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In TV series , feature films, Broadway, daytime dramas, or major commercials — no school can top ours for alumni actively working in the profession. Read on to see recent successes . . . |
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  Daniella Alonso (graduate Film, Film Technique) recently played 'Carlotta Alonso', on NBC TV’ s “Friday Night Lights". Carlotta was a young Guatemalan woman working as a live-in home health aide (caring for  Matt Saracen's grandmother) and became a love interest for Matt. Currently Daniella has two films in production: “Midnight Man” by writer/director Marcus Dunstan, and “Sense and Sensibilidad”, A Latina spin on Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" set in contemporary Los Angeles.
 Daniella appeared as “Anna” in the popular TV drama “One Tree Hill” with Chad Michael Murray. Daniella has appeared in feature films, Off-Broadway, as “Pilar” on CBS-TV’s daytime drama “As the World Turns,”, and in many commercials. Daniella visited ACTeen to chat with students and spoke warmly of her experience: “I started classes at ACTeen because I wanted training and audition confidence. ACTeen helped me develop both. The environment at ACTeen is awesome. In all my classes, I felt safe and free to make mistakes. Now, thanks to ACTeen, the ‘scary’ audition process is not so scary.  After taking my first real acting courses at  ACTeen I got an agent, booked my first leading role in an independent film, and won roles on ‘Law & Order: C.I.’ and ‘Guiding Light’”. ”. Daniella is busy working in features appearing in “Wrong Turn 2,” and “Hills Have Eyes II,” as well as television’s “Saving Grace,” and “CSI: Miami.”
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Jordana Spiro, graduate Film, Film Technique, Commercials, Film Seminar) stars in the new TBS-TV comedy sitcom “My Boys.” . Jordana plays lead role “PJ Franklin” a ‘just one of the guys’ tomboyish Chicago sportswriter. Jordana took several years of classes at ACTeen while in her teens, before pursuing Hollywood and success. Her first break was as Annette O’Toole’s daughter in “The Huntress” a USA-TV series that ran for two seasons. Additionally Jordana has appeared on “JAG”, “Cold Case”, “CSI-NY”, and “City Guys”.Jordana got a major career boast in the feature film “Must Love Dogs” playing “Sherry,” John Cuzak’s former girlfriend. Look for Jordana in the film “The Year of Getting to Know You,” with Jimmy Fallon, Lucy Liu, and Sharon Stone, and “The Goods: The Don Ready Story” with Jeremy Pivens and Ving Rhames. |
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  Cara Buono starred in the USA Network original TV series “THE DEAD ZONE” based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King as sheriff “Anna Turner.” Recently Cara’s starred in the TV film “The Unquiet,” and guest starred on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit .” Cara played Michael Imperioli's pregnant wife Kelli in the final season of HBO’s drama "The Sopranos." Formerly Cara appreared as paramedic “Grace Foster”, series regular on the NBC-TV’s Peabody award winning drama “Third Watch.” Cara (graduate Film, Casting Director Seminar) made her first film, “Gladiator” (featuring a very young Cuba Gooding, Jr.) with fellow alumnus Jon Seda. Casting Director Deborah Aquila (CSA), had seen Cara  perform at ACTeen’s Casting Director Seminar, and subsequently cast Cara in Stephen Gyllenhaal’s feature “Waterland”, with Jeremy Irons. Cara has starred in many independent films (“Next Stop Wonderland”, Chutney Popcorn”, “Two Ninas,”) and was featured in Ang Lee’s “Hulk.” Additionally Cara has played major roles on Broadway, including “The Rose Tattoo” at Lincoln Center with Anthony LaPaglia (“Without A Trace.”) |
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  Jamie Lynn Sigler (graduate Commercials, Musical Theater) ) parked her car for the last time, after six seasons as the feisty “Meadow Soprano” in the HBO-TV Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG award–winning series “The Sopranos”. A major critical and commercial success, “The Sopranos” won eighteen Emmys and five Golden Globes, and has been the subject of much parody and analysis. 
Fresh off the series finale, Jamie has a number of film projects in the works. Jamie co-starred in “The Gathering,” a Lifetime psychological mini-series starring Peter Gallagher (“O.C”), and two-time Academy Award nominee Peter Fonda.
Jamie’s also played a ‘soprano’ of a different sort, using her ACTeen musical training to star on Broadway as “Belle” in “Beauty and the Beast”! |
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  Kimberly Williams Paisley (graduate Audition and Commercials) is starring with Jim Belushi and Courtney Thorne-Smith in ABC-TV’s Emmy-nominated comedy “According to Jim "now in its sixth hilarious season. Last year "According to Jim" celebrated its milestone 100th episode. Kim plays Jim Belushi’s sister-in-law “Dana”, who’s expecting a baby this season, as Jim continues to offer his trademark advice on all subjects -- solicited or not.
Kimberly took two courses during ACTeen’s July Academy just before she got her big break when she was cast as the bride in Touchstone’s film “Father of the Bride” with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton. Kim’s been working steadily in the years since, in films, television (she starred in the ABC-TV series “Relativity” and the mini-series “The 10th Kingdom”), and in theater (Broadway’s Tony Award–winning play “The Last Night of Ballyhoo”, and David Mamet’s “Speed the Plow” in London). She appeared in the film “We Are Marshall” directed by McG
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  Richard Keith just joined the cast of ABC-TV’s highly rated series “Grey’s Anatomy.” Richard plays a recurring role, as one of the new interns at the fictitious Seattle Grace Hospital. Richard (seen here as the tallest male in the back row) is enjoying working with the cast, including actresses Katherine Heigl and Sara Ramirez. Richard (graduate Film Scene Study, Talent Agent Showcase) writes, “ACTeen is one of the only environments where I felt truly safe and able to take chances with my characters,  chances that I never would have taken in other classes. I’ve never looked forward to an acting class as much as I did the classes at ACTeen.” Richard’s additional television appearances include guest starring on “Veronica Mars”, CBS-TV’s "NCIS," “Center of The Universe”, the FOX-TV series “The Quints. ” Look for Richard in the feature film “Privileged” with Niki Reed (“Thirteen”). |
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 Jon Seda starred last season as “Ray Blackwell” in the CBS-TV series “Close to Home” with Jennifer Finnegan. Jon will star in “The Pacific” a 10 part mini-series by the producers of “Band of Brothers ” which tells the intertwined stories of three Marines during America's battle with the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II Jon (graduate Film, Casting Director Seminar) has been a series regular on seven series including NBC’s “UC: Undercover”, “Third Watch.” “Ghost Whisperer,” HBO’s “Oz”, UPN-TV’s “Kevin Hill,” and two years on NBC’s critically acclaimed detective series “Homicide: Life on the Streets.”
Jon has guest starred on many TV series including “Las Vegas”, “New York  Undercover”, “Law & Order,” and “NYPD Blue.” Film credits include "Gladiator," "Carlito's Way," "Boys on the Side," "Twelve Monkeys,"  "Primal Fear" and "Selena” (as husband Chris Perez). Jon earned a Best Actor nomination at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival for “The Sunchaser.” Jon credits ACTeen for giving him his start. On several occasions, Jon has graciously been a guest in our Film Scene Study class, answering questions and doing audition scenes with the student actors. He recently completed production on the film "One Long Night."
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  Danny Masterson (graduate Film Scene Study) appeared as “Steven Hyde” in FOX-TV’s “That ’70s Show”, enjoying eight seasons of laughs! Danny attended ACTeen when he was in his early teens, and then moved to Los Angeles where he’s done very well. In addition to “That ’70s Show”, Danny’s appeared in “Kim Possible,” Roseanne”, “Party of Five”, “Cybill”, and the film “The Faculty” (with fellow ACTeen grad Jordana Brewster). Danny appears in several upcoming films, including “Made for Each Other,” starring brother Christopher Masterson, (featuring ACTeen grads Samm Levine and Debargo Sanyal), “Capers,” and “Bridge to Nowhere.” |
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Graduate Laura Breckenridge) appeared as the youngest Sorelli sister in the former WB series “Related”. Laura’s appeared on Broadway in the acclaimed revival of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” and starred Off Broadway in “Spin Moves”, (with Anne Hathaway), “Moonlight Room,” and “The Cherry Orchard.” Additionally, Laura stars in the feature feature “Beautiful Loser,” with Adam Lamberg (“Lizzie McGuire”), and “Bumper”. |
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 We are thrilled for ACTeen student Eric Hill who just booked a leading role in the film “Patriots” starring Academy Award winning actor Forrest Whitaker. The film deals with the true story of the basketball team from John Ehret High School, consisting of players from five different high schools who were displaced after Hurricane Katrina, and yet won the 2006 5A-state championship. Forest Whitaker plays head coach Al Collens and Eric plays “Christopher” the team’s captain. Script is by Robert Eisele (“The Great Debaters”), directed by Timothy Story (“Fantastic Four”), with sports coordinator Michael Fisher (“Remember the Titans,” “Glory Road”).
Eric had to leave his recent film class to fly to New Orleans for the eight week shoot! Eric is a Will Sears Scholarship recipient. Eric wrote: “I just want to say thank you so much for allowing me to study with you and your talented students. I loved the intimate work environment and daily feedback on my progress. I can't even believe I'm saying this, but I LOVED THE FACT THAT YOU GAVE HOMEWORK. It truly allowed me to discover different tools that enabled me to book my first job. Thank you so much!! “ |
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 Samm Levine ,(as “Spanky” and Crystal Hunt (as “Dinky”), both ACTeen alumni, were featured in the film “Sydney White,” a modern retelling of “Snow White.” Look for Samm in upcoming features “Made for Each Other” (with ACTeen alum Danny Masterson and Debargo Sanyal) and the film “Prep School.” Samm (graduate Film Technique ) landed the principal role of “Neal” on the critically acclaimed NBC-TV series “Freaks & Geeks” (available on DVD). Samm has guest starred on over fifteen sitcoms and series including “Veronica Mars,” “My Name is Earl,” “Family Guy,” “Entourage,” “Ed,” “Still Standing,” “Life as We Know It,” “Eve,” and “Boston Public.” Samm’s featured in the films “Pulse” with Kristin Bell, “and “Not Another Teen Movie.”
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 Crystal Hunt is featured (with ACTeen grad Samm Levine above) in the film “Sydney White,” starring Amanda Bynes. Crystal plays sorority coed “Dinky.” Crystal played troubled teen “Lizzie Spaulding” for three years on CBS-TV’s daytime drama “Guiding Light. In 2005, Crystal was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Younger Actress category. Crystal has appeared in the films “The Derby Stallion,” “From Earth to the Moon”, “Problem Child II”, and many commercials.
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 Jordana Brewster who got her first agent through the ACTeen Talent Agent Showcase) is currently in film production for “The Untitled Fast and Furious Sequel,” which will reunite Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana in her role as “Mia”. Jordana credits ACTeen with getting her prepped for her first big break on CBS-TV’s daytime drama “As the World Turns”, where she played “Nikki Evans” for three years whle still in high school.
 Jordana also appeared in the ensemble film  “The Faculty” and starred in “The Invisible Circus” with Cameron Diaz. Recent films include co-starring in Touchstone Pictures feature “Annapolis” with James Franco and Tyrese Gibson, “Nearing Grace”, “Chasing Fate,” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.”
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 Debargo Sanyal (graduate of ACTeen’s July Academy) appears in the upcoming feature “Made for Each Other.” Debargo appears as “Mack’s Assistant”, (Patrick Warburton plays “Mack”) along with fellow ACTeen alumni Samm Levine and Danny Masterson . Debargo has completed several films: “My Sassy Girl” as “Rickshaw” with Elisha Cuthbert (“24”:), "West 32nd" recently at the Tribeca Film Festival, “Karma Calling,” and the film “Ashes” (with ACTeen grad Melissa De Sousa). He’s guest-starred on “Law & Order,” “The Sopranos,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” and appears frequently on the New York Stage. Debargo writes: “ACTeen was my very first exposure to performing in front of the camera. I learned so much about my strengths and weaknesses from the video playback process, as well as from the helpful feedback I received from the instructors. I was accepted into the Casting Director Seminar and the Talent Agent Showcase, where I made some great industry contacts and also learned a lot about the ‘business’ of being an actor from the people who know it best. From the important information I acquired, to the new skills I learned, to the people that I have met, ACTeen has been a wonderful resource for me.”
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  China Jesusita Shavers (graduate Commercials, Film Scene Study) played “Olivia Evans” opposite Mekhi Phifer on NBC’s long-running series “ER”. Other TV series include playing series regular “Brooke Harper”, Principal Chi McBride’s daughter, on FOX-TV’s “Boston Public”, and “Dreama”, Sabrina’s witch pal, in a season of “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” and guest appearances on “Without a Trace,” and “Girlfriends.”China appears in the upcoming feature “Killer Pad.” China stopped by ACTeen with her mom Angie Shavers to visit and share memories...
  From China: “Thank you for all the support you gave me while I attended ACTeen”, and from her mom: “Any mother should trust you with their child’s acting career!”
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Lauren Jones (grad July Academy, Talent Agent Showcase) had a brief taste of success starring in the short lived Fox-TV reality newsroom series “Anchorwoman.” The very stunning graduate, who appeared in “Spiderman 3” and has been doing modeling and hosting, was a delight as a ‘news anchor in training’ for KYTX Channel 19 in Tyler Texas. We expect to see Lauren on the air again very soon! |
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  Kadeem Hardison (graduate Film) has had a busy and varied career since his career-making role as “Dwayne Wayne” on NBC-TV’s six year hit series “A Different World”. Kadeem starred in TV series “Between Brothers”, “Abby,” and “Livin’ Large,” appeared in numerous films including “Biker Boyz” starring Laurence Fishburne and “30 Years to Life” with fellow ACTeen grad Melissa De Sousa, and the upcoming feature “Made of Honor” with Patrick Dempsey. Kadeem recently appeared on the TV series “House MD.” |
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 Raphael Sbarge (graduate of ACTeen’s Film Workshop) has amassed impressive credits since his early post-ACTeen success as series sitcom star of NBC-TV’s “Better Days.” Raphael played cast regular “Jake Straka” in CBS-TV’s “The Guardian” with Simon Baker and Dabney Coleman. Recent guest appearances include “Grey’s Anatomy,” “24,” “Cold Case,” “The Closer,” “Numb3rs,” “Without A Trace,” “ER”, “CSI: NY”, “Will & Grace”, “Star Trek: Voyager” (as “Michael Jonas”), and “All My Children” (as “Father Tony”). |
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  Troy Winbush (graduate Film, Commercials, Audition) portrayed “Frank Powell”, a medical inspector for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the NBC-TV series “Medical Investigation”. Troy literally grew up at ACTeen. To quote Troy, “ACTeen was my first acting school. When I started I took acting as a hobby, but as I continued with my training the dream grew to become a professional. The teachers gave me pride in my work. I’ll always be grateful to them!” Troy met the “Cosby Show” casting directors in his ACTeen Audition course and was cast as “Denny”, one of Theo’s friends. Subsequently Troy landed roles in the films “The Principal” (with Jim Belushi), “Bonfire of the Vanities” (with Tom Hanks), “John Q” (with Denzel Washington) and “The Last Shot” with Alec Baldwin and Matthew Broderick. Other television appearances include “Monk,” “Girlfriends,” “The Parkers”, “CSI: Miami”, and “Boston Public”. |
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  Melissa De Sousa (graduate Talent Agent Showcase) played series regular “Coco” on UPN’s TV series “Second Time Around”, and “Natalie” in UPN’s “One on One“. She was also a regular in the TV drama “The $treet”, opposite Jennifer Connelly, and the comedy “Damon”, with Damon Wayans. Recently appearances include the film “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” “Ashes,” with ACTeen alum Debargo Sanyal, and “Ghost Whisperer for CBS. Melissa is best known for her performance as “Shelby” in the romantic comedy “The Best Man”, which earned her a NAACP Image Award nomination. Other film credits include “Laurel Canyon”, “Miss Congeniality”, “30 Years to Life,” “The Ron Clark Story” starring Matthew Perry, and “Saturday Night Life.” She played “Lady Anne” on stage in “Richard III”, opposite Charles Dutton. Melissa wrote: “ACTeen was the first step I took in becoming an actor. It turned out to be the right one. The classes gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed. I booked the first job I ever auditioned for. It was that simple! Thanks ACTeen!” |
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 Jeremiah Birkett (graduate Film, Film Casting Director Seminar) has had several featured roles on TV series, including “Crossing Jordan,” “CSI: Miami,” “Windfall,” “The Shield,” “Seinfeld, ” That ’80s Show” as well as the ten-part miniseries “The 10th Kingdom” (starring another ACTeen grad Kimberly Williams Paisley). Additionally Jeremiah appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award–nominated play “The Grapes of Wrath” (with Gary Sinise) and the Pulitzer Prize–winning play “Topdog/Underdog” (with Mos Def and Jeffrey Wright). Next up: the film “Evan Almighty” starring Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman (as God). |
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  Ariel Reid (graduate Musical Theater, Film) a superb actress/dancer, is making her Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning “Best Musical of 2005” “ Spamalot”! “Spamalot” is based on the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and directed by Mike Nichols. Ariel, cast from an Equity Open Call, is part of the small ensemble (one of only six women and the youngest cast member!).
  Ariel took a theatrical leave of absence to play a featured dancer (one of the ‘detention kids’) in the film re-make of “Hairspray.” The musical stars Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Zack Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer, BrittanySnow,and featured fellow ACTeen grad and featured fellow ACTeen grad and dancer Haley Podschun.
 Her mother, Denise Reid writes: “ACTeen continues to be one of her most valuable experiences. It’s a great place for young people to learn and network in a safe, friendly environment. You’re doing a great job!”
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Haley Podscun is currently on Broadway playing “Tammy” in the musical “Hairspray”, having just appeared in the feature film of “Hairspray” with Ariel Reid (mentioned above) as one of the “council kids”. |
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  Congratulations to Justin Bohon (graduate Commercials) who’s appearing in his fifth Broadway musical, the new revival of “Les Miserables.” Justin won the Fred Astaire Award for best male dancer and a Theatre World Award as one of “2002’s New Faces” playing “Will Parker” in the Broadway revival of “Oklahoma!” Additional Broadway shows include the Elvis-inspired musical “All Shook Up,” and long running hits “The Producers,” and “Miss Saigon.” |
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  Jenna Gavigan (graduate Casting Director Seminar) made her Broadway debut in the Tony award winning revival of “Gypsy” directed by Sam Mendes and starring Bernadette Peters. Off stage Jenna played “Jenny” on the ABC-TV Golden Globe Award winning television series “Commander in Chief” starring Geena Davis. Other TV credits include “Without a Trace,” “Law & Order SVU” and the feature film “Kinsey” with Liam Neeson. |
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  Diane Davis (graduate July Academy, Talent Agent Showcase) made her Broadway debut in “Festen” starring Ali MacGraw, Julianna Margulies, and Larry Bryggman. Recently Diane’s appeared on Broadway in “Old Acquaintance” starring Margaret Colin for the Roundabout Theatre, and Off Broadway in the Manhattan Theater Club’s production of “Regrets Only” starring Christine Baranski, and George Grizzard. Diane played “Anita Santos” on ABC-TV’s daytime drama “All My Children” shortly after her summer at ACTeen. |
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  Laura Heisler (Talent Agent Showcase) made her Broadway debut last season in “Coram Boy as young “Edward Ashbrook”. Laura’s appeared Off-Broadway in “The Mistakes Madeline Made” (Naked Angels), “Everything Will Be Different” (Soho Rep.), “People Be Heard” (Playwrights Horizons), “A Mother, A Daughter, and A Gun” (Dodger Stages); and regionally for The Old Globe; Shakespeare Theatre; Actors Theatre of Louisville; Cincinnati Playhouse; Alley Theatre; and the O'Neill. |
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  Jenna Lamia (graduate Film, Talent Agent Showcase) made her New York stage debut on Broadway at Lincoln Center in “Ah, Wilderness!” with Craig T. Nelson (shortly after getting her first agency representation through our ACTeen Talent Agent Showcase). Jenna is a very accomplished working actress, appearing in television series (“NYPD Blue”, “Law & Order SVU”, “Without a Trace”, “Oz”, “Strangers With Candy”) and  in many on-camera and voiceover commercials, (Visa, Ameritrade, Coca-Cola, Budweiser). Film roles include “Something’s Wrong in Kansas”, “The Lake”, “Drowning”, and “Happy End” (starring Audrey Tautou ), Additionally Jenna is a writer, having just sold her first screenplay! ““ALL ABOUT ME” which is being produced by David O. Russell, Jason Blum and Tracy Underwood, and executive produced by New Line Cinema Jenna has visited ACTeen, as our honored professional guest actress, adroitly performing scenes and audition sides with the students.
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  Gwen Hollander (Film, Commercials) recently as “Amy March” in the national tour musical of “Little Women” (starring Maureen McGovern) now in LA doing “High School Musical.” Gwen wrote: “I actually think about my experience at ACTeen all the time---I was brand new to NY then, so it was kind of my introduction to the industry there (and the first time I ever set eyes on commercial copy...! :-) “ |
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 Katelyn Tarver, (who Rita’s coached privately) has signed with music manager Johnny Wright, of Wright Entertainment Group (Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Jonas Brothers etc.)! Katelyn’s best known as a finalist on the hit Fox TV series American Idol Juniors, where she won the heart of America each week,  entertaining a cumulative audience of 35 million people. She has since shared the stage with Kimberly Locke, Jeff Foxworthy, Jesse McCarthy and American Idol finalist Bo Bice. In addition, Katelyn has headlined the Camplified Tour in the summer of 2005, the Radio Disney Incubator Tour in 2006 and performed at major venues around the U.S. Katelyn models for Wilhelmina Models, and can be seen in numerous commercials and print ads and in the just released film “The Barbie Diaries” playing the title role. Katelyn wrote “I still revert back to my classes with you for help!!”. We hope to see Katelyn at ACTeen again soon!!
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 Adam Haar was referred to Rita for Commercial coaching by Abrams Artists. Adam booked the first audition they sent him on…a national commercial for Disney shot in Florida! Adam wrote: “Thank you so much for all your help. Your coaching made a huge difference.” Adam’s been very busy doing voiceovers and commercials. From his mom: “ He loves it. Thank you for helping put my fish in the water, he really swam.”
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 Alan Wong emailed “Just want to let you know I BOOKED the film (“Years Flow Like Water”). Thanks for thinking of me.” (Rita Litton recommended Alan for this Columbia Grad Student Film).
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 Cristina Bermudez, (July Academy) wrote from Miami Florida: “Attending ACTeen was the best decision I made and I will NOT disappear!!!! I loved being there so much that I cried when I said goodbye to everyone!!! . All the teachers were exceptional and so was the training! Every time I would do a new scene, I felt that I was getting better! That's why I believe that even the most professional actors should never stop taking classes. You can only get better! “
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 Rita Litton, contributed writings for two newly published books for actors. “Acting for Young Actors: The Ultimate Teen Guide” by Mary  Lou Belli and Dinah Lenney, and “The Actor’s Other Career Book” by Lisa Mulcahy, Rita was a featured panelist for a ‘Q & A’ following the book signing of “Acting For Young Actors” at The Drama Book Shop in New York City, along with Karl Jurman, the Musical Director of Broadway’s “Lion King” and Mary Lou Belli, Emmy Award winning director, producer, and current director of “Girlfriends” on the CW  Network….Mark Keller emailed that his Indy film “Mo” won Best Film at the Malibu Film festival, and “Mo” was featured in The Boston and Tribeca Film Festivals. Mark appeared as “Jayme” on “Guiding Light” for three episodes, and hosted a new summer television show on Nickelodeon called “Slime Across America.” Nickelodeon has just signed Mark for another 4 months, and he’ll begin by hosting the “Lets Just Play Go” Healthy Challenge Finale. He also booked the role of Connor in an independent feature called “Blood Sweat and  Brando”…Justin Arnold, shot a commercial for a new I-pod related product that airs on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Fox Family. His mom wrote: “Justin credits you and ACTeen with helping him to learn and  prepare for this opportunity. At the shoot we recommended the ACTeen program to the other parents and teens we met."….Sarah Marable, wrote: “I just wanted to thank you so much for helping me with my monologues. I also wanted to let you know that I will be going to SUNY Purchase!! I am so excited, and I cant wait. Thanks so much for everything !!!!” SUNY-Purchase’s BFA Theater program is most competitive. Sarah was one of 24 chosen from 1200 applicants!…Adam Barta’s,  music video “I Wanna Hold You”, makes #1 Hit on MTV Logo’s Click List!. Adam writes: ““the tools I learned at ACTeen being a shy, scraggly teenager, helped give me a solid foundation to deal with the successes and disappointments in the entertainment industry”..… Aaron Bickes, (June Academy) from Michigan shot his first commercial for Dicks Sporting Goods. His mom wrote: “Thanks again for all of your wonderful support for Aaron (and myself)!”….Olivia Jones coached w/  Rita and got her first commercial (Macy’s) after only 4 auditions!…Samantha Gutterman emailed that her film “Staten Island” had a successful screening at the Australian Film Festival. Danny Aiello is an executive producer on the  movie, and the cast includes Mario Cantone, Katie Finneran, Mick Foley , Cris Judd , and Mayor Ed Koch. “Thanks for all the wonderful times at ACTeen!! I just wanted to share this great news with the staff that helped me most.”…Erin O’Sullivan signed with  Generation TV after our June Talent Agent Showcase…Grace Plimpton Simms signed with Abrams Artists Agency and was accepted into Professional Performing Arts High School’s Advanced Theater Division.
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| And lastly we mourn the loss of our dear former student Will Sears and have established a scholarship fund in his honor. Through the generosity of the Will Sears Memorial Foundation we are able to offer several acting scholarships each year. Scholarships to date have been awarded to alumni Spadaque Volcimus, C. J. St. Aubyn, Carleen Baptiste, Mark Keller, Nicholas Cutro, Phillip Ettinger, Dante Neil, Shane Peltzman, Joseph Maran, Derek Jinks, Courtney Klotz, Eric Hill, Nathan Hapke, Davi Santos, and Darrell Joe Haire. |
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Congratulations to those alumni who participated in ACTeen’s recent Talent Agent Showcase. (Talent Agent Showcase Photo Gallery) The teens have racked up an impressive array of callbacks and agency signings. The ACTeen Talent Agent Showcase is held twice a year, September and May, by audition only. A panel of judges selects a top ten to twelve finalists. We feel our students have done exceptionally well over the years.
Also available to our recommended graduates of either the Film Acting Technique or Film Scene Study class is the Casting Director Seminar. Held once a year in the winter, the seminar is conducted by five outstanding NYC casting directors who work personally with each student on audition and cold-reading techniques. Check out the Casting Director Seminar page or the Casting Director Seminar Photo Gallery for more information!
If you’re an alum and are interested in auditioning for the next Talent Agent Showcase , please call Rita Litton — (212) 391-5915 — for upcoming dates and audition information! |
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