Cast
Geri Jewell – Actress, Stand Up Comedienne, Co-Producer
Geri was the first person with a visible disability to have a regular role on a prime time series, The Facts of Life. She has appeared on the Emmy Award winning television movie Two of a Kind, Sesame Street, 21 Jump Street, The New Adventures of Lassie, Young & the Restless, Strong Medicine, Night of the White Pants, HBO’s Deadwood, the FOX series Alcatraz, After Lately and is featured in “CinemAbility”, a documentary released in 2013. She is presently co-hosting every Monday night from 7:00 – 8:00 (pst) on the L.A. Talk Radio internet program, “Perfectly Imperfect Radio”. A highly sought after motivational speaker and trainer in the areas of diversity, disability and GLBT issues, Geri has been the recipient of many awards, including the 1992 Founders Award, the 2005 Independent Living Legacy Award, and the 2006 Victory award. Her NEW autobiography, “I’m Walking as Straight as I Can” received the 2012 Gold Award by the Independent Publishers. She also received the 2013 Golden Halo Award, and the 2013 UCP Life Without Limits Award. |
Danny Murphy – Actor, Motivational Speaker, Campaigner
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Kathy Buckley – Actress, Motivational Speaker and Humanitarian
An active volunteer for causes close to her heart, Kathy spends time helping numerous children’s charities. A sought after motivational speaker, she has inspired people around the nation, speaking at corporate events, conferences, and universities. She is the author the heartfelt and hilarious book “If You Could Hear What I See.” She has also been recognized by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army for outstanding efforts toward disability employment awareness, and is a key motivational speaker for Anthony Robbins’ Life Mastery Classes. Kathy can also be heard every Monday night from 7:00 – 8:00 (pst) as one of the co-hosts of L.A. Talk Radio internet program, “Perfectly Imperfect Radio”. |
Angela Rockwood – Model, Actress
With her ultimate mission of pushing boundaries, she created, produced and stars in the Sundance Channel’s and Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Reality Series, Push Girls. The show follows the lives of five women living with paralysis while cultivating their friendship as they undertake everyday life. The exposure of Push Girls has given her the opportunity to make television appearances on Ellen, Jeff Probst Show, Marie Osmond, Access Hollywood, Inside Edition, Good Day LA, Extra, Huffington Post Live, Kcal 9, Katie Couric Show, Good Morning America, and a return segment on Entertainment Tonight. She even had an appearance at The White House! She is passionately relentless in manifesting change and implementing ideas through her teaching at the Joey Travolta Theatre ‘Manifestation Classes’. She has also taught her classes at the Performing Arts Studio West through Meet the Biz Workshops. As an innovator, she has successfully spoken about ‘Living to the Fullest’ at Rancho Amigos Hospital, L.A. Rescue Mission Assembly, and Edwards Air Force Base. Angela has shared her secrets of ‘The Beauty from Within’ for the Miss Global Organization of 2013, a group of 4,000 Paul Mitchell students in Las Vegas, and the California Association of Realtors were the recipients of a topic close to her heart: ‘Pushing the Limits’. |
Mark Povinelli – Actor
Mark’s other camera credits include guest starring roles on Criminal Minds, Anger Management, Modern Family, Boardwalk Empire, Cold Case, ‘Til Death (recurring), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Pushing Daisies, Charmed, Frasier, Dharma & Greg, and The Parkers. Other film credits include “Pawn Shop Chronicles”, “Polar Express”, “Epic Movie”, and “Beer for My Horses”. For the past nine years, Mark has been touring the world as the lead role, Torvald Helmer, in the OBIE award winning production of Mabou Mines’ DollHouse, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic. Other theater credits include the premiere of Belle Epoque at Lincoln Center as the lead role of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. Mark also has worked regionally at the Shakepseare Theater, Children’s Theater Company, Oklahoma Lyric Theater, Will Geer Theatricum and UCLA Live. Mark is presently co-hosting every Monday night from 7:00 – 8:00 (pst) on the L.A. Talk Radio internet program, “Perfectly Imperfect Radio”. When Mark is not working, he dedicates his time to Little People of America, an organization that promotes awareness, advocacy and medical assistance for individuals with forms of dwarfism. |
Tobias Forrest – Actor, Lead Singer, and Artist
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Auti Angel – Dancer, Singer, Actor, Rapper, Model & Spiritual Guide
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Eduardo Bar – Actor
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David Connell – Actor
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Lexi Marman – Actress & Teacher
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Andy Arias – Actor, Standup Comedian, Advocate, and Motivational Speaker
Born with Cerebral Palsy, he had to have several surgeries growing up in order to maintain his mobility. He also endured a volatile family upbringing, but instead of making him a victim, it essentially made him stronger – and the person he is today looks at his past as the building blocks of strength and a learning experience to teach and inspire others. Andy says, “You have to know true darkness before you can appreciate the light”. His unique sense of vulnerability, knowledge, and honesty has inspired students across the nation and he has also spoken to Congressional leaders. He has received several awards for his work in LGBT Diversity issues as well as his work in Disability Equality. As an up-and-coming, Andy’s unique sense of humor and no holds barred sense of honesty and integrity makes him one of the most unique and talented comics around. He performs all over Los Angeles and in Northern California. As an actor, Andy has had the pleasure of working with such actors as Tom Hanks, Mark Ruffalo, Julia Roberts and Hilary Swank. Whether Andy is on stage, teaching his students or speaking with legislative members of California he shines with experience, humor, passion and heart. |
David Scheinmann – Camera, Photographer
David was also involved in several projects with SACHA BARON COHEN, including a book and a short film directed by David. By the 90’s, David was directing numerous music videos and commercials. He co-owned and ran a London based commercial production company VELOCITY FILMS representing comedy directors, most notably RICKY GERVAIS. He produced and directed commercials for CANNON, SUZUKI, P&G, and his spots for NESCAFE won a SILVER LION at CANNES. In 2007 David completed his first feature film THE WEST WITTERING AFFAIR. The film showed at the Seattle and Santa Barbara festivals. In Jackson Hole it won a Best Film award and at CINEQUEST it received a Best Ensemble award. The film was showcased by BAFTA LA before securing a UK Theatrical release to a host of good reviews and a DVD deal in the US with LIFE SIZE ENT. VARIETY noted David as a talent to watch in its 2007 UK round-up. In 2013 he directed the feature film, BELIEVE, starring BRIAN COX. |
Jeanne Elfant Festa – Producer From 2004, Jeanne Elfant Festa operated her own company, Piper Cub Productions which she worked on a number of film and documentary projects. In 2014 she became a member of the creative producing team of the newly established White Horse Pictures.White Horse Pictures is a production company focused on content creation across various mediums – Film, TV, Docs and Digital founded by industry veteran producers and executives, Nigel Sinclair and Guy East. Their producing record includes a wide range of successful films with top talent – The Woman in Black w/ Daniel Radcliffe, Snitch w/ Dwayne Johnson, End of Watch w/ Jake Gyllenhaal, Rush with Chris Hemsworth, The Ides of March w/ George Clooney, Terminator 3, Sliding Doors. Nigel and Guy were able to very successfully bring their feature experience into the documentary medium with their Spitfire Pictures, which Jeanne had a first look deal. This resulted in a slew of elevated, award winning documentary features – Bob Dylan: No Direction Home, The Who: Amazing Journey, Billy Joel:The Last Play at Shea, and cumulated in 2012 that same year, Undefeated Won and Oscar, George Harrison; Living In The Material World, won an Emmy and Foo Fighters:Back and Forth, won a Grammy, for which Jeanne was an Executive Producer. Jeanne is currently focused on documentary projects to produce under the White Horse Pictures banner following stories of iconic figures in music and popular culture, with prestigious, world-class filmmakers, as well as developing a number of high end film and television projects now on Whitehorse’s slate.Currently in production is My Next Breath in which Jeanne is producing under her Piper Cub Productions banner along with David Zimmerman’s, Next Breath Productions.
Jeanne’s goals for her work is to use the media and arts as a vehicle for social change and education. By way of background Jeanne has a degree in Marketing and Merchandising and she started out her career as a commercial actress before moving to work on the other side of the camera. Jeanne is also on the board of directors of Step Up Women’s Network, a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to igniting women and girls to fulfill their potential by: creating and implementing impactful after-school and weekend programs that empower teen girls from under-resourced communities to be confident, college-bound, and career-ready.www.pipercubproductions.com |
Betsy Chasse – Executive Producer
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David Zimmerman – Creator, Producer, Actor, Teacher, Casting Director
Zimmerman has also enjoyed working with Lifetime TV, Mark Wolper Productions, and Time Life Productions. In 2013, he co-cast, Director/Writer Ringo Le’s and Producer Quentin Lee’s “BIG GAY LOVE” with Stanzi Stokes. In 2007, David was honored at the 25 Annual Media Access Awards at Universal Studios Globe Theatre with the prestigious MEDIA ACCESS AWARD. In 2013, the “MEET THE BIZ” program was incredibly honored to receive a grant from the CHRISTOPHER & DANA REEVE FOUNDATION through the ACTORS FOR AUTISM and a grant from the FRIENDS OF CALIFORNIANS WITH DISABILITIES, INC for the “40 Series” and he also proudly became a member of the PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO WEST family. |
Geri has appeared on many of the cable comedy shows, including Evening at the Improv on A&E, and Stand Up Spotlight on VHI. She has opened for Paul Anka, Robert Goulet, and Judy Collins. She has been featured on Entertainment Tonight, E Hollywood True Story, and ABC’s 20/20, and A&E’s Biography.
A regular in the Farrelly Brothers’ movies such as Kingpin, There’s Something About Mary, and Me, Myself & Irene, Danny has uniquely played able bodied roles in several feature films including Shallow Hal. He has been very active with the Media Access Office (MAO) and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CDRF). Danny has been a visible advocate for people with disabilities for over 30 years and sat as National Vice Chair on the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Performers with Disabilities Committee. Our hearts our heavy with Danny’s passing on August 6, 2014.
Billed as “America’s First Hearing Impaired Comedienne”, Kathy Buckley is a five-time American Comedy Award Nominee as Best Stand-Up Female Comedienne, and the winner of countless other awards
Angela is an Ambassador for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Angela also represents the Paralysis Resource Center in outreach to Asian-American communities. She serves as a spokes model for Ti-Lite Wheelchairs and also works as a model for Target and Nordstrom. Angela has also appeared on Larry King Live, and in People Magazine discussing how to live life to the fullest since her paralysis. She has energized her acting career by landing in three national commercials for AARP, Mabelline, and Sony. Angela is also featured in “CinemAbility”, a documentary released in 2013.
In 2011, Mark ascended into a recognizable face with a star turn opposite Robert Pattinson and Oscar winners, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz in the Fox 2000 film, “Water for Elephants”. From there, Mark went on to star opposite Julia Roberts in “Mirror Mirror” and Brooke Shields and Wanda Sykes in “The Hot Flashes”. He also played the series regular role of Todd, the loveable and acerbic bartender, on NBC’s Are You There, Chelsea? in 2012. He has appeared in over 30 film/television shows, 25 professional theater productions and dozens of national commercials.
Toby fronts rock band Cityzen. He has appeared on TV shows “Weeds”, “Six Feet Under” and has appeared in commercials for Walmart and PetCo. He also so-starred in the Oscar winning film, “The Sessions”. Toby is featured in “CinemAbility”, a documentary released in 2013, and is presently co-hosting every Monday night from 7:00 – 8:00 (pst) on the L.A. Talk Radio internet program, “Perfectly Imperfect Radio”.
A true entertainer at heart, but also a “Warrior in Spirit”, Auti has founded a non-profit organization to benefit at risk individuals – “Save a Soul Foundation”. While obtaining survival skills to conquer defeat, Auti Angel received a vision to create the non-profit organization to benefit at risk individuals. Auti also stars in the Sundance Channel’s and Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Reality Series, Push Girls.
Eduardo began his career in theatre and television in Buenos Aires, playing Dracula on stage for 3 years and guest starring in TV Soaps before moving to California where he has since acted in several independent movies.
David is a veteran of numerous television series, including Boston Legal & NYPD Blue, films including Brian De Palma’s Hi Mom, theatre productions and Broadway shows. We miss him dearly.
Lexi has appeared in NBC Universal Showcase. Her credits include theatre, Dora – A Christmas Carol – (Directed by Corey Allen), CBS’ Without a Trace & FOX’s Glee and the
Andy is a dynamic motivational speaker, drawing from his courageous and powerful story of his tumultuous childhood – growing up in the foster care system and having to fight his way to obtain his independence and numerous successes as a standup comic, advocate, and actor.
Betsy is the Co-Creator (Writer, Director, Producer) of the film “What the Bleep Do We Know?!” and the author of 3 books including “Tipping Sacred Cows” (January 2014 Atria/Simon & Schuster), “Metanoia – A Transformative Change of Heart” and the companion book to BLEEP, “Discovering The Endless Possibilities for Altering Your Everyday Reality”. She also enjoys blogging for Huff Post, Intent.com, Modern Mom and other sites. Chasse continues to make provocative films, with the recently completed documentary “CREATIVITY” and two currently in production — the follow-up film to “BLEEP” and “Zentropy”, a narrative comedy about what happens when the least spiritual person on the planet gets hired to make a movie about spirituality.