RSVP-ed members will receive the Zoom link by email one hour prior to the start of the program, and will be able to ask questions through Zoom's chat function.
Join us for a remote, live discussion with esteemed actors with substantial resumes and stories to share. They'll cover how they got their start, roles that opened doors, juggling work and career, managing stress, and weathering the busy times with the lean times. Being an actor can feel like riding a roller coaster. Learn how the panelists have kept their careers in the fast lane while remaining positive and pragmatic about the industry. The ride isn't always smooth, but it's part of the journey. Moderated by Scott Mantz.
PANELIST BIOS
Tosin Morohunfola - bio coming soon!
Jake Borelli - Jake Borelli has rapidly made a name for himself in the entertainment industry through the dynamic characters he has brought to life on screen. He can currently be seen starring as Dr. Levi Schmitt aka ‘Glasses’ on the award-winning, smash hit medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy.” Introduced in the first two episodes of the 14th season, Borelli instantly became a fan favorite as one of the newest interns to join Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. In season 15, fans tuned in weekly to watch Dr. Schmitt’s historic storyline unfold, as they witnessed the first kiss between two male doctors and the first major gay (male) romance in the shows history. This inspired Borelli to come out in his personal life as well. Now in its 17th season, the series will debut a historic storyline taking place in the middle of the global pandemic. Season 17 will premiere on November 12, 2020.
On the film front, Borelli can be seen starring in Freeform’s first ever Gay Rom-Com, “The Thing About Harry.” Borelli stars as Sam, a young gay man starting his political career in Chicago. The film follows Sam as he and his old high-school bully Harry (Niko Terho) are forced to share a car ride to their Missouri hometown for a friend’s engagement party on Valentine’s Day. After learning that Harry has also come out of the closet, things take a turn, and the two men begin to develop a deep friendship – with neither admitting a potential romance may be brewing – leaving them wondering if one road trip could change the rest of their lives. The film debuted on February 15, 2020.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Borelli knew at a young age that he wanted to be an actor. He got his start acting with the Columbus Children’s Theater when he was just 10 years old and performed in over 15 plays in just five years. From the stage he went on to work in commercials and radio in Ohio. In 2009, a few weeks after he graduated from high school he decided to make the move to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of being a full-time actor. Shortly after the move, Borelli landed his first major role as Roy in the Nickelodeon series “iCarly.” He then went on to recur as Wolfgang, a quirky German exchange student in Nickelodeon’s “The Thundermans,’ and starred in Netflix’s Original Movie “#REALITYHIGH.”
When he isn’t on set, you can find Borelli in the mountains camping, he has a passion for traveling and doesn’t hesitate at the chance to take a road trip or explore new places. He is also a huge musical theatre buff and enjoys seeing a new play or musical when he is in New York City.
Borelli currently resides in the Los Angeles area.
Larry Saperstein - From starring in indie films climbing the festival circuit to singing and dancing on the steps of the iconic East High School, rising talent Larry Saperstein has taken Hollywood by storm.
This year, Saperstein can be seen starring opposite Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett in the second season of Disney+’s critically acclaimed series, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” as Ricky’s (Bassett) best friend and wingman, Big Red. The show follows the students at East High School, where the original two-time Emmy Award-winning “High School Musical” film franchise was filmed. Throughout season 2 of the series, students will endure the ups and downs of the East High drama crew as they prep to perform “Beauty & The Beast” for their spring musical. The sophomore season will include reimagined musical numbers from both the “High School Musical” movies and the stage production of “Beauty and the Beast.” Season 2 is slated to premiere on Disney+ on May 14, 2021.
Additional credits for Saperstein include most recently starring as Timmy in the first season of BET’s “First Wives Club,” as well as starring opposite Kiernan Shipka in ABC Family’s “Fan Girl.” During his sophomore year of college, he also starred in the indie feature film, “Porno,” which made its global premiere at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in 2019.
Born and raised in Islip, New York, Saperstein learned of his love for theater and dance from his music teacher mother, and community theater director father at an early age. At just six years old, Saperstein began dance classes, and by the age of 10, he was starring in his first musical theater production of “Oliver!” Saperstein went on to star in several more regional productions including “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Miracle on 34th Street.” Saperstein also studied tap dance with Thommie Retter from the original cast of “Billy Elliot the Musical” on Broadway, and soon extensively at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company. By 12 years old, he was an active member of the Tap City Youth Ensemble under the artistic direction of Susan Hebach and Tony Waag.
After completing a handful of national commercials throughout high school, Saperstein attended Pace University, where he received his BFA in Production and Design for Stage and Screen. Saperstein spent 2019 living out his dream, with the first season of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” debuting its premiere season on the breakout Disney+ streaming platform and graduating from college that same year.
When he isn’t performing on stage or in front of the camera, you can find Saperstein working with the American Tap Dance Foundation, dancing, playing the piano, and caring for his family’s mini horse. Saperstein is a strong advocate for mental health and disability advocacy, and he is also a budding screenwriter, having written a film for his graduating thesis and currently working on a handful of projects.
Jana Schmieding - Jana Schmieding is a true multihyphenate star on the rise, who is making her mark on the entertainment industry as an actor, writer, comedian, and content creator. A Lakota Sioux Native, Jana has been a longtime educator and advocate, raising awareness around Native issues and bringing Native stories to mainstream audiences.
Jana can currently be seen as the female lead opposite Ed Helms on Mike Schur’s new comedy series, RUTHERFORD FALLS. She also serves as a staff writer on the series, which launched on Peacock on April 22, 2021. The first Native comedy of its kind, the series will explore themes of identity, friendship, and how we define ourselves and relate to historical narratives. Jana was heavily involved in all aspects of the show – including down to the details of beading items for the costume, props and marketing departments.
A graduate of the University of Oregon, Jana has performed and directed improv, sketch and solo comedy for over a decade in both New York and Los Angeles. One of her pilots brought her to The NYTV Festival as a Notable Writer. In addition to being passionate about Native visibility, she has also been a vocal advocate for social justice issues, namely body justice – all of which she discusses regularly in her comedy and writing. Jana hosted the acclaimed “Woman of Size” podcast from 2017-2019, where she and guests discussed the way we think and talk about our bodies.
She currently resides in Los Angeles with her two cats.
Gia Sandhu - Gia Sandhu is stunning and talented actress on the rise.
She will be seen starring opposite Tony Hale and Kristen Schall in “The Mysterious Benedict Society” for Disney+. The series is based on the New York Times bestselling novels of the same name written by Trenton Lee Stewart and illustrated by Carson Ellis.
She is currently in production on the NBC/Peacock series The Lost Symbol which follows the central character from “The DaVinci Code” by author Dan Brown.
She has an extensive film resume including lead roles in Stealing Vows directed by Bobby Singh Brown and A Perfect Plan directed by Jesse Ikeman. Television credits include lead roles in the ABC Pilot The Greatest American Heroalongside Hannah Simone, and the CBC Pilot Dr. Bob’s House; as well as recurring roles in the hit CBC Series Kim’s Convenience and Heartland, and CTV’s The Indian Detective alongside Russell Peters.
Sandhu is a graduate of the world-renowned National Theatre School of Canada (NTS), where she earned her spot as one of twelve students selected to train in the acting program. Upon graduation she landed her first feature film, which notably premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). She was later handpicked as one of eight actors invited to study at the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) where she graduated from the Actors' Conservatory.
She was born in Toronto, but has lived all around the world, calling many places home including England and India, from where her parents hail. She is a dedicated vegan and a strong advocate for animal rights and environmental protection.
