Cast and Crew Bios
CAST (Season Two)
Lisa Coombs (Creator/Writer/Producer/Ashley) graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in acting and has been living and working in the Los Angeles area since 2008. She has trained in comedy at Scott Sedita Acting Studios and improv at the Groundlings School and has also studied stand-up comedy with Judith Shelton. Lisa has appeared in many stage productions as well as student and independent films. Los Angeles theatre credits include Hope and Gravity and Flare Path with Left Brain Productions, Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice with The Colonials, The Alice Project and Much Ado About Nothing with the Vesper Theatre Company, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur with the Lyric Theatre, and Hamlet in Buffalo with the Secret Rose Theater. Lisa represented commercially by BBR! www.lisacoombs.com
Rich Prugh (Devin) graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Acting and has been living and working in the Los Angeles area since 2006 as an actor and professional photographer. He has appeared in several student and independent films and numerous stage productions. Some of his theatre credits include The Alice Project with the Vesper Theatre Company, A Midsummer Night's Dream and As You Like It with the Delaware Shakespeare Festival, and Rinocerous and King Gordagon with the Black Box Players at SU. His photography work can be seen here: www.prughphoto.com
Ari Agbabian (Ari) Ari Agbabian has been acting in theater and television for over 15
years. Theater roles include Shylock and Toby Belch with The
Colonials. Television Credits include Spike, USA and History. Ari also
enjoys working as a dramaturge-at-large at the Inkwell Theater in Los
Angeles.
Alexa Russo (Rose) Alexa Russo is a strangely excited Actor/Comedian with an open
heart and a hippie soul. Her dreams brought her from a small town in
Arizona to Los Angeles in 2009...and she never looked back! Alexa can be
seen on Nickelodeon's "Henry Danger", Disney Channel's "Austin & Ally", and performing musical improv with her team, "Adele Dazeem", at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theater. Love to all.
Instagram: @alexa_russo
Michael King (Mr. Prescott) You may recognize Michael King as that guy who occasionally invades your
home in commercials for Heineken, Bose, Skechers, Zappos, Boost Mobile,
HomeAdvisor, Tophatter.com and, most especially, as the “James Bond”
handyman husband for Wayfair, a spot that’s been running for several
years. Michael has appeared in numerous shorts and independent films
including a co-star role in the feature, Come Into Your Own, now
available on Amazon Prime Video. As Mr. Prescott in Finding Normal,
Michael is joyfully reunited with Lisa Coombs and Alexa Russo, beloved
former classmates from Scott Sedita’s Acting Studio. Follow his online
adventures on Twitter and Instagram at @mikekingjr.
Dolly Wyatt (Interviewer 1) Dolly is thrilled to be part of Finding Normal Season Two and enjoyed
working with the cast and crew. She's augmented her degree in Theater
from Purdue University with additional training from IOWest, Kalemenson
& Kalmenson and individual acting coaches. You can find other
examples of her work on DC Universe Online: Rise of the Heros as Miss
Know-It-All, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as woman in convertible, and
as the hand on Beverly Hills Bordello episode 3 (uncredited). You'll
hear Dolly's acting more often, as she predominantly works as a voice
actor. When not acting, you'll find her doing DZR jujitsu, scuba
diving, playing with cats or traveling - in combination or separately.
Timothy Davis-Reed (Interviewer 2) Timothy Davis-Reed is a veteran of over 150 episodes of network
television, including two seasons as a Series Regular Sports Night and 6
seasons as White House Press Reporter Mark O’Donnell on the Emmy winning hit The
West Wing. Other, more recent television
appearances include: Mom, Lethal Weapon, NCIS and Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders. He has featured roles in three films being released in 2020 - Pink Skies Ahead, No Running and The Way You Look Tonight.
Jacques Freydont (Executive Primrose) In the 60s and 70s, Jacques Freydont was a hippie. In the 80s and
90s, he was a businessman. In the first two decades of this century,
he
was an actor. Now he’s a cook. It took 70 years for him to find his
place in
life.
Ryan P.A. Walsh (Waiter) is a Syracuse University Drama ‘07 alumnus. After graduation, he moved
to New York City, where he honed his craft and skills as an off-duty
ninja, a scarecrow-esque heroin addict, and Jim Morrison. He would then
find himself in Los Angeles, playing the role for which he’d prepared,
Method style, over six years in both New York and Los Angeles: the Angry
Crab Shack Waiter. Please enjoy the show. Gratuity not included. 18% or
higher highly recommended.--
Ash Tholpady (Brian) Actor/Producer Ash Khan, a doctor in his previous life, broke free of
society's shackles to pursue film acting full-time. After scoring a
number of lead roles in feature length films in Texas, he relocated to
Los Angeles and studied Meisner at the Elizabeth Mestnik Studio. He
currently produces content for and stars in the hit single cam Youtube
series, 'Humor Endorphins'. When he's not on camera, you can find him
dancing salsa at various nightclubs in LA...or investing in the stock
market.
Alexis DeDonato (Lexy) Alexis
is a Syracuse University Alum from the Musical Theatre Dept! She's
toured with Yo Gabba Gabba! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and has
performed at many regional theatre's across the country. She loves
getting to collaborate with friends on creating content AND writing her
own Cabarets she's performed in NYC, Los Angeles, London and Philly (her
hometown!). She's a proud member or AEA & SAG-AFTRA and you can check out her IG @alexisdoriandee123 or on YouTube.
Garrett Schweighauser (Steve) Garrett Schweighauser is an actor and comedian who lives in a
one bedroom apartment with his fiance and dog. If you don't visit him at
his apartment you can see him on YouTube in "The Bachelor Princess
Edition" and in an episode of "The Rookie". You can also see him in season 2 of "Finding Normal!"
Katie Kotulak (Shelly) Katie Kotulak is an actor living in LA with her fiancé Garrett and dog Whiskey. Originally from Colorado, she loves to hike, camp, and will scream at any moth that comes near her. You can check her out on the web series "The Bachelor: Princess Edition" as Cinderella who is in it to win it, and is super excited to be a part of Finding Normal Season Two!
CREW (Season Two)
Chelsea Gonzalez (Director/Andrea) Chelsea Gonzalez was named ‘Most Powerful Voice’ by New York’s Blackbird Film Festival for her first short film, Susanne and The Man. The film was an official selection at 25 film festivals including Sarasota, DeadCenter, and DC Independent. She went on to take top honors at the Los Angeles Connect Film Festival (Best Comedic Short) and San Francisco Actors Film Festival (Best Actor).
As an actress, Chelsea appears on Hulu’s The Mindy Project, CBS’s Criminal Minds, ABC’s Castle, and HBO’s The Jinx. She shared the screen with Doug Jones as Gloria in Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions’ Ouija: Origin of Evil.
Most recently, Franka Potente –famous to American audiences as the title character in Run Lola Run – selected Chelsea to appear in her feature film Home starring Kathy Bates, currently in post-production.
Chelsea has been murdered on screen 7 times and hopes for many more in her future – but she particularly enjoys playing characters who are alive.
She recently wrapped her second short film, All the Wrong Things, which is just beginning the festival circuit with three upcoming screenings. She is currently in development on her first feature.
Chelsea strives to create work that takes a hard look at the darkest parts of ourselves and our society, while still cultivating light and laughter. She lives in Los Angeles.
https://www.chelseagonzalez.com
Christopher Sheffield (Director of Photography/Editor) Managing
Director of Persephone Productions LLC, Christopher Sheffield is a Los
Angeles-based Director and cinematographer. His recent
projects include two feature films as Writer and Director ('Split Lip'
and 'Run For Your Life') that are both available on major streaming
platforms, as well as a critically successful ongoing DC Comics Batgirl
Fan Series available on Youtube.
Jason Sadaya (Sound Tech)
Richard Trejo (Gaffer/Grip)
Daniel Button (Gaffer/Grip)
Production Assistants: Courtney Silbiger, Dulce Da Silva, Samwise Aaron, Morgan Mead, Adam Dornbusch, Christine Vicente
CAST (Season One)
Angel Fajardo (Jose) - Angel is LA born and NYC trained. Between the two coasts, he has
worked in theater, television, film, commercials, and webisodes.
Credits Include: "The Sopranos", "Southland', various stage and
independent film productions, as well as commercials for IHOP, YP.com,
and a yet-to-be released campaign for a big name product. Angel
co-founded Working Artists Lab to help create heartfelt and powerful
productions that deliver a message and employ actors of various ethnic
backgrounds. www.workingartistslab.com
Yuka
Takara (Kim- Episode One Guest Star) is originally from Okinawa, Japan. Broadway: RENT, A CHORUS
LINE, PACIFIC OVERTURES, FLOWER DRUM SONG, MAMMA MIA!
National/International Tours: RENT(Alexi Darling/Dance Captain), FLOWER
DRUM SONG(Mei-Li). Also, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE Reading, Disney's
REFLECTIONS Workshop(Beverly), FLOWER DRUM SONG Workshop, Radio City
Music Hall's CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, City Center Encores! HAIR and BYE
BYE BIRDIE. Regional: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND(Ti Moune) at The York Theatre,
THE FANTASTICKS(Luisa) at Sacramento Music Circus, A CHORUS
LINE(Connie) at Geva Theatre. Film & TV: HOT IN CLEVELAND, EVERY
LITTLE STEP, ED, and LAW & ORDER:SVU. NYMF Award: Outstanding
Individual Performance for THE YELLOW WOOD(Gwen). Albums: "Goin' Home",
"free to fly", "naked voice", "universal u." http://www.yukatakara.com
Delia Farizath (Maria- Episode One Guest Star) grew up in a Tamaulipas,
Mexico. Delia studied International Logistics at
ITESM and has always followed her passion for acting and singing. Since
she was young, Delia complemented school with acting. Her talents also
include drums, modeling and singing. To strengthen her talents, she
received lessons at Metropolitan Cultural Institute, along with Radio
Tacea and Clave de Sol. In 2010 she moved to the United States of
America to pursuit her dream of becoming an actress. She then joined New
York Film Academy where she studied Acting for film. Delia has been
acting in several short films, music videos, television shows and
theater ever since. www.imdb.me/deliacobos
Alexis DeDonato (Chimp Customer- Episode Four Guest Star/Production Assistant) is psyched to be a part of Finding
Normal. She goes back with master minds Lisa and Rich to Ye Olde
Syracuse days where all the craziness manifested in the beloved Drama
Dept! She hails from Drexel Hill PA but was living off and on in NYC
while doing regional theatre. After touring with Yo Gabba Gabba and
Super Why she moved to sunny but often chilly California for a change of
pace! Lex loves to do it all, from making delicious cups of coffee for
the cast and crew to getting all dolled up to jump in front of the
camera. She lives in her little house in Glendale while trying to pursue
something that involves singing, dancing, teaching show choirs, and
writing jingles! She had such a terrific time working on the web series
and is so thankful to have worked with such a creative team! Peace n
Love. Please visit alexisdedonato.com to see what she's been up to!!!
CREW (Season One)
Cooper Griggs (Director/Editor) - Cooper is an up and coming director with many years of editing
under his belt. He is a California native and a graduate of the
University of California, Irvine. Cooper's style mirrors that of our two
stars with a clean, straight-forward approach. He is currently a Director, Senior Editor, and Co-Producer of 'Just Seen It', the review show where industry professionals discuss the newest in theaters, on TV, and Cable. cooperis@yahoo.com
Fyza Ahmed (Producer) - Fyza has about 10 years of experience in the film industry (commercials, music videos and television). She started as an accounting clerk in 1993 at Propaganda Films and worked her way up the company until she made the move to freelance production. She worked as an accounting clerk, AP wrap supervisor, researcher, production assistant, production coordinator, travel coordinator, talent coordinator, production manager and producer. http://sites.google.com/site/fyzagriggsresume
Specialties:
• 1999: Produced low budget music video: Freda Simone “All I Want”
• 2001: Prod. Accountant for BMW Film Series: The Hire (Star, The Follow and Chosen)
• 2004: UPM for Showtime’s Black Filmmaker Showcase: “Gift For The Living”
Will Gordh (Director of Photography) - Will Gordh has worked as a Producer, Director, Editor and Cinematographer for more
than a decade on a wide variety of projects - ranging from feature length films
and commercials to music videos and sketch comedy. His feature-length thriller,
"Night Watcher," is currently being distributed by Lionsgate
Entertainment and he has two features set to release in 2013 – the
psychological thriller, “Eel,” and the raunchy comedy, “Halfway to a Blackout.” Will
Gordh has also directed two popular web-series for cracked.com through his sketch group, “The
Natural Disastronauts.” The team’s
numerous videos have garnered over 10 million views to date. www.willgordh.com
Brandon Cano-Errecart
(Production Sound Mixer/Gaffer/Grip) has worked in many film, commercial and digital media projects since
his move to Los Angeles in 2011 and has won multiple new media and
festival awards. His directing debut, The Sigil, premiered at the 2012
Fear and Fantasy Festival and is distributed by Fabrication Films
(Conversations With Other Women, Savannah). He is currently Director of
Photography for the Payday The Heist web series, directed by Demian
Lichtenstein (3000 Miles To Graceland) and starring Dash Mihok (Silver
Linings Playbool) and Bokeem Woodbine (Total Recall). More information
can be found at www.brandoncanoerrecart.com.
Aaron Fink (Post-Production Sound Mixer) is a recent graduate of the USC film school, having
grown up in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He has worked in production sound
and post-production sound on a number of web series and short films
since graduating in 2011. Also, Aaron is currently a Producer, Director
of Sound and cast member on the PBS show 'Just Seen It', a review show
where industry professionals discuss the newest in theaters, and on
television. aaronf@justseenit.com
Monica Dennis (Graphic Designer) is a Pennsylvania
native and Syracuse University graduate. After earning a BFA in film, she
studied at the FAMU Film Academy in Praque before making her way to Los
Angeles. There, she continued a more irreverent education with the
Upright Citizens' Brigade Theater. Monica has worked in animation,
children's programming, comedy, and is a current producer of Transmedia
Storytelling Content at The Alchemists. Through it all, Monica draws.
She has illustrated for clients including Sprinkles Cupcakes, STRIKE
Entertainment, Have-A-Heart Greeting Cards, personal commissions, and
now, Finding Normal. Take a look at her work here: http://flavors.me/mlhdennis
Tolani Oyefule (Production Assistant) is a recent graduate of Penn State U. And formally
attended Hampton University. He has published a book of poetry entitled;
The Leftside Poets present: Strange fruit. And is a recent transplant
to LA by way of Philadelphia. He is very thankful to Lisa and Rich for providing the opportunity to be a part of an extraordinary team! Tolani.Oyefule@Gmail.com
Special Thanks To:
Chrystal Dake
Alexis DeDonato
Ross Gallo
Jason Hecht
Zak Kinzinger
Joe Marcus
Stacy McKenny
Rosalyn Mitchell
Aubry Morgan
Kevan Norr
Jennifer Reed
All of our Kickstarter backers!!!
