Bowl Ads in 2013, Oreo Whisper
Fight ad and Deon Sanders' NFL promo. Her extensive background in
commercials has lead to several career highlights such as being
remembered as the Judge in CLAIROL HERBAL ESSENCE with Dr. Ruth,
a role in which Saturday Night Live did a hilarious spoof of her. Her
teaching career has also lead to immense success, being voted
BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL
TEACHER IN LA in 2010 and 2011. 2012 Her other acting classes have
won BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE IN LA as well, and continue to
produce amazing results for her students.
Judy first co-founded the acting training company, Talent To Go, which
lead to the empowerment of countless actors' careers. In 2009 and 2010,
TTG won the BEST CASTING DIRECTOR WORKSHOP IN LA. Judy
opened Keep It Real Acting in 2012, which now continues her teaching
legacy and offers an vast amount of classes for all students of all ages and
skill levels. She is continually grateful to have helped transform so many
actors' careers.
She resides in LA and is the proud mother of one son, Frankie Manes
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At the impressionable age of eight, Jazmen set his sights on one of the most coveted and rewarding jobs in the universe - becoming a Power Ranger. However, once he discovered the skittle-colored crew of intergalactic crime fighters were nothing more than a half-baked idea from an acid-tripping Japanese comic book artist, Jazmen thought, "I could do that too," and switched his focus to writing.
Influenced by his mother's life as a foster child, as well as his experiences mentoring Undocumented Refugee Minors, Jazmen's stories often center around outsiders looking for a place to belong.
After graduating from Florida State University, he was hired to write the script for "The Citizen,” the story of a Middle Eastern immigrant who arrives in New York City the day before the September 11th attacks. In 2013, the feature film was released theatrically across the United States, Middle East, and online through Netflix and Amazon streaming.
His TV credits include the hit Bounce TV series “Saints & Sinners,” and B.E.T.’s HBCU drama “The Quad,” as well sitcoms “Family Time” and “In The Cut.” He’s currently a staff writer on the #1 show for black women on Tuesday nights, “Ambitions,” a juicy night-time soap for O.W.N. (Oprah Winfrey Network) starring Robin Givens.
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Duane Finley is born and raised in Inglewood, California. He began his acting career as “young Slim” in the classic film “The Wood” while attending Inglewood High School. He received an academic scholarship to Utah State University shortly after completing the project. His next role came in the theatrical stage performance of “ The Boys Next Door” as “Lucious P. Smith”. He then hit the stage again bringing to life the character, “Mr. Robinson” in “To Kill A Mocking Bird”. After college, Duane returned to California to join the family business as the Co-Owner of My Mailbox, Inc. The business has currently been in his family for 20 years. His late father, Charles Finley, purchased the bustling business in 1999 and later passed leaving the business to Duane and his brother. My Mailbox is currently operating in the Baldwin Hills area. They offer business services to the community, such as, private mailboxes, Notary Services, Tax preparation and Live Scan Fingerprinting just to name a few.
Duane manages to keep his acting career in motion while growing his business empire simultaneously. This fall, he can be seen playing the role of “Teddy” in the Indie Film “His, Hers and The Truth” coming soon to BET and UMC. In addition, he plays the role of “Kris” in another buzzing indie film “South Central Love Story” written and Directed by Christina Cooper. And if that’s not enough, Duane will be making his first television debut on a new TV show called “PUMP” to be released in 2020.
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GEORGE PIERRE, CSA – CASTING DIRECTOR
Since opening its doors in 2007, Pierre Casting has had the pleasure of casting for CNN, TBS, BET, DISNEY, TV ONE, FOX, NBC UNIVERSAL and most recently OWN. Pierre Casting has worked on feature films like: NO GOOD DEED, which was number one in the box office for 2 weeks straight. Other features include Ride Along 1, Ride Along 2, A Meyers Christmas, Night School, Little to TV shows such as Being Mary Jane, The Quad, Superstition and most recently Lee Daniels STAR, along with Ambitions, American Soul and TALES. Most recently Pierre Casting has been accepted into the CSA. Pierre Casting looks forward to casting new projects and meeting new talent
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Mere words can only capture the refrain of her awesome talent. She is the ballad of beauty and elegance. The melodies flowing from the petite vocalist are truly amazing. While casting a spellbinding smile, she mesmerizes her captive audience with incredible harmonies and rhythms.
AS AN ACTOR, she has appeared in hit TV shows such as Lifetime's, “Army Wives”, and Marc Cherry's, "Devious Maids". Eric Kripke and J.J. Abrams' apocalyptic, “Revolution”, and “Aquarius", starring X-Files' David Duchuvny, both on NBC, and “Criminal Minds”, alongside Joe Mantegna. Theatrical credits include, “The Blind Side”, “Addicted”, starring Sharon Leal and Boris Kodjoe, “Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, as Seeder, and "Christmas Wedding Baby”, by Award-Winning Writer/Director Kiara C. Jones. She also stars in Writer/Director, Shea Sizemore's "The Next Day." In addition, she recurs in Bounce TV's, "Saints & Sinners" as Lt. Hawkins, and as Ms. Sumner is the Oscar nominated film, “Hidden Figures”.
A SONG STYLIST in her own right, Maria has shared the musical stage with such legendary artists as Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles and Earl Klugh, and Ronnie Laws. After a very successful 6 year stint in Asia, Maria relocated back to the U.S. and performed at Sambuca Jazz Café for 9 consecutive years. She and pianist Bill Wilson (son of legendary jazz pianist Teddy Wilson), held the distinction of being the longest running act at the Atlanta, GA location. As of 2017, Maria hosts her live Hollywood music series called #DUETS, featuring “songs to soothe your soul.”
Maria is not only a song stylist and actor, but a very devoted supporter of her charity of choice, Students Without Mothers, where she has served as a board member for over 8 years.
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Sara Mornell has shared her 23+ years of extensive knowledge coaching actors, athletes, and entertainers to live in their truths and train like Olympians to meet the demands of Hollywood. Recognizing that the current training and methodology based in theater techniques is failing actors.
After years of coaching actors with an unprecedented booking rate, combined with coaching athletes on their game - The Mornell Method was born. A new and more effective approach for actors who want to work in Film and TV. Cultivating an athletic frame of mind while supporting the creative spirit. Sara’s method teaches actors how to be fearless versions of themselves instead of teaching how to be a character. -
Most recently Sara starred opposite Jeremy Sisto in the ABC crime drama Wicked City and guest starred as Renee on the hit Freeform comedy Alone Together. Sara has also appeared opposite Elizabeth Banks and Chris Pine in the film People Like Us, with Kevin Bacon in The Darkness, and as Jean, the tough-loving expedition guide in the horror thriller Quarries. Other film credits include: Python, Paranormal Activity 4, Starting From Scratch, Knife Fight and Plan B.
In addition to working in front of the camera, Sara has also written, directed and produced three seasons of comedy series #TheAssignment through her production company, Mornell Studios.
In 2017, Mornell Studios relocated from Los Angeles to Atlanta where she currently resides. Sara came to Atlanta to bring her method to the working class actor, and raise the bar for training in the southeast market. The goal being to put Atlanta on the map for trained reliable talent for roles beyond that of the co-star.
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Mara Hall is best known for her recent co-star roles in Scandal (ABC) and The Quad(BET), supporting role in A Question of Faith (Silver Lining Entertainment), lead role in the comedic film Loqueesa, and her role as Nurse Kathleen on the award-winning ABC series Grey’s Anatomy (ABC). In 2017 & 2016, Mara guest starred in many episodes of Bounce TV’s popular series Saints & Sinners. Mara joined the cast of the new Oprah Winfrey Network, Will Packer Productions series Ambitions in 2019 as a series regular. Mara made her national TV debut on the hit show Dance Your Ass Off as one of the contestants on Oxygen's reality dance/weight loss competition series. In 2015, Mara launched her social media movement and lifestyle show, I Got Something To Say #IGSTS, that empowers audiences through laughter. Mara is also passionate about health, fashion, and beauty and loves to connect with fellow beauty queens across the U.S. and globally.
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Dinora Walcott is originally from Boston, Massachusetts. She is an actress known for shows such as The Big Bang Theory, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, a recurring character on all seven seasons of ABC’s Scandal, and a recurring character on TNT’s The Last Ship. She has her Masters Degree from Harvard University’s American Repertory Theater and The Moscow Art Theater, in Russia. Dinora works regularly in national commercials, voice over, and as a writer. She is also an acting and audition coach.
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Jerrel O’Neal is a native of Detroit MI. He is an NAACP Award winning actor that attended Alabama State University were he received his B.A in Theater under The Direction of Brian Martin, and Tonea Stewart. He went on to sign an professional acting contract to B Street Theater in Sacramento, Ca. Jerrel is The "Marvin Sims" award recipient for the 2010 KCACTF National acting competition. Some of his work includes August Wilsons "Jitney" (Booster), Loraine Hansberry's "A Raisin In The Sun" (George Murchison) , and Shaka Senghor’s "The Cell" (Trey). Since moving to California, He has starred along some of Hollywood's biggest names such has Loretta Divine, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Harry J Lennix and Grammy Nominated R&B Singer Ledisi. He is currently starring and producing his hit YouTube show “Jones” as the lovable Ali. He Also Directed several projects one of his most recent being “Sunset Baby” by Dominique Morisseau. Also being former track & field athlete with many accomplishments, He became a coach at Burbank High School in California, where he brought the team back to the top of there league winning the title in 2016. Several of his athletes went on to continue their dreams in college. Being from the Motown he also has the biggest love for music and dance. Since college he has been teaching Detroit/ Chicago style ballroom. Now teaching in La. As well as recording and writing his music. He is a man that truly knows us in gods gifts for the right reasons, will allow you to receive everything that suppose to come from it!! Be inspired!!!
IG: oscar_oneal
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Khalimah hails from Jamaica, Queens in The Big Apple but currently resides in the film making heaven in the city of Angels, Los Angeles, CA. She has been driven by her passion for the performing arts from a young age. She does it all from hosting events, Writing, Voice Overs, Directing, and of course Acting. She honed her natural gifts with formal training in film and theater at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA) right after graduating High School. Since then, she's done a variety of work such as numerous Off Broadway plays, commercials, voice overs, web series, and films. She has also created and hosts her own Bi- weekly networking event that has become a staple for the film community. Actors and film makers of all caliber work amongst their peers! Be sure to check out The Screening Room Atl every other Wednesday Night at Gallery 992 | 992 ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, Ga 30310.
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Sheila Tejada was born and raised in Southern California. Her parents came to America from the Philippines with one suitcase to their name. From her parents, Sheila grew up learning how to take risks, work hard and follow her dreams.
She recently filmed a comedic spot on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" opposite Guillermo, Jimmy Kimmel's sidekick. Also, she is shooting another comedic role in the Urbanflix series, "Casting the Net."
Sheila was a principal character in multi-award winning indie comedy feature (32 festival wins) "Driving While Black" and acted opposite of Denise Crosby ("The Walking Dead") in Showtime's acclaimed series, "Ray Donovan."
She is a stage trained actress and has a B.A. in Drama from UC Irvine and was awarded with the Claire Trevor School of the Arts award. She continues to study the craft with master acting coaches, Risa Bramon Garcia, Stan Kirsch, Billy O'Leary, and at the Margie Haber Studio. Sheila was Miss Cerritos 2008 and is also a professional singer. She was a finalist in MTV's Little Talent Show when she was 19 years old. In addition to acting and singing, she enjoys performing stand-up comedy at Flappers, Burbank.
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Naomi Mack is a ball of fiery energy with a love for the arts, health, and athletics. She’s a magnetic actress, fitness instructor, model, and host with an adventurous, down to earth spirit. Though her vibrant commercial look is as undeniable as her smile, she is drawn to the raw and unpolished parts of life that she hopes her acting roles will reflect.
Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, her mother started her early in dance and Karate. It was when her family relocated to Atlanta in middle school that she joined the track & field team and started performing in school plays. She continued with both through high school until she was recruited by Kennesaw State University on a full ride track scholarship where she studied film production. As soon as she graduated with multiple conference championships rings in the Heptathlon ( consisting of the 100 hurdles, shot put, long jump, high jump, javelin, 200 and 800 meter run), she hopped back into acting classes and never looked back.
With experience in front and behind the camera, she works as both talent and crew in as many films as she can get her hands on. Although her focus lies on artistic independent work, some of her most recent acting credits include co-starring roles in HBO’s upcoming series Lovecraft Country from Jordan Peele, BET’s American Soul, and OWN’s Queen Sugar.
Naomi's natural curiosity, work ethic, wide array of talents and “do it yourself” attitude has always been a winning combo for her. Stay tuned for this rising star.
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Born in Thomasville, Georgia and raised in Hampton, Virginia, Khalilah Joi is a bonafide Southern girl–freshwater fishing, debutante balls and all. With aspirations of being a broadcast journalist, she attended The University of Virginia, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English. After graduation, though, she chose The Studio Theater Acting Conservatory in Washington, D.C. over her acceptance to NYU’s Graduate School of Journalism and hasn’t looked back.
After a year on the east coast theater circuit, Khalilah drove across country to Los Angeles, where she has worked consistently in television, film, animation and theater. Some of her most notable roles include starring in three seasons of the hit digital series “Sexless,” a recurring role on BET’s “Being Mary Jane,” and appearances on “S.W.A.T.,” “Rosewood,” “Marvel’s Agent Carter” and “The Good Doctor.”
Khalilah’s recent guest role as assault victim Abby in the “Grey’s Anatomy” episode “Silent All These Years,” which deals with consent and was specifically inspired by Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony regarding Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, received critical-acclaim and generated immense online conversations around the #MeToo movement. The episode showcased Khalilah’s most nuanced, impactful on-screen performance to date and garnered considerable Emmy buzz, landing her a feature in Variety’s contenders issue.
On the heels of Grey’s Anatomy, Joi had a recurring guest role on the second season of HBO’s Emmy-winning hit “Big Little Lies” and is currently filming a new project to be announced in the fall.
During her career, Khalilah has been fortunate to receive a number of awards and acknowledgments for her work. These include winning Best Actress at the American Black Film Festival, winning the Best Supporting Actress SOFIE, (short film award,) for her performance in the critically acclaimed “Jonestown,” winning the Grand Prize in ABC Entertainment Group’s Digital Casting Competition, and winning Best Female Newcomer for her work in “Sexless”.
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Brittany Inge is a multi-hyphenate artist and activist from Laurel, MD. She is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC and Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. After graduating cum laude from Spelman, with a degree in music, Brittany began studying and, eventually, working as a professional actor. She performed in productions at several of Atlanta’s premiere theater houses before transitioning into television and film. Brittany credits theater work as her “grad school experience” and continues to move proudly between stage and screen projects. Her recent TV/Film work includes roles on “Atlanta” (FX), “The Passage” (FOX), “Dynasty” (CW), “The Resident” (FOX), “Survivor’s Remorse” (STARZ), “Love Is __” (OWN), and the feature film: “The Hate U Give”. Brittany is grateful to have landed her first series regular role portraying Crystal Garrett in “Boomerang” on BET, which will return for its second season in 2020. Brittany currently resides in New York City and is repped by Buchwald.
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Daniel Croix Henderson attended the State University of New York's Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Purchase as a member of the class of 2017. He joins the ranks of other notable Purchase alumni such as Parker Posey, Melissa Leo, Wesley Snipes, Edie Falco, Stanley Tucci, Sherry Stringfield and Hal Hartley.
He made his New York stage debut in the New York Times Critic Pick: Kenny Leon's 'Much Ado About Nothing' alongside Danielle Brooks (Orange is the New Black) and Jeremie Harris (Legion, Fargo). The historic production was the first entirely African-American cast at The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park.
While in rehearsal for Much Ado, he flew to Atlanta to audition for Tyler Perry, where he landed his breakout role - starring as Jason Franklin on BET's 'The Oval'.
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LaQuanda Plantt, founded ElleQ Casting in 2009. ElleQ Casting is a casting company specializing in Principal Casting for any type of project from feature films to music videos. Her credits include the feature films Walk Away from Love starring Noree Victoria, Brad James, Brely Evans and Robert Christopher Riley & For the Love of Christmas which aired on BET, as well as the films, First Impression, Pierre Jackson, and Professor Mack, all of which are currently available on Netflix. In 2014, LaQuanda assisted with Extras Casting for the Academy Award winning film “Selma”. In addition to Casting Director, LaQuanda is also a Producer and she made her Directorial Debut in 2017 when she shot her first short film, Valerie Morgan: TV Qualified and recently directed her second film, Stockholm. She is transitioning into a filmmaker, graduating from The Art Institute of Atlanta in 2018 with a BA in Video Production & Digital Filmmaking. Via ElleQ Casting Workshops, social media and guest speaking appearances, LaQuanda wants to encourage others that dreams are not limited, if you believe and work hard towards that belief, you can achieve anything you dream to do. “Nothing is more satisfying than assisting another person fulfill their passion and live out their dreams.” -ElleQ
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Born in the beautiful city of Berlin, Germany, Novi Brown has been able to explore many of Earth's treasures. But, New York City holds the key to this actor's thespian heart. Sporadically, Novi has dabbled in the arts since a young age, varying from the stage to the piano. In 2011, Novi graduated Magna Cum Laude from The City College of New York with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. Novi's Theatre experience ranges from The Vagina Monologues, Dutchman and Boston Marriage.
Novi has played lead in over 15 productions from TV to short film to feature films. The Entertainment Industry has proven a perfect fit for this ambitious young actress - with her eyes on the prize, she is now ready to tackle the BIG SCREEN.
Print work has led Novi to work with some amazing clients, which include, Essence Magazine, Swarovski, Frito-Lays, Scholastic, Lifetime Movie Network, UP! TV, Swirl Films, ID Channel, Budweiser, HBO Shorts, and E! Networks + many, many more. Her commercial work includes, CarMax and three (3) ORS spots.
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Warren Burke is an actor-writer-improviser-pizza connoisseur from Chicago, IL. After graduating from the Tennessee State University with a Business Administration Degree, Warren put his pricey diploma in the recycling bin and moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue his acting career. You can catch Warren on shows like The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Grey's Anatomy, and Blunt Talk, but most recently, you will see him being the wild-energetic "Uncle Daniel" of Netflix's Original Show "Family Reunion". He has honed his comedic skill through training grounds such as Upright Citizen Brigade, The Groundlings Theatre, and being featured as a main performer for the 2018 NBC Diversity Showcase. Tune in this Fall to catch Warren as "Greg Washington" on BET's newest show Bigger" (produced by Will Packer).
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Reece Odum is a native of Atlanta GA. This award winning actress has always had a true love for the performing arts. In just a short time, her acting career quickly flourished allowing her the opportunity of completing several film and television projects where she performed in lead and principal roles. She has had recurring roles on "The Vampire Diaries" (CW) , "Saints and Sinners" (Bounce TV). Her films and television shows include: "Ambitions" (OWN), "The Secret She Kept" ((TV One), "Killer Posts" (Oxygen) , "What Love Will Make You Do" (BET Her), "Mr. Right" (BET) , "Lyfe's Journey" (UP TV), "The Last Time" (Aspire TV) and "The Wish".
Her main goal is to continue to share her passion for the arts with a purpose,e by making a difference in people's lives. A faith based theme has been shared by many of her projects as well as being focused on major issues that need to be addressed in the community such as domestic violence ("The Last Time" , "Imprisoned by Love", and "Smoke" ), organ/tissue donation ("The Wish"). She doubled as the lead actress and Producer on all of these indie films.
In March of 2016 Reece was honored with a Resolution/Proclamation by the Georgia State Senate (Sen. Donzella James) for her efforts to help increase minority organ/tissue donor registration with the film "The Wish" , executive produced by Donate Life America.
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From the streets of Brooklyn Ny to the heart of Atlanta, Ga, Errol Sadler is becoming one of Atlanta’s most sought after producer in the film industry. He made his Producer debut in 2009 with "Eros", a short dramatic thriller that deals with the repercussions of Love, Lies, and deception. Instantly this project was a hit, receiving com-cast on demand distribution. Since then, Errol has partnered with Last Looks Inc. to Produce four short films "Up In Smoke", "No Crime", "Letters to a Father", and "Prognosis". These films have been seen, submitted, and or screened at film festivals such as Atlanta Black Film Festival (ABFF), Peachtree Village International Film Festival (PVIFF), Long Island Film Festival (LIFF), Manhattan Film Festival (MIFF), Brooklyn Short Film Festival (BSFF), Women in Film and Television (WIFTA). Errol has joined forces with Symmetry Entertainment and C. Clear Cinema to Produce "Echo At 11 Oak Drive", a feature length film that tells three stories that transpire under the same roof over three eras of time. 1951, 1973, and 2010. This film was screened in Sundance 2013, and received great reviews. The Short film “Echoes” was also accepted to Cannes Film Festival 2013. It is currently pending a distribution deal. He has also teamed up with Shadow Motion Picture, a Los Angeles based Production company to Produce their latest Action packed feature length film "Fixer", which is based on the sisterhood of female assassins which can be seen online. There is also a pending Deal with director R.L. Scott to Produce an action packed boxing flick. Recently, he sold his latest drama “Curveball” which starring Lynn Whitfield, Rockmond Dunbar, and E. Roger Mitchell, and has a deal pending on his action packet cyber thrilled “Black Hats”. For 2016 He is slated to convert a well known web series into a TV series, as well as shooting a family comedy titled “House Trained”. House Trained will remind us of Marley and Me meets Home Alone.
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Racquel Bailey is a wife and mother of two children, 13 year old son Elijah and 14month old daughter Diana, whom stepped out on faith. Feeling as if having a calling to impact the world through acting, she did what most may call crazy. She dedicated her life to showing others who great her God is. Understanding that without faith it's impossible to please God, she took a leap of faith.
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Anthony Meindl is an LA-based Writer/Director/Teacher/Founder of AMAW studios worldwide, with studios in LA, London, NY, Santa Fe, Vancouver, Toronto, Sydney and Atlanta. He has also taught internationally in Sofia, Rome, Capetown, Melbourne, and Paris. He has guest lectured at the Gaiety School/The National Theatre School of Ireland, the prestigious Moscow Art Theater, the Actors Centre London, and is the guest acting teacher at David Lynch's Masters of Filmmaking Program in Fairfield, Iowa. He is the author of three books: The best-selling At Left Brain Turn Right, Book The Fucking Job and Alphabet Soup for Grown-ups.
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A graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, Shayla Love holds a diverse background in theatre, television, film and radio. During her time in Las Vegas, she was known as a spoken word poet and for 3 years, the youngest on-air personality at KCEP-FM Power 88. In 2011, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to further her creative career in film and television. Some of her network television credits include: Star, Being Mary Jane, Queen Sugar, and Ozark. She received a Suzi Bass Award in 2017 for her performance in the regional premiere of the Tony nominated play, "Eclipsed". Between stage and screen, Shayla lends her love of storytelling to creating and producing original content. Most recently, she was commissioned by the city of Las Vegas as the script writer for the 23rd year of the historical West Las Vegas Arts Center’s Performing and Visual Arts Camp. In July 2019, her original musical “#Viral” premiered at The Smith Center in Las Vegas—the only Equity house in the state of the Nevada. This holiday season, she can be seen as "Kai" in the television movie Hip Hop Holiday alongside Ta'rhonda Jones, Wendy Raquel Robinson and Andra Fuller.
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Actor Kareem Grimes has not only believed that he would be a success in life, he is a living testament to that school of thought. The Los Angeles native has had his sights set on gracing the silver screen since the age of nine and has never once looked back. As a child he would watch the popular television show Different Strokes and convinced himself that he could play the role that Gary Coleman so eloquently coveted. Kareem’s natural comedic timing and innate ability to entertain made that goal not in the least bit far fetched. Nicknamed “Baby Flip” for his questionable resemblance to super comic Flip Wilson, the budding thespian would pretend as if he was Flip’s character “Geraldine” to the delight of anyone who would listen. “I was always that kid who pop-locked at the party, always showboating. I loved the attention and pretending to be someone that I wasn’t,” he maintains. Little did he know that during those same impromptu sessions, he was building a foundation that would later prepare him for his foray into a world of cattle calls, agents, unions, and the usual barrage of auditions.
By the time he was a teenager, he was well versed on the in’s and out’s of the business; displaying professionalism, passion, and dedication to his craft. Things really started to roll, John Singleton gave him his first speaking roll in Boyz N The Hood ( Ice Cream Truck kid) . Though just playing a bit part, he delivered such an impressive performance that folks began to take notice and he soon found himself rubbing elbows with some industry heavyweights. His passion for acting and faith in God slowly brought him out of the trenches to landing plum roles in television shows, TV (SWAT ,Unsolved Biggie & Tupac Murders, Star, NCIS, C.S.I, Love by the 10th Date , A Recurring role on the CW's Show All American as "Preach".) commercials (Cricket Wireless, Pizza Hut, Subway, Coors Light,24 Hour Fitness, Bud Light), theater NAACP Award Winning Play Sassy Mamma's, The Edgeucation Comedy Sketch Show), and feature films (TheMule ,Jarhead, Baby Boy, The Preachers Son, Too Legit To Quit The MC Hammer Story, Legendary ). “You’ve got to know that you want this. You got to eat, sleep, and live it. It’s not just something that’s part time for me, it’s an everyday thing. Like I always say to my friends-treat your career like it’s a bank account, if you deposit into your career, your returns will be great,” Kareem Grimes
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With her energetic and charismatic personality it’s hard to miss her unforgettable smile. Born in the mountains of West Virginia, raised deep in the heart of Central Texas, Dawn is a poised and polished professional on the rise. Since Atlanta is known to have plenty of opportunities and successful stories, Dawn and her mother picked up and relocated. This driven young lady has been able to present some of her talents through Acting. She’s landed television and film roles on BET “TALES”, FX "Atlanta", and currently seen on Bounce "Saints and Sinners." Her journey has not only been seen through t.v. and film, she also has commercial and theatre experience under her belt. “I plan to achieve many goals in life, I’m easily motivated by keeping God first and staying focused.” Her eager yet humble spirit shows that Dawn is definitely a step closer to her dreams. Be sure to keep your eyes opened to see what Dawn has brewing next. “You’ve got to follow your passion. You’ve got to figure out what it is you love, who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is to follow your own dreams.” –Oprah Winfrey
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Kendrick Cross is a bicoastal actor working in Los Angeles and Atlanta, with roots in South Carolina and Smoketown, the Shepherd’s Square neighborhood in Louisville, KY, a place of humble beginnings, made famous by Muhammad Ali. He started his professional career on the
The WB’s hit show Dawson’s Creek and has made more than 75 appearances in film and television since. His roles span characters on House of Payne, Drop Dead Diva, The Game, Insurgent, The Haves and The Have Nots, Acrimony, Containment, House of Cards, Homeland, Mr. Mercedes, Black Lightning and now on the new family nighttime drama Ambitions, where he plays Mr. Titus Hughes. Produced by Will Packer and Jamey Giddens on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Kendrick went to Wiesbaden High School in Mainz, Germany, Lower Richland High School, ultimately graduating with an Academic Diploma from Spring Valley High School in Columbia South Carolina. He holds a Computer Science degree from the University of South Carolina
Salkehatchie where he played Division 1 Men’s basketball earning “Most Improved Player” his first year. He’s an accomplished poet, having opened for, most notably, Boyz 2 Men and Charlie Wilson. Performing for the kids in the ‘Cities in Schools’ program and at the Annua.
Martin Luther King Day at the State Museum in Columbia. Growing up in a military family, he developed a love for travel and experiences that continues today. Globetrotting took him to many places including Japan, where he played basketball extensively, and Germany, where he spoke the language fluently. In addition to acting, he has produced poetry CDs and hosted weekly spoken word, open-mic events to collect clothing for the homeless. Louisville, Kentucky bestowed him the honor of April 14th as Kendrick Cross Day and in addition, he and his mother Sharon Maddox were recently awarded Citizen awards and the Key to The City. Kendrick’s beloved father Archie Cross, of Chickasaw and Cherokee roots, passed in 2017, but remains an honored part of the fabric of this actor’s life and story.
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Tasia (pronounced “Tasha”) is a professional actress who has been cast in over 20 films, 30 TV episodes and numerous national commercials. With over 20 years acting, she has extensive experience working in many genres: print, television, commercials and feature film. She is also an Acting Coach, Motivational Speaker and Career Consultant. Tasia is currently on the hit television series Saints and Sinners.
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I am 25 years young, born and raised in Oakland CA! I’ve always known I wanted to be an A-list celebrity actress and that I absolutely would be! From the time I was able to speak I’ve been in church plays, school plays, beauty pageants etc. Once I got to college I realized that if I don’t take myself & my dreams serious then no one else will. I soon started professionally acting & it has been life changing. In 2 years, I have grown drastically as a woman & an entertainer!
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Santiago Rosas was born and raised in the state of Arizona to immigrant parents from Michoacán, Mexico. Santiago, a graduate of the Meisner Technique Studio in San Francisco, has called the Bay Area home for seven years. He’s been in such roles as Benny from the “North Pole Show”, Raymundo from “Driving while Undocumented” and starred, co-wrote, and produced the short, “Indulto” where he won the Best Actor award in the 2017 Sanford Meisner Film Festival. In his leisure time, he is actively involved in his communities in Phoenix and SF/Oakland and loves to play and listen to music. Check out his website www.santiago-rosas.com
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Jasmine Burke is an award-winning American Actor, Filmmaker, Author, Entertainer who studied on full scholarship at Kennesaw State University and studied film at Harvard. Currently starring as the mischievous Dr. Christie in Bounce TV's #1 rated Original Drama Saints and Sinners. Also recently Co-Starring in Fox's Star, VH1's Drumline: A New Beat and Love Is on OWN, to name a few. When Jasmine isn't in front of the camera acting she's behind it writing and producing her own content. As well as mentoring Clark Atlanta University and Georgia State University film students through her non-profit MintyFestival.org Jasmine won "Best Director" at the 2010 Women in Film and Television International Film Festival for her directorial debut Lucky Lotto. Adding Author to her credits in 2018 with the release of her book Work Your Audition, "motivation and techniques to help actors book the job". To hear Jasmine's new afrobeats single Take Ova, and to keep up with this multi-talented artists visit www.JasmineBurke.com and follow @TheJasmineBurke on IG, Facebook and Twitter.
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The Miguel A. Nunez, Jr. story is a message of hope, faith, determination and success. At the age of 17 Miguel A. Nunez Jr. ran away from the small tobacco town of Wilson, North Carolina. Growing up poor and living in a house of eleven, a house where he would hide in dresser draws just to be alone and dream of Hollywood. Months after graduating from high school he made three bologna sandwiches, wrote a note to his grandparents and ran away from home.
Bound for HOLLYWOOD and a dream he has talked about and dreamed about since he was 3 years old….. HOLLYWOOD! Filled with hopes and dreams of fulfilling his destiny of becoming a successful actor, he landed in the filthy streets of Los Angeles, California at 19 with only 2 dollars. Through faith & determination, he has achieved his dream, appearing in 100s of films and Network TV. His story will amaze you.
Miguel found himself lost at every turn. For months he lived in uncertainty on the infamous skid road, selling his blood for cash so he could eat and sleeping at Los Angeles County Union Rescue Mission, and all the while maintaining a strong belief in himself and never giving up on his dreams. Not allowing anyone to tell him that he couldn’t achieve this goal. Standing in faith and believing his own conviction of truth he made his dreams come true.
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Hey guys!! Today I celebrate 100 episodes of the Actors Lounge. I figured it would be fun to give you guys a behind the scenes peek into The Actors Lounge. So I'm actually the special guest today and my husband is interviewing me. We talk about how The Actors Lounge got started, lessons learned, where I see the podcast going, ways you can support and more. I'm really grateful to all the listeners and support that I've received along the way. It means so much. Let's continue to build this podcast community together!
My personal IG- @mrsmelanievictor
The Actors Lounge IG- @theactorsloungepodcast
My husband's music IG pages:
@greenmusicclean
@theblackexcellenceband
My Patreon Account:
https://www.patreon.com/theactorslounge
Cash App: $MelVictor
Paypal: Melaniecherise@gmail.com
Thank you Actors Lounge Community!! You guys are the greatest!
Xoxo,
Mel V.
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With years of experience as a casting associate, esther opened esther + casting in 2009. Armed with a great eye, superb connections, and one of the finest reputations in the casting business, esther + casting is ready to make your next project come to life. Esther is a Michigan native with an east coast vibe from her time spent in New York, but she is happy to call Los Angeles home. She brings enthusiasm and a love of actors to every project and her energy and attention to detail comes through in every session.
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Instagram- @donblak
Donté Clark, born February 27 1990, a native of Richmond California, reigns as one of the most prolific writers and voices out of the Bay Area arts community. Donté is not only eclectic in the art of storytelling through the spoken word, his body language and musical presence in performance is poetry in itself. He captures the complexities of what it feels and looks like to be vulnerable within black masculinity while governed by a society of white supremacy and hyper violence amongst black youth.
Graduating high school in 2008 he co-founded an arts collective called RAW Talent (Richmond Artist With Talent). Based in his hometown, Donté engaged young people in writing and performance workshops. Securing space for the youth to process their trauma and rewrite the narrative that has surrounded their community.
In 2013, RAW Talent led by Donté Clark and his co-director Molly Raynor, published a written play titled, Té’s Harmony. Which documents the shared experiences of Richmond youth while making parallels to the narrative of Romeo and Juliet. The writing process for Té's Harmony was published in the documentary Romeo Is Bleeding, executively produced by Russell Simmons on All Def Digital in 2017. Winning over 30 awards in film festivals all across United States, Donté has been able to travel the states speaking at high schools, college/universities and community forums about Romeo Is Bleeding and his experience with aiding young people to excel in the art community.
Donté is featured in film titled Kicks, 2016, which is a tale of urban youth and the rights of passage to manhood. He has co-starred in two seasons of The North Pole show, a political comedy on docu-series about gentrification and its effects on communities of color in North Oakland Ca.
October 2018 Donté published his first collection of poetry “KNOWFREEDOM” which is now available on Amazon. In this collection of original song lyrics, and short poems, Donté illustrates the struggles he experiences and observe as the black community journeys through America to Know freedom.
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George Ketsios is a born and bred Chicagoan, who built a thriving career in the Chicago theatre community before relocating to Los Angeles to enjoy great success as an actor in television and film. His most notable guest starring roles include LethalWeapon, Insecure, Grimm, Lady Dynamite, Scandal, Shameless and NCIS:LA and a long list of other acting roles. In the Voice Over community, he has voiced the character "Moloch" on the FOX television show Sleepy Hollow for 3 seasons and the role of "Bob of Tulum" in the upcoming comedy podcast Soul Full of It.
His work as a director includes several short films and is currently in pre-production for pilot that he's written and will direct. Just closed the SouthCoast Repertory Theatre production of Photograph 51 in which he was the lead role and played to sold out audiences and solid reviews. George lives in Silverlake with his wife Sharon and his son Leo.
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Anthony Alabi is a multi-talented actor and former NFL lineman for the Miami Dolphins. Hard work and passion are what drives him in his pursuits of acting, writing and performing. That dedication is now paying off. Alabi can be seen starring in his first leading male role opposite Tia Mowry and Loretta Devine in the new Netflix comedy series “Family Reunion." His other television acting credits include a recurring role on Amazon Prime Video’s “Bosch” as well as guest starring on shows such as CBS’ “NCIS,” HBO’s “Insecure,” ABC’s “Modern Family” and Fox’s “The Mick.”
To pursue his acting career, Anthony moved to Los Angeles in 2010 after retiring from the NFL. He fully immersed himself in studying and training both in drama and comedy before even looking for representation. Alabi has built a reputation as having a knack for comedic timing, while expressing vulnerability in dramas, rarely seen in a man his size.
Alabi is also a writer and has built a library of comedy and drama scripts. His signature as a writer is creating a relatable world with a touch of absurdism. Anthony has produced many comedic digital sketches that can be seen online under the banner “Mudda Sucka.”
Alabi is originally from the great state of Texas and went to TCU for college. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife Caroline, two kids, Ande and Axton and their cock-a-poo, Watson.
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Kelcy is a proud Chicago Native! She started training in ballet at a young age where she quickly discovered her passion for performing. In middle school she joined the famous Chicago Children Choir, which allowed her to find her voice. Throughout her years she became an artist finding passion in all forms, studying acting, singing, and dancing. This would land her studying acting and musical theatre at the University of Michigan. After graduation she moved to NYC to hit the pavement and make her dreams a reality. Since moving to the city she has performed in numerous national tours, major regional theaters, and finished a run in her 2nd Broadway show Chicago the Musical where she played Annie. She is also known for playing Dominique in Starz Hit TV Show POWER. Kelcy was named NBC’s rising star (‘16) and appeared in the ABC Diversity showcase. She currently can be seen on FOX in the hit show GOTHAM where she plays Detective Vanessa Jamie Harper. In spring of 2018 she appeared as Jacintha in AMC summer hit DIETLAND Most recently she played the role of Debbie Allen in FX’s hit mini series Fosse/Verdon! In 2019 her first Netflix feature will premier and her next major role will be announced. Stay Tuned!
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Born in 1993, Evan was exposed to music at a young age. Though singing in choirs and learning to read sheet music provided invaluable experience, it wasn't until the age of 16 that Evan realized performing on stage was his real aspiration. From touring with comedian Don DC Curry to performing in concert at Yoshi's alongside DeeDee Simon, Evan has taken part in various productions which assisted in shaping his skill set. Support his exploits on Twitter; @DeauJeau and on IG @evanjoelle_.
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Carrie Olsen is a voice actor, business coach, wife, and mother of two whose voice you can hear on TV and radio promoting brands like Home Chef, REI, Netflix, TNT, and many others. Voiceover is her dream job, allowing her to perform and create as an actor from her home studio, and be with her kids during the day. As a former corporate eLearning designer, she utilizes her training and development skills to create online voiceover courses for students around the globe. She shares her voiceover passion and expertise in her online courses, Facebook group, and blog. When she's not in her voiceover booth, you can find her hiding out in a coffee shop in Kansas City with her husband and daughters.
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Lilia Luciano is an award-winning investigative journalist, documentary film director, producer, and public speaker. Luciano has a unique style of reporting that was developed over a decade of video storytelling.
As the chief investigative correspondent of Border Live on Discovery Channel, she gathered and told stories of people who live, work and survive along the U.S.-Mexico border. Her documentary Puerto Rico Rises, which she directed and produced for ABC Sacramento, earned her a regional Emmy Award. Her coverage of the Northern California Wildfires of 2018 received a regional Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow Award for Continuous Coverage. In 2013 Luciano was also awarded a GLAAD award for her coverage of homophobia in U.S. Hispanic media.
She is the director and producer of Wars of Others, an HBO Latino film about the social, environmental, health and security consequences of the war on drugs in Colombia. She also worked as a host on several VICE platforms, including VICE News, VICELAND and Munchies. She is the founder of CoInspire, a video and event platform that explores values of entrepreneurship.
Luciano sits on the Advisory Board of the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up campaign to promote access to quality education and the well-being of girls worldwide. She has been a speaker and moderator at multiple conferences around the world, including The Oslo Freedom Forum, TEDx, Nexus Global Youth Summit, DENT and SIME.
As a national NBC News correspondent, reporting in both English and Spanish, Luciano led coverage of a number of high-profile news stories and reported for NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, MSNBC, The Weather Channel, CNBC and Telemundo.
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Luciano is fluent in Spanish, English and Portuguese.
She graduated from the University of Miami with degrees in Economics and Broadcast Journalism. She previously attended Tufts University until 2003, when she made her transition from pre-med studies to journalism.
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Anjelika was previously a series regular on the Amazon pilot The Legend of Master Legend playing John Hawkes’ daughter. She is currently a series regular on DC Universes ‘Stargirl’, and co-starring in the upcoming Netflix film ‘Tall Girl’ releasing late 2019. She has guest starred on Showtime’s ‘Shameless’, CBS’s ‘Young Sheldon’, Marvel’s ‘Runaways’ on Hulu, and others.
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Mike Dopud stars in the critically acclaimed, award winning Sci-Fi feature film VIRTUAL REVOLUTION a dark, futuristic movie about the technological revolution. Mike plays shadow agent NASH for which he has garnered several Best Actor awards at various Film Festivals. Mike plays “Agent Roth” a lead role in the sic fi movie PROJECT EDEN which will be released in 2018. Summer 2018 you will see Mike in the highly anticipate sequel DEADPOOL 2 and THE PREDATOR.
Mike Dopud has been upped to series regular on the STARZ hit show POWER for Season 6. He plays Jason Micic, leader of a huge drug cartel. He is also currently RECURRING on the CW series THE 100 where he plays, the intense VINSON. Mike Dopud just finished his first season on ARROW where he plays the volatile VIKTOR.
Mike has had lead roles on such Television series as STARGATE UNIVERSE as Varro, LETHAL WEAPON, CRIMINAL MINDS and DARK MATTER. Mike has also had recurring roles on ABC’s MISTRESSES, and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, IZOMBIE and THE STRAIN.
Mike can also be seen in the features released in the last couple of years called X-MEN DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. THIS MEANS WAR, and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL. Some of his other film credits include 300, SKINTRADE, S.W.A.T., WHITE NOISE AND ROLLERBALL.
www.imdb.com/name/nm0233304
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Jane Drake Brody’s achievements encompass a life of dealing with the Art, Science and Business of Acting. From directing (and costuming) Bye Bye, Birdie! at age sixteen in high school, to the recent publication of two landmark books; "The Actor’s Business Plan" and "Acting, Archetype and Neuroscience", she has literally transformed the lives and careers of thousands of actors.
After working as an actor, agent, director, costumer, and producer, her life’s journey took a determined step forward when she studied with and served as assistant to Michael Shurtleff, author of the precedent-setting actor’s bible, Audition. That relationship brought about the founding of Acting Studio Chicago (neè The Audition Centre) in 1981 and PR Casting (neè Jane Brody Casting) in 1984.
Leaving those thriving enterprises in the late 90s, she earned her MFA while teaching at Illinois State University. She then headed up Undergraduate Acting at Louisiana State followed by teaching undergrads and grads at DePaul’s Theatre School Conservatory. Along the way she has been an actor in film, TV and commercials, won awards for casting (Casting Society of America for Fargo) and acting (LA Weekly’s Best Actress Award for Absent Friends).
Now, despite her “retirement” she continues to teach workshops, classes and private coaching based on her scrutiny of existing acting theory merged with her innovative research into neuroscience and archetype.
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Vivacious, warm and compassionate — just a few words to describe Erica Page. With a decade of credits under her belt, Erica has graced the screen for hit shows including Sleepy Hollow, Saints and Sinners, Ozark, Dynasty, The Resident, Last Call and now, The Oprah Winfrey Network’s Ambitions.
As the oldest of nine children, and a bilingual Mexican/American, Erica is a born leader and known for perseverance and ambition in her career. Discovering her passion for acting in her early 20’s, Meisner trained Page has completed studies in viewpoints and movement, voice and dialect, and improv to develop her skill-set for both large and small screens.
Erica’s hobbies include cooking, strength and weight training, and catching up on her favorite shows. A consummate entertainer, she hosts dinner parties for family and friends every chance she gets.
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Tiffany Daniels was born and raised in San Diego, CA. She is a graduate of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, and received a bachelor of science in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Cornell University . Upon graduation Tiffany received a year long dance scholarship to Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood where she trained intensely in different areas of dance, voice, and improv. Tiffany has had the pleasure of dancing for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Los Angeles Lakers as well as hosting the live pre-game Lakers Television show. She has also worked commercially for Dell, Wal Mart, Cox Communications, KSwiss, Toyota, Diet Pepsi, Greyhound, LA Pride, Lifetime TV and Mike and Ikes. Tiffany has danced on CBS's "Coldcase", Nickelodeon's "The Fresh Beat Band", Fox's "Mobbed", Disney's "Shake it Up", Comedy Central's "Broad City", ABC's The Goldbergs and The American Music Awards, VH1's Divas Live & Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards. Tiffany's stage credits include a national tour of the musical Aida, "Squeak" in the 1st National Tour of Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple, "Lorraine" in Jerry Mitchell's production of Hairspray at the Hollywood Bowl and she originated the role of "Liz" in SURF the musical at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas. Tiffany danced her way to the big screen in the feature films: "LA LA Land", "Gangster Squad" and "Make your Move". Tiffany has since then been training at the Master Level with Anthony Meindl's Acting Workshop & recently booked roles on Anger Management, American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson, Hart of Dixie, Scorpion, CSI:Cyber, Dice, The Mindy Project, Timeless, Major Crimes, Big Bang Theory, NCIS, and Criminal Minds. She is a proud member of Actors Equity, & SAG-AFTRA. Along with continual acting, voice, & dance training, Tiffany is extremely excited to continue on a path of love, light, and success.
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Athens, Georgia native, Marquita Goings relocated to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University (GSU). While matriculating at GSU, Marquita changed her major from Kinesiology to Film, with a minor in Theatre. Theatre performance served as a creative outlet for her; she soon found a new love. Since then, Marquita has worked on several films and tv shows combined. In her spare time, Marquita continues to sharpen her tools with on-going training for acting, fitness classes, collaborating with other industry professionals and enjoying her family and friends.
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Lana, who has worked professionally since receiving her M.A. in Acting from the Arts Educational School London in her 30s, is currently recurring as Dr. Mary Osder in Fox’s hospital drama The Resident and as Inez Trujillo in OWN’s new saga AMBITIONS airing in March. This year you can catch her in feature films Where’d You Go Bernadette with Cate Blanchette, Limited Partners with Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek and Threes Complicated opposite Shanola Hampton.
Her tv work includes the recurring roles of Mrs. Douglas in The Vampire Diaries (CW), Dr. Jacinta Butler in Greenleaf (OWN), Gloria Ruiz in The Inspectors (CBS); guest-star roles in Gone as Detective Michele Hodiak (NBC), Linda in Kevin Can Wait(CBS), most recently as Debbie in The Act (HULU) opposite Patricia Arquette, co-star roles in Jessica Jones, Blindspot, Satisfaction, Nashville, Law & Order, NCIS, just to name a few.
Lana has worked with some of the greats, performing with Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor in the Oscar-winning film Beginners (her first feature film), playing Gloria the nanny opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams in the boxing drama Southpaw, and playing a fertility doctor opposite Emily Blunt and Justin Theroux in the feature film The Girl on the Train.
Lana recently fulfilled a dream when she was cast in Bentley’s Will as the lead in the title role of Bentley opposite Phillip Andre Botello. The film, directed by Zachary Parks Grigg, tells the story of an estranged mother (Young) and son (Botello), who over the course of a day begin the slow process of healing while searching for their missing dog. The film makes its international premiere at Las Crucess International Film Festival in February and is making it’s rounds on the film festival circuit.
Lana lives in New York City with her cats Monkey and Lennon.
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Nicole Collins is an actress, host and filmmaker from Louisiana. She was born and raised in rural Alexandria, LA with a conservative, Catholic
upbringing. Her work is reflective of her transition from this lifestyle to a more liberal, spiritual way of life. Although Alexandria is home, her 12 years in New Orleans is where she blossomed as a woman, actress and filmmaker. Her acting credits include HBO's 'Treme' and 'Twelve Years a Slave'. Nicole's hosting talents have landed her gigs with iHeartMedia, the NBA, Essence Festival and We-TV. Nicole has written and/or produced over 11 film projects which she's received several awards in the film festival circuit.
Nicole found a creative outlet in filmmaking once audition opportunities became slim to none. It was during this time that Nicole realized the fulfillment of telling the stories and portraying the characters that she and her peers wanted to tell and portray. "My goal is to tell stories that others neglect to tell while making a positive impact on humanity", says Collins. Her favorite subjects to touch on are sex, religion, women's issues and healing. Nicole's goal is to continue to create content for underrepresented voices. In 2016, she founded Magnolia A Productions. Nicole is the mother to 7 year old actress, Aadyn Encalarde.
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Anais Marie Lee and her identical twin sister, Mirabelle Lee, were born on January 9, 2007.
Anais began her career at three years old as a print model and has appeared in numerous advertisements for major retailers. Anais and Mirabelle shared the role of "Janie" in the crime-thriller movie "Blood Ties" directed by Guillaume Canet and continues to film television, film and commercial roles with Mirabelle.
When Anais is not acting or modeling, she is singing or dancing and performed in Debbie Allen's musical "Brothers of the Knight".
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Ciera Payton is an accomplished actor, writer, social activist and entrepreneur hailing from the city of New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, Ciera and her family relocated to North Carolina where she graduated with a B.F.A. from the University of the North Carolina School of the Arts. While still enrolled in school, Ciera landed the female lead role opposite Steven Seagal in Flight of Fury.
Since her breakout role, she has shared screen time with many talented artists including Viola Davis, Nicholas Cage, Kevin Hart and Josh Brolin. Past credits include USA Network’s Graceland, Bad Teacher on CBS, and Spike Lee’s Oldboy.
As a writer and solo performer, Ciera created and performed her one-woman show, Michael’s Daughter, a piece detailing her compelling journey of growing up in New Orleans to her present success in Los Angeles through a series of letters with her incarcerated father, Michael.
While dedicated to her acting career, Ciera also manages to and time to contribute to her local community. Her dedication to arts education in underserved communities led her to create the non-profit organization The Michael’s Daughter Foundation, which provides an annual theater and media arts summer camp for youth impacted by incarceration. Her contribution was recognized by the City of Los Angeles’ Mayor Garcetti and Councilwoman Nury Martinez, as she was rewarded the 2016 Pioneer Woman Award.
A free-spirit, Ciera enjoys boxing, painting, cooking and most importantly, dancing! She continues to have an unwavering commitment to always be her best, challenge the limits of everything she does, while always remaining true to herself.
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Behzad Dabu is an actor, producer, and activist based out of both Los Angeles and Chicago. He grew up in Syracuse, NY and got his BFA in Acting from Columbia College Chicago, where he also worked after college as the Senior International Admissions Officer; traveling all over the world working with students and their families on creating careers in the arts.
He has worked extensively on stage at some of the best theaters in the country, especially in Chicago, and is a proud company member at TimeLine Theatre Company which presents stories inspired by history that connect with today’s social and political issues.
With a passion for working with playwrights and new play development, he originated the role of 'Amit' in "Samsara" at Victory Gardens Theatre, for which he was nominated for a Jeff Award - Best Actor. He also originated the role of 'Abe' in the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony-nominated play, "Disgraced" which he performed at American Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Berkeley Repertory, Seattle Repertory, and the Mark Taper Forum at Center Theatre Group.
On screen, you can see him as 'Simon Drake' on Seasons 3 and 4 of How To Get Away With Murder on ABC, as 'Amir' on the Showtime series The Chi, and on Disney’s The Lion Guard. He also appeared in episodes of The Good Place, Chicago P.D., Drive Share, You're So Talented, Dealbreakers; and in the films Hoop, King Rat, Mondo Hollywoodland, Imperfections, Older Children; as well as various national commercials.
Behzad strives to be a strong advocate for social justice and equality, particularly in regards to representation in the arts and media; and is a founding member of The Chicago Inclusion Project, which seeks to level the playing field and provide resources in the arts for people of color, women, LGBTQ, and people with disabilities. He is a skilled audience engagement facilitator and experienced post-show discussion leader.
Behzad is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA.
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FREE Get Booked! Playbook: www.getbookedplaybook.com
Buy the Book: www.whyplaysmall.com
Facebook + IG: @actresschristinehorn
Christine Horn is an award-winning actress and singer who has performed in feature films, primetime television and on Broadway. She is a Life & Career Coach for Actors and founder of the hit show, #ActorsDailyBread and The Booking Magnet Academy.
Christine’s experiences and accomplishments are diverse and vast giving her a special ability to relate to all audiences. With over 20 years of professional experience, Christine has graced stages across the U.S. with Disney’s “The Lion King” and has performed for President George W. Bush at the White House.
Her extensive theatre background led her to the silver screen where she has appeared alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars (Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Chiwetel Ejiofor & Columbus Short to name a few.)
She has also starred in a variety of television shows, some of which include Timeless, American Crime Story, NCIS, Ray Donovan, Powerless, Good Girls, Legion, Greenleaf, The Originals, Complications, Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Not’s, Reckless, Rectify and Being Mary Jane.
When she’s not performing, Christine writes self-help books and runs a successful career and life coaching business aimed to inspire actors and women to take action and fulfill their dreams.
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Sheena Faust is an actress, director, writer, and producer! Her love for the performing arts started young, but she did not really begin to pursue it until high school. She went on to receive a Bachelor’s of Arts from the University of South Carolina. Since then, she has appeared in numerous local commercials and performed in theatre. Her biggest theatrical role to date is being cast as "Beneatha" in the August Wilson's American classic "A Raisin in the Sun". Sheena also founded a drama troupe where she created over one hundred original plays and skits, and she and its members have performed all over the Southeast. One of her recent projects include writing and self publishing her first book entitled “Why Am I Still Single?”, a candid and comedic non-fiction book for the contemporary single woman. Sheena just turned this book into a web series that just premiered at the beginning of July 2019.
It is her goal to one day have her own fully functioning production studio and network.
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Tia Link originally hails from Bountiful, Utah — yes, that’s a real place! After working as lawyer for almost a decade, she discovered she’d rather feed her soul than her wallet. She was trained in New York at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and the MN Acting Studio. She loves playing unapologetically smart and deeply complex characters whose toughness masks a certain inner vulnerability. She's best known for her roles as a woman torn between love and faith in Obligation (which premiered at Cannes in 2016), a quick-thinking cheating girlfriend in Allergic to Cats, and a demon-hunting hippie in Another Soul.
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Fikile M Kani (Tech Baes Creator/Writer)is a Lesotho born comedian/actor/writer from South Africa who’s a recent graduate of the Grad Acting program at NYU. She has starred on several hit TV shows including It’s Complicated (Mzansi Magic) Season 1 and 2, Gold Diggers (E-TV) and Isidingo (SABC 3). Fikile also wrote for broadcast television while in South Africa.
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Tiffany Copeland is an actress on-camera and in the voiceover booth. Sheʼs a voiceover business coach, and host of the Black Girl Voiceover World podcast. Her clients include the Ohio Lottery, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Paramount Healthcare and more. She's also the founder of Black Girl Voiceover World, LLC, a 100% female owned voice consulting agency that trains, and connects African American voice talent with job opportunities.
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Danielle Pinnock currently stars in the hit CBS Comedy, Young Sheldon, the spinoff to the popular, multi-Emmy award winning television series The Big Bang Theory. The single camera, half-hour comedy was created by Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro who executive produce with Todd Spiewak and Jim Parsons and was recently renewed for a third and fourth season.
Pinnock, a newcomer to Los Angeles from Chicago, has already shown her star power in television and in animation. Pinnock has worked alongside Viola Davis and Kerry Washington in Scandal as
well as Ray Romano and Peter Bogdanovich on Epix’s Get Shorty. Her other television appearances include: NBC’s critically acclaimed, This Is Us, TV Land’s Teachers, Comedy Central’s Workaholics. Pinnock is working with DreamWorks and Cartoon Network on multiple animation projects. .
In addition to her incredible acting ability, Pinnock is also an accomplished playwright. Her one woman show, Body/Courage, premiered at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble in Chicago in 2016 and is a tour de force. Through multiple characters, Pinnock gives voice to the complexity of living and loving one’s body. Body/Courage was awarded a 2016 TimeOut Theatre Award and Pinnock received rave reviews with Chicago Reader calling her performance a “tremendous feat in acting.”
Pinnock is a vocal activist in the body positivity movement. Her written work on body awareness has been featured on Buzzfeed, Shondaland, National Eating Disorder Association and other publications. .
Pinnock is a graduate of Temple University and received her MA in Acting with First Distinction Honors from the Birmingham School of Acting (United Kingdom). She has studied with famed solo performer and documentary theater playwright Anna Deavere Smith and is a Bob Curry Fellow with The Second City. Pinnock is originally from Teaneck, New Jersey and is of Jamaican-American heritage. She lives in Los Angeles and continues to write and support diverse artists voices through her company IronPrint Artists.
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Midwest native LaNisa Frederick is an actor, voiceover artist, and educator. She arrived in LA in 2017 and honed her craft in Chicago performing at the Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, the acclaimed Second City Chicago and performed worldwide including London and Singapore.
No stranger to the camera Frederick has exploded on the screen on Chicago Code, Young Sheldon, Chicago PD, Teachers, and the Emmy-nominated Brown Girls. As an accomplished voiceover artist, she has been behind the mic for clients like Teach for America, Comcast, McDonald’s, ComEd, and AT&T. A recipient of Edge Studio’s Voiceover Competition, LaNisa is also the voice in several major video games. Understanding this niche market, LaNisa trains and coaches actors on the business of voiceover with a specialty focus on artist of color who are new to the field.
LaNisa has worked with all ages in both traditional and non traditional education settings. Quitting her full time non-profit career in 2013 LaNisa worked a teaching artist, grant writer, program director, and curated arts based programming for incarcerated/recently released youth, those with severe cognitive disabilities, and those most at risk. Still passionate about education and access, she continues to provide consul to youth based organizations on effective, impactful programming and teaching styles. She is also currently an acting lecturer at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy College. LaNisa is a graduate of Loyola University (Chicago,BA), University of Essex (UK, MA), and the School at Steppenwolf.
And most importantly, she is a new, first time Auntie to a perfect little niece named Elle.
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Paul Hungerford studied acting and film making at Emerson College in Boston, and continued his studies at the British American Dramatic Academy's summer in Oxford, England, playing Oliver in As You Like It and Claudio in Measure for Measure. Once in Los Angeles, Paul has performed on stage, film and TV for the last 25 years. He has been seen in over 50 commercials, and in between, on such television shows as Grey’s Anatomy, Dirty, Sexy, Money and recurring roles on Bravo’s Significant Others and Disney's Coop and Cami Ask The World. Paul’s film credits include Stark Raving Mad, Trouble is my Business and Hate: A Comedy. (Winner of Best Short Film, at the Aspen Comedy Festival) His voice over work includes Blizzard Entertainments: World of Warcraft: Mists or Pandaria, and the animated short, Nougat. (Winner of Best Short at the late night series at SXSW Film Festival) Paul is a proud main company member of the award winning improv theatre company Impro Theatre.
Paul has been directing LATheatresports since it's return to LA in 2014 and has been the producer of Impro Theatre's Studio stage since inception. Paul is a founding member of the horror film collective Fewdio.com, and has been directing films with them for ten years. Most recently, he directed the half hour sketch comedy pilot for Warner Brother On Demand Lipstick Jones: Half Hour Hour of Power! Paul lives in Burbank, CA., with his wife, two daughters and giant dog.
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Stunningly beautiful and charismatic Javicia Leslie lights up the screen on her breakout role on "God Friended Me" (Sundays on CBS). The German born, beauty is captivating audiences with her first role as series regular alongside Joe Morton and Brandon Micheal Hall. "God Friended Me," is a light, hour-long procedural from "Alcatraz" co-creators Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt. The show is a humorous, uplifting series that explores questions of faith, existence and science, centered on 'Miles Finer' (Brandon Micheal Hall), an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down where he is "friended" by God on Facebook. Unwittingly, he becomes an agent for change in the lives and destinies of others around him. Javicia plays Miles' sister, Ali, encouraging and mending the relationship between he and his father, 'Reverend Arthur Finer' (Joe Morton), the reverend of Trinity Church for the past 25 years. The series, airing Sundays at 8pm, is one of CBS' hottest new shows and already renewed for Season 2. As if that wasn't enough to keep Javicia busy, she's also starring as the ever so sassy Paris on Carl Weber's "The Family Business" (BET Tuesdays 9/8c) alongside Ernie Hudson.
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Andrea's artistic talents emerged at age 5 and even before celebrating her 16th birthday, this Toronto born, Entertainer had already acted alongside Hollywood heavyweights such as Diahann Carroll in The Natalie Cole Story and Wesley Snipes and Dr. Maya Angelou in her directorial debut, the critically acclaimed Down in the Delta. After wrapping up on the Disney movie Cadet Kelly alongside Hilary Duff, Lewis soon spent 6 seasons on the hit show Degrassi: The Next Generation and became known around the world as "Hazel" as millions of North Americans tuned in each week to watch Andrea in the Award-winning drama, which is ranked No. 1 in Canada and the US. Lewis has garnered international attention from Degrassi which landed her in the pages of Teen People, New York Times and Entertainment Weekly magazines. After Degrassi, she went on to other leading roles in on Showtime and Nickelodeon and BET. Taking her career to another level Lewis started Jungle Wild Productions, where she created the hit web series’ “Black Actress” written by and starring Lewis and the fan favorite relationship drama “Beyond Complicated” both seasons can be watched at youtube.com/AndreaLewisChannel.
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NANA GHANA was named by Entertainment Weekly and People Magazine as "ONES TO WATCH" coming out of Sundance 2018, where her co-starring role in the film WHITE RABBIT premiered. As a writer/ director Nana Ghana has made her film festival debut at the Cannes film festival 2016, premiering her short film WATER WARRIOR , in 2017 ELECTING a short film that she wrote and directed which won her “Best Director" at the Oregon film fest. She just finished directing her documentary LA WOMAN RISING, which Rosario Dawson is producing. Ms. Ghana just wrapped her role as “Cheyenne" in LOST TRANSMISSION, playing opposite Simon Pegg and Juno Temple. She has just wrapped filming the Netflix original series WHAT/IF created by Mike Kelley. Nana Ghana also made her theater debut with Pelvic Floor, a play, written directed and starred by her along with seven other actors at the Hudson Theater in Hollywood in November 2017, and then in 2018 during the Hollywood Fringe festival Nana Ghana is an artist, with an appetite for life and experience and a deep curiosity for about human story, poetry and human behavior.
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Lawrence Chau is a multi-faceted, multi-award-winning entertainer with an illustrious portfolio spanning acting, hosting, writing, producing and music. He has worked in Canada, Asia and now America. Currently based in Los Angeles, Lawrence travels to various cities around the world for work, particularly New York and Toronto.
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Neal is a theater, television and film entertainer known for her many roles in television series as well as the films Rosewood, Scream 2 and Logan.
Elise began her career as a dancer from an early age, first in ballet and later musical theater. After she graduated from Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Elise received a full scholarship to attend The University of the Arts in Philadelphia and then moved to New York. She quickly landed roles in musical theater and found herself traveling the world with various touring companies, including a stint on Broadway in Maurice Hines' production of Oh, Kay!, eventually finding her way to Los Angeles.
With many television credits to her name, Elise had regular series roles in The Hughleys, SeaQuest 2032, All of Us, and Belle's. Other TV credits include K-Ville, Scandal, and Hangin' With Mr. Cooper. She made her film debut in the 1997 film Rosewood, followed by roles in How to be a Player, Scream 2, and Mission to Mars. She portrayed Gladys Knight in Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B, and in 2017 she played Kathryn Munson in the Marvel blockbuster film Logan. She has also performed in many music videos as well, including Chubb Rock's music video for Just the Two of Us, Black Sheep's 1992 video for Strobe Light Honey, Father MC's 1991 video for Lisa Baby, Aretha Franklin's 1998 video A Rose Is Still a Rose and Vanessa Williams' video Work to Do.
Nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for the film Hustle & Flow, Elise received an additional three NAACP nominations, two of which were for Best Actress in a Comedy for The Hughleys. As a producer, Elise has created and developed several multimedia projects, including a reality show based on her R&B group, "Assorted Flavors," a fitness and lifestyle brand, and multiple feature projects and development deals.
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Nate grew up in the Bay Area and has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 15 years.
Since graduating from Santa Clara University with a Degree in Acting he has been featured in commercials, Print ads, TV shows and Films all over the world.
He has also written, directed, and produced a number of short films, all of which have won multiple different awards, in a variety of different Film Festivals, some of which have aired on TV too.
He has won awards in writing, directing, producing and acting.
He also work as an Emcee and has hosted many different events, from Fashion Shows to Film Festivals.
He has a passion for travel and wedding videography and loves every chance he gets to use his Mavic drone, that is when he's not crashing it...
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"Jackie Dallas is an actress best known for her role as Jen, Mr. Clarke’s girlfriend in the Netflix hit series Stranger Things! She has since also appeared on shows such as Criminal Minds, The Resident, The Bold and
the Beautiful, NCIS: New Orleans and the international drama series on Amazon, Aarzu-e-Mann 'What the Heart Desires'.
She is an advocate for female filmmakers and diversity in Hollywood. She is an active member of the indie film community as not only an actress, but recently as a director and producer and has several indie features coming out soon, starring alongside actors such as Gregg Henry, Tom Sizemore, Miguel Nunez Jr and Jeri Ryan."
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Jerrell Lee Wesley, actor/writer, grew up in a small rural town in West Florida. His father was a
fire-fighter while his mother worked in a SONY factory. He has two older brothers and a
younger sister. Being the youngest boy, he constantly found himself having to work extremely
hard just to keep up with his older brothers. This competitive drive would, at times, find him in
the dark hours of the evening honing his athletic skills. Eventually, Jerrell became a 3-sport star
at Graceville High School. He used his athletic ability to earn a scholarship at the University of
Kentucky, where he played football and baseball.
After his college career, Jerrell had several professional baseball tryouts, but injuries from his
football days spoiled any athletic dreams. So he gave up on his dreams of being a professional
athlete, and became a football coach at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. During his time at
Drake, his passion for the arts were reignited when the team took a trip to the California Bay
area. “When I stepped off that plane and saw those hills and mountains, it sparked a childhood
desire to move to Los Angeles" and pursue my passion for acting. With $1200 in his pocket,
Jerrell took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles.
Jerrell has starred in supporting roles alongside Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in the hit
RomCom The Proposal. He had a recurring role for three seasons in the ‘STARZ’ hit tv show
POWER, created by Courtney Kemp, and starring rapper 50 Cent and actor Omari Hardwick.
He also had roles on shows Blue Bloods, The Goldberg’s, Switched At Birth, Six Feet Under,
and ‘YOUTUBE PREMIUM’ hit Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on TV. Other movie roles include
Knight & Day starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.
Today, Jerrell currently lives in Atlanta, GA.
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LUCY WALTERS can currently be seen as Katie Daly opposite Chris O'Dowd and Ray Romano in the Epix' series "Get Shorty." She is best known for her role as 'Holly' on Starz’ hit show, “Power,” produced by 50 Cent. Walters first gained notoriety in Steve McQueen's critically acclaimed filmShame starring Michael Fassbender. She recently filmed Little Faith and Boarding School, which will both be released later this year. Her other film credits include the lead in the exciting indie thriller, Here Alone which won the Audience Award at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, The Brass Teapot, B-Side, Big Words, Bastards of Young. Her television credits include recurring roles on “#WarGames,” USA’s “Falling Water” and Amazon’s “Z: The Beginning of Everything” as well as guest spots on “Bones,” “The Good Wife,” “Do No Harm,” “Rizzoli & Isles” and “Blue Bloods.” Currently she is filming a new show by Sebastian Gutierrez called "Jett" with Carla Gugino and Giancarlo Esposito.
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Perry loves the spotlight at center stage and will never abandon his life as a stand-up comedian delivering his brazen reality based comedy. With 20 years of marriage and six children (5 girls and 1 boy) Perry is an expert on all things family and rips the seams of crowds that attend his shows to hear all about his fatherhood fodder. Perry finds delight in giving back and sharing what he’s learned over the years with his
weekly classes that he hosts in Atlanta where he calls home. Preparing the next generation of comedians is what he feels is a small contribution in his legacy that will keep laughs going for generations to come.
Perry delivers the funny any way viewers or listeners want to receive it, whether it’s his highly popular weekly radio show Rodney Perry Live, or his sold out live shows, Perry truly is the hardest working man in comedy and he doesn’t see himself slowing down any time soon. Comedy is his forte, however, this funny man isn’t afraid to explore his serious side in roles as is evident his appearances in the film “Mr. Right” where he gets to flex his acting chops alongside actor Columbus Short as well as the upcoming drama Broad Street Bullies where he plays a notorious gangster. Adding producer to his long list of credentials he’s also producing shows like the independent release, A Song for Jordan.
The early years of comedy found Perry his first gig as a writer/warm up guy for Kim Whitley on her talk show “Oh Drama.” Being on the scene, he was able to parlay his skills into opportunity and began opening for the likes of George Lopez, Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer, to name a few. He would spend the next 10 years nonstop on television in various capacities. Hosting comedy shows like “Who’s Got Jokes” helped him fine tune his craft and fueled the fire for the screen, big and small. Catching the attention of comedy lovers and industry shot callers alike, Perry got another big break with a starring role as “Harold” in Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Big Happy Family” and it’s only been a meteoric ride on the fast track ever since. Perry has since found a home at Bounce TV where as the host of his own comedy show “Off the Chain” he would spend the next several years giving Bounce TV its leverage in the cable market with his ever increasing ratings. “Off The Chain” would go on to become a sold out tour and in addition he would also break records for the young network with his number 1 rated comedy special “Rodney Perry: 44 and Still Ticking”.
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Sophisticated, hard-working, and an undeniable talent, Angel Parker has brought to life some of the most dynamic and diverse characters on screen today. In 2018, Angel can currently be seen starring on Marvel's hit, action drama series, "Runaways," slated to premiere its second season on Hulu December 21, 2018. The series follows six diverse teenagers who can barely stand each other, however, they must unite against a common foe: their evil parents. Angel shines as Catherine Wilder, a successful lawyer who is deliberate and calculating in both her words and actions. When it comes to family, she is fiercely loyal and a loving mother to her son, Alex (Rhenzy Feliz).
In addition to "Runaways," Angel most recently made a guest star appearance on Fox's new comedy sitcom, "Rel," as 'Loose Boots Monica,' opposite Lil Rel Howery and Sinbad. Additional recent credits include recurring roles on NBC's "Trial and Error," opposite John Lithgow, and on FX's hit series "The Strain," opposite Corey Stoll. Another standout project was appearing in FX's critically acclaimed, Emmy Award winning series "The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story." Angel was a scene stealer as famed celebrity attorney Shawn Chapman, one of Simpson's 'Dream Team' lawyers.
Angel's first acting gig was on Joss Whedon's "Angel." Since then, she has appeared on some of the most buzzed about series, including: "ER," "Castle," "Criminal Minds," "The Closer," "The Soul Man," "Rebel," and "Sean Saves the World." Angel is also well known for her role as the intrepid and vivacious Tasha Davenport on five seasons of Disney XD's live-action comedy series "Lab Rats."
At only 16 years old, Angel was accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. There, she immersed herself in performing, and went on to study Shakespeare at the British American Drama Academy, work with the Independent Shakespeare Company, Will & Company, and performed with The Blank Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival for more than 10 years.
Angel currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
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Brandon Victor Dixon most recently starred as Collins in “RENT: Live” on FOX and as Judas Iscariot in NBC’s "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” (Emmy, Critics Choice and NAACP Image Award nominations). On Broadway, he most recently starred as Aaron Burr in HAMILTON. Previous Broadway credits include: Eubie Blake in Shuffle Along (Tony Award nomination), Berry Gordy in Motown The Musical (Grammy and Drama League Award nominations), and Harpo in The Color Purple (Tony Award nomination). National tour: Simba in The Lion King. Off-Broadway: Fking A, Rent and The Scottsboro Boys (Lucille Lortel, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Laurence Olivier Award nominations). Television: “POWER,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “One Life to Live,” “The Good Wife,” “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular,” Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It,” and Amazon Studios’ “Modern Love.” Dixon’s debut single, “#WeAre” is currently available for download on iTunes, with all proceeds benefitting YoungNewYorkers.org. Dixon was raised in Maryland, and is a graduate of Columbia University. He is the co-founder of WalkRunFly Productions.
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After assisting her employers manage the careers Halle Berry, Taraji P. Henson, Mariah Carey, Usher, David E. Talbert, and others at some of the most notable talent management companies in the entertainment industry, DaVida Chanel Smith decided to follow her heart. “I’ve been fortunate to always work for people with strong entrepreneurial energy and that was not lost on me because I’ve always wanted to be my own boss,” Smith explains. “In this powerful time of women taking risks in the name of their career, I felt it was time to bet on myself. I took the efforts that I had been pouring into others’ businesses and focused on my vision for talent representation.” Launched in April 2018, Smith’s Etcetera and Company already boasts a robust and diverse roster of working actors, including Annie Ilonzeh, James Lesure, and John Kassir. Her clients have booked a number of high profile jobs, including a series regular on a hit Dick Wolf show on NBC, a recurring role on an established HBO dramedy, a film starring a two-time Oscar winner, and guest stars on FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, HBO, and Starz! Smith attributes her early success with Etcetera and Company to the personal connection she forms with her clients. “Talent managers and clients must work together as partners,” Smith says. “It’s about connecting with someone on a deeper level, being able to figure out what their goals are, what it is they’re trying to do, and help them reach those goals. I’ve always been a dream chaser. Now I get to connect talented people to their dreams.” Growing up in Louisiana, Smith gained confidence in her abilities as a performer and public speaker through her humble beginnings in church plays and school programs. While attending Southern University (Baton Rouge), she held office in student government and with the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Smith won several pageants and hosted campus shows and events, opportunities that showcased her talents as a performer, storyteller, and talent scout. Smith earned her Juris Doctorate from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law and moved to Los Angeles in 2005 to pursue a career in talent representation and production, landing jobs at some of Hollywood’s renowned firms, including Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Handprint, and VCA. On the production side, she worked on such blockbuster films as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 & 2 and Lee Daniels’ The Butler, as well as the hit television shows Guy’s Grocery Games and Queen Sugar. Smith also wrote, directed, and produced a series of short films, as well as wrote and produced a stage play that toured New Orleans, Atlanta and Chicago. Now, with her own Etcetera and Company thriving, Smith seeks to work with her mix of established and emerging clients to fulfill their creative dreams. “It’s about the client,” Smith explains. “My focus is finding and creating projects that help my clients reach their goals time and time again.”
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Rolando is a native of Chicago and has been performing for over 20 years. Multiple credits in Theater, TV & Film. Some theater productions include; Lobby Hero, Topdog/Underdog, Dreams of Sarah Breedlove, Fences, Jitney, Cops & Friends of Cops. Recent TV credits include Mom (CBS), Scandal (ABC), Chicago PD (NBC) and Recurring in season 2 of The Chi (Showtime). He was also in “A Dogs way Home” (Sony) at the beginning of the year. Mr. Boyce has also appeared in numerous commercials, currently AARP & Centrum.
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Yolonda Ross (Actress/Writer/Director/Producer) is a two-time Film Independent Spirit Award nominee and Gotham Award winner for her feature film debut as a leading actress in HBO’s Stranger Inside and John Sayles’s Go For Sisters. Ross, a native of Omaha, Nebraska is recognized from her wide range of work including: the Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez film Lila & Eve, Angela Bassett’s Whitney, and Denzel Washington's Antwone Fisher Story.
In Television, she's worked on 24, Law and Order, and Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet's, The Unit, in which Mr. Mamet wrote the part for her himself. The two teamed up again on HBO's Phil Spector. Ross has recurred as “Claudia” on How To Get Away With Murder, portrayed the memorable "Ms. Green", in the Baz Luhrmann/ Netflix series, The Get Down, and played a documentary filmmaker in HBO's Treme which inspired her to step behind the camera for her directorial debut, Breaking Night, which aired on VH1 Classics.
Yolonda is also a member of New York's famed Labyrinth Theater Company. Her upcoming projects include, Out of Blue, opposite Patricia Clarkson, and Season 2 of the critically- acclaimed Lena Waithe Showtime drama, The Chi, where Yolonda is cast regular, “Jada Washington”. She will be making her feature film directorial debut with her romantic drama, Scenes From Our Marriage, which was chosen for Film Independent’s 2018 Fast Track Lab.
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Jamall Rashaud McMillan was born on January 5th. Since the age of two he has been a fine artist and writer. Passionate for the arts, his parents placed him in top schools for art and design and pushed him to follow his dreams. At the age of five he developed aspirations to build an arts based corporation that would revolutionize the world. He first developed a passion for acting after watching Ben Affleck's performance in Pearl Harbor and since has studied and worked to become a successful actor in his own right. In his freshman year of college he started studying acting seriously and during the six years in undergrad he achieved a BFA in Drawing and Painting and a dual minor in Theatre and Religious studies from Georgia State University. Upon graduation he started working as a background artist in many productions and has since grown to land principle roles on various shows and films. In 2015 he gathered a team of individuals to create what is known as EnVz Productions, the film/television division of his arts based corporation McMillan Smith Visual Enterprises LLC (MSVE). Since then he has produced two films: 1) Back to One: First Position (shot completely on iPhone) and 2) Sustained. Both films release 2017. In addition to pursuing the life of a filmmaker he is an accomplished fine artist, winning numerous awards, and an author. He is in development of two tv shows, and 4 four feature films.
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Terry Berland, CSA, comes from a strong New York advertising agency background, including casting for J. Walter Thompson, Young and Rubicam and served as Head of Casting at BBDO/NY Worldwide.
Terry headed the commercial division of Liberman Hirschfeld Casting in Los Angeles (Seinfeld, Larry Sanders Show, Grace Under Fire) which lends to her strong comedy background.
Terry has been instrumental in the process of launching many talent careers. She has been an adjunct faculty member of the Lee Strasberg Institute and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy of New York. Terry has been brought in to cities all over the United States to work with talent on their commercial technique and to educate them on the world of advertising. She is the co-author of the #1 industry how-to book “Breaking Into Commercials”.
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William Uschold is a visionary screenwriter with a strong love of music that manifested into a career writing music video treatments and producing many recording artist in the San Francisco Bay Area working with talented artist such as Juvenile, Andi Roxx, Johnny Fresh, Mistah Fab, San Quinn and Tab Danger. Uschold was inspired to do film as a needed platform to showcase stories about issues that plagued his community. After being galvanized by narratives of human trafficking, Uschold co-wrote and produced along with his partner and longtime collaborator Tyrone Dangerfield launching The Oakland Film Company, a production company that focuses on the parables straight from the streets of Oakland. His film The Broken Rose set in Oakland about the pitfalls of underage sex trafficking took the film festival run by storm and end up winning 6 Best Film Awards and 12 awards in total in 2018. He sets his passion on his new film set to start production at the end of 2019 titled NIA which is the story of the young girl in Oakland named Nia Wilson that was brutally murdered by a white suprematist on a BART platform in July of 2017. Uschold and The Oakland Film Company will bring in top actors and a sought out crew including up and coming Director Tevin Tavares to tell the story of this beautiful young girls life cut short.
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Kelly M. Jenrette, a native of Atlanta, now resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, Melvin Jackson Jr. She and her husband published a children's book entitled The Adventures of Jimmy the Fly. Most recently, she booked an ABC pilot, Untitled Leslie Odom Jr., as the female lead opposite Leslie. Kelly also wrapped three projects that she was working on back to back: Back To The Goode Life (BET Her), Uncorked (Netflix) and Limetown (Facebook Watch). Most notably, Kelly can be seen in Season 2, Episode 4 of The Handmaid's Tale on HULU, where her portrayal of Annie garnered her an Emmy Nomination. She can be seen as a recurring guest star on HBO's Here and Now. Kelly has also been a series regular on the Fox comedy, Grandfathered, starring John Stamos; She's had recurring guest star roles on Pitch (FOX) and Graves (EPIX). You may also remember her from her twelve Kmart commercials as Kmart Kelly! Kelly was a part of the 13 time Ovation Nominated Musical, The Color Purple at Celebration Theatre, where her portrayal of Nettie earned her an individual Ovation Nomination for best featured actress. Other TV credits include: Fuller House (Netflix), Weird Loners (FOX), The Haunted Hathaways (Nickelodeon), Happy Endings (ABC), Frisky Dingo, VO (Cartoon Network) WEB SERIES: Mommy Uncensored Episode 2 (YouTube), Much Ado About Mr. GQ (YouTube/FunnyorDie) and Study Buddy (YouTube).
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While best known as an unstoppable All- Pro running back that played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL), Thomas Q. Jones has turned his post-NFL focus to the world of acting in both film and television, and the world of technology as the Chief Executive Officer of the mobile application developer, CASTAR Applications, Inc.
In film, Jones headlined the independent film, “Runaway Island,” alongside Lorraine Toussaint and Aisha Hinds. He filmed “Straight Outta Compton,” the feature film based on the lives and careers of the hip-hop group, N.W.A. He shared a memorable scene with Paul Giamatti. The film opened and debuted in the number one box office position, and remained in the top position for three consecutive weeks. In 2016, Jones stars as a love interest to “Dawn 4.0” played by Jennifer Finnigan (FX’s “Tyrant”) in the dark romantic comedy, “Andover" and recently starred in and produced his own MMA murder mystery film "A Violent Man" starring Isaach De Bankole. Bruce Davison, Denise Richard's and Chuck Liddell.
In television, Jones guest-starred in Seasons 2 and 3 of the BET drama series, “Being Mary Jane,” in a multi-episode arc as “Brandon ‘Cutty Buddy’ Gibson,” love interest to “Mary Jane Paul,” played by award-winning actress, Gabrielle Union. On the TV ONE comedy series, "Born Again Virgin," Jones guest-starred as the irresistible commercial pilot, "Vince," a love interest to the series lead, Danielle Nicolet. He also appeared in featured roles in the acclaimed SHOWTIME series “Shameless," IFC’s “Comedy Bang! Bang!” and Netflix's hit show "Luke Cage" Endings,” “Brother and Sisters,” and “Castle” to name a few.
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As a new evolution in the movie industry emerges, one of the people breaking down barriers and leading the way is Angela White, a film producer and member of the Producer’s Guild of America, who specializes in creating compelling commercial stories with a distinct multi-cultural perspective. Angela White is the founder of Silver Lining Entertainment, LLC, a family owned Multimedia Entertainment Company based in Los Angeles, California.
As an executive, filmmaker, entrepreneur, producer and talent manager, Angela has not only worked shoulder to shoulder with the Hollywood elite, she has opened the velvet rope for newcomers by guiding their careers and giving several stars of today their big break. Angela's films have been highlighted on ABC News, CBS, Good Morning America, Fox News, Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, Washington Post, NY Times, USA Today, LA Times, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline Hollywood, Huffington Post, The Real, and Dish Nation, just to name a few.
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Charismatic television actor and Hollywood’s next leading man Ben Patterson, best known for his pivotal and culturally important roles as the trans-gendered brother of ‘Dr. Ben Warren’ on ABC's massively popular "Grey's Anatomy" and the groundbreaking drama series “Noah’s Arc,” is set to return to television this summer on OWN’s “Greenleaf,” alongside executive producer Oprah Winfrey, who also stars on the show. Set in Memphis, “Greenleaf” follows the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family with scandalous secrets and lies, and their powerful megachurch with predominantly African-American church members. The series is headed by Keith David as Bishop James Greenleaf, and Lynn Whitfield as his wife and matriarch of the family, Lady Mae Greenleaf. Merle Dandridge plays series' protagonist, Grace Greenleaf, their estranged daughter who has returned home after 20 years following the mysterious death of her sister, Faith. Oprah stars as Mavis McCready, Lady Mae's sister and a close confidant of Grace who is also a blues club owner.
An Oakland native, Ben grew up in a diverse neighborhood of Maxwell Park, playing the drums and swimming competitively through high school in the same community that also produced future television stars Lance Gross (Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne”) and Russell Hornsby (NBC’s “Grimm”). As an aspiring musician he picked up the guitar and piano, while booking DJ gigs at house parties and local nightclubs, which continued while he was a psych major at San Diego State University. Discovered by a scout for a local modeling competition that he ultimately won as “International Model of the Year,” he quickly booked campaigns for Macy’s, Bud Light and various infomercials. Another model suggested him for a walk on role on “The Bold and the Beautiful” thus launching his acting career and the rest is history. He has since appeared on “CSI-Miami,” “Happy Endings,” “Brother and Sisters,” and “Castle” to name a few.
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Brély Evans is a beautiful multi-talented native from Oakland, California. She is an Actress, Vocalist, Comedienne, and Voice Over Talent. Whether Brély is making you cry in a drama, laugh in a comedy, or challenging you intellectually through her thought provoking discussions as a talk show host and radio personality she finds time to Key Note speak and serve as ambassador for several national brands.
In the stage play, Two Can Play That Game, Brély quickly became a fan favorite. Recognized for her ability to captivate an audience she was cast opposite Queen Latifah in 20th Century FOX, Just Wright. Her comedic timing resulted in the expansion of her role as Sabrina. It was this same power packed persona that afforded her an opportunity to work with the late Whitney Houston in the SONY Feature, Sparkle.
Brély extended into television and is recognized for her recurring role as Nichelle Nichols on BET’s Being Mary Jane as Gabrielle Union’s best friend. Her reach continued to expand with projects such as Regina King’s directorial debut Let The Church Say Amen. She was also cast in a lead opposite Lamman Rucker in the film, The Man In 3B. Brély stared in the short film, Black Rose with Tyrese and Jennifer Hudson and as leading lady in TV One’s You Can’t Fight Christmas. -
Brély recently wrapped on a comedy series, The Last Call, starring opposite Carl Anthony Payne. She is looking forward to creating her newest character, Rondell Lancaster, in the upcoming series titled, Ambition, for the OWN NETWORK. She will also be recurring in BET’s the hot new series The Family Business.
Brély says it is her faith, drive, positive outlook, and commitment to excellence that continues to reward her with career opportunities. She coaches people in her series Get Your Act Together and Start Living Your Dreams both national and internationally through her company Water Walkers Worldwide, Inc. that has recently opened a Talent Management division.
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Avery Mason was born on December 20th in Brooklyn, New York. He is the youngest of three children. After graduating from high school, Avery enrolled at University at Albany (SUNY), intent on a career in journalism. However, he caught the acting bug and began chasing his dream, seeking work as an actor. His first paid acting role was in an independent short film called "Dana" in Brooklyn, NY. He played the part of 'Mike' a blue collar mechanic. Afterwards he began to pursue screen roles in earnest. With his acting versatility and powerful presence, he had no difficulty finding work in television productions.
He made his first TV appearance in The Good Wife (2015) with Julianna Margulies. He continued his work on television and was chosen for the role of Black Grimace in Starz's hit series Power (2016).
Avery continued to work on his young acting career and also co-starred in such productions as The Breaks (2016), Gotham (2018), The Last OG (2017) and The Punisher (2018). He continues to define his onscreen persona as a tough, no-nonsense man.
In 2013 Avery began performing stand up comedy at Caroline's on Broadway, he did so well, he continued performing all over NYC; including performances at New York Comedy Club, The Comic Strip Live, and Broadway Comedy Club. He still performs to this day.
He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife, and their child.
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D'KIA ANDERSON can be seen in Lethal Weapon (FOX) and Nashville (CMT). She can also be seen in the Season 3 of Bosch (Amazon). Other TV credits include The Thundermans (Nickelodeon) and Happy Endings (ABC). D'KIA has also starred in a dozen national and international commercials. She can currently be seen in a Home Depot national commercial and in an upcoming national commercial for Consentyx.
Throughout her time in Los Angeles, D'KIA has studied with some of the best acting coaches from Amy Lyndon, Brian Reise to Margie Haber. Her eagerness to learn from the best will never cease.
D'KIA is currently starring in an independent feature film, TURNT and a web series, Off The Track (Artistic Standard TV). She has also had leading and supporting roles in several other independent projects. D'KIA tried her hand in filmmaking, completing a short film, Passing Period, which was accepted into The Cannes International Film Festival 2015. D'KIA had the opportunity to attend the festival in Cannes, France, where she was able to network and meet with other like-minded actors/filmmakers. This experience heightened her perspective on hard work and determination
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Karon’s joy for visual arts in acting intensified after a first-grade performance in the play, “Puss and Boots.” During football off-seasons, Karon began to master his craft by taking acting class in Los Angeles. One year after retirement from football, he transformed his body to fit the big screen. His career took off when he booked his first speaking role in a Russ Parr romantic comedy, “35 and Ticking” which starred Kevin Hart, Nicole Ari Parker, and Meagan Good. He soon became a favorite of casting directors which led to roles in “Single Ladies,” “Necessary Roughness,” “For Better or Worse,” and “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.” He soon garnered a recurring role on “Tyler Perry’s Love Thy Neighbor.”
Karon’s dream role was secured in 2015, when he portrayed his childhood hero, Muhammad Ali, in the independent film, “The Last Punch.” While continuing to build his resume, Karon has secured leading roles within four installments of the “Marry Me for Christmas” franchised produced by UpTV. Karon secured roles in “A Christmas Blessing,” and “Coins for Christmas” produced by TVOne and BET, respectively.
Armed with an unwavering belief in himself, a good dose of talent, charisma, and indomitable work ethnic Karon Joseph Riley is claiming his place in the entertainment industry. This will be his best year yet as a new series, “Ambitions” on OWN & Saints & Sinners will expand his fan-base to date.
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Yolanda T. Ross is an accomplished multi-hyphenate award-winning socially
driven storytelling Actress, Writer, Producer, and Filmmaker. Helming from the
deep southern state of Mississippi, she knows how to use expression and control
to bring the audience along on the journey with her from the beginning of the
story to the end. She made her film debut in 2007 in a lead role in the
independent short, Switch. Other lead roles quickly followed in various plays,
shorts and feature-length films while building her resume in Atlanta.
In 2010, after grounding herself in film and stage in Georgia, she decided to take
the leap to Los Angeles, the land of television and film, to pursue her career full-
time. Since landing in Los Angeles, she has starred in her own award-winning
written and produced works titled The Last Day and Victus. Her previous works
also include the films TIFF, Circle, Vitality, Between The Miles, Vicious, and Love
Triangle. She landed a recurring role in the CW hit TV Show Black Lightning
where she plays the hard working mother of the character Khalil Payne (a.k.a.
Pain Killer). These are just a few of the amazing projects that reflect the qualities
of this quickly rising star. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and
Twitter.
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Brad Lemack opened Lemack & Company in 1982, following his stint as a publicity executive at pioneering producer Norman Lear’s TV production company, housed on the lot at Universal Studios, in Hollywood. He was responsible for the episodic and series publicity for many of the company’s network television hits at the time, which included The Jeffersons, One Day At A Time, Archie Bunker’s Place, Diff’rent Strokes, The Facts of Life and Square Pegs, as well as several after-school specials, syndicated programming and movies for television. Previously, Lemack had been an innovative television and radio producer and broadcaster for many years in Boston. Creating the opportunity to do the kind of work he has a passion for with the opportunity to develop, redevelop and brand new, emerging and established talent, Lemack & Company has since established itself in many areas of talent management and public relations, including entertainment, personality and book publicity, business, corporate and non-profit, special event creation, production and promotion, and career/brand development, marketing and career coaching for actors. In addition to Brad’s leadership at Lemack & Company Talent Management/Public Relations, he has also been a member of the faculty at Boston’s Emerson College Los Angeles campus since 1995, where he created and teaches courses in entertainment public relations, the business of acting and entertainment industry career development through the College’s acclaimed internship program. In 2010, Brad added to his academic responsibilities when he joined the faculty of North Carolina's Elon University Los Angeles Program, where he created and teaches entertainment PR and film unit publicity. In 2013, he also created and taught a strategic acting for the camera class at California State University, Northridge. Brad received his Bachelor of Science degree from Emerson College in communication studies and his Master of Arts in theatre arts and dance, with a concentration in performance for social change, from California State University, Los Angeles. He is also the host of the YouTube series Web TV series Inside the Business of Acting and is the creator and host of RerunIt.com, which celebrates "classic" television celebrities and American pop culture. Brad is the author of three popular books for actors: The Business of Acting: Learn the Skills You Need to Build the Career You Want, The New Business of Acting: How to Build a Career in a Changing Landscape and The New Business of Acting: The Next Edition. He also co-authored, with Emmy Award-winning Jeffersons star and decades-long Lemack & Company client Isabel Sanford, her autobiography, titled You Can Call Me Weezy. He also developed and edited the book Acting and How To Be Good At It and Acting and How To Be Good At It: The Second Edition, by noted character actor, acting coach and another long standing Lemack & Company client, Basil Hoffman (foreword by Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack). Brad also contributed to the book of the musical BARK and has two other plays and one other book currently in development.
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Actress, producer, and Baltimore native, Noree Victoria, has been active in the creative arts since childhood. Initially writing imaginative children’s stories, she completed her first bound book at the age of 7. Loving both arts and academics, at age 16, she successfully petitioned her school board, winning their approval to bypass her senior year and go directly to college, earning Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Creative Writing, Biology, and African Studies. Noree taught 9th grade Biology in Baltimore City immediately upon graduating, and subsequently completed her Master of Science Degree in Applied Information Technology. Finishing her master’s program with a 4.0 GPA, she was recruited as a Financial Analyst for the Black and Decker Corporation; however, after a spell of integrating and upgrading financial systems, the lure of the dramatic arts proved too enchanting for her to ignore. Noree took flight to pursue a creative passion for acting full-time, studying at the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, and the British American Drama Academy at Oxford University in England. Noree went on to win the ‘Best Actress’ award at AMTC, and to appear regularly in various Emmy-winning television shows, including FX’s ‘American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson’, and ‘Queen Sugar’. She has also produced various short and feature length film projects. Noree continues to pursue her acting career and training in Los Angeles, and in cherished spare time, enjoys volunteering with youth in marginalized communities, advocating for social justice, surfing, and outdoor adventures with a tight-knit circle of friends.
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Robert Ri'chard is one of the most famous and respected faces of Hollywood. His body of work includes both leading man marquees and character roles that show the extensive scope of his talents. Famous film and television director Brian Robbins describes Robert as a sniper in cinema, “If you need to shoot the best scene in your movie and you have one take, you call Robert Ri’chard.” Emmy Award winning actor Ri’chard (French pronunciation) has a strong love for collaborating and creating the best work across the industry. The expansive spectrum of his roles has garnered him screen time with box office juggernauts Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Alec Baldwin, Oprah, Forest Whitaker, and Vanessa Williams. If you ask Robert to describe the work in his future he would beam his bright smile and say, “Running, carrying the hero’s weapon, and kissing the lead actress.” Catch him in BOLDEN, in theaters Friday, May 3rd also MY BROTHER’S KEEPER (2019), REAL TALK (2019), and his recurring role on FAMILY TIME (Bounce TV).
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Addie is best known for her RECURRINGroles on Max Compact, Party at Micah’sand Gluten Free America. She has also co-starred on Scandal and had a supporting role in the TV Movie, Lovin’ Chaos.
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Ryan is best known for his SERIES REGULAR role as Lanny on Disney's Pair of Kings. His film, The Samuel Project, released to theaters nationwide last month. Ryan stars as Eli, alongside Hal Linden. He has also had RECURRING roles on iCarly & Mr. Young, as well as guest starring roles on Zeke & Luther, as well as Hit The Floor. Ryan has also had lead or supporting roles in many feature films including: A Christmas Carol, The Perfect Game, Mars Needs Moms, Del Playa, Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend, & Another Day in Paradise. He is currently in post production on: Bodied & Adi Shankar's Gods & Secrets, which both will be released this year. Aside from acting, Ryan is also a member of OCHOA BOYZ and performs throughout the LA area with his brothers: Rick, Robert, and Raymond. You can currently find him on the new Netflix show, Medal of Honor!
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Isaiah is 10 years old and is currently RECURRING on Season 3 of HBO's True Detective as Henry Hays (son of Detective Hays played by Mahershala Ali). He has also been seen on such shows as: Crypt TV, College Humor Originals, and Junk Drawer Magical Adventures. Next up, you will also find him in the 2019 feature films: Uncle Ed's Bucket List and Roads, Trees, and Honey Bees. -
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Most notably known for her lead role in Tyler Perry's The Single Mom's Club and For Better or Worse, the hilarious comedian/actress Cocoa (pronounced Co-kah) Brown treats audiences to thought-provoking humor in which she declares “I don’t tell jokes I tell the truth!” Her Grown Woman delivery both on stage and on the screen in supporting roles such as FX's American Crime Story, NBC's Marlon, and most recently FOX's critically acclaimed 9-1-1, has generated a large and loyal following all over the world and has proven to her fans old and new that not only is she a funny comedian but she is also a versatile actress. Cocoa has had guest star roles on several other notable TV projects including 2 Broke Girls, Psych, The Soul Man, and Breaking Bad as well as supporting roles in Ted 2, in which she was hand-picked for the role of "Joy" by Seth MacFarlane, and Lakeview Terrace with Samuel L. Jackson. Being appropriately dubbed as a "comedy machine gun" by America's Got Talent judge Sharon Osbourne, she has received numerous awards including the DC Comedian of the Year after only a short time of stand-up and was hand picked by the family of Moms Mabley to receive the 2018 Moms Mabley Legacy Award. She is a fan favorite and has been all over the world touring regularly and has also been featured on the Showtime Network Shaquille O'Neal Comedy All-Stars. Not only do audiences get a great show but they feel as though they have gained a friend. Cocoa says, "If my audience feels like they know me, then that means I've connected with them and I've shared my gift." Cocoa has a style that relates to both women and men and an energy and warmness on and off the stage that has earned her the respect and love of crowds and colleagues alike.
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Christine Horn is an award-winning actress and singer who has performed in feature films, primetime television and on Broadway. She is a Life & Career Coach for Actors and founder of the hit show, #ActorsDailyBread and The Booking Magnet Academy.
Christine’s experiences and accomplishments are diverse and vast giving her a special ability to relate to all audiences. With over 20 years of professional experience, Christine has graced stages across the U.S. with Disney’s “The Lion King” and has performed for President George W. Bush at the White House.
Her extensive theatre background led her to the silver screen where she has appeared alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars (Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Chiwetel Ejiofor & Columbus Short to name a few.)
She has also starred in a variety of television shows, some of which include Timeless, American Crime Story, NCIS, Ray Donovan, Powerless, Good Girls, Legion, Greenleaf, The Originals, Complications, Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Not’s, Reckless, Rectify and Being Mary Jane.
When she’s not performing, Christine writes self-help books and runs a successful career and life coaching business aimed to inspire actors and women to take action and fulfill their dreams.
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Emmy Nominated Actor Melvin Jackson Jr. was born on April 4th in Washington D.C. He now resides in Los Angeles with his wife Emmy nominated actress Kelly Jenrette. In which they are the first African American married couple to be nominated for an Emmy in the same year. Melvin is the father of 3 boys Melvin, DaShawn & Donovan. He is best known for his roles as Bernard on the HBO hit series "The Wire" and as The Bully on the hit CW show "Everybody Hates Chris". He most recently portrayed the legendary rapper Kurtis Blow in the NAACP Award winning BET’s “The New Edition Story” which had 29 million viewers. He is a talented actor, comedian, writer, producer, director, host, & author of a children’s book. Now you may say wow this guy does a lot but when asked "if you could only be known for one thing what would it be?" And he’ll quickly reply “to be known as a great businessman period”. Melvin started out in the entertainment business at the age of 18 as an entertainment manager managing local artists and as a model. While still in college Melvin was working on The Wire. He later graduated from Bowie State University in 2005 with a Bachelors of Arts degree. Even though he is now had recurring roles on two of the hottest shows on TV, he continues to stay humble. Melvin also has lived overseas for 8 1⁄2 years in Islamabad, Pakistan & Ankara, Turkey. Melvin Jackson Jr., is a name that will never be forgotten because he refuses to be forgotten. He had a recurring role on CW's "Everybody Hates Chris" which he booked three weeks into him being in LA. The last episode of the season that he did, was directed by Chris Rock, which was a great honor for him. Melvin has created opportunities for himself in Hollywood as well as other states. He has made many friends in Hollywood and is known as a great networker. Melvin refuses to take no for an answer and is determined to be known as a great actor, entertainer, producer and businessman. He has written, produced, co-directed and starred in his sitcom pilot entitled “This Is My Life, So Why Are You Laughing?”. Melvin is writing, producing, directing a lot projects and currently has a children’s book titled “The Adventures of Jimmy The Fly” that he co-wrote with his wife and is available on amazon. Melvin has been nominated for Outstanding Actor in a short form comedy or drama series for his comedy web series he executive produced, Stars in and co-wrote with his wife Emmy nominated actress Kelly Jenrette titled “This Eddie Murphy Role is Mine, Not Yours”. Which can be viewed on his website www.melvinjacksonjr.com or on his YouTube channel Melvin Jackson Jr Tv.
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Corinne Meadors is an actor and vocalist who currently resides in Northern California. Originally a native of Massachusetts, Corinne has dedicated her life to acting and singing with a strong penchant for film. She attended the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) where she graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Art History and also studied music with a focus in vocal performance. She studied theatre at Bridgewater State College (Bridgewater, MA) and at H.B. Studio in NYC. She has performed throughout the Northeast and has traveled to the Czech Republic and Hungary as a vocalist. To further pursue opportunities on the west coast, Corinne moved to San Francisco in 2003. She currently lives in El Dorado County with her family and is represented by MDT Agency Inc.
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TONY D HEAD: Tony is best known for his RECURRING role as Maj. Bobby Reed on HBO's The Wire. He is currently RECURRING on Amazon's PRIDE the SERIES, Amazon's Asunder The Series, and UMC's Bronx SIU . Tony has also been seen on episodes of: Madame Secretary, Roadies, Veep, True Crimes with Aphrodite Jones, The Agency, Nocturnal Attorney, Mr. Right, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and many more. Tony just wrapped the feature film, Lazy Susan, with Matthew Broderick, Allison Janney and Sean Hayes. Next up, is Warner Bros. JOKER feature film, as well as the feature film Strive with Danny Glover.
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Tanjareen is an all-around performing artist. Her television credits include: Freeform's drama FAMOUS IN LOVE, Bounce TV's sitcom FAMILY TIME (4 seasons), HBO/Cinemax's ZANE'S THE JUMP OFF (series regular), and Bentley Kyle's Evan's 4-episode pilot THE REV. Tanjareen has also guest-starred on SEX SENT ME TO THE E.R. (2 episodes), CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, WITHOUT A TRACE, GIRLFRIENDS, ACCORDING TO JIM, THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM, HOWARD STERN, STRONG MEDICINE (recurring), THE PARKERS, WANDA AT LARGE, THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW, V.I.P, ARLISS, & CITY GUYS (recurring). She’s also done commercials for DENNY'S, PIZZA HUT PASTA, BODY BY JAKE'S SHADOWBOXER, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, MICHELOB BEER, MCDONALD'S, POP SECRET POPCORN, & SUBWAY. Her film credits include: MISS MARCH (her bus scene was the most popular scene in the entire film), LOVE FOR SALE, JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION, HURRICANE IN THE ROSE GARDEN, NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CATTLE CALL, ONLY IN AMERICA & Russ Parr’s SOMETHING LIKE A BUSINESS. -
As a radio personality, Tanj has co-hosted over 50 episodes of SPEEDY'S COMEDY CORNER at Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole Radio on Sirius-XM. And she’s co-hosted over 40 episodes of CHOPPING IT UP LIVE on DherbsRadio.com. Miss Martin also performs sketch comedy, she has boxed for PERFECT 10 MAGAZINE: MODEL BOXING, as well as for KNOCKOUTS, and she co-hosted an AfterBuzzTV talk show called BLACK HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY WITH THE siSTARS and a magazine-style TV show called THE VEGAN VIXEN SHOW. On the runway, TJ has modeled for various designers in major shows like MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK and LA FASHION MARKET WEEK & in print for various publications & romance novel covers.
As CEO of CITRIC CINEMA, she produced several episodes of the new JUDGE JOE BROWN TALK RADIO SHOW and she was Associate Producer of Russ Parr's film LOVE FOR SALE (starring Mya, Jackie Long, Jason Weaver, Melyssa Ford, herself, Essence Atkins, Angell Conwell, Clifton Powell, & Big Daddy Kane). Plus she created, wrote, & produced her own web series THE CELIBATE NYMPHO CHRONICLES.
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Dove Meir has been working consistently since his network debut on The Mindy Project in 2012. His credits include guest stars on NCIS:LA, recurring roles on USA Network’s, DIG, and N.C.I.S., Major Crimes, Chris Carter’s The After and more. He is in several independent films currently circulating film festivals and some already available on iTunes and Amazon for viewing. Dove has done motion capture for Barbie and VO for properties like Resident Evil and more that we can’t mention just yet. Dove was nominated for Best Actor at the Burbank International Film Festival for his lead role in the film Boots. He’s been coaching with some of the top coaches in the business and credits his quick success on being introduced to the acting world as an adult with a professional background in business and finance. “I lived the life of an adult first. Now I’m working on living a life full of child like imagination.”
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Amanda Diaz began her training as an Actor in Rowan University's Theatre Department in 1999. Her true love and passion was acting, but Amanda picked up another creative outlet in Makeup Artistry for the film and beauty industries. After graduating and earning a B.A. in Theatre, Amanda attended the Makeup Designory in Burbank, California to further her makeup training. She acquired a certificate in Beauty, Special Effects, and Character Makeup in 2002. While she was becoming more involved with Film and T.V. work, Amanda also found interest in the production process and would soon find herself working as an Assistant Director and writer. Although, Amanda proves to bring a diverse amount of talent to any project, she is undoubtably rooted in her passion for Acting.
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Since 1995 Ski-ter has enjoyed a successful career in the entertainment industry as an actor. Ski-ter is known as the "Commercial King" in Hollywood. He has appeared in over 100 national commercial campaigns including Verizon Wireless, McDonalds, BMW, Chevron, AT&T, Walmart, Time Warner, etc. He has also guest starred in popular television shows and movies. Having proven himself an extremely talented actor, his maturation into the role of director was a natural transition.
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Rhavynn Drummer is an Atlanta based Director, Producer, and Casting Director who has always had a love for actors and great performances. She began her career in casting at Tyler Perry Studios. While working at the studio she has participated in the casting of fifteen feature films, seven television series, and seven theatrical productions. . She has had the privilege of working on projects like “The Family that Preys,” “Why did I Get Married Too?” “The Marriage Counselor” and the most recent television series’ “The Haves and The Have Nots” and “If Loving You is Wrong” currently on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Rhavynn graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Theater and American Studies. During her time at UVA she re-started the Paul Robeson Players, a theater company focused on producing African-American stories and experiences.
Rhavynn is the creator of two digital series “Good Girls” and “Brooklyn Blue Sky.” Brooklyn Blue Sky was acquired by BET in 2017 and can be seen on bet.com and the BET App. For more information go to www.rhavynndrummer.com.
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Dustin Felder is the go-to acting coach for superstars in Hollywood. Dustin Felder’s films have amassed more than 1.7 billion dollars in international box office sales to date. In 2005, Dustin entered the world of coaching and coached Will Smith’s son, Jaden Smith, in the Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-nominated feature film Pursuit of Happyness. In 2007, the Smiths turned to Dustin to coach daughter, Willow, in the blockbuster I Am Legend. Also starring Will Smith, Dustin coached Will’s son, Jaden, in summer blockbuster The Karate Kid. Dustin was the acting coach for the Academy Award-nominated film, Straight Outta Compton, directed by F. Gary Gray, chronicling the lives of hip hop legends NWA, released in 2015.
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Equally impactful in the world of television, Dustin was the acting coach for the ABC sitcom, My Wife and Kids. His ability to evoke emotion from veteran actors Tisha Campbell, Jennifer Freeman, and Noah Gray Cabey, quickly propelled the show to a #1 ranking. Dustin coached another Wayans family show, Second Generation Wayans, which aired on BET. Most recently, Dustin is the acting coach on NBC’s Marlon, now in its second season.
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In addition to the Smiths, Dustin’s clientele includes the actor/rapper Common (LUV), Marlon and Shawn Wayans, Usher, Bryshere Gray (Empire), and Keith Powers. Dustin’s success as an acting coach is rooted in his mastery of various acting techniques, mastery of discovering and developing of an actors brand, his dynamic understanding of character analysis, as well as his own experience as a child actor with recurring roles on the Emmy Award-winning Law & Order, My Wife and Kids, and dozens of national commercials.
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Erica was born and raised in San Diego, California. She grew up dancing with The California Ballet Company and received her BFA in Acting from United States International University in San Diego and her MFA in Acting from The University of Arizona. -
Los Angeles is her home and over the years she has been in numerous commercials, films and TV shows. She is a member of SAG/AFTRA & AEA as well as a noted spokesperson and host who is an expert in TelePrompTer. -
Some of her selected television credits are: Scandal (Recurring), This Is Us, Hawaii Five- O, Scorpion, Atypical, American Vandal, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Days of Our Lives, Mad Men, Dexter, Family Time, The Exes, The Young and The Restless, Private Practice, Castle, My Boys, Ghost Whisperer, Men of a Certain Age, Big Time Rush, Three Rivers, Greek, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Drake and Josh and Eleventh Hour. -
Erica loves to study and practice yoga at Bhakti Yoga Shala in Santa Monica. She has completed 500 hours of Yoga Teacher Training. She also loves to take spin classes at Equinox and Soul Cycle and practice Transcendental Meditation.
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David Figlioli is a 25 year veteran of working as a union film, television, commercial and stage actor. David received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and has notably worked in over 100 television commercials, over 50 television dramas and comedies while working in professional theaters from New York to Los Angeles and several places in between. David also spent 3 years touring the globe as the main character in the Cirque Du Soleil show CORTEO, performing over 1000 shows in front of more than 2 million spectators in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Russia. David is the author of two books, MEMOIRS OF A CIRCUS CLOWN-( highlighting his journey of working with the Cirque du Soleil) and THE ART AND BUSINESS of ACTING in COMMERCIALS- (sharing his first hand knowledge of the demands of a successful career working in the commercial industry.)- both available on Amazon.com.
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I was born and raised in Seattle, WA where I began my career as a model. After settling into modeling, I branched out into acting and fell in love with the art. As I was pursuing both modeling and acting, I attended Bellevue College pursuing a degree in Communications. After completing my 2 year degree I moved to LA and enrolled at Loyola Marymount University to finish my four year AND pursue acting and modeling. The juggling of all of this was stressful and almost impossible so to lighten my load, I took a leap of faith and paused my education to focus on my art. I have not looked back since and have had many great accomplishments along the way such as several national commercials, spreads in magazines such as Vogue and Essence, and much more. I feel like I am just getting started and look forward to what else is in store for me.
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Shelley Robertson's most recent credits include guest starring roles on "The Rookie", "This Is Us", "Lucifer" and "Timeless". She also has upcoming roles in Amazon's "Goliath", and Apple TV's new show, "Morning Show". Shelley is also best known for her many TV commercials, such as Facebook Portal, Geico, Samsung (Danny Glover's wife), Bayer Aspirin, Jif Peanut Butter, Xerox (one of the Greek chorus members), and McDonald's. Her other tv guest starring roles include "Criminal Minds", "Code Black", "Extant", "CSI:Cyber", "NCIS", and "The Newsroom"... among so many others. With performing in her DNA, Shelley was born in Philadelphia, PA and started singing/acting in school productions in middle school. She left Philly for Atlanta, GA where she attended Emory University graduating with a Political Science degree headed to law school. After a stint working a 9-5 in Atlanta city government and getting halfway through her master's degree in Public Administration, her DNA moved life in another direction. Working with Howard E. Rollins and Carroll O'Connor on "In the Heat of the Night" began Shelley's professional acting career. Within a few years, she was living in Los Angeles. Upon arrival in Hollywood, the Theatre called; and she was overjoyed to receive a LA Weekly nomination for Best Actress for "Joe Louis Blues", and a NAACP Theatre Award Best Supporting Actress nomination for "Long Time Since Yesterday" with a great run at the National Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina. Then, Shelley's most rewarding role to date happened... Motherhood. Aiyana and Randy are her motivation and her joy! Along the journey, she's recurred on "Cold Case", "Brothers and Sisters", and "Greek". And is also credited on critically acclaimed TV shows such as: "Grey's Anatomy", "Everybody Loves Raymond", "ER", "Touched By An Angel", "The West Wing", "CSI and CSI:Miami", "Southland", a leading role in "The Ditchdigger's Daughters", and more. While everyday feels like her career is just getting started, Shelley is excited to finish her first book, produce a screenplay and pilot she's written, and mark her brand with her production company, Hawk Productions LLC. Follow the journey on ig, fb and twitter @iamshelleyrobertson.
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Amber is a Chicago native now living and working in LA. With experience on stage, in voiceover, and on screen, her credits include How to Get Away With Murder, Shameless, Grey's Anatomy, and Parks & Recreation.
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Monica Lawson is a a bi coastal actress and producer based in Los Angeles best known for her roles on NCIS, Grey's Anatomy and Wakefield. She began her acting career in New York as a classically trained actress who received her BFA from NYU's Tisch school of the arts.
Excited by the call for diverse voices in entertainment, Monica wanted to expand her influence in the industry and created BOND Motion Pictures. BOND is production company that seeks to find & develop stories that provide a shift in consciousness toward underrepresented voices and revolutionize the limited pattern of demographic inclusion among performing artists within the industry.
Monica travels the world for pleasure and inspiration. She plays the piano and speaks French. She is passionate about giving back and volunteers with an after-school program that inspires students ages 6-18 to pursue creative writing at 826LA.
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Classically trained in both drama and dance, Keena Ferguson has performed in a vast array of TV guest roles on many hit TV shows including those such as, Two in a Half Men - (CBS), Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street - (Amazon), and in last year's breakout hit for FX, Atlanta. Keena's television work experience also includes co-hosting The Way We Do It on BET with comedian Ricky Smiley.
Keena's filmography includes a star billed role in the theatrically released action-packed thriller, Red Line, a supporting lead opposite Stephen Dorff in the screwball dramedy feature , American Hero,, indie drama, Daughter of Fortune, and stylized digital action feature, Forever No More.
Keena Ferguson's achievements in legitimate stage productions include clinching the prestigious 2016 NAACP Award for Best One Person Show. In addition to her acting and dancing passions, Keena is an accomplished writer and producer. Her current project, the docuseries From the Fly gives viewers a chance to take a bird's eye view of regular people actively pursuing their dreams. Previous films produced by Keena have screened at 35 international film festivals and been picked up for television distribution and garnered multiple awards including the HBO Shorts Series at the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival.
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Having worked on stage and in front of the camera acting, in print and film for over twenty-five years. Tony is originally from Chicago where he grew his love for theatre (especially Shakespeare), and in Northern California where he became a SAG-AFTRA actor.
Now, he's on the other side of the camera writing, producing and directing. He loves collaboration and telling stories.
Watch his two original short films on Amazon Prime in which he wrote and directed, 1440 and Counting and Neighbor.
He loves all aspects of the creative process from beginning to end. Writing and directing energizes him whether it be live performance or film. He loves building relationships on sets and beyond because he loves working on a team. That's why he started his own production company: SonCity Media. He wants to entertain and it's his passion to move people and affect change in the world by making meaning of life through stories.
He believes stories can change the world and change people.
For him, life is about learning to tell AND LIVE a good story.
His wife, three kids and dog live the crazy/good life in Northern California. Say hi and shoot him a message on any of your favorite social media platforms. He hangs out on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!
IG: @tonygapastione
Website: http://www.tonygapastione.com
Podcast: https://www.bravemaker.com/podcast/
https://anchor.fm/bravemaker
BraveMaker: https://www.bravemaker.com
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Anthony L. Fernandez broke on to the scene in 2010, becoming one of the most emotional and intense up and coming actors of today. Fernandez gained public attention for his intimidating performances, such as Cesar Figueroa in, 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' and most recently gained notoriety with his cross-over comedy performance as Angel in the hit feature film, 'The Wedding Ringer'. Now, reaching prime time television success with his performances as Carlos Diego on Hawaii Five-0 & as Texas in John Singleton's hit series 'Rebel' on BET.
Anthony L. Fernandez was raised by his mother Lisa M. DeCoria. The youngest of two brothers, his family constantly moved around the country. He was raised in small towns and big cities, from the east coast and back to his home on the west coast. His young life was filled with experiences of survival, determination, and emotion at its best and worst. From living a fast life of drugs, guns, sex, and violence in the streets to creating a successful film and television career, Anthony L. has turned his life around, becoming a positive example of hard work, sacrifice, dedication, drive and passion.
At a time of tremendous obligation and reflection Fernandez made the biggest decision of his life and after studying Eric Morris Method Acting for a number of years he pursued his professional acting career. Fernandez has played a variety of roles from police officers to criminals, drug addicts to loving fathers. Delivering many colorful performances, Fernandez paints an organic picture with his presence.
His career going strong, Fernandez continues working hard to achieve industry success. Using every opportunity on and off set to develop his craft. The look of a dark figure with a mysterious past meshed with his warm appeal, helps him to connect with his audience. His physical fitness and background in security are attributes that have helped him to cross over into action films such as, 'Close Range', utilizing his Stage Combat, Stunt Driving and Firearms experience. Stepping up his game Fernandez showed his comedic chops having one of the most memorable scenes in the feature film, 'The Wedding Ringer', giving an emotional performance in the award winning film 'The Boatman', and initiating himself into horror with his chilling performance as Juan Morales in the psychological thriller, 'The Evil Gene', all proving his ability to work in a variety of film genres, as well as, television credits including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Kings of Con, Days of Our Lives, & Scorpion, etc.
Anthony L. Fernandez continues to solidify himself as a character actor & permanent fixture in the industry with many more intriguing, dark, and mysterious performances to come. Anthony L. Fernandez resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife and 3 children.
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A Philly girl to her core, Crystal Lee Brown ditched cheesesteaks and soft pretzels for sushi and fresh pressed juices in Hollywood, CA. She’s holds a B.A of Fine Arts from Temple University, where she majored in Theater and Journalism. Upon graduation, she spent five years in New York City as a member of the African American Women Repertory Theater Company in Brooklyn, New York, where she starred in numerous Off-Broadway productions. She recently added writer and producer to her resume with the hit stage play The Cell Block Seven, which was nominated for a NAACP Theatre Award for Best Ensemble Cast. Currently splitting her acting career in both Los Angeles and Atlanta, Crystal has emerged as a multi-talented fresh face. Her niche as the hip and witty charmer with an east coast flare, has landed her roles on NETFLIX, HBO, ABC, CBS, TNT, The CW, where she’s currently recurring on Black Lightning and feature films, including, Lionsgate’s Uncle Drew, Tyler Perry’s, Nobody’s Fool and 20th Century Fox’s Hidden Figures, where she worked alongside Oscar Winner Octavia Spencer and Golden Globe Winner, Taraji P. Henson. As a working actor, Crystal knows the importance of creating strong auditions, so she started her own company, iTape LA, where she serves as an audition coach and self-tape specialist for actors, for TV and film castings. Her clients have seen an increased callback/booking ratio and she is highly recommended by agents and managers. Her passion is to help actors gain control of their auditions by having fun and releasing fear. With significant credits to add to her resume, Crystal promises to forge a permanent impression in the world of show business.
Social Media: IG: @crystalleebrown
FB: @crystalleebrown
Twitter: @crystalleebrown
iTape LA (Audition Coaching and Self-Tapes)
IG: @i_tape_la
FB: @Itapelosangeles
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Chris Gardner is an award nominated actor (NAACP, Sunset Baby) whose career has spanned theater, television, film, print, and radio. Hailing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Chris began his work in television on HBO’s, “Oz” and NBC’s “Law & Order”. Since being in L.A. he’s racked up many guest appearances on shows such as “The Practice”, The West Wing”, “Hart Of Dixie”, and “Pretty Little Liars”. Some of his theater credits include Unbound (IAMA/Hudson Theater), The America Play (Theater @ Boston Court), Sunset Baby (Odyssey Theater). He is also an accomplished voice-over actor “Star Trek: Into Darkness”, the animated feature “Jungle Shuffle”. Many video games including Batman: Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, World of Warcraft.
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Tristan Cunningham started her performing days when she was only ten years old touring with Vermont’s own home grown country circus, Circus Smirkus. After running away with the circus for eight summers, she decided to change her focus to acting and graduated from S.U.N.Y Purchase Theater Arts and Film conservatory with a B.F.A. She now works between the Bay Area and Los Angeles as an actor, teaching artist, and circus performer, taking part in productions by the California Shakespeare Theater, Aurora Theater Company, African American Shakespeare Company, Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Shakespeare Company, Circus Bella, Medical Clown Project and many more. Her hope is to continue acting in theater, film and television. She feels incredibly blessed to do what she loves and share it with the rest of the world.
Contact: Tristan.cunningham1@gmail.com
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Ying Yuen started acting at 19 in Singapore performing in Mandarin and English. She did many projects in TVCs, and with the TV Drama Department of Television of Singapore.
She moved to Los Angeles in 2001, got herself an agent and an acting coach, started doing mostly Industrials in the beginning. .
Over the years, she acted in many film thesis for Masters graduates of Chapman U and USC. Ying Yuen has also done many notable National T.V Commercials. The journey has been a very blissful one for Ying Yuen, and she never looked back.
Ying Yuen studied with Director Howard Deutch in The Master Class at Beverly Hills Playhouse for about 3 years. She speaks Mandarin, Cantonese and English.
As a hobby, Ying Yuen dances Modern and Chinese folk dance, and is flexible with many yoga movements.
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Asante Jones hails from Cleveland, OH. He's lived in LA for over 21 years and has amassed quite a list of accomplishments. With over 70 titles on IMDb, he has recurred on several TV shows, such as Scandal and Rosewood a couple years ago.
Asante has starred in a Lead role in the John Travolta film, I Am Wrath. Look for his earlier work in the film, Camp (2013), about abused and neglected foster kids that get to attend a very special summer camp for one week every year, available on Blu Ray and DVD.
He served as the voice of Boost Mobile for five and a half years. He currently has a VO campaign running as the voice of Marshawn Lynch's hand, Baby Beast, to promote the video game, NFL Madden '18.
It was touring with the Shelley Garrett play, Beauty Shop Part II that got him out of Cleveland in the 1990s. While on tour, Asante's roommate was Academy Award Nominee, Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile).
Asante has worked with notable celebrities such as Emma Stone, Robin Wiliams, Kathy Bates, Morris Chestnut, Shonda Rimes and Betty White, to name a very few. Check out his role as Black Eddie in the raucously funny web series, Break Room.
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Sasha Compere is a native of Detroit, Michigan and is of Haitian parentage. Her mother and father are both from Haiti. Sasha moved to a small town right outside of Detroit at a young age and attended schools in the metro Detroit area where she began acting and learning about production. She performed in theater productions throughout high school, during which she continued to pursue working in television, film, and on stage in New York and Los Angeles.
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A graduate of Boston University's School of Theatre, whose notable alumni include Jason Alexander,Julianne Moore, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, and Ginnifer Goodwin. She also had the privelige of studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Upon graduating, Chevonne immediately set her sights on Los Angeles . She's a graduate of Second City Hollywood and also performed with and wrote for one of it's house sketch team Pompadour.
Chevonne has been seen bathing in a hot tub of money in the Virgin Mobile's "Retrain Your Brain" commercials featuring Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne,performing along side Dianna Agron in the The Killers' "Just Another Girl" music video, fighting office boredom in a Farmville 2 commercial, and in a National campaign for Re/Max directed by Autumn Dewilde.
Theatrically, she can be seen in the second season of ABC's "Fresh Off The Boat" . Chevonne filmed the pilot for Amazon's "Goliath" formerly "Trial" (Billy Bob Thornton, Maria Bello, William Hurt) and a recurring role on the Oprah produced "Greenleaf" on OWN as "Karine Jackson".
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A New York native, Nelson Estevez is an actor, a mixed martial artist and an athlete who pushes boundaries and isn't afraid of a little sweat. Estevez's career has evolved over the last decade. Beginning in New York City, his training at Terry Schreiber Studios provided him strong fundamental skills in theater. He has become adept in slipping into the shoes of his characters and with empathy reliving their stories. Nelson considers both mental and physical training to be a key factor in preparing for a role. He trains to be an actor the same way athletes train to be in the Olympics, with conscious dedication and conditioning to all aspects of his life. As a mixed martial artist, Nelson also works on his own choreography for fight scenes. Leaving his comfort zone he moved to Los Angeles where he is currently based. Estevez attends Actors Comedy Studio where he refines his audition technique and on camera training. Nelson has been actively auditioning and booking work in LA ever since
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Danielle Moné Truitt was destined to entertain. She is the true definition of a Triple Threat. The actor, singer, and dancer hails from Sacramento, California where she studied Theatre and Dance at Sacramento State University before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in television and film. Truitt got her start in theatre, but is now starring in the lead role as Rebecca "Rebel" Knight in the new John Singleton Drama series Rebel on BET. The series centers around Truitt's character, Rebel, an Oakland police officer, who struggles with life and career after her brother is killed by police and delves into the complexities of officers of color and the conflicts they have with their jobs, particularly now, while there is scrutiny over misconduct and police brutality.
Recently, Truitt was nominated for two Ovation Awards; the first for her performance as a lead actress in a play for The West Coast Premiere of The Mountaintop and the second, for her role in Dreamgirls. She packed the Rockwell Table and Stage venue for her self-produced one woman show Overnight Success, and also recently performed her one woman play, 3: Black Girl Blues to sold out audiences at the United Solo Theatre Festival in New York. Some of her other stage credits include In The Heights, Neat, Aida, A Raisin in the Sun and Hair. Truitt has appeared on TV in guest starring roles on ABC's Super Fun Night and FOX's Mulaney. Her film experience includes her role as Kay, in FOX Digital's feature film ETXR. Truitt made history when she joined the cast of the Academy Award Nominated Animation The Princess and the Frog as the video reference for Princess Tiana. She performed the body movements and facial expressions for the Disney Princess, ultimately giving Princess Tiana her persona and essence as well as performing a voice for another character in the film, Georgia.
Aside from performing, Truitt is a wife and mother of two young sons. She has a heart for people and for promoting change in our communities. Because of this, she started the BE. ETERNAL: The Thriving Artist Series that serves the artistic community by providing emotional and spiritual support. She produced an event entitled #MoreThanAHashtag - a night of open discussion and performance surrounding the misuse of police force and our role in activism to rekindle awareness towards injustice. Truitt truly believes that art has the ability to speak loud and to change the hearts and minds of people. She also partners in ministry with her husband at THE LIVINGROOM in Van Nuys, California. Their ministry works with Hope of the Valley to provide meals and encouragement to the homeless community in the San Fernando Valley, and they have worked with foster youth and boys' homes. Truitt and her husband hold a monthly music/poetry/comedy event called MY FIRST FRIDAYS, where artists from all over come to perform. It has become one of the most popular events in Southern California. Truitt is managed by Cheryl Martin at CMA Entertainment.
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Tre Alexander is a Professional Actress, Voice-over Artist, Plus Size Fashion Model and Commercial Print Model. Tre started acting and modeling at age 12. She is from Maryland and also spent her early childhood years in Germany. Tre went to College at Towson University earning a BA in Mass Communication with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism. Tre now resides in Boston and is enjoying the professional acting community. Tre has a Boston and New York Agent. She has experience in commercials, industrials, television and film. Tre currently has a national HelloFresh commercial airing with her fiancé Richard, who is also an actor.
Aside from acting being her passion she absolutely adores animals. Follow her IG page @trealexandercurveymodel and check out her website at www.trealexander.com.
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After graduating with a BA in Drama from Binghamton University in NY, studying under Julliard professor Gene Lesser, Adam Huss moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career doing what he loves most, acting in film and television. Before landing the dynamic role of Joshua Kantos on the Starz show "Power" which ironically brought him back to his place of origin, NY, Adam guest starred on shows such as NBC's Ironside, CSI: NY, NCIS, NCIS: LA, to name a few.
He also can be seen in the independent films Waiting in the Wings the Musical, Misirlou, Is it Just Me?, Resurrection County, and Wannabe. He also associate produced and was the star of the feature film Find Me, which debuted at the Hollywood Film Festival.
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Tonya is a comedic and dramatic actress who has appeared in numerous TV, film, stage and musical theater productions. She performed alongside former American Idol contestant Lakisha Jones in the Musical , Back on the Boards. She played the lead in the independent feature film The Pride Before the Fall and the web series Wicked, both were released in November 2017. She has also worked with Kevin Hart on his comedy special, Let Me Explain. Tonya can also be seen performing sketch comedy every month with the longest running sketch comedy show in Los Angeles. Her most recent project is a sitcom for a cable network. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @mstonyakay
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Jasmine Wright is an actress and dancer known for her work on TNT, SyFy, and Pure Flix, where she has graced the screen with stars such as Donna Mills, Rebecca Romijn, and Kellita Smith. She has also toured nationally and internationally with Disney Live! stage shows. When not working, Jasmine takes time to volunteer with foundations for the homeless, as well as animal shelters
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Morris D. Small, Washington DC accredited SAG AFTRA actor and native, acting for over 15 years as a featured, support, and lead roles in television, film, and industrial. He is a talented, solid and diverse actor in comedy, a fight choreographer, mentor, voice over talent, writer, director, and over all philanthropist.
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Cassandra Relynn is a native of McNeil, AR. She’s performed and stared in many great stage plays such as “Crumbs From the Table of Joy” and “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare,” while attending Southern Arkansas, where she received her Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Masters of Education in Agency Counseling.
Since arriving in California, Cassandra has appeared on Rizzoli & Isles, Criminal Minds, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Revenge, American Horror Story, Life in Pieces, Blackish and recurred on Pretty Little Liars. She can also be seen in Tammi Mac’s web series Bag Lady, web sensation Black Boots, and in her own web series Faith In ‘Justus’, which she wrote, directed and produced with her husband, Quinton Owens. The two have also created their own production company, SanQuinton Productions.
Relynn has also had the pleasure of auditioning for both Tyler Perry and Lee Daniels. Cassandra has always leaned on her faith and lessons she learned while growing up in McNeil.
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Actor William H. Bryant Jr, talks about how he got his start in acting, his love for theater and how he took a leap of faith and made the move to Los Angeles.
William talked about his very first audition in Los Angeles for OWN's Greenleaf and how he ended up booking the role of Aaron Jefferies on the hit show.
He also discusses some of the challenges he's faced along the way, what motivates him to keep going and some key tips that all actors should know about the business.
Follow William on Instagram at @thewilljr and be sure to catch the two night premiere of Greenleaf on August 28th and 29th on OWN.
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Actor, producer and director Nakia Burrise checks in with the Actors Lounge to talk about her early start in the business.
Nakia booked her first series regular role as Tanya Sloan the yellow ranger on Power Rangers while still a junior in UCLA's theater program. She talks about how she balanced an acting career while being a full time student and all the many things she learned along the way.
Nakia discusses her love for producing and creating her own family friendly content, maintaining work life balance and the importance of having a solid support team. She also gives tips to up and coming actors looking to get started in the acting business.
Keep up with Nakia through the links below:
website: www.nakiaburrise.com Instagram: @nakiaburrise Twitter: nakiaburrise Facebook: nakia.burrise
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Actor, writer, comedian and musician, Doboy stops by The Actors Lounge to talk about how he got started in the entertainment business, taking a leap of faith all while trusting the process.
He talks about working on Wild n Out and his position at All Def Digital as a head writer, short form content creator and one of the main on camera talents.
Doboy also gets personal and opens up about his struggles with weight loss, alcoholism and how he approaches social media criticism. He ultimately credits his strong faith in God as his key to career success and overcoming his personal obstacles.
If you'd like to keep up with Doboy you can follow him at @iamdoboy and check out his content for All Def Digital at https://www.youtube.com/user/AllDefDigital.
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Actress and creator talks about how she got her start in the entertainment industry with her first feature and starring role getting accepted into the Sundance Film Festival and later being turned into a BET TV series called Somebodies to working with Tyler Perry as Keisha in Why Did I Get Married.
We discuss how she approaches her career today, obstacles, challenges and how she's overcome and continued to maintain a successful career over the years. She opened up about the importance of identity and knowing who you are outside of this industry, being courageous, transitions, how she stays sharp as an actress and the differences in the Los Angeles and Atlanta market.
Kaira also directed a one woman show called A Rose Called Candace and she shares her experience of creating the show from start to finish, untold stories she'd like to tell in the future and how acting fulfills her as a person.
If you'd like to keep up with Kaira check out her website, http://www.kairaakita.com/.
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