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Distinguished Alumni

 


Nicole Forester

 NICOLE FORESTER
(Cassie Layne Winslow)
Nicole Forester joined the cast of Guiding Light, taking over the role of Cassie Layne Winslow on November 4, 2005.

Forester comes to Guiding Light prepared to define the role as her own, drawing on her extensive and varied television experience. Before joining the cast, Forester played recurring roles on Two and a Half Men, Will & Grace, Monk, and Beverly Hills 90210, among others. Most recently, Forester worked with Saturday Night Live’s Chris Kattan to develop a new sitcom for ABC.

Outside of her work on screen, Forester is involved with charity organizations both in New York and Los Angeles, and sings in the acoustic trio, Telegraph Road. With a strong background in jazz and ballet, Forester studied musical theatre at Western Michigan University and performance at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Forester also studied at the Goethe Institute in Schwabisch Hall, Germany, and at UCLA, where she developed her fluency in German.
 

Nicole attended Stevenson High School , Livonia Michigan and was an active member of  CAPA.  She is a graduate of  LESLY KAHN, ERIC MORRIS AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS.  WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY-musical theatre  DANCE - ballet, jazz, modern, salsa.  VOICE - Robert Edwards, Jon Peck  DIALECTS - british, german, southern american.  Her many accomplishments so far include; FILM : VAMPIRES ANONYMOUS, SIMPATICO, SWING BLADE TELEVISION - MISTER STERLING Recurring NBC, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE Guest Star UPN, WILL AND GRACE Co-Star NBC, SULLIVAN STREET Co-Star WB/pilot,  SHASTA Recurring FOX,  THEN CAME YOU Guest Star ABC,  BEVERLY HILLS 90210 Recurring FOX,  13 BOURBON STREET Series Regular FOX/pilot,  THE SINGLE GUY Guest Star NBC,  ADAM'S WAY Guest Star UPN/pilot,  A PERFECT LIFE Guest Star UPN/pilot,  STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE Co-Star UPN.  MOVIES FOR TELEVISION : THREE SECRETS Lead CBS/Marcus Cole,  PERFECT PREY Featured HBO/Howard McCain.  THEATRE: A CHORUS LINE Kristine LBCLO, NO,NO NANETTE ensemble LBCLO.  

 


Judy Greer

 

A newcomer to Hollywood, Judy Greer is already making a name for herself.

Attended Winston Churchill High School in Livonia, Michigan. She was an active member of the Creative And Performing Arts program - CAPA.

Graduated from DePaul University's prestigious acting program in 1997.    

With a genuine gift for comedy and an engaging on-screen presence, Judy Greer has quickly become one of Hollywood's most captivating young talents. Having appeared in such diverse films as "Jawbreaker," "What Women Want," "The Wedding Planner" and "Adaptation," as well as a number of upcoming feature film projects, Greer turns in scene-stealing performances opposite some of the industry's biggest stars.

Greer recently starred opposite Jennifer Garner in Columbia Pictures' romantic comedy, "13 Going on 30," directed by Gary Winick. Greer played an office colleague to Garner's character, with whom she shares a checkered past.

She co-stars in writer/director M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village," opposite Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt. Set in 1897, the film revolves around a close-knit community that lives with the knowledge that a mythical race of creatures resides in the woods surrounding them. "The Village" is scheduled for release July 30, 2004 by Walt Disney Pictures.

Greer also co-stars in director Wes Craven's upcoming "Cursed," a modern twist on the classic werewolf tale written by Kevin Williamson. "Cursed" is scheduled for release October 1, 2004 by Dimension Films.

The busy actress has most recently landed a co-starring role opposite Orlando Bloom and Susan Sarandon in writer/director Cameron Crowe's upcoming "Elizabethtown." Greer will play the sister to Bloom's character and daughter to Sarandon's character. Production is slated to begin August 2004.

She has also joined Jeff Bridges and Jeanne Tripplehorn in the independent film "The Moguls" for writer/director Michael Traeger. The film revolves around a motley group of friends who band together to make an amateur porno film. Greer plays a young temptress at the local mattress store who secures a role in the movie by allowing the store to be used as a film location. Filming is underway in Los Angeles.

Greer recently wrapped production in New York on a co-starring role opposite Thomas McCarthy ("The Station Agent") in Danny Leiner's "The Great New Wonderful" for Serenade Films/Sly Dog Films. The dark comedy tells five different stories against the backdrop of an uncertain post-September 11 New York. The cast also includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Edie Falco and Tony Shalhoub.

She also appears in writer/director Adam Goldberg's psychological drama, "I Love Your Work," opposite Giovanni Ribisi. The film is about a fictional movie star (Ribisi) and his gradual meltdown and increasing obsession with a young film student and his girlfriend. The stellar cast also includes Franka Potente, Christina Ricci and Jason Lee and debuted at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival. Greer plays 'Samantha,' the personal assistant to Ribisi's character.

Greer most recently starred as the female lead role in the comedy, "The Hebrew Hammer." Greer was the feisty, fearless 'Esther,' who joins forces with an Orthodox Jewish private detective (Adam Goldberg) to save Hanukkah from an evil son of Santa Claus (Andy Dick). "The Hebrew Hammer"
debuted at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and premiered on Comedy Central followed by a theatrical release.

She also appeared in "Adaptation," from director Spike Jonze. In the film, Nicolas Cage stars as self-loathing writer 'Charlie Kaufman' (and twin brother 'Donald') as he attempts to adapt the novel The Orchid Thief for the big screen. Greer plays 'Alice,' the waitress with whom he becomes obsessed -- the object of his fantasies.

Greer turned in a scene stealing comedic performance in "The Wedding Planner,' with Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey. She played 'Penny,' Lopez's sweet but ditzy assistant who tries hard, but often falls a little short.

Equally adept at more dramatic roles, Greer gave a standout performance opposite Mel Gibson in "What Women Want," playing a suicidal file clerk rescued by the one man who can hear women's thoughts. Greer's pivotal scene with Gibson is the heart of the film.

Greer was born and raised outside of Detroit, the daughter of a mechanical engineer and a hospital administrator. After training for nearly ten years in classical Russian ballet, Greer shifted her interest to acting and was accepted into Chicago's prestigious Theatre School at DePaul University.

After a variety of odd jobs during college, from telemarketer to oyster shucker, Greer landed her first on-screen role just three days after graduation -- a small part in the Jason Lee/David Schwimmer comedy "Kissing A Fool." She flew to Los Angeles for film's premiere and never left.

Greer quickly landed a role in the dark comedy "Jawbreaker," with Rose McGowan and Rebecca Gayheart. Greer starred as a school wallflower-turned-babe in a story about high school girls who accidentally kill their best friend and try to cover up the murder.

She went on to play a news correspondent in David O. Russell's "Three Kings," landing a memorable opening love scene with George Clooney. Her performance caught the eye of Hollywood, and she appeared next in Mike Nichols' "What Planet are you From?" as a flight attendant opposite Garry Shandling.

Her television credits include a recurring role as Jason Bateman's assistant 'Kitty' on FOX's "Arrested Development," as well as guest-starring roles on "Love and Money," "Maggie Winters" and "Early Edition."

Current Filmography For Judy

  1. Elizabethtown (2005) (pre-production) .... Heather Baylor
  2. LolliLove (2004) (filming) .... Judy
  3. Cursed (2004) (filming)
  4. Moguls, The (2005) (filming)
  5. Great New Wonderful, The (2005) (post-production) .... Allison
  6. Village, The (2004) (post-production) .... Kitty Walker
  7. In Memory of My Father (2005) (completed) .... Judy
  8. Last Shot, The (2004) (completed) (scenes deleted) .... Fanny Nash
  9. 13 Going On 30 (2004) .... Lucy Wyman
  10. I Love Your Work (2003) .... Samantha
  11. Hebrew Hammer, The (2003) .... Esther Bloomenbergansteinthal
  12. Adaptation. (2002) .... Alice the Waitress
  13. Boxer Shorts (2002) (V) .... Julie Leer (segment "The Audit")
  14. Rules of Love (2002) .... Maisie
  15. Without Charlie (2001) .... Vicky
  16. Audit (2001) .... Julie Leer
  17. Wedding Planner, The (2001) .... Penny Nicholson
    ... aka Wedding Planner - verliebt, verlobt, verplant (2001) (Germany)
  18. What Women Want (2000) .... Erin
  19. Specials, The (2000) .... Deadly Girl
  20. Sunset Strip (2000) .... Younger Waitress
  21. What Planet Are You From? (2000) .... Rebecca
  22. Desperate But Not Serious (1999) .... Molly
    ... aka Reckless + Wild (2002) (USA: DVD title)
  23. Reel, The (1999) .... Secretary
  24. Big Split, The (1999) .... Tracy
  25. "Love & Money" (1999) TV Series .... Puff Conklin
  26. Three Kings (1999) .... Cathy Daitch
  27. Jawbreaker (1999) .... Fern Mayo/Vylette
  28. Stricken (1998) .... Cynthia
  29. Kissing a Fool (1998) .... Andrea
  30. The Village
     

 


Greg Reuter

 

A Graduate of Churchill High School Greg was an active member of CAPA.

Comes to The Producers directly from the Broadway cast of Aida. He has been seen on Broadway in Chicago and Bells Are Ringing, and on tour in Fosse (principal dancer), Aida (Radames u/s), Chicago (LA Cast), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Independent" - Photo by Carol Rosegg
with Greg Reuter, Joan Hess, Shane Kirkpatrick, Emily Hsu, Alice Rietveld, Roy Harcourt, Caitlin Carter and Josh Rhodes


Rosie Thomas

Rosie Thomas , a graduate of Churchill High School.  Rosie was an active member of CAPA.

Bio

At their best, well-written, expertly-executed songs do more than just tell a story — they pose important questions. On If Songs Could Be Held, her third full-length for Sub Pop, Seattle songwriter/vocalist Rosie Thomas approaches the sometimes difficult but universal topics of introspection, identity and love with bravery, honesty, and above all, stunning beauty. These songs aren’t all about Thomas’ personal experience, however. This departure into the fictitious is only the first of numerous artistic stretches from 2003’s Only With Laughter Can You Win and Thomas’ 2001 Sub Pop debut, When We Were Small. Making a concerted effort to remove herself from her comfort zone, the Seattleite went so far as to pack her bags and work on the new album amidst the hustle and heat of Los Angeles. Thomas may have already sounded angelic before recording in the City of Angels, but the bold resolution in her voice this time around was certainly born of the strength she gained taking chances.

“I felt that in order to push myself musically, I would have to take myself outside of what is familiar,” Thomas, who approached her songwriting technique and vocal delivery using a fresh methodology during the recording process, explains. Her intense focus and admirable openness paid off: from the palpably raw explorations of learning to love on “Guess It May” to her warm duet with songwriter Ed Harcourt on “Let It Be Me,” If Songs Could Be Held exists as Thomas’ masterwork, lyrically painted with a bright and dynamic emotional palette. Her themes are thick with literary foils: delicate, but steeped in innate strength. Thomas examines femininity as well on “Time Goes Away,” based on her mother’s stories. “Pretty Dress,” which poses questions about the difficulty and necessity of exploring potential and how that process relates to ideas of beauty and identity, is told as a parable.

Although longtime collaborator and close friend Eric Fisher was an integral part of the compositional and creative process as he was on previous records, If Songs Could Be Held marks the first time in the course of her solo career that Thomas has collaborated with musicians outside her circle of family and friends. In addition to the aforementioned duet on “Let It Be Me,” the new album features contributions from Liz Phair guitarist Dino Meneghin and accomplished film soundtrack string arranger Josh Myers.

As an artist, Thomas’ relationship with her songs has always been intensely personal and often tumultuous: her creations are “heavy, and wonderful, and taken care of even like a friend,” as she puts it. Since Sub Pop was first introduced to her delicate vocals on Damien Jurado’s Ghost of David (Thomas sings on “Parking Lot”) and Badlands: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska (she and Jurado duet on “Wages of Sin”), Thomas’ formidable solo career has gained her acclaim from critics and fans alike. No Depression calls her voice “delicate, exquisite”, and Paste Magazine labeled her a “powerhouse vocalist.” Aside from the aforementioned previous full-lengths, she has toured extensively with labelmates Iron and Wine and The Shins, and will hit the road in support of her new material throughout 2005.

If Songs Could Be Held was Recorded by Mike Busbee at Brown Welch in Pasadena, CA.

Singer/songwriter Rosie Thomas has been shaping her sweet, delicate song stylings since her early childhood, but she made a name for herself when she joined Motor City dream pop band Velour 100. Thomas sang and toured with the band during the late '90s before jumping ship for a solo career. Mixing up the folk-pop of Joni Mitchell with indie sensibilities, Thomas found herself surrounded by a new scene. She and Damien Jurado dueted on "Wages of Sin" for Sub-Pop's 2001 compilation Badlands: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska as well as guested on "Parking Lot" on Jurado's Ghost of David. Thomas, however, introduced something more reflective, humorous, and intriguing on her solo debut, When We Were Small (Sub-Pop) in early 2002. When she's not making music, Thomas' comedic alter ego, a bespectacled pizza delivery girl who she's named Sheila may also appear. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
With her first full-length record, When We Were Small, Rosie Thomas shows a whole different side, one where funny, weird and obnoxious are traded in for innocent, somber and reflective, with simple acoustic finger picking and thoughtfully restrained piano playing to back it. It seems that Rosie's talent stretches beyond pranks and gags, and delves deep into subtle folk sensibilities.
Rosie grew up in a musical environment, her mother and father (professional musicians in their own right) singing together on the weekends for extra money just outside of Detroit

"When it’s all said and done, I’ll know that I tried to use my life, my brain and my heart for good things, and hopefully things that God would want me to do with my life.” Rosie Thomas

Rosie's Titles:

If Songs Could Be Held” Release Date: September 13, 2005

"Only With Laughter Can You Win" Release Date: September 23, 2003

"When We Were Small" Release Date: January 22, 2002

“Paper Airplane EP”  Release Date: August 20, 2002


Jonathan Bradford Wright

 

A 2005 graduate of the CAPA program,

Jonathan made his Broadway debut in the 2007 Best Musical “Spring Awakening”.

Winner of 8 Tony awards, Spring Awakening continues to play to sell out audiences.

August 2007 Jonathan was cast in the Sony Pictures Film “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” to be released fall 2008. 

Please visit:  http://www.jonathanbwright.com/ for more on information on Jon.

Thank you for everything "Ms. MACK", Jon Wright

 

 


Maggie Malyn

            

"Maggie is currently living in Los Angeles. She can been seen singing and playing with her band around Hollywood at venues like The Cat Club on the Sunset Strip. She is also busy recording at Signet Sound Studios in Hollywood (formerly Motown Hitsville). Be sure to check out her music page, www.myspace.com/maggiemalyn to hear and see what she's been up to! You can also catch glimpses of her in TV shows such as American Dreams, Joan of Arcadia, Charmed, 7th Heaven, CSI: New York, Las Vegas, and Arrested Development."


Michael Spellman

A graduate of Churchill High School and CAPA.

Tim Robbin’s West Coast Gang Theatre Company

 "He is currently playing Dr. Babinsky on "ER". 


Mark Teich

                         

                 

Mark Teich  graduated from Churchill High School and was an active member of CAPA

Born and raised in Detroit, Teich graduated from Western Michigan University with a BFA in
Dance Performance. He then got too fat to dance and tried acting. Mark then lived in Chicago
for many years performing at many institutions such as The Second City, The Annoyance Theater, Organic Theater, Zanies Comedy Club, and the Improv Olympic, where he studied with the late Del Close. He also starred in the original cast of the new musical Vices. From Chicago, Mark went to New York where he worked Off Broadway, in various films, bartending, as a regular on The Opie & Anthony Radio Show, and appeared as a writer/performer in “The Confetti Brothers” co-star, Stephen Lynch's show


 

Adam Mack

 Chicago Actor

“Chicago Shakespeare Company, Peninsula Players, The New Millennium Theatre Company”


Amy Soucy

 

 


Brian Hendricks

 


Brooke Andres

A graduate of Churchill High School and CAPA.  Brooke is presently in New York City .

Watch for her !


Guinevere DiPiazza

A graduate of Churchill High School and CAPA  Acting and dancing in touring companies across the USA


David Nadeau

A graduate of Churchill High School and CAPA.  Presently in Los Angeles, "He is currently working in Tim Robbin's Acting Company.".  

 David has appeared in K-PAX and West Wing


Natalie Ross

 

A graduate of Churchill High School  and University of Michigan. 

 New York Actor, Evita on Broadway

 


Patrick O'Reilly

A graduate of Churchill High School and CAPA.  Up and rising local actor & vocalist with the Heartlande Theatre and the Meadowbrooke Theatre.

Watch for him !

 


Stephen Skolnik

 Los Angeles Actor, The "Blue" Boy.

 


Justin Issa

"Romeo and Juliet" at the Chicago Shakespeare Co.

"The New Millennium Theatre Company"