Join us for a panel with actors who have recently booked their first main role on a television series. We will discuss their audition process, how they work with their representation and how they have and will continue to 'level up' their career. This panel will feature Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Furious and Power Book II: Ghost), Michael Cooper Jr. (Forever), Aimé Donna Kelly (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Sean Patton (English Teacher) and James Udom (Chief of War).

BIOS:

Quincy Tyler Bernstine can currently be seen starring as series regular, Nora Washington, in Liz Meriwether’s adaptation of the 1987 film “Black Widow,” “Furious”, opposite Emmy Rossum, which recently premiered on Hulu. On television, Quincy was recently seen in Peacock’s limited series “Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy” and played “Grace” in Season 3 of “And Just Like That” on HBO. Bernstine has also starred in “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,” “Evil,” “The Equalizer,” “Julia,” “Power,” “Power Book II: Ghost,” “Ray Donovan,” “The Code,” “Modern Love,” “High Maintenance,” “The Good Wife,” “The Blacklist,” “Elementary,” “Blue Bloods,” “Madam Secretary,” “The Leftovers,” “The Strain,” “Chappelle’s Show,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” In film, Quincy can be seen in “The Tender Bar,” “Manchester By The Sea,” “Easy Living,” “Still Alice,” “Ned Rifle,” “Red Hook Summer,” “While We’re Young,” “Hungry Hearts,” and “Rachel Getting Married.”  On the voiceover side, in addition to numerous audiobooks as well as TV and radio spots, Quincy’s voice will next be heard on the Best Case Studios / Echoverse scripted audio podcast, “The Chronicles of Astrimos,” written by Declan Dineen and directed by Anne Kauffman. Quincy can also be heard opposite Carrie Coon, Pedro Pascal, and Lucas Hedges on Seasons 1 and 2 of the podcast series “Motherhacker” from Gimlet Media, as well as the Audible audio play, The Podcaster by Christopher Shin and directed by Lee Sunday Evans.

Michael Cooper, Jr. is a breakout talent commanding attention as 'Justin Edwards' in Mara Brock Akil’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s iconic novel Forever. His performance has earned Independent Spirit Award and NAACP Image Award nominations, marking him as a powerful new lead on the rise. He made waves opposite Sanaa Lathan in On the Come Up, starring alongside Mike Epps and Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the film adaptation of Angie Thomas’s New York Times best-selling novel The Hate U Give. Michael currently resides in Texas.

Aimé Donna Kelly stars on the beloved and iconic series "Law & Order: SVU" as Captain Renee Curry. She was promoted to a series regular role in season 27 and is currently in production on season 28, which premieres on October 8, 2026 on NBC. "Law & Order: SVU" is currently America's longest-running primetime TV Drama. Aside from "SVU," Kelly has guest-starred on series such as "The Blacklist," "Blue Bloods," "The Sinner," and "Chicago Med." She will have a recurring role on the upcoming series "The Greatest" from executive producer Michael B. Jordan and executive producer/showrunner Ben Watkins, where she will portray trailblazing civil rights icon and attorney Alberta Jones. The series centers around the story of Muhammad Ali’s life and career, and premieres on November 4, 2026 on Prime Video.

Sean Patton is a seasoned comedian, actor, writer, and storyteller, originally from New Orleans, now based in New York City. As a stand-up, he has been performing live around the world for over 25 years including the Melbourne and Sydney International Comedy Festivals, Just for Laughs, SXSW, Outsidelands, Dublin Comedy Festival and Bonnaroo with television appearances including The Tonight Show, CONAN, Live at Gotham and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. His critically acclaimed solo show NUMBER ONE premiered at the Pleasance Theatre during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 where he returned in 2019 with his show CONTRADICKHEAD at the Gilded Balloon. Sean’s second album, Scuttlebutt, was released in December 2019, followed by his third album, King Scorpio, in December 2021. His first hour-long comedy special, NUMBER ONE, executive produced by Michael Che, premiered on Peacock in December 2022. His screen credits include guest roles on IFC’s Maron, Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer, and TruTV’s Those Who Can’t. Most recently he guest starred in the final season of HBO’s HACKS. Sean co-starred as Markie in the critically acclaimed FX series English Teacher. In 2025, he received a Gotham TV Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting

James Udom is a versatile actor whose acclaimed work spans stage and screen. He is currently starring in the title role of Othello in The Classical Theatre of Harlem's acclaimed Uptown Shakespeare in the Park production, directed by Carl Cofield. Most recently, he also portrayed Henry Percy (Hotspur) in an off-Broadway production of Henry IV and Bert in the West Coast premiere of Primary Trust, winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. On screen, James can currently be seen as Tony in Apple TV+'s epic historical drama Chief of War, whose ensemble won the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series. He also stars as CIA agent Mitch in the Apple TV+ series Echo 3 and in the Village Roadshow feature Murder City opposite Mike Colter. His film credits include The Tragedy of Macbeth, directed by Joel Coen, alongside Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand, as well as Judas and the Black Messiah opposite LaKeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya. His television credits also include appearances in The Sandman, Accused, Chicago P.D., Evil, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. A seasoned stage actor, James has performed on Broadway and at many of the nation's leading regional theaters. His theater credits include Father Comes Home from the Wars (earning the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for Best Actor), The Rolling Stone, Mies Julie, Sweat, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello, Julius Caesar, Tamburlaine, The Winter's Tale, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Our Lady of 121st Street, among many others. James is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, where he received both the Princess Grace Award (Grace LeVine Theatre Award) and the Herschel Williams Prize, honoring actors who demonstrate exceptional artistic achievement. He has also trained with renowned institutions including Shakespeare & Company, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre. His additional honors include the National Irene Ryan Scholarship Award for Best Actor (2012) and a regional Irene Ryan Award for Best Supporting Actor (2013).