The Photographer (S.2 E.8)
Hannah consults with the WRONG photographer about headshots…

The Scene Partner (S.2 Ep.7)
Hannah’s newly divorced scene partner Alan has got a gift for the gab, but winds up speechless.

The Teacher (S.2 Ep.6)
Hannah just can’t stop picking up shit for her overbearing acting guru.

The Cab Ride (S.2 Ep.5) 
Hannah’s rambling Greek cabby pays less attention to the actual clock than her biological one. 

ANN CARR

The Actress is a web series created by and starring actress, writer and UCB alum Ann Carr. It is based on her hit one-woman show USE IT, which successfully ran for a year at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. THE ACTRESS is ‘a sobering yet hilarious look into the life of struggling New York actress Hannah Kennon’ or ‘the anti-Entourage’. Ann’s performance garnered a Critics Pick from Time Out New York who wrote: ON THE MARK: Ann Carr is what most comics aren’t: a fine actor. Ann recently guest starred on Louie (FX) as the disturbingly emotional babysitter Karen.  

THE ACTRESS

A long due overdue antidote to Entourage, this is a series is for anyone who has ever clawed, and scraped and sacrificed for a dream.   And for anyone who, while attempting to realize that dream, has awoken in a cold sweat at three in the morning astonished that time has passed SO QUICKLY.  It’s a personal journey into the heart of what it means to work hard for a goal that may very well be elusive.  And it’s for anyone who, in spite of it all, even when everything seems totally pointless, keeps going. Like a salmon struggling upstream. Or a lemming.

WARREN HOLSTEIN

Warren Holstein is co-writer and integral to the heart of The Actress.  Very simply put, The Actress wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for Holstein.  Well it might, but it’s 10x better with his creative brain energy behind it. He is a veteran New York stand-up, which means he has guts, glory, and can hand a heckler his ass. He is SERIOUSLY funny. Check out his tweets on the Twitter: http://twitter.com/WarrenHolstein

MIKE BIRCH uuggghhh! LOVE this guy! Mike plays Alan in The Scene Partner (S.2 E.7). We were SO lucky to have Mike because Alan is such a verbose character and we had such a specific energy in mind. I met Mike doing sketch in the city with a wonderful little group called Giant Tuesday Night (of Amazing Inventions and Also There is a Game). This was one of those shoots where I couldn’t stop laughing because he is SO SERIOUSLY FUNNY. 

LUCY! Oh my God how much do you love this dog??  I’d pick poop up for her any day. Lucy lives with her two wonderful humans Brandy Barber and Jason Woolfolk in Brooklyn and enjoys sniffing and chasing just about anything.

NADIA QUINN was absolute perfection as the vapid Dakota in The Teacher (S.2 E.6). I had a really specific type of actress in mind and she totally nailed it. Nadia was in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson on Broadway and can been seen on television in ‘The Big C’ (Showtime). She’s also in the upcoming tv shows ‘SMASH’ (NBC) and ‘Modern Love’ (Lifetime-pilot) as well as a bunch of commercials.  On top of THAT her comedy band: Summer and Eve performs all over NYC. 

http://www.nadiaquinn.com/

I mean… look-a-that-face! EVAN GRUSS is the sadly sweet (and possible future psychopath) Lucas in Denise (S.2 E.4). Every time we did a take of the ‘b-word’ Evan would dissolve into a fit of giggles and then we’d all get a case of them. Oh 11 year olds, thank goodness for them. What a charmer and what a pro. He finally said BITCH without breaking.  And delivered it with the perfect note of nasty, I might add. We were so lucky to have him on board! 

PATRICIA RANDELL plays Hannah’s merciless scene study teacher Lynn in The Teacher (S.2 E.6).  Patricia is one of those actresses you wish you could work with every single day. I met her doing a play in the city. She is SO YUMMY. Her voice, her commitment, her choices, her generosity. Can you tell I have an actor crush?  She is a bad-ass! Patricia has worked Off and Off-Off-Broadway and at many of the major regional theatres in the country, for which she has received a significant amount of critical acclaim, most notably including five positive mentions in the “The New York Times”, among many other major critical forums. Her film and television credits include ISLANDER (with Philip Baker Hall), APPROACHING UNION SQUARE (Sundance Channel), her performance as FDIC chairwoman Sheila Bair in HBO film “TOO BIG TO FAIL (11 EMMY nominations) and almost every soap opera shot in NYC. She is a frequent guest artist at New River Dramatists and can be regularly heard reading work by distinguished poets and short story writers on New River on AIR.

http://urls.artonair.org/newriver

ANGELO NIAKAS is a DREAM. Seriously. I was looking and looking. Searching and searching for someone to play George the driver in The Cab Ride (S.2 E.5). First I needed someone who wasn’t of American decent. On top of that, my ideal was an older man (I quickly realized ‘wow - I know VERY FEW older actors!’). And on top of THAT he would ideally have a vehicle we could use in the shoot because the budget was my bank account. When I met up with Angelo at a cafe in Brooklyn he drove up in a Lincoln Town car with a newsboy cap on. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? NO WAY. On top of that he’s a first class actor. Thank you Universe. Angelo Niakas everyone. A dream come true. (And yes he really is as adorable as in the above photo).

JIM SANTANGELI plays lovable Dad, who means well yet mortifies his son (every dad in the world), in Denise (S.2 E.6). Jim has been studying and performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade since 2003. After graduating from Pace University in 1999, Jim went on to make a documentary film about old men sitting and drinking coffee. Depressed over the film’s failure, Jim became an actor. He has performed in several dramatic and comedic roles for stage, television and film. Some of his work can be seen at coffeeshopcomedy.com. Jim is also a member of the independent improv group Rogue Elephant.

LESLIE MEISEL plays the unforgettable title character in Denise (S.2, E 4). She loves Kenny Loggins; Is known to curse in competitions and got burned 3 times in the past 3 months: from cooking and from doing her hair with a curling iron…Currently Leslie is spending some time outside.

www.lesliemeisel.weebly.com

Birch plays Ari’s creepy sidekick in Fraternal Humor (S.2 E.3). Birch is an actor, writer and comedian based out of NYC. He studied improv and sketch at the UCB and has oodles of experience performing as a member of such UCB house teams as The Scam, 1985, Creep, and two other house teams. Birch is also a writer and cast member of several musical, semi-musical and completely-non-musical comedy shows at the UCBT. Plus a band he played bass in opened for the Goo Goo Dolls once.

MEGAN NEURINGER killed it as Bridget, Hannah’s effervescent, actress buddy in Fraternal Humor (S.2 E.3). I asked Megan to play the role because I needed someone who was hilarious and who wasn’t self conscious about looking amazing in a bikini. Megan Neuringer is a writer and actor and has been performing at the UCB since 2004. She was a panelist on Best Week Ever and is a talking-head on all those other VH1 shows you watch at the gym. Other television credits include: HBO’s Flight Of The Conchords, Fox’s Fringe, MTV’s Human Giant Marathon, and Comedy Central’s Strangers With Candy. 

She also has a wickedly funny twitter page: https://twitter.com/#!/meganneuringer

John Gemberling plays Ari, the cocky young director with a real hard-on for feminism, in Fraternal Humor (S.2 E.3). This episode was SO FUN (and slightly disturbing) to shoot.  John Gemberling has been performing comedy for 12 years. He has done many things and yet is still not a household name. It’s sad, really. John performs every Saturday at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre with his improv group Death By Roo Roo. He also hosts an innovative and genius show called The Tony and Johnny Show with Anthony Atamanuik every Tuesday at UCBEast.

Mike plays Hannah’s chronically unmotivated bf, Brian in Meet Brian (S.2 Ep.2).  Mike is a regular performer at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and recently re-located to L.A. His solo show ‘Mike Still, Dictator for Life’ ran at UCB NY to packed crowds, receiving great praise (and obedience). 

http://www.ucbcomedy.com/talent/view/67/mike-still

Pam plays Therese, an unfortunate shell of a woman, who happens to be Jessica’s mother in Worst Day Ever (S.2 Ep.1).  Pam is an actor, writer and comedian who recently moved to LA from NYC. She is a regular performer at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater and makes a lot of wickedly hilarious internet videos. www.murphyplease.com, www.pamandsue.com

Thomas plays Ken, the bitchy makeup artist with a heart of gold (and a razor sharp tongue) who befriends Hannah in Worst Day Ever (S2. Ep. 1). He is an award-winning actor/writer/producer, former Peace Corps English teacher (Africa), cowboy line dancer/DJ, magazine research editor, Notary Public and (still) the son of a preacher man with numerous TV, film, theater, and commercial credits. http://thomaspoarch.com

He stars in his own webseries entitled Brosephs. http://brosephs.com

Olivia plays Jessica the child actor from Hell in S.2 Episode 1, Worst Day Ever. Olivia can be seen in the hilarious web comedy Kid Farm (Atom) and numerous sketches on College Humor.

ANDREA ROSEN

Andrea plays Sherry who has a charismatic if not slightly sociopathic approach to her friendship with Hannah in Episode 5, ‘The Crazymaker’.  Andrea Is a member of The Variety Shac. She recently played “Jennifer”, a series regular, on Comedy Central’s “Stella”. She is a regular commentator on VH1’s All Access Series. Look for her in the upcoming features, “Pleasure of Your Company” with Jason Biggs, and “The Ten” with Adam Brody. Andrea holds a women’s fishing world record. She caught the biggest Permit fish on an 8 pound test line (true). And she can be seen in lots of commercials.

ADIRA AMRAM

Adira is Sara the techie with a ‘tude in Episode 5: ‘The Crazy Maker’.  Not only is she a talented actor, Adira has been performing her sly, sexy and subversive musical comedy all over NYC and beyond since 2005. Along with her backing band and dancers The Experience, she has performed at venues such as, The Bowery Ballroom, The Williamsburg Music Hall, The Knitting Factory, PULSE Contemporary Art Fair and UCB Theatre. She and The Experience just returned from an extremely successful run of performances at the legendary Edinburgh Comedy Festival.

MICHAEL CYRIL CREIGHTON

Michael is the deliciously nasty, charlatan of an ‘agent’ Gary Ryan in Episode 4, The Seminar. Michael Cyril Creighton (“Jack”/Writer/Creator/Director) TV: NBC’s “30 Rock” and LOGO’s “Jeffery & Cole Casserole.” Theatre: BUDDY COP 2 at The Ontological Hysteric Theater (NY Times, Time Out NY and Backstage Critics Pick), You’re Welcome and Cape Disappointment(all with The Debate Society), Joshua Conkel’s MilkMilkLemonade (2010 NY Innovative Theatre Award Nominee for Outstanding Featured Actor, named Best Off-Off Show of 2009 by NY Press

KATINA CORRAO

Katina shows up as the delightfully obnoxious, cut-throat Corrina Kaetano who takes naive Hannah’s money at the door in Episode 4, ‘The Seminar’.  Katina Corrao is an actress and comedian writing, living and working in New York City. She was kicked out of charm school at Age 8. 

For more, please visit: www.KatinaCorrao.com

CHRISTINA GAUSAS

Christina is Tate, Hannah’s power-tripping boss in Episode 3, ‘The Day Job’.  Christina is a regular performer at UCB Theatre NY. She has appeared on 30 Rock, Important Things w/Demetri Martin, Delocated, Late Night w/Conan O’Brien, VH-1, and The Al Franken Show.

BILL SCHAUMBERG did EVERYTHING on The Cab Ride (S.2 E.5).  In other words, Bill is a living, breathing, honest-to-goodness, DYNAMO.  Bill is a graduate of Occidental College where he studied film and literature with unofficial majors in sketch comedy and guerilla film production (‘I’ll say!’ - Ann). Schaumberg’s films have been screened by HBO, Cracked.com, and numerous film festivals.  He lives in New York. (‘And has a strikingly handsome tabby named Gunther’ - Ann, again).

TIM BIERBAUM is a 29 year old filmmaker and illustrator living and working in New York City. His work has been featured in the Scene: Brookyln film festival, The Late Show with Conan O’Brien, and G4’s Attack of the Show. Tim directed, shot, and edited Worst Day Ever (S.2 Ep.1)  He is a creative visionary and an accomplished visual artist (eg: his AMAZING cinematography and editing on the episode). Besides being a really cool dude, he’s also part of the bizarre and vigorously hilarious sketch group Serious Lunch.  

His portfolio can be seen at timbierbaum.com. 

CHIOKE NASSOR shot, directed and edited ‘The Crazy Maker’ (S.1 E.5).  It was so much fun shooting with Chioke that we all thought we were at a party and kept asking ‘where’s the d.j. at?’ Chioke Nassor is a writer/director for film and television. He’s directed and co-written short films starring Steve Buscemi, Gina Gershon, and Kieran Culkin, including “The Gina Gershon Sex Tape”  Recently, Chioke was honored with a Sesame Workshop Television Writing Fellowship and The Jesse Thompkins III Foundation Artist Grant for writing and directing. He is currently finishing a tour documentary he directed about the band TV on the Radio. 

JAMIE GREENBERG is a national treasure and with his finely tuned comedic eyes and ears, expertly directed/shot/edited ‘The Day Job’ (S.1 E.3).  He just directed his first feature ‘Stags’ and is ready for round two of taking over the world. 

JIM TURNER moved from Missouri to New York City to pursue his love of filmmaking. His work includes collaborations with artists Hisao Ihara, Michael Lee Nirenberg, and Sue deBeer, music videos for Adira Amram, Ninja Sex Party and Jon Steinmeier, as well as an assortment of web videos and web-series. A true dynamo and creative and resourceful to no end, Jim has dp’d/directed/edited/co-produced/saved my ass on numerous episodes of The Actress (S.1 - Ep. 1, Ep. 2 & Ep. 4 and S.2 - Ep. 2 & Ep. 3) and has been an absolute savior lending his time and energy with sound. (Yeah, sound. It’s KIND of important.) Here’s his wonderfully prolific Vimeo page: http://www.vimeo.com/jimturner

The Actress Launch Party, 92YTribeca, 11/3/11

If The Actress weren’t humorous, it would just be sad. But if it weren’t depressing, it wouldn’t be nearly as funny. The series, created by and starring Ann Carr, spotlights struggling actor Hannah, who’s repeatedly kicked around and perpetually on the brink of a nervous breakdown. Hannah is verbally abused by a tween actor, forced to blow a banana for a fratty viral video and sabotaged by her friend in front of a critic. Carr, a fantastic comedic actor, embodies Hannah with subtlety and pathos—likely because she’s lived Hannah’s life. “I can be kind of negative,” Carr says, “so making fun of things that happen to me keeps me from going down the rabbit hole.” 

“The Actress” underscores smart, natural humor with true to life reactionary emotion. In its best moments, the show seems much more voyeuristic than performed, providing laughs alongside an authentic immersion that every escapist entertainment enthusiast craves.

http://splitsider.com/2011/12/this-weeks-web-series-you-need-to-watch-the-actress/

Touching and darkly funny.

http://thehairpin.com/2011/11/ann-carr-is-the-actress