Cast Bios

Click here for L.I.E. show rundown.

Jenn Hyjack was born and raised in New Jersey, the Garden State. She is a hilarious musical comedy performer who has been described as Adam Sandler-esque. She first performed her original tunes in the NYC based sketch troupes, "Hits Like A Girl" and "MOUTH." She then created her own act and took it to the comedy club circuit — just Jenn, her guitar and a touch of Brooklyn attitude. She recently acted and performed her songs in the independent feature film, "Stand Ups," and also performed at the 2004 Boston Comedy Festival. Jenn is also a member of the angriest girl band, ever, "Dirty Jesus." Her sultry voice has led her to become an accomplished voice over talent. Jenn received her BA from Rutgers University and her MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School. For more information go to www.jennhyjack.com.

Mimi Gonzalez graduated from high school as the class clown and then received a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Central Michigan University. Her credits have grown to include Comedy Central's "Women Aloud," "Ellen," "Maury Povich," "Que Loco," "Funny is Funny" and Bravo's "The Gay Riviera." Look closely and you'll see her in the movie "Bound." Living in New York, she continues to write, travel and push people's buttons — fast forward being her favorite.

Erica Jones joins the cast of Live in the East all the way from Los Angeles, California where she lives and performs with the all female sketch comedy group "Angry Jellow Bubbles." In her double role of writer/performer with "Angry Jellow Bubbles," Erica toured extensively throughout the US and Canada and performed in the 2003 Edinburg Fringe Festival. As a stand-up comedian Erica performed regularly at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City and at The Ice House in Pasadena, California. Erica is glad to be back in The East doing what she loves.

Angela Forrest is a native of North Carolina, where audiences began to hear her unique voice and perspective, challenging world politics and stereotypes. A "thinking man's comic" and joyful label breaker, Angela never takes herself too seriously while performing in clubs all around the city, including her headlining act at the Starlight Lounge. Her one-woman show "Profile of a Saint" will be included in La MaMa's 2004-05 season. In addition, Angela has a prominent role in Spike Lee's upcoming "She Hate Me," opening this summer and starred opposite Roger Rees in "Going Under," premiering at the Toronto Film Festival in September. Angela is a graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Born and raised in NY, Rani is a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC. Rani is also co-founder of Time To Storm Productions, which has put up shows all over off and off-off Broadway. Recently, she toured the east and west coast, and was part of the Edinburgh Fringe Fetival in Scotland with the outspoken-all-women-cast of "Angry Jellow Bubbles." Despite the name of the group, Rani is not that angry. She's relatively laid back... which is what happens when one moves to Los Angeles. Rani likes to think of herself as bi-coastal, even though she doesn't really live anywhere at the moment. Be sure to look out for her in really great upcoming stuff.

Natalie Wilder grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and received her BFA in Theatre Performance from The University of Memphis. She has performed sketch and improv all over the Eastern US and has appeared in many theatre and film projects as well. Natalie is a founding member of NYC's premiere commedia del arte troupe, "Lick the Spoon" serving as a writer and resident spunky ingenue. She is a long-time member of "The 10:17 Comedy Troupe" and performed regularly at their acclaimed show at The Gershwin Hotel in Manhattan. Natalie is also a proud member of New Jersey Repertory Company where she staged "Underground Rep", a sketch comedy/variety show with great success. She currently lives in Astoria, NY where she finds inspiration for new characters on a daily basis.

Julie Goldman studied theater at Emerson College. Her comic talents and boundless energy have lead to performances on HBO, VH-1, USA, Comedy Central and PBS. Julie has headlined at clubs, colleges and theaters around the country. Visit www.julie-goldman.com for more Julie.

Rachel Feinstein was born in Washington, D.C. She does standup and sketch comedy all over the U.S. You can see her this fall on Comedy Central's Premium Blend.

Angelo Lozada is the founder of the sketch comedy group Nuyorican Rule. As a standup comedian he has worked in such venues as the Apollo, Stand Up NY and Caroline's to name a few. Television credits include NBC's "Showtime At The Apollo", BET's "Comic View" and Metrotv's "New Joke City." Angelo prides himself in being able to do his comedy in both English and Spanish. His film credits include "The Arrangement."

Andrew Schwartztol hails from Miami, Florida where he attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, focusing on Journalism, prior to getting interested in comedy. Andrew moved up to New York and attended Hofstra University while crafting his routine on the stages of the NY Clubs such as: Caroline's, Stand Up NY and Gotham. Andrew graduated from the American Comedy Institute's training program.

Miles Grose is a native New Yorker whose sketch work includes "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", Howard Stern, and "Up All Night" on the USA Network. In addition to Miles' sketch work, he has appeared in various commercials and his voice has been featured in numerous voice-overs. Miles credits his path into comedy to Tim Conway, the original cast of SNL and, of course, his mom.

Drew Wininger discovered his love for comedy late one night while a student at Union College. Unable to sleep, Drew turned on (ironically) "Insomniac with Dave Attel." From that moment on, a comic was born. His sketches and stand up have been featured in clubs all over the Eastern U.S. Drew is a graduate of the American Comedy Institute and continues to study improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade.

Russell Brand took the plunge into comedy after 7 years of working retail in Philadelphia (his home town). Russ decided that the time had come to pursue his dream. He quit his job, came to New York and enrolled in the American Comedy Institute. From there, Russ went on to perform in clubs all over the city, honing his characters and his craft. Russ is a graduate of Penn State University.

Michael Weingartner grew up just outside Washington, D.C., where his early exposure to politics and politicians helped form his comedic sensibilities and first-rate impressions, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and many more. He's also been known to slip into a dead-on Richard Pryor for hours on end. Weingartner's talents have taken him to comedy clubs across the country, as well as in front of the camera as an actor and host of his own television program "The Faces of Fitness." Look for Michael in the upcoming films, "Dead Serious," "Cosmic Crush," and "Turbo-Charged." Weingartner is also an award-winning producer having created programming for the likes of MSNBC and CBS. Weingartner graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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