RICH GOTERI (Owner)
Rich (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0331772/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0) was The Artistic Director of the famed Second City Detroit's Training Center/Conservatory program for ten years. Following that he co-created the highly successful Michigan Actors Studio and ComedySportz Detroit. For the last thirty five years he has dedicated himself to the performing arts as an actor, writer, director and teacher.
As an actor Rich has performed in hundreds of improv shows and has appeared worldwide in over eighty five professional plays. TV and Film credits include: Turk on the Outsiders, Raymond in Low Winter Sun, *61, Real Steel, Machine Gun Preacher, SNL, Silk Stalkings and Setup with Bruce Willis, to name just a few. Directing credits include: The National Touring Company, Homeless For The Holidays and No Way Jose Canseco for The Second City. Writing Credits include: Second City, SNL, Filmfest 7 with The Second City and numerous Films, TV shows and Plays. His book on Improv comedy Something From Nothing published by Crazy House Books is available worldwide in eight different languages.
TONYA MURRAY
Tonya's a graduate of the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, she completed the writing program at The Second City Detroit, spent a year as an on-air personality in Indianapolis, she's been a writer on several short films for the Detroit 48 Hour Film Competitions, written and voiced radio commercials for Greater Media Detroit and she's been a stand-up comedian for 10 years.
To date, some of Tonya's career highlights have been opening for Dave Attell, The RoastMaster General Jeff Ross, Jim Norton, Chris Porter, Rob Little, J Chris Newberg, Dave Landau, Darren McCarty, she's performed at Gilda’s LaughFest & most recently performed for over 1,200 people at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, MI for Brew Ha-Ha!. Tonya's headlined the Historic Holly Hotel, Saginaw Bay Yacht Club & various other rooms.
PATRICK MOUG
Patrick has been a professional actor and filmmaker for over 20+ years. Most recently, his film CAPTAIN BUFFALO was an official selection of the Louisiana LGBTQ film festival. Previously, Patrick directed the non-scripted television series THE BLUE GOOSE - a documentary series about the challenging Michigan State Police recruit school. He also directed the reality TV show pilot SARAH AND JOSE:IMPERFECTLY PERFECT. His first feature THE UGLY ONE, a fight film in the comic book genre, co-starred academy award winner WES STUDI.
In addition to his creative endeavors, Patrick is a cold case detective for the sexual assault kit task force of the Wayne County Prosecutors’ Office. His two worlds of law enforcement and filmmaking overlapped when he directed/produced the controversial documentary BOLD AS A LION- which was the focus of a two hour NBC Dateline segment. It wasn't until he had exhausted all legal efforts that he decided to ‘cross the blue line’ in hopes of getting justice for a young college girl who had been murdered and set on fire. A SAG/AFTRA member, Patrick has appeared in movies with BRUCE WILLIS, DREW BARRYMORE, JEFF DANIELS and ERIC ROBERTS. Patrick has written ten screenplays, two of which have been produced.
KIFF VANDENHEUVEL
is an LA based actor who specializes in voiceover. He has appeared in hundreds of TV and commercials, many video games and animation projects (Bioshock: Infinite, Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, Family Guy, The Walking Dead, Mafia: The Definitive Edition, Star Wras: The Old Republic) audiobooks, trailers, and feature films. He started as an actor in Detroit and performed, taught, and directed at The Second City Detroit. He hosts a podcast about VO called “All Over Voiceover with Kiff VH” which you can find at www.allovervo.com
CHRIS NEWMAN
Chris Newman is an actor and producer, known for BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (2016), THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT (2012) and LOVE AND HONOR (2013). He began his acting career in college, on a dare and hasn't looked back since, starring in productions of "Brighton Beach Memoirs", "Agatha Christie's Mousetrap" and Neil Simon's "The Good Doctor". He would later play Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and Lt. Daniel Kaffee in "A Few Good Men", to name a few. Following his success in theatre, Chris turned his attention to film, earning roles in the films mentioned above, as well as BEYOND THE EDGE, MOONTRAP: TARGET EARTH & the critically acclaimed INJUSTICE FOR ALL, for which he produced & starred. As a Michigan native, Chris is excited to work in his hometown, helping fellow actors achieve their potential!
TINA GERLACH GOTERI
Tina has been a creative for as long as she can remember. She has been creating visual art, writing, and dabbling on stage throughout her life and has an understanding of the joys and the frustrations the creative process possesses. Her empathy and compassion for fellow artists is what fuels her passion in coaching them along their path and helping them unlock their deepest desires. She has a background in assisting in self-development courses, taken courses to continue the development of her sensitivity, and has helped other artists in their pursuits.
JANET POUND
Janet was half of the team of Pound/Mooney Casting which cast such films as Batman vs Superman, The Ides of March, Whip It, Gran Torino, Harold and Kumar Christmas, Kill the Irishman and Red Dawn. TV Credits include Low Winter Sun and Hung. A successful professional actress, director and writer as well, Janet is always busy creating. Her new book ADVICE FROM A CASTING DIRECTOR, MONOLOGUES AND MORE is available at Amazon.com
JEFF FRITZ
Jeff Fritz is currently directing the main stage production at Comedysportz Detroit as well as being a regular performer. Jeff started his career at the Second City Detroit where he was a member and later director of the touring company. Jeff progressed to the Second City Main Stage where he spent 4 years before moving to Chicago and continuing his work at Second City. Besides Comedysportz, Jeff has numerous directing credits including “Naughty or Nice” with Motor City Improv. As a teacher he has taught at The Second City Training Center, ComedySportz and for the Michigan Actors Studio. Jeff has played many different types of law enforcement agents on TV and in film, appearing in “Law and Order”, “Life on Mars”, “Fringe”, “Salt”, and “Date Night”.
ROB WINKWORTH
is an agent at The I Group Model and Talent agency with over 8 years of experience in commercial, industrial and theatrical work for both on-camera and voice over, with a focus on introducing new talent to the ins and outs of the business. A graduate of Wayne State University, Rob is a former middle school teacher and a long time Detroit area resident. He is genuinely excited about the opportunity to teach at Goteri Creative Arts.
KEN ALTER
Ken is an actor and producer who works in film and theater. He’s worked in major motion pictures (Southpaw, Real Steel), and independent features (Eternal Code, Melanin, Consideration) as well as industrial/ educational films, commercials and stage productions. (Dry Powder, Superior Donuts) Ken produced and appearing in over 100 episodes of a branded Newsmagazine style training series for a major telecommunications company. He continues to study year-round and believes actors of all levels and degrees of success must continually study, develop and sharpen their skills.
MIKE MILI
In 1994 Michael Mili became the Director of New Markets for Schinker Entertainment. He oversaw the development and implementation of all new one-of a-kind mobile promotional attractions and technologies. Mr. Mili worked with such studios as 20th Century Fox, Searchlight, New Line Cinema, Miramax, MGM, Columbia / Tri-Star / Sony, etc. Michael has teamed up with fellow actor and friend Rich Goteri; together they’ve co-written several screenplays; of which two of them are: “Potty Time” and “A very Low Carb Movie.” Rich and Mike have compiled and developed a method of applied writing principles, which they called: “WORDS TO FILM BY.” Together, they have determined to share the method with everyone who wants to give Screenwriting a shot. The book of the same name is set for release sometime this year.Michael wrote and illustrated: 101 Uses for the Dirty Disposable Diaper and Tasso’s Big Book of Humor. Michael is putting the final touches on his novel; an epic based on three generations of his family, America and the early days of the Mob.
HOBART REYNOLDS
Hobart has been in the performing arts for over twenty years juggling between stage, screen and the world of voice over. Some of his favorite theatre roles include Proof (Robert), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (George) and the role of Edmond (Edmond) written by David Mamet. Voice over credits include: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Nino’s Italian Bakery, K2 Designs, Jump Fuel, The Detroit Film Company and Escape Goat Pictures to name a few. His most recent film credits include: The Funeral Guest (Kohnen) and Impetus (Sandoval). He has been mentoring, encouraging and coaching actors for many years, particularly focusing on removing acting barriers by using the Method Technique.
Rich (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0331772/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0) was The Artistic Director of the famed Second City Detroit's Training Center/Conservatory program for ten years. Following that he co-created the highly successful Michigan Actors Studio and ComedySportz Detroit. For the last thirty five years he has dedicated himself to the performing arts as an actor, writer, director and teacher.
As an actor Rich has performed in hundreds of improv shows and has appeared worldwide in over eighty five professional plays. TV and Film credits include: Turk on the Outsiders, Raymond in Low Winter Sun, *61, Real Steel, Machine Gun Preacher, SNL, Silk Stalkings and Setup with Bruce Willis, to name just a few. Directing credits include: The National Touring Company, Homeless For The Holidays and No Way Jose Canseco for The Second City. Writing Credits include: Second City, SNL, Filmfest 7 with The Second City and numerous Films, TV shows and Plays. His book on Improv comedy Something From Nothing published by Crazy House Books is available worldwide in eight different languages.
TONYA MURRAY
Tonya's a graduate of the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, she completed the writing program at The Second City Detroit, spent a year as an on-air personality in Indianapolis, she's been a writer on several short films for the Detroit 48 Hour Film Competitions, written and voiced radio commercials for Greater Media Detroit and she's been a stand-up comedian for 10 years.
To date, some of Tonya's career highlights have been opening for Dave Attell, The RoastMaster General Jeff Ross, Jim Norton, Chris Porter, Rob Little, J Chris Newberg, Dave Landau, Darren McCarty, she's performed at Gilda’s LaughFest & most recently performed for over 1,200 people at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, MI for Brew Ha-Ha!. Tonya's headlined the Historic Holly Hotel, Saginaw Bay Yacht Club & various other rooms.
PATRICK MOUG
Patrick has been a professional actor and filmmaker for over 20+ years. Most recently, his film CAPTAIN BUFFALO was an official selection of the Louisiana LGBTQ film festival. Previously, Patrick directed the non-scripted television series THE BLUE GOOSE - a documentary series about the challenging Michigan State Police recruit school. He also directed the reality TV show pilot SARAH AND JOSE:IMPERFECTLY PERFECT. His first feature THE UGLY ONE, a fight film in the comic book genre, co-starred academy award winner WES STUDI.
In addition to his creative endeavors, Patrick is a cold case detective for the sexual assault kit task force of the Wayne County Prosecutors’ Office. His two worlds of law enforcement and filmmaking overlapped when he directed/produced the controversial documentary BOLD AS A LION- which was the focus of a two hour NBC Dateline segment. It wasn't until he had exhausted all legal efforts that he decided to ‘cross the blue line’ in hopes of getting justice for a young college girl who had been murdered and set on fire. A SAG/AFTRA member, Patrick has appeared in movies with BRUCE WILLIS, DREW BARRYMORE, JEFF DANIELS and ERIC ROBERTS. Patrick has written ten screenplays, two of which have been produced.
KIFF VANDENHEUVEL
is an LA based actor who specializes in voiceover. He has appeared in hundreds of TV and commercials, many video games and animation projects (Bioshock: Infinite, Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, Family Guy, The Walking Dead, Mafia: The Definitive Edition, Star Wras: The Old Republic) audiobooks, trailers, and feature films. He started as an actor in Detroit and performed, taught, and directed at The Second City Detroit. He hosts a podcast about VO called “All Over Voiceover with Kiff VH” which you can find at www.allovervo.com
CHRIS NEWMAN
Chris Newman is an actor and producer, known for BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (2016), THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT (2012) and LOVE AND HONOR (2013). He began his acting career in college, on a dare and hasn't looked back since, starring in productions of "Brighton Beach Memoirs", "Agatha Christie's Mousetrap" and Neil Simon's "The Good Doctor". He would later play Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and Lt. Daniel Kaffee in "A Few Good Men", to name a few. Following his success in theatre, Chris turned his attention to film, earning roles in the films mentioned above, as well as BEYOND THE EDGE, MOONTRAP: TARGET EARTH & the critically acclaimed INJUSTICE FOR ALL, for which he produced & starred. As a Michigan native, Chris is excited to work in his hometown, helping fellow actors achieve their potential!
TINA GERLACH GOTERI
Tina has been a creative for as long as she can remember. She has been creating visual art, writing, and dabbling on stage throughout her life and has an understanding of the joys and the frustrations the creative process possesses. Her empathy and compassion for fellow artists is what fuels her passion in coaching them along their path and helping them unlock their deepest desires. She has a background in assisting in self-development courses, taken courses to continue the development of her sensitivity, and has helped other artists in their pursuits.
JANET POUND
Janet was half of the team of Pound/Mooney Casting which cast such films as Batman vs Superman, The Ides of March, Whip It, Gran Torino, Harold and Kumar Christmas, Kill the Irishman and Red Dawn. TV Credits include Low Winter Sun and Hung. A successful professional actress, director and writer as well, Janet is always busy creating. Her new book ADVICE FROM A CASTING DIRECTOR, MONOLOGUES AND MORE is available at Amazon.com
JEFF FRITZ
Jeff Fritz is currently directing the main stage production at Comedysportz Detroit as well as being a regular performer. Jeff started his career at the Second City Detroit where he was a member and later director of the touring company. Jeff progressed to the Second City Main Stage where he spent 4 years before moving to Chicago and continuing his work at Second City. Besides Comedysportz, Jeff has numerous directing credits including “Naughty or Nice” with Motor City Improv. As a teacher he has taught at The Second City Training Center, ComedySportz and for the Michigan Actors Studio. Jeff has played many different types of law enforcement agents on TV and in film, appearing in “Law and Order”, “Life on Mars”, “Fringe”, “Salt”, and “Date Night”.
ROB WINKWORTH
is an agent at The I Group Model and Talent agency with over 8 years of experience in commercial, industrial and theatrical work for both on-camera and voice over, with a focus on introducing new talent to the ins and outs of the business. A graduate of Wayne State University, Rob is a former middle school teacher and a long time Detroit area resident. He is genuinely excited about the opportunity to teach at Goteri Creative Arts.
KEN ALTER
Ken is an actor and producer who works in film and theater. He’s worked in major motion pictures (Southpaw, Real Steel), and independent features (Eternal Code, Melanin, Consideration) as well as industrial/ educational films, commercials and stage productions. (Dry Powder, Superior Donuts) Ken produced and appearing in over 100 episodes of a branded Newsmagazine style training series for a major telecommunications company. He continues to study year-round and believes actors of all levels and degrees of success must continually study, develop and sharpen their skills.
MIKE MILI
In 1994 Michael Mili became the Director of New Markets for Schinker Entertainment. He oversaw the development and implementation of all new one-of a-kind mobile promotional attractions and technologies. Mr. Mili worked with such studios as 20th Century Fox, Searchlight, New Line Cinema, Miramax, MGM, Columbia / Tri-Star / Sony, etc. Michael has teamed up with fellow actor and friend Rich Goteri; together they’ve co-written several screenplays; of which two of them are: “Potty Time” and “A very Low Carb Movie.” Rich and Mike have compiled and developed a method of applied writing principles, which they called: “WORDS TO FILM BY.” Together, they have determined to share the method with everyone who wants to give Screenwriting a shot. The book of the same name is set for release sometime this year.Michael wrote and illustrated: 101 Uses for the Dirty Disposable Diaper and Tasso’s Big Book of Humor. Michael is putting the final touches on his novel; an epic based on three generations of his family, America and the early days of the Mob.
HOBART REYNOLDS
Hobart has been in the performing arts for over twenty years juggling between stage, screen and the world of voice over. Some of his favorite theatre roles include Proof (Robert), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (George) and the role of Edmond (Edmond) written by David Mamet. Voice over credits include: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Nino’s Italian Bakery, K2 Designs, Jump Fuel, The Detroit Film Company and Escape Goat Pictures to name a few. His most recent film credits include: The Funeral Guest (Kohnen) and Impetus (Sandoval). He has been mentoring, encouraging and coaching actors for many years, particularly focusing on removing acting barriers by using the Method Technique.