News About Our Students

The best place to get information student bookings is on our Facebook and Google+ pages!


April 17, 2012

Chynna Merritt
Way to go Chynna Merritt for booking a film titled Nuclear Family!


April 15, 2012
Justice Sylstra
Congrats to Playground preteen professional , Justice Sylstra, for booking Wells Fargo and Disney Commercials.


April 2, 2012
Owen Teague

 

Galya coached private client Owen Teague on a new sit-com ‘Malibu Country’ – he booked the role of Jack, playing Reba McEntire’s young son on her. Congratulations!


March 2012
Serena Perl

 

Congrats Serena Perl for booking a Nine Star commercial and a Twizzlers infomercial with As Seen on TV products.


March 2012
Caitlin Williams

 

Caitlin Williams co-starred as Tiffany, in the hit TV show The Office.


March 2012
Tyler Alexander

 

Tyler Alexander who is with Ford models booked 2 modeling jobs: “Good Day LA” on Fox 11 and a photo shoot for California Adventure. Awesome job!


March 2012
Esthefany Bolivar

 

Congrats to Esthefany Bolivar for booking America’s next top Model 18, a Girls Scouts commercial, and an Ojala short film. Keep up the good work!


March 2012
Katherine Hurley

 

Katherine Hurley booked a national Wheel of Fortune commercial! Way to go!


March 27, 2012

 

Hi Gary

How are u? I just want to tell u Emily got a job offer for the Disney fairies commercial and we are at the studio now. Ur school made her dream come true, thank u to all of her teachers. Emily’s acting is great.

Mariko Cohen

AEmily HS 7


March 26, 2012

A shout out to former Playground student Matthew Jacob Wayne. On facebook he tells us…

“WOW!! Have a look at the article that came out in Animation Magazine a few days ago! I, Matthew Jacob Wayne, am the voice of Little Nut Brown Hare, in: “Guess How Much I Love You – The Adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare” [The] show airs on Disney Junior every Friday night “

Animation Magazine Article about Little Nutbrown Hare


March 19, 2012
Shauna Case Facebook Post


March 9, 2012
RILEY NICE
Playgrounder Riley Nice is the main Guest Star on House M.D. airing April 23rd. Congratulations to Riley – what a fantastic first credit to put on your resume!


Feb 28, 2012
Meagan Bitonti Loomis posted to Gary Spatz’s “THE PLAYGROUND” on Facebook

Thanks to your amazing staff and awesome training facilities Faith not only signed with AEF but booked her FIRST National commercial for Avon on her very first audition!!!!!


Dec 4, 2011
Christabella Angel on Facebook
Gary Spatz’s “THE PLAYGROUND”
Congratulations go out to Gayla’s private student Christabella Angel on booking two national commercials. One for the drug LANTIS. Even though the Casting Director was only hiring teenagers to play a family, she saw Christabella in the waiting room and called her in to audition. They loved her so much, they added an additional character of a younger sibling to the commercial! And she just booked a National Build-A-Bear commercial with her younger sister Portia.

Portia, who is another one of Gayla’s private students and the two sisters both auditioned for the part. Even though the production was only going to hire ONE actress, they chose to use the TWO sisters since they were so perfect together! How awesome it that!!!

Jimmy Angel: Kudos goes out to Gayla, Cindy and Jillana. Thank you for all that you have done and all the continue to do. Gayla is obviously an incredible acting coach, but her warmth and depth and love are what makes her undeniably unique in the world as a whole. Thank you!

Jimmy Angel: On the Hollywood note of acting……always be prepared. Christabella and Portia got their most recent jobs because they were camera ready and ready to audition and happened to be present. Casting is always looking for the right people…. even if you are standing in a waiting area supporting someone else for their audition. Be prepared and know that your time will come…..especially with the right people in your corner.


Oct 21, 2011

Hello Gary,

How are you? I just wanted to keep in touch. Raven booked her 1st print job today with McDonald’s. We are all very excited! Raven really enjoyed working with you. She changed so much after her training at The Playground. I didn’t think she really enjoyed acting as much as her sister. Now she is crazy about acting. I asked why she liked The Playground so much. She said because Gary has faith in me. He thinks I can be good at this. WOW, she picked that up and she is only 6. She is too funny and way too smart for her age. Please tell your Darcy and Gayla hello and send our love. Thanks for your time.

Thanks,

Amelia, Sydney, & Raven


Oct 13, 2011

Student Madeleine Claire Signs With Abrams Artists Agency And Books First Audition

Perry Tessel writes:

So, if you can let Gary and Andrea know, Madeleine (aka Madeleine Claire) signed with Abrams Artists Agency (theatrical and commercial) a few weeks back: we had our first “family” meeting on a Wednesday, first audition the very next day, no call back, and then her agent called on Saturday telling us that she got the part. I JUST finished uploading to the last of the 3 casting sites so she’s ready to roll. You can let Gary know, that although Madeleine isn’t studying there now, you guys were certainly instrumental in landing her representation. She used her Elliot’s Sparkling Water :30 that she wrote for you … in her closed door meeting with the heads of the two departments. If anyone questions the “authenticity” of the Playground and it’s coaches, I can attest to the fact that it helped in building Madeleine’s acting foundation. We’ll just have to see where we go from here….


Oct 02, 2011

Former Student Sue Yee Books National, Seasonal Marie Calendars Commercial

Just got wonderful news about former student Sue Yee. Her agent, who discovered Sue at one of The Playground’s special performance nights, wrote to tell us the Sue just booked a National, Seasonal commercial for Marie Calendars! Great news all around – congratulations Sue.


Aug 28, 2011

The Playground Food Drive Brings In 2,730 Items!

Over the weekend, students from The Playground went out into the community and brought back a ton of food (we didn’t weigh it, but it might actually BE a ton!)

Students from the Playground collected food for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank as part of an effort organized by teacher Casey Strand. The class which collected the most food will film an in-house PSA about childhood hunger!

The Playground 2011 Student Food Drive

The winning class was….  Jenn and Rainy’s Saturday 5:30 Beginning Pre-teen class  who brought in 234 items!  For their efforts. they will write and star in a commercial about ending childhood hunger. The finished commercial will be aired on the Playground website and on our YouTube channel.

2nd place went to….. Lee, Kelli and Laura’s Professional Teen class (3:15) with 165 items.

3rd place went to…  Gayla and Kelli’s Profession Children’s Sunday 10:15 class with 164 items.

There was a close 4th place from Casey and Rebecca’s Sunday Advanced Pre-Teen 3:30 class.  They brought in a total of 159 items!

So, kudos to all!  A good thing happened that weekend and the students learned something and felt good doing it.  After all, acting is about imaginative play and empathy.  These young people got a lesson in being able to put themselves in someone else’s shoes… And the whole community is better because of it.


Dec 20th, 2010

Matthew Neibert Books a Commercial a Short and a Feature!

(from Matthew’s father) – Last week we received a call from Matthew’s manager, Marty Weiss, that Matthew had been booked to shoot a scene in an independent feature film, along with 3 other of Marty’s clients.  All the kids worked together in the scene on this one day shoot.  The film is titled: The Guest House.  The director is Michael Baumgarten and the film is expected to make the festival circuit and will more than likely go to DVD, at the very least.  The role Matthew had is a credited role!  This was also Matthew’s first feature film paying role!!  ;)
In addition to this film, Matthew recently shot a spec commercial for LEVI’S.  He also shot a short film, titled: Redemption, in which he has a supporting role.

So, to summarize, in the past month Matthew has done one commercial, one short film and one feature film.

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and we’ll see you next year!!!

Best,

Russ


Dec 16th, 2010

Another Booking for Amelia

Gayla sends A hug and a kiss out to our little redheaded firecracker Amelia Compton.  She  just booked a webisode series called “Happy Place” that will appear on Will Ferrell’s Funny or Die


Dec 9th, 2010

Gayla Visits the filming of the first episode of “Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures”

Gayla was an invited guest for the shooting of the very first ever episode of Nickelodeon’s new series “Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures”. The show stars her private client and former Playground graduate Ashley Argota as uber hot lifeguard “Kelly” and her student and soon to be 2011 Playground graduate Tiffany Espensen as the trouble maker little sister “Piper”.  Catch it on Nickelodeon next year!  Way to go girls! (you can see her photos of the visit on our Facebook page!)


Nov 23th, 2010

A Letter from Carrie

Gayla,
Wanted to let you know we won’t be at class today. Amelia worked on location for a Dreamworks movie until 1:30 AM and we just got home.

It was “I Am Number 4“, Directed by DJ Caruso. Due in theaters Feb. 18. She was in a minivan as part of a redheaded family. We drove up and down Stadium Way at Dodger Stadium with a giant camera rigged on a truck. Call time was 7:30 PM and they started shooting at 11:45!

The brother in the car with her does lots of Disney and network stuff and just returned from shooting Spooky Buddies in Canada. She had a great experience and had to pretend to be afraid of the alien (camera) looking in the minivan window (and scream on cue). Hopefully it will make it into the movie. It was a reshoot and had just been added so we’re hopeful!

She got her first SAG voucher!

Carrie


Nov 13th, 2010

A Letter From Ily

Hi Gary & Gayla,
I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled EJ is on set shooting the short films! Thank you for your incredible generosity, guidance, and mentoring.  The shoots will be wrapped up by Sunday, Nov. 21st.  Below are the titles of the projects:

The Legend of the Oracle – Non-Union Short Film, Director Adam G. Key, Role Truman (supporting): First of a trilogy of action films.  Finished shooting first film, Oct 31st, second film scheduled Spring 2011, third film scheduled Summer/Fall 2011. Independent film. Location Los Angeles.

Jay – SAG Deferred Short Film, Director Emily R. Womelsduff, Role Ben (supporting): Drama, film being submitted to film festivals. Premiere April 2011. Azusa University senior student project. Location Ontario and Los Angeles.

My Big Happy Family – Non-Union Short Film, Director Riley Hayes, Role Titus (supporting): Dark Comedy, film being submitted to film festivals.  Premiere April 2011. Chapman University senior student project. Location Newport Beach.

Also, he finished shooting a Bank of America national commercial and his second Wii commercial.  The first was the Alice in Wonderland and now the Pictionary

Other commercials: ACE Hardware for regional Hispanic market and Kaplan K-12 regional commercial

Ongoing projects: 15 on 15 web episodes, regular recurring guest star. Shoots in Hollywood once a month in The Room Live, 20,000+ viewers .

In late September, EJ was on the set of Shake It Up as a super extra featured role of David.  In mid October, was called back to audition for guest role Frankie, was in producer’s session, was pinned, and came in second for the role.

On Labor Day weekend, EJ performed for an audience of over 25,000 at the Los Angeles Fest with indi band, Dead Man’s Bones, lead by Ryan Gosling and Zac Shields, where he is a member of the  choir.

All of this would not have been possible without your support, ongoing commitment, and dedication.  EJ loves coming to class and being challenged!

Feel free to share with other students and parents and let them know to “never give up.”

Ily


October 13, 2010
Congrats to Jeorday Raines on booking a Prop 8 PSA. See Photo…


Oct 13, 2010
Hey Gary its Brooke. I came to visit you recently. Sorry for getting back to you so late. I wanted to tell you about the jobs I have booked so far this year. The most recent job I did was the No Ordinary Family episode and it airs on November 9th – I play Kristy Duncan. She isn’t the nicest character but it was fun to play her. I also did an Alice In Wonderland Wii video game commercial earlier in the year and it aired in theaters right before the Alice In Wonderland movie. It was so awesome to see that. And after that I booked a line in Icarly and it’s the episode called “Isam’s Mom”. I wanted to thank you for always believing in me. I learned so much taking your classes and they helped me get to where I am today. I am no longer nervous when I walk into an audition room :) Its so much easier that way (lol). I hope everything is well with you.

Brooke Nelson


October 11, 2010
Congrats to Playground graduate and Gayla Goehl’s private client Ashley Argota. She booked and shot a guest star role on the Nickelodeon show “The Troop” where she plays an evil villian. And, of course, we all knew she could play evil really well all the time. Brewhahahaha!
See Photo…


October 10, 2010
A big congratulations go out to Teen Professional Class student Albert Sanchez for booking a National Appleby’s commercial.


October 9, 2010
Dear Gary Spatz,
Thanks to you and “The Playground” my son was able to book a “Guess Campaign”. Since he joined “The Playground” his confidence level went way up!
Thank you Playground!
Alexandra Herr
See photo…


Sep 29, 2010
We just heard that 14 year old private coaching client Joel Courtney,
from Moscow Idaho, has been selected for a lead role in  J.J. Abrams’
upcoming feature, “Super 8″. More info when we get it! Congratulations
Joel.

Busy date today – also got word that former student Julian Works just booked the lead in ‘KROG’ a new series for The Cartoon Network. Here is an article about the casting notice.


Sep 26, 2010
The good news keeps on coming… Once more from Graca Pimentel:

Hey Gary, it’s me again I want you to know that Dominique Garlitos booked with HM stores and she will shoot for the next 3 days! She is so happy!!! We just love The Playground!!! …and miss all! Thank you for everything!!! xoxo


Sep 23, 2010
Here’s a bit of exciting news [about] Matthew Jacob Wayne!!!

Matthew has been selected to be one of the presenters at the upcoming OMNI AWARDS Fall 2010 Show!!!!   The OMNI’s are an entertainment industry awards show for young talent, up to age 18, for film, TV, music, writing, composing, performance, acting, directing, etc…  The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 3rd.

Now you know!!!!  :) )   Matthew is extremely excited and honored to have been chosen to take part in this event, which will include Matthew’s first ever “walk down the red carpet”!!!

Have a great week all!!!!
Russ – Matthew Jacob Wayne’s dad


Sep 21 2010:
Got a lovely message on Facebook from “Graca Pimentel”:
Hey Gary how is everything?…just wanted to let you know that Nickole Garlitos booked with Domino’s Pizza…she is shooting tomorrow…and yesss!!!! she is so happy!!! Thank you for everything! xoxo Grasa


Sep 2010:
Joaquin Mas,  Age 9, booked a national Ubisoft Commerical (for a dance video game). He is a private coaching student with both Gary and Gayla and is also a new student in the professional preteen classes.

Jeordy Raines, who is in the Jr. Varsity preteen class, booked a supporting role on “Arizona 17 Children” with the discovery channel. It’s a new crime series of famous kidnappings.


7 Responses to News About Our Students

  1. Russ says:

    Hey Gayla & Gary!!

    I know, I know, so much has been happening for my son, Matthew Jacob Wayne and you, Gayla, have told me to update you so you can post up all the good news here!! Well, finally, I’m finding the time to do so. So…………..here you go!!!!

    Matthew has just finished filming on his 6th short film, in the past 8 months. Two of these projects are already through post production and ‘in the can’, as they say. In fact, we received the DVD’s, for Matthew’s reel and resume very recently, for the films: SHELTER: THE BUNKER and WURM, both short films. The BIG news is that Matthew has been submitted as a potential nominee for BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR in a SHORT FILM in the 5 to 11 year old age group, for his role in WURM, at next years 2011 Young Artists Awards!!! The YAA’s, as their known as, take place here in Los Angeles sometime in the early spring, usually the first part of April. If indeed Matthew gets this nomination, win, or lose, a lot of the credit goes to The Playground, especially you, Gayla, for your incredible one on one coaching of Matthew, in preparation for the many roles and auditions he has done over the past 10 to 12 months.

    On the other films: REDEMPTION, OPERATION: BAZOOKA BOOM, REVOLUTION, and TWO DE FORCE, Matthew has wrapped shooting on all but REVOLUTION and TWO DE FORCE, which he has some ‘pick ups’ to do on REVOLUTION and as for TWO DE FORCE, the writer/director has announced that this independent short film is now being expanded to be an Independent Feature Film! All of the cast members are being ‘retained’, for the film’s shooting schedule to resume once again, as soon as the additional screenplay and script are ready to go, which are being fine tuned by the writer as I type this letter. Therefore, Matthew will soon be back to shooting on his first ever feature length film, most likely right after the holidays!!

    Matthew also was recently selected as one of the cast members, for a table read through of the script, for another feature film project, which I cannot discuss at this time. However, the fact that he has been invited to participate in the table read, gaurantees him an audition for the role in the film when that process starts in the future sometime. Just getting the chance to be a part of this and be with and in front of the producers and directors at the table read, is an excellent opportunity for Matthew to show “his stuff”, and have a leg up at the upcoming auditions. Very cool stuff indeed!!!

    So, as you can see, Matthew’s been one pretty busy little actor! :) I did not go into the many auditions he’s been on, but suffice to say, he has had several and we’re awaiting any words of callbacks still on a few. Just as recently as early this week, Matthew had an agent meeting, with a potential new agency interested in representing him theatrically and commercially. Well, he more than impressed them and we are in the process of switching agents, which I and Matthew firmly believe will bring him even more opportunities!!!

    We cannot express enough our gratitude to The Playground, to you, Gayla and are forever indebted to the one and only Mr. Gary Spatz, for his insight, inspiration, guidance, mentorship and unending genorosity. THANK YOU, GARY!!!

    All the best,
    Russ (dad) &
    Matthew Jacob Wayne (talent / Playground Student)

  2. Russ says:

    Hello Gary & Gayla,

    I wanted to let you both know, updating my letter about Matthew to the Playground, early last December, how the Young Artist Awards ‘potential nomination’ for Matthew as a Best Actor turned out, among other things.

    The ‘potential’ became a reality when we received a letter of acknowledgement and official invitation as a ‘nominee’, from Matthew’s manager on Friday, February 4th, that Matthew Jacob Wayne had been nominated as a Best Actor (5 – 11 year old boys category), for his role in the short independent film: WURM. After 6 weeks of being on pins and needles, in anticipation of the awards show, we all attended the event, myself, my wife Stephanie and of course, Matthew, this past Sunday, March 13th. It was an amazing day!! Matthew walked the red carpet and was interviewed by several media entities (his first ever experience with THAT!! :) and we hung out with several of our actor friends and their parents and also met some ‘new friends’ in the industry. We saw some people we rarely get to see, including some of Matthew’s past and present mentors and coaches, in the industry. (wish you guys could’ve been there too!) We also saw a few other past Playground students, now sucessful in the industry and had some picture taking sessions with them all. See my facebook page for lots of photos (Russ Neibert) of our day at the YAA’s!
    Even though Matthew did not win the award, just his being nominated as one of four very talented young actors, from around the country and globe, actually, is a HUGE honor and one Matthew will never forget!! Much of his success, again, is owed to The Playground and to the wonderful Gayla Goehl, who coached Matthew on his nominated role!!
    This coming Sunday, we are attending the screening of yet another of Matthew’s short films, The Windmill, which I’d mentioned was shooting in my last “Matthew update” to you all. Can’t wait to see this one!!
    Matthew has had several huge auditions in the past two months, for both TV episodics, pilots, sitcoms and feature film roles. He was actually ‘pinned’ for one recurring guest starring role on an episodic and the writers wrote the character out of the script. Oh well, at least Matthew knows he was “right there”!! ;) ) Your training has helped Matthew understand how this business works and therefore, he is very, very composed and content when things such as this happen, saying: “whatever, no big deal, we’ll go for the next role!!” :) )) Gotta love that attitude!!
    Ok, there you have it. Nuf said for now.
    Hope all is well in your worlds and all our “family of friends at The Playground” past and present. Looking forward to Matthew’s graduation ceremonies in the next couple of months.

    Best to you all…………
    Russ, Stephanie & Matthew Jacob Wayne ;)

  3. Russ, that’s all great stuff and thanks for sharing it with us!

  4. Russ N. says:

    Hello Gayla……

    As Matthew Wayne’s acting coach (and former teacher there at The Playground), you know we like to keep you informed of all the exciting things that are happening with Matthew’s budding career and LOVE of acting! So, it’s been a little while, since I’ve updated you all on what’s been happening, so here we go!!!

    Matthew switched agencies back in May of this year and is now represented commercially and theatrically by Coast To Coast Talent Group – Youth Division. Since this transition, Matthew has been out on no less than a dozen major auditions, in the past two months and THAT is even with having been booked out for a period of a week and a half, over those 8 weeks. So, needless to say, he’s been a busy little actor! ;)
    Out of these auditions, Matthew booked his first ever guest starring role, in the new Nickelodeon TV show: Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures, in early June. This was only his 4th audition outing, for Coast, so THEY were ecstatic at having picked up Matthew as a client/talent. :) ) Matthew was part of the cast that taped this particular episode in front of a live studio audience, which was a first for Matthew as well. Although Matthew has done live theater before, this TV filming experience was new to Matthew and he ROCKED IT!!! The audience response to his scene in the show was ‘perfect’ and I will be sure to inform you all of when the show’s air date will be, so you can see ‘and hear’, for yourself(ves). Matthew also was lucky enough to get to work with two other former PLAYGROUND alumni who star in this Nickelodeon sitcom, Ashley Argota and Tiffany Espensen. THAT was a real treat for Matthew and he and the entire cast had a blast doing this episode. I can’t wait to see it on the small screen!!!
    Since this very FUN job, Matthew has had many more auditions, most recently three, for very substantive roles in three major feature films. One of which is already mostly cast, with major Hollywood stars!!! Can’t talk about it just yet, but it’s a huge opportunity, for Matthew and we are hopeful.
    Matthew, in fact, just got a callback, for tomorrow, on a very cool short film project, which you coached Matthew for the initial audition on, Gayla. The film: Mrs. Henderson’s Cat is a great project and one Matthew would love to do!! I hope the producer and director will both like Matthew enough tomorrow, to give him the part. Stay tuned………. :) )
    Well………….there you have it. A quick update on Mr. Matthew Wayne’s Adventures!!! :) )))
    Once again, many thanks go out to The Playground, Gary and his staff there, for the two years of training Matthew has gotten and especially to you, Gayla, for your awesome way of coaching and bringing out the BEST in Matthew, for all of these auditions, callbacks and roles he has been so fortunate to land! So……THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!
    Have a great week everybody……………

    All the Best,
    Russ (dad)
    for: Matthew Jacob Wayne (actor / talent / The Playground Kids Professionals Grad)

  5. Russ N. says:

    ………….. OH!!! I forgot to add one little tidbit…. ;) lol…… As you know, Matthew was a BEST ACTOR nominee at last year’s Young Artist Awards and now, this year, I just learned that Matthew is being ‘considered’ as a potential nominee once againg, for a BEST ACTOR nod, for his work in WURM (again, 2010 YAA Best Actor nominee, for this role), due to the festival dates and this awards show he’s eligible again, as well as for his work in UZAK (a short film) and Two De Force (an Indie Feature Film, check out the page on Facebook everyone: Two De Force), IF they get post production completed in time, on this one. The Award Matthew is potentially to be nominated for, is again a Best Actor Award (in film), for the 2011 OMNI YOUTH MUSIC & ACTORS AWARDS, which is a great cause, for the arts, and can be checked out on their website. Just google 2011 Omni Awards and you should find them.

    I’ll keep you all posted on this potential for Matthew as well as things progress, over the next month, or two. The actual Awards Show is usually in early October.

    Take Care All………………………
    Russ (dad)
    for: Matthew Jacob Wayne (actor / talent / The Playground Kids Professionals Grad)

  6. Russ Neibert says:

    Hello “Playgrounders”!!

    A little bit of an update on Playground Alumn, Matthew Neibert, aka: Matthew Jacob Wayne.

    Matthew is currently starring in an animated series, for a new cable network, from the “Big D”. Matthew is the voice of the lead character in the cartoon, which is produced by Mr. Bill Schultz (THE SIMPSONS and more…). The show is to debut on this new network, in late March 2012 and more details will follow, when I’m able to reveal them. Suffice to say, this is a major role and one that will bring a lot of notoriety to Matthew!

    In addition to the above, Matthew has a national commercial campaign running now, since late October of 2011, for VISA – NFL Super Bowl Campaign. The story is that of “Ned’s adventure”, when Ned wins tickets for himself and 10 friends, to go to the Super Bowl, by swiping his Visa Card at a local market. The contest is on!!!! Matthew is seen in several spots, for this campaign and there is even a Super Bowl Sunday spot to be aired, so we’re told. Exciting stuff!!! The commercials are GREAT and Matthew has some very good full scenes in the commercials.

    Matthew is currently vying for yet another lead role in an animated series and we hope to have word on that one soon. He is doing a Producer’s & Director’s read this coming Monday and has been highly recommended for the role, by the director of his current animated series, who is an Emmy Winning Voice Director. In fact, Bill Schultz himself told me that “Matthew is doing an excellent job on this show and is sure to get more work out of it!” How COOL is THAT!??

    So, 2012 is off and running to a good start for our little Matthew. We are praying for a great pilot season and with one screen test under his belt already, with a major network, Matthew is rarin’ to go!!!! ;)

    All the best to everyone of you there at The Playground……..

    Russ & Stephanie Neibert
    & Matthew Jacob Wayne

  7. Russ Neibert says:

    Hi Playgrounders!!

    Well, former Playground student, Matthew Jacob Wayne just keeps booking! Having just completed filming on 5 episodes of a new Webisode Series: “Meet The Banks”, in which Matthew plays the youngest son, Peter Banks, Matthew has booked and is off to N CA on May 3rd, for three weeks of shooting the feature film: CAMP. Matthew has landed the role of Redford, a lead role, in this fun filled movie, about a bunch of foster kids at a mountain camp, for the summer.

    This is a SAG Feature Film, due for release and hitting the festival circuit sometime in late 2012, to early 2013.

    The “Meet The Banks” project is due to hit the internet in late June to mid July of this year and is also being pitched to the networks as a possible new sitcom, for TV! The director of “Meet The Banks”, is Mort Nathan, who was the Exec. Prod. and lead writer for “The Golden Girls”, if anyone remembers THAT number one TV series, for years running!? ;)

    Stay tuned for more updates as they come in!! And remember always…… Matthew’s career, which is doing quite nicely, thank you, all started right here at: The Playground!!! :) )

    Best to all…..
    Russ (dad)
    Stephanie (mom) and
    Matthew Jacob Wayne (Playground Alumn)

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