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Hear from five of the most successful digital creators turned actors working today! Sarah Cooper, Alyssa Limperis, Danielle PInnock, Caitlin Reilly, and Rickey Thompson  achieved viral status with skits and characters on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok  - and became successful working actors in the process. Join us for a conversation with these actors about using digital platforms to work on your craft, try new techniques and bring humor and fun to the world of acting. Moderated by actor and writer Lori Hammel.

If you would like to submit questions in advance for the panelists, please do so here. This form will also be available during the program.

PANELIST BIOS

Sarah Cooper is a comedian, actress and author of forthcoming memoir 'Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination and Humiliation.' She starred opposite Lake Bell in James Ponsoldt’s Sundance film 'Summering,' and will next be seen in the upcoming Netflix comedy 'Unfrosted,' written, directed, and starring Jerry Seinfeld. Sarah most recently starred in Anna Ziegler’s 'The Wanderers,' opposite Katie Holmes, Off Broadway. 

Sarah’s first variety special, 'Sarah Cooper: Everything’s Fine,' directed by Natasha Lyonne and executive produced by Maya Rudolph, premiered on Netflix in 2020 to rave reviews. She was named to  Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch”, Vulture’s “The Comedians You Should and Will Know” and  The New York Times’ “Best Performers” lists that year. She initially went viral with her brilliant satirical lip-sync impressions of the former president, receiving retweets and praise from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Stiller, Jane Lynch, and Seth Meyers amongst many others. 

Actress, writer, and comedian Alyssa Limperis released her debut one-hour comedy special NO BAD DAYS on Peacock in August 2022. The special takes viewers on the journey of loving and losing a parent and then slowly but surely, coming out on the other side. While the show provides an honest portrayal of loss and grief, it is full of jokes, hope and for good measure, a little bit of dancing -reminding us all that no matter how dark or heavy things feel, if you are open to it, there’s no such thing as a bad day. The special has received glowing reviews, and is featured in The List, Decider, and The Washington Post, amongst many others. 

Alyssa can also be seen starring in season 2 of the Showtime hit TV series FLATBUSH MISDEMEANORS, in a powerful performance as recovering addict “Sydney". She will next be seen starring in Kay Cannon’s Sony feature film MY EX-FRIEND’S WEDDING as “Rachel”, Amanda Seyfried’s sister. The viral success of Alyssa’s comedic “Mom” videos led to recognition from Today.com, Vulture, Decider, Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe and other top-tier media outlets. She has also been featured on CONAN, LAST WEEK TONIGHT, FOX SPORTS and AUNTY DONNA’S HOUSE (Netflix).   

In 2021, she starred in the independent horror/comedy feature film TOO LATE opposite Ron Lynch, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Fred Armisen. Her other recent credits include the short film BRANDI FINDS GOD from Gonzalo Cordova, HOW TO AVOID A SAPPY GOODBYE from Doug Rogers, and she has completed a role in the feature film THE LIST co-starring Halston Sage. Additionally, she stars as ‘Mary Peck’ in the scripted podcast Edith that was nominated for best fiction podcast by iHeartRadio, 'Denise' on HBO MAX's THE HAMLET FACTORY, and voices multiple characters on both the Spotify podcast THE LAST DEGREE OF KEVIN BACON, and Cartoon Network's WE BABY BEARS.

Danielle Pinnock is a dynamic actress-creator-writer who has quickly established herself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile new talents. 

Danielle currently stars as a series regular on CBS's hit comedy series, GHOSTS, which is airing its second season. Danielle has a truly hilarious, breakout role on the ensemble as ‘Alberta’, a Prohibition-era lounge singer turned ghost who is trapped in a modern-day country estate recently inherited by two unexpecting new tenants. Coming up, she will be appearing alongside Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross in the holiday comedy film CANDY CANE LANE from Prime Video. 

As a creator, it was recently announced that her adult-aimed animated series, UNMENTIONABLES—about mismatched underwear and the millennial human who wears them—is being developed for television by Emmy-winning producer Anthony Hemingway and Taraji P. Henson. Danielle co-created the series with Emmy-nominated Punam Patel (Netflix’s SPECIAL). 

Television audiences will recognize Danielle from four seasons on the hit CBS comedy, YOUNG SHELDON, where she recurs as ‘Ms. Ingram’, Sheldon’s math teacher. She has also memorably recurred opposite Ray Romano and Peter Bogdanovich in EPIX's GET SHORTY; and recently guest-starred on HBO’s Emmy- nominated A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW, created and executive produced by Robin Thede and Issa Rae. Her other notable guest appearances include NBC’s THIS IS US, ABC’s SCANDAL, and Hulu’s DOLLFACE, among others. In addition, her voice work has been heard on Netflix's BOSS BABY: BACK IN BUSINESS, Cartoon Network's THUNDERCATS ROAR, Apple TV + 's DOUG UNPLUGS, and Peacock's WHERE’S WALDO? 

Danielle is also developing a pilot of her viral sketch series, HASHTAG BOOKED, co-created with LaNisa Renee Frederick, which has received over 20 million views and a Webby Award for its painfully funny depiction of the very real challenges black actors face at predominantly white casting agencies. Forbes called it a “hilarious” short-form series that helped the world “laugh, to keep from crying” during the pandemic. In fact, Danielle kept us laughing throughout the entire quarantine, also the creative genius behind the viral #Bridgerton recaps, DAPHNE’S DIARY, which garnered 2 million views, hysterically recapping the full season of the hit Shonda Rhimes series in 15-second, viral-worthy clips. Industry figures will also recognize Danielle from her vibrant hosting of the 2022 Casting Society Artios Awards. 

Mentored by Anna Deavere Smith, Danielle is a classically trained stage actress and playwright, notable for her solo show, BODY/COURAGE, a rich exploration of body acceptance which she created from over 300 real-life interview subjects whose words and spirits she evokes in a thrilling one-woman show. She has also appeared Off-Broadway and at the Edinburgh Fringe in the prize-winning play, IN CONFLICT; and has performed at major regional theaters including Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, Goodman Theatre in Chicago, and D.C.’s famed Kennedy Center, among many others. 

Raised in Northern New Jersey by her mother and grandmother, Pinnock is a proud firstgeneration Jamaican American. She received her BA in Communications and Theatre from Temple University and graduated with First Distinction Honors with an MFA in Acting from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in the UK. She currently resides in Los Angeles. Danielle is represented by Aligned Entertainment and ID.

Caitlin Reilly is a LA-based actor, writer, and improviser known for her character comedy and biting wit. The New Yorker and the Los Angeles Times recently profiled her, The Wall Street Journal recently named her one of the “New Stars of Fall”, and InStyle named her one of the “The Women Who Showed Up” alongside Zendaya, Beyoncé and Lizzo to name a few. 

Caitlin can currently be seen in HBO Max’s Emmy winning series HACKS opposite Jean Smart, and Apple’s hit series LOOT opposite Maya Rudolph. She will next be seen in the upcoming independent features CORA BORA with Meg Stalter and Darren Aronofsky’s LITTLE DEATH, opposite David Schwimmer. You can also see her in the upcoming season of Disney+’s hit series, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, and the upcoming Netflix series DEAD BOY DETECTIVES. Caitlin also lends her voice to a central character in the upcoming Peacock animated series IN THE KNOW, created by Mike Judge and Zach Woods. Caitlin can be seen in her live monthly show, Caitlin Reilly and Acquaintances, at LA’s legendary venue Largo at The Coronet. Her character comedy videos have amassed over 725 million views and a critic recently called her “a hot commodity”, which is fun.

Rickey Thompson is an actor, comedian, model, entrepreneur, tastemaker, and, most notably, a vanguard of what it means to be a multihyphenate media mogul in today’s booming creator space. Most recently named one of Forbes’ inaugural Top 50 Creators, Rickey has cemented his trailblazing status as one of today’s most influential, sought-after curators in fashion, music, pop culture and Hollywood. 

Having transformed from a shy high schooler in Raleigh, NC, where he was bullied for being gay, to prom king who set out to Los Angeles to make a name for himself, Rickey’s larger-than-life personality now commands an audience of millions. In 2015, Rickey got his start in entertainment through the now-defunct Vine app and racked up over one million followers in just one year (by the time Vine shuttered in 2017, Rickey’s following surpassed 2.5 million users). Foreseeing the coming changes in the digital landscape, Rickey turned his social savvy to other growing networks, such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter, proving he has always been ahead of the curve of media trends. Rickey now boasts almost 11 million followers and counting across socials with astronomical engagement numbers, such as almost 40 million “likes” across 260 videos on TikTok alone. 

Passionate about sharing his hilariously unique and relatable, yet edgy, point of view, Rickey’s universal footprint is unmatched in the current media landscape, and his addictive content has catapulted him into one of the most profitable figures for high-end brand partnerships and campaigns, including the likes of Coach, Moncler, YSL Beauty, Balmain, AMI Paris, Benefit Cosmetics, NARS, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, MAC Cosmetics, and H&M’s Pride collection, to name just a few. Rickey’s fearlessly trendsetting style has captured the fashion world by storm as he continues to make the fashion week circuits, being dressed to attend front row at all the most notable design houses’ seasonal presentations. Rickey is also a seasoned runway veteran, and most recently opened Private Policy’s FW23 show in New York, closed out the Tokyo James SS23 runway show in Milan, and walked in Koché’s SS23 runway show in Paris. In the past three years, Rickey’s accomplishments have earned him both Streamy and Shorty Award wins, and nominations for E! People’s Choice and MTV Movie & TV Awards. It's no surprise that Rickey’s renowned charisma has also lent itself to his flair for acting. He most recently appeared in Donald Glover’s and Janine Nabers’ limited horror series “Swarm” now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. He can also be seen starring in the feature film, “Good Mourning,” opposite Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox, and Dove Cameron, and led four seasons of the YouTube Red comedy series “Foursome,” the first YouTube Red series to earn three season renewals thanks to its impressive viewership, including a staggering 32 million views and counting on season two’s premiere episode alone. Rickey has covered multiple magazines such as Gay Times Magazine’s 500th issue, OUT Magazine, PAPER Magazine, 10 Men Magazine, and Rollacoaster’s SS'21 issue. 

Rickey relentlessly dominates the digital landscape, having wrapped three seasons of his smash-hit Spotify-exclusive podcast, “We Said What We Said,” where Rickey and his co-host offer bold advice, hot takes, and risqué storytelling. “We Said What We Said” is currently slated for an exciting season four return in early 2023, and promises to bring even more laughs, wild stories, and even special celebrity guests. Rickey has also successfully launched two Snapchat creator series, including “Trend or End with Rickey Thompson,” where he serves looks and documents multiple runway shows as the judge, jury and executioner of all things fashion and lifestyle, as well as “Road Trippin’,” in which he embarks on a road trip across rural USA to get out of his comfort zone and share crazy new adventures. Rickey was also tapped by Harper’s BAZAAR for their “Royal Tea with Rickey Thompson” digital series, where the social media sensation breaks down the latest and greatest happenings inside and out of Buckingham Palace. Rickey has also led two Facebook Watch series, “Tri Me!” and “Hanger Management.” 

Dubbed by many as the “voice of this generation,” Rickey remains a source of light, entertainment, and fun for fans and followers of all walks of life. He is currently based in Los Angeles, CA, where he continues to book new scripted works and is set to star in multiple upcoming projects with castings to be announced

Lori Hammel is a NYC-based actress and writer. Film work includes Ethan and Joel Coen’s BURN AFTER READING; SPOILER ALERT; SHE'S LOST CONTROL; PUZZLE and the horror/thriller BLOOD CONSCIOUS (2022 New York Times pick), along with numerous shorts including playing the lead in CONEY ISLAND QUEEN (Cannes Shorts Corner).

Lori has appeared in a wide variety comedic and dramatic roles on TV including THE OTHER TWO; BLUE BLOODS; FBI: MOST WANTED; JESSICA JONES;       LAW & ORDER (2022); GORDITA CHRONICLES; HIGH MAINTENANCE; 30 ROCK and MASTER OF NONE.  Her stage work includes Broadway, Off Broadway and National Tours.  

Lori played recurring political pundit Leslie Hillerman on the Onion News Network series, 'In The Know' and is the creator and star of the series 'Margo Rose Reports.' She received an Excellence in Acting Award at the NY International Fringe Festival and is the recipient of a Jeff Award, two Jeff nominations, two After Dark Awards and the SAG-AFTRA Joseph C. Riley Service Award. Lori co-authored the critically acclaimed guidebook 'Minding the Edge – Strategies for a Fulfilling, Successful Career as an Actor' and is a contributing writer for 'Acting for the Stage' (Focal Press).  www.lorihammel.com