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 Jessica Belkin (Elle), Taylor Polidore Williams (Beauty in Black), Jack Schumacher (Ransom Canyon).
BIOS:
Taylor Polidore Williams is an American actress, voice over artist, and humanitarian. She can currently be seen starring in Netflix’s BEAUTY IN BLACK as the series’ lead Kimmie, a victim of human trafficking, whose fate takes a turn when she crosses paths with the wealthy, dysfunctional family behind a large cosmetics empire, uncovering a devious trafficking scheme. The latter part of season two, which premiered March 2026, reached 1.42 billion viewing minutes during its debut week on Netflix. The third season will premiere August 2026, and the hit series has been renewed for a fourth season. Also, this fall, Polidore Williams will be joining the cast of Hulu’s REASONABLE DOUBT in the role of Brooke Cropper. In July 2024, Williams starred opposite Meagan Good in Tyler Perry and Amazon Prime Video’s film DIVORCE IN THE BLACK, which topped the Amazon charts the week of its debut. She also had iconic recurring roles in FX’s critically acclaimed SNOWFALL as well as The CW’s ALL AMERICAN:HOMECOMING. She is also an accomplished voice over artist, having voiced characters for Nickelodeon, Disney, and Peacock, among others. Born in Texas and the daughter of an engineer and educator, Polidore Williams grew up surrounded by the arts in the Houston area. She began working in theatre and transitioned to print modeling, television, and film. Polidore Williams was cast in her first feature film, WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS, directed by Malcolm D. Lee, at 14 years old and determined to fulfill a career as an actress. Polidore Williams is a proud alumna of HBCU Clark Atlanta University where she studied Mass Media Arts with a concentration in Film. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. While in school, she took advantage of Atlanta's growing film industry and began doing independent projects while still studying. She is extremely passionate about the rights and welfare of young people and is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth in foster care
Jack Schumacher, a native of Chicago plays, "Yancy Grey" in the Netflix drama Ransom Canyon opposite Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly. He can currently be seen in the romantic comedy 40 Dates and 40 Nights opposite Bailee Madison and just completed the holiday feature All That Glitters. His other credits include playing “Omaha” in Paramount’s billion dollar hit Top Gun: Maverick, Hulu’s Welcome to Chippendales, NBC’s The Irrational and Chicago P.D. as well as S.W.A.T. for CBS. When not working, Jack enjoys playing ice hockey, learning the guitar and consumes a constant stream of film and television, always looking to learn and grow as a performer. He is repped by Stewart Talent and Venture.
