The Spirited Actor

Casting Director, Elsie Stark loves casting. Searching for the perfect actors that

will bring to life her clients projects is a rush. She believes in diversity; diversity

in the type of projects that she casts, as well as diversity in the kind of actors that

she works with. It is what makes SNP one of the most successful, creative, cutting

edge and diversified casting offices in New York. It has been her manifesto since

she began casting.

With many years of experience in casting she has attained extensive knowledge

of the unlimited talent pool in the U.S. and internationally. Her home base of New

York gives her an endless creative pool of talent that can fill any casting need. In

addition, Ms. Stark's expertise, background and language skills has made SNP

the premiere casting office for the exploding Spanish commercial market and

other projects in many other languages.

Film credits include the currently released in “America Adrift” with Loren Luna

Velez, which premiered at the International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival.

In 2015 multi-festival award winner “Cassanova Was A Woman”, 2014 film short,

“Dollar Night”, NY International Latino Film Festival and 2002 ALMA Award

winner, “Blue Diner” directed by Jan Egleson. “All Night Bodega”, directed by

Felix Olivier which won Special Jury prizes at the LA Latino Film Festival as well

as the NY International Latino Film Festival. “Dance With Me”, written & directed

by Ryu Murakami and “The Final Patient”, starring Bill Cobbs and the timely

independent film “Ilegales” directed by Ric Dupont that deals with illegal

immigration in the U.S. For many years SNP cast for The Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s

Fifth Night series as well as the NYWIFT Screenplay Reading Series.

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Rashidi Hendrix - Producer Credits included The Apprentice and Oscar Award Winner Monique’s BET talk show

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Thomas Q. Jones is a captivating force on and off the field. While best known as an unstoppable all-time leading running back that played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL), Jones has turned his post-NFL focus to the world of acting in both film and television, and the world of technology as the Chief Executive Officer of the mobile application developer, Castar Applications, Inc.

In film was in "Straight Outta Compton," the feature film based on the lives and careers of the hip-hop group, N.W.A. He shared a memorable scene with Paul Giamatti. The film opened on August 14, 2015, and debuted in the number one box office position, and remained in the top position for three consecutive weeks. In 2016, Jones is both a producer and actor in upcoming screen adaptation of the graphic novel, "Loyalty," with Lucien Laviscount, as well as an actor in the independent short film project, "Love and The Line," and the innovative independent feature length film, "9 Rides," shot entirely using 4K video with an iPhone 6s.

In television, Jones guest-starred in Seasons 2 and 3 of the BET hit drama series, "Being Mary Jane," in a multi-episode arc as "Brandon 'Cutty Buddy' Gibson," love interest to "Mary Jane Paul," played by award-winning actress, Gabrielle Union. He also played the role of "Comanche" on the Netflix hit series Marvel's "Luke Cage" in an 8 episode arc. On the TV ONE comedy series, "Born Again Virgin," Jones guest-starred as the irresistible commercial pilot, "Vince," a love interest to the series lead, Danielle Nicolet. He also appeared in featured roles in the acclaimed Showtime series "Shameless," and IFC's "Comedy Bang! Bang!"

In technology, Jones developed his first mobile application through his company, Castar Applications, Inc. The launch application, Castar, is an iOS, Android and Windows social business application for creative, talented individuals to showcase their special skills, network with industry professionals, connect with targeted audiences and agents, grow and manage their fan base, and earn money. Jones plans to develop more mobile applications that enhance users' social media and e-commerce experiences.

Drafted 7th overall in the 2000 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals out of the University of Virginia, Jones went on to become one of the 25 all-time leading rushers in NFL history, with more than 10,000 rushing yards. In addition to the Arizona Cardinals, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming an AFC Rushing Leader, a 2006 NFC champion, 2007 Super Bowl XLI player, and 2009 Pro-Bowl selection within his career. In 2010, Jones was nominated for "The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year" award recognizing an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. In 2019 Jones was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jones grew up in Big Stone Gap, VA alongside five sisters, one brother, and his coal-miner parents. He collaborated with his parents to publish "Blessings from the Dust," a book inspired by the struggles the family endured coming from the poverty-stricken coal-mining camps of Virginia. A feature length film based on this book is in development.

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JODI COLLINS is a prominent casting director, producer, talent manager and creative consultant with over twenty years of experience in the entertainment industry. Jodi’s boutique company JLC Entertainment Group develops combinations of hyphenate talent; actor l writer l creators helping them to develop their content for all areas of media. Jodi is reputed to unearth NEW talent who provide fresh and interesting perspectives discovered from the worlds of alternative talent, music, and writing and traditionally also recognizes ideas for trend-setting storytelling for collaborations with talent across assorted media platforms. Jodi's history of work for the major cable & broadcast networks has had her find and give talent their first opportunities before they were stars. Network executives and their development departments call upon Jodi to consult for them and to scout for new under-the-radar comedy talent. This trusted sensibility; alternative meets commercially accessible had Jodi deliberately cross-pollinating and marrying untypical talent with projects to enrich a story with imaginative choices.  Her love is to work with improvisers, actors and standups...; and then some!  

Jodi also offers an exclusive actors class in branding and script analysis.

Jodi’s management clients are currently working as actors in recurring roles on network series and as staff writers on network shows and are represented by the top talent agencies.  

JLCEntertainmentGroup.com: JLC Entertainment Group is a hands-on boutique company who also produces and develops work with their talent to pitch + sell to the many assorted platforms.

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Patrick Riley, Actor, starred in an Award Winning film “Steps”, Author of “That’s what friends are for”, former Field Producer for “Where are they Now” the on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

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Cathleen Triggs-Jones - Emmy Award Winning Fox Journalist turned Producer/Actress. Her credits include Power, Madam Secretary, All Eyez on Me and her show BET’s “We are the Joneses”

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This weeks Guest Comedian/Actor Jon Laster comes to us from Denver by way of Brooklyn and thousands of electrifying stand up performances. He’s been featured in Rolling Stone, the New York Times and has recently added acting, producing and Instagram aficionado to his resume, were in for a hurricane of laughter!

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Ardenia Brown Personal Chef to Ahmir Thompson (QuestLove) of the Legendary Band The Roots

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On this episode of ‘The Spirited Actor’ Tracey Moore speaks with casting director Kim Williams about the secrets of the casting process.

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On this episode of ‘The Spirited Actor’ Tracey Moore speaks with Kellita Smith for the second time! Covering again the Resilient Actor.

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