Facilitator Bios
Since its inception the two words that you'll not find in The Actors' Network are teacher and class. While we are an educational organization, the level of subjectivity, makes it almost inaccurate to ever use such terms. Philosophically speaking we're at odds with using teacher or class. because our credo is Help Us, Help You, Help All of Us. Whether you're in a Power Group, attending an Industry Guest speaker, or listening to Kevin E. West (Founder/President) preside over a topical discussion...we choose the word Facilitator. This is the person who is guiding, leading, infusing and simply following a course to keep that group at hand...on the same page. Know that any facilitator you encounter at The Actors' Network is a Lifetime member, and has worked a great deal as a professional, in the Los Angeles market. They were chosen by Kevin and have been trained by Kevin to hold this position. They're not, however, an employee of The Actors' Network and have nothing to do with enforcing policies or handling membership dues in any way. If you have an issue with a Facilitator please put that in writing and send it to members@actors-network.com, and it will be passed on to Kevin. Additionally, if a Facilitator has a continued problem with a particular members behavior they will write an email to Kevin, and Kevin will address you directly.
Power Group Facilitators
Pat began his acting career at the Player's Workshop of the Second City. He continued working in improvisation and has performed in over 600 shows. In 1989, he started working for Club Med in places such as St. Lucia, Thailand and Tahiti. After the "Club", Pat moved to Tokyo where he performed in Japanese with an all Japanese comedy group. He made his way to LA in the fall of '98 and has done various TV and films roles in Stuck on You, Malcolm in the Middle, and The Practice. He has also written, directed, and produced seven short films.
Having graduated from USC, Scott Dawson has been pursuing acting for many years and been a member of TAN. since late 2001. He is an accomplished performer and choreographer of theatrical combat and has appeared in many productions in and around Los Angeles and as far away as Edinburgh, Scotland. He is repped by Angel City Talent and is currently studying with Brian Reise. His short film, Idol, is set to go into production in the summer of 2007. He is also the voice of the Grumpy Mushroom SuperBuddy on AOL's Instant Messenger. Check out his website for the latest!
Kurt, hails all the way from Maine and like many started out on stage in small equity houses. He left Portland, ME and moved to LA to pursue his professional career in film and television. His latest credit, All about Steve - 20th Century Fox, is set for a Fall 2009 release as he improvs with Sandra Bullock. His last stage appearance was at the 2nd City Main Stage with, The Kids Table, performing long form improvisation. You've seen his commercial success from Domino's, Red Robin, Cheetos, and most recently a Smokey the Bear PSA in which he transforms into Smokey the Bear. Kurt is represented by Mimi Mayer at Angel City Talent (theatrically) and with all the fabulous agents at DDO (commercially). Kurt grew up the youngest of three brothers, so even though he got picked on the most, he eventually always got what he wanted. kurtela.com
Originally from Sioux City, Iowa, Tom's been in L.A. since 1994. His credits include episodic TV, over 30 independent films, and an occasional appearance as the 16th President. He loves hangin' at TAN and also enjoys being on the team with Sandra Lord's Hollywood Networking Breakfast. The past two years he's done his own projects which has pumped up the volume of his career. Through his affiliation with TAN, he's formed some great friendships as well with the likes of Lew Dauber, Gerald Brodin and Pat Battistini to name a few.
Lilas Lane, a native of Austin, Texas, grew up one of seven children in a musical and artistic family. A stage actress since the age of twelve, Lilas moved to Los Angeles in 2002 to pursue a professional acting career. Her TV credits include House (FOX) and 24 (FOX), as well as recurring roles on NBC's Days of Our Lives and ABC's General Hospital, among others. Most recently Lilas booked a potentially recurring role on the new hit show, Heroes (NBC). Her film credits include Slip, The Operator, and a starring role in Sci Fi Channel's movie, Alien Siege, in which she played a tough-as-nails military commando who saves the world.
Among her various stage credits, Lilas performed in a one-woman show entitled The Greys at Hollywood's Stella Adler Theater and was praised as a one woman "tour de force" by Backstage West. With over 25 commercials under her belt, Lilas has recently been seen on television around the world for Verizon, Baileys Irish Cream, Old Navy & Hoover. Recent modeling jobs include Sony, Lexus and Kenmore and in 2005 her image graced the cover of Writer's Digest. Lilas received a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors from The University of Texas at Austin has a Master of Medieval Studies from the University of York in England. Several of her academic works have been published, including articles in Medieval Times and a collection of essays published by Sutton Publishing entitled Young Medieval Women. Lilas Lane loves to travel and has backpacked her way through Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. She is a certified scuba diver and a red-belt in Shotokan karate. She is married to James Ellis Lane, an actor and musician, and lives in Los Angeles.
Elaine graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Math. With her parents' immense (and surprising!) support, she shirked the academic world to move to Hollywood. Some of her television credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Californication, Chuck, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Film credits include Fragments with Forest Whitaker and The Death and Life of Bobby Z opposite Jason Lewis. Elaine is currently producing and starring in a web series titled Self-Help Myself. Check out her website to learn more fun facts, like, she can solve a Rubik's cube in under two minutes. For real. elaineloh.com
Roxana was born in Los Angeles, but began her acting career in the Bay Area. She studied theater at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and first began performing theater and improvisation on Bay Area stages before relocating to LA. Her success came quickly when she landed a role opposite Sandra Bullock in MISS CONGENIALITY 2. Other feature film credits include EVAN ALMIGHTY and, most recently, working opposite Tom Hanks in LARRY CROWNE, a film he wrote and directed. On television, she's landed work on comedies and dramas including SAMANTHA WHO, THE SHIELD, CROSSING JORDAN, JOURNEYMAN and ALL OF US. In the voiceover world, she's lent her voice to video games including SLY COOPER AND THE THIEVIUS RACOONUS and the soon-to-be-released G-KINGS. A big fan of doing impressions, she's also voice-matched Penelope Cruz for the animated feature G-FORCE. An alumnus of the prestigious GROUNDLINGS SUNDAY COMPANY, Roxie continues to write and perform sketch comedy in LA. She graduated with highest honors from from U.C. Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (American Cultures and the Arts). If you don't know what that means, you're not alone.
Amir Talai was born and raised in San Francisco, and he moved to LA in 2002, a couple years after graduating from UC Berkeley. He's appeared in over 50 national commercials, and his numerous film and TV credits are on display at IMDB. He occasionally performs improv at the Groundlings and standup comedy around town. He regularly credits The Actors Network for his career, and continues to be a member so he can continue to teach and learn from others on their paths. He passions include poker, parkour, and his Prius. He's on Twitter. Probably right now.
Guest Facilitators
Dennis has been a proud member of the Actors' Network since 2004. He is from Central California and completed his graduate training at New York University and undergraduate training at Azusa Pacific University. He has worked regionally at the Two River Theater Company and with New York companies Gorilla Repertory and Instant Shakespeare. He is a Fight Director and member of the Society of American Fight Directors. You can read more at dennisbaker.net or catch him on Twitter.
Sean Michael Boozer is a SAG-AFTRA actor who studied Theatre at NAU. Sean Michael shared the screen with EMMY AWARD WINNER MICHAEL CHIKLIS in THE SHIELD. Other television credits include working opposite Ed O'Neil in the series LADragnet and as an Improviser for the show Thank God You're Here. Sean Michael has been directed by both legendary comedy director, EMMY AWARD WINNER, JOHN LANDIS and WGA and GOLDEN GLOBE Nom. DAVID O. RUSSELL. Stagewise, Sean Michael is the winner of Drama Beat Newspaper's IMPROVISER OF THE YEAR and a DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD as a member of The People's Republic of Improv. SM has performed or is currenetly performing improv and sketch on the stages of ACME, The Groundlings, Second City, IOWest, The Improv, The Comedy Store and Upright Citizen's Brigade. This fall SM will be begin filming the SAG Indie BENJAMIN TROUBLES as a crooked Narc.
Ali hails from Racine, Wisconsin, Ali has studied acting at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, the Guthrie Theatre, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) and various places throughout Los Angeles. She was Joseph Middleton and Michelle Morris Gertz's first intern and both interned and worked in the office for several years before moving on to work at Center Theatre Group. Other internship and work experiences include UDK, and running commercials sessions for Chicago Casting Director Jane Brody while in L.A.. In addition to theatre, Ali's television credits include 24, Lincoln Heights, Will & Grace, and several commercials.
Dave Cooper has been on the TV shows CSI:NY, Veronica Mars and The Game. He has interrupted those shows in commercials for Sears, Time Warner, Michelob, and a host of other products you should buy. Dave worked with Kyle MacLachlan in the Polish Brothers comedy "Manure", which also starred up and comer Billy Bob Thornton. His comedy chops are a product of The Groundlings, Second City, and a host of embarrassing stories from his childhood. Dave thinks davidacooper.com is a great website.
A native Southern Californian girl, Juliet Sorci began her acting career at the age of 5. The most notable of her first acting jobs was in ìCommunionî opposite screen legend Christopher Walken. After many television appearances Juliet was cast to guest star on ìThe Tracey Ullman Showî working alongside comedic genius' Tracey Ullman and Dan Castellaneta (best known as the voice of Homer Simpson) and under the direction of Ted Bessell. Impressed by her performance the shows executive producer, James L. Brooks arranged for Juliet to do an additional end segment with Miss Ullman.
Juliet continued her work onscreen in the movies ìA Deadly Silenceî with Charlie Haid and David Schwimmer, ìTaken Awayî playing Valerie Bertinelli's daughter and made appearances in ìDear Johnî opposite Judd Hirsch and on Donald Bellisario's hit show ìQuantum Leapî before filming ìGhost Writerî playing Anthony Perkins daughter. Juliet was then cast to work with Olivia Newton-John in the Christmas classic ìA Mom For Christmasî which still airs every holiday season. Followed by ìNever Forgetî, an emotionally charged true story about the Holocaust with Leonard Nimoy, Blythe Danner and Dabney Coleman. Juliet's most recent credit was on "CSI: Miami" where she gracefully took a bullet to the head.
Taking an interest in all aspects of the business Juliet has worked in casting interning for Rick Millikan casting "Bones" and Nan Dutton casting "CSI: Miami". She has also worked assisting agents at DDO Artists Agency as well as assisting the top stylist on the TV show "Extra". Juliet keeps notes on her experiences on her blog, The Juliet Notes. You can also find her on her website and on IMDB.