Erin Stewart Tiedje - Owner/President/Casting Director
Erin began her entertainment career with a college internship on CBS' The Young and the Restless. After more than a decade spent laboring away in daytime television, she wrote and produced for its sister show, The Bold and the Beautiful before heading back to her home state and diving into the casting world, which she has happily been a part of since 2008.
Project(s):
The Chi (Showtime) - Season 1 - 7,
The Bear (FX) - Season 3 - 4,
Emperor of Ocean Park (MGM+) - Season 1,
Dark Matter (Apple TV+) - Season 1 and much more!
Fun Facts:
Project(s):
The Chi (Showtime) - Season 1 - 7,
The Bear (FX) - Season 3 - 4,
Emperor of Ocean Park (MGM+) - Season 1,
Dark Matter (Apple TV+) - Season 1 and much more!
Fun Facts:
- Huge Harry Potter Fan - Visited Harry Potter World in London and Florida.
- Hates wearing makeup but loves dressing up for special events.
- Bowls left and right handed.
- Favorite vacation spot: Paris.
- Pretty good Texas Hold'em Player.
- Would trade a million dollars to be able to sing on Broadway.
Jess Gisin Needham - Owner/Casting Director
Jess has been a professional singer and actor for 18 years with a BFA in Musical Theater from State University of New York College at Fredonia. Upon moving to Chicago in 2009, she came upon extras casting as a happy accident through some Facebook chatting in her agent's office.
Project(s):
Power Book IV: Force (Starz) - Season 1 - 3,
The Bear (FX) - Season 1- 2,
Empire (FOX) - Season 2- 6,
All Her Fault (Peacock) - Chicago Unit and much more!
Fun Facts:
Project(s):
Power Book IV: Force (Starz) - Season 1 - 3,
The Bear (FX) - Season 1- 2,
Empire (FOX) - Season 2- 6,
All Her Fault (Peacock) - Chicago Unit and much more!
Fun Facts:
- Previously worked as a matchmaker in LA.
- Favorite Football team: Buffalo Bills.
- Hand fed popcorn to Green Bay Packer's WR Jordy Nelson.
- Cupcake connoisseur.
- Has bungee jumped off a tower and ziplined through a rain forest.
- Celebrity crush: The Hulk.
- Mildly obsessed with the zombie apocalypse.
Crystal Green - Extras Casting Director
Highlighted Project(s): The Chi (Showtime) - Season 4 - 7, Shining Girls (Apple TV+) - Season 1, Saturdays (Disney Channel) - Season 1
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Some unique things about me - I am a licensed hairstylist and I have a degree in Interior Design, plus, I enjoy knitting/crocheting, writing poetry and I wrote an unpublished novel.
- My all-time favorite film is - I am obsessed with Pirates of the Caribbean 1-4.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Superhero movies.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - I wanted to be the hairstylist to the stars.
- My celebrity crush is - Charlize Theron.
- My favorite travel destination is - Any place with water in various shades of blue.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - When my son graduated from high school.
- A weird fact about me - I was a member of the hottest hip hop dance group in Chicago in the 90s and early 2000s. I actually know how to footwork (for those of you who know what that is lol).
Chris Wojtkiewicz - Extras Casting Director
Highlighted Project(s): Emperor of Ocean Park (MGM+) - Season 1, Dark Matter (Apple TV+) - Season 1, 4400 (The CW) - Season 1, South Side (HBO Max) - Season 3
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I'm an optimist - I always try to be positive.
- My all-time favorite film is - Blazing Saddles (or any Mel Brooks movie for that matter).
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - All Chicago sports teams - but not the Sox.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - An NFL quarterback.
- My celebrity crush is - I have them broken down by decade - 80s: Lynda Carter & Carrie Fisher; 90s: Danielle Fishel & Mila Kunis; 2000s: Halle Berry & Eva Longoria; 2010s: Natalie Portman & Jennifer Lawrence; Now: Gal Gadot & Olivia Munn.
- My favorite travel destination is - Wrigley Field.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - Asking my soon to be wife to marry me.
- A weird fact about me - I have personally earned an official Baseball Championship ring.
Amanda Bolger - Assistant Extras Casting Director
Highlighted Project(s): Emperor of Ocean Park (MGM+) - Season 1, 61st Street (AMC) - Season 1 & 2, The Chi (Showtime) - Season 2 - 3
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Has a bulldog named Teddy.
- Has snorkeled in the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
- Loves traveling and her favorite destination is Bob Marley's childhood home in Jamaica.
- Played Soccer, Ran Track, and Basketball in high school.
- Related to Ray Bolger, the Scarecrow in the Original Wizard of Oz.
- Works as barista and can make a mean Carmel Macchiato.
- The beach is her "Zen Zone."
- My celebrity crush is Paul Rudd.
Neicey Feazell - Assistant Extras Casting Director
Highlighted Project(s): Power Book IV: Force (Starz) - Season 1 - 3, 4400 (The CW) - Pilot, Ironheart (Disney+) - Season 1 - Chicago Unit
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I’m like an onion. There are so many layers to me.
- My all-time favorite film is - The Hunger Games.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - All things Disney.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - A nurse or a doctor - I recall wanting to "heal the world."
- My celebrity crush is - Currently, Regé-Jean Page.
- My favorite travel destination is - LA.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - I don’t have one specific moment. Every obstacle life has given me I’ve been able to overcome them. So, if anything I’m proud I just never gave up!
- A weird fact about me - Growing up I wasn’t allowed to have a TV in my room. Now that I’m an adult I always buy a TV for my room but I never turn it on.
Ben Halder - Extras Casting Director/Associate
Highlighted Project(s): The Bear (FX) - Season 3 - 4, Dark Matter (Apple TV+) - Season 1, Justified City Primeval (FX) - Season 1
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I love music and I'm most connected to my sense of sound.
- My all-time favorite film is - Uncut Gems
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Tacos!
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - I've always thought it would be cool to be an astronaut.
- My celebrity crush is - Donald Glover.
- My favorite travel destination is - So far, California, but I love traveling and exploring new places!
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - Getting to study abroad in Moscow.
- A weird fact about me - I don't know how to burp!
Rosie Ainley - Extras Casting Director/Associate
Highlighted Project(s): A Christmas Miracle - TV Movie, Dark Matter (Apple TV+) - Season 1, Justified City Primeval (FX) - Season 1
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I think more things should cost less than $20.
- My all-time favorite film is - Clueless.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Steve Buscemi.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - Chef, artist, or performer; if you combine all of that I guess maybe a hibachi grill cook.
- My celebrity crush is - Harry Styles.
- My favorite travel destination is - California.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - Any time I’ve worn white and didn’t stain it.
- A weird fact about me - I will sometimes spend more than $20 if the food is good.
Jenna Kellett - Extras Casting Director/Associate
Highlighted Project(s): American Schemers (Indie Film), 61st Street (AMC) - Season 1 & 2, Saturdays (Disney Channel) - Season 1
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I'm a go-getter with a high level of curiosity and empathy, always wondering about the world, connecting with people, and pursuing enriching. experiences! I'm also an ENFJ, my sun sign is Cancer, Sagittarius is my Moon sign, lol.
- My all-time favorite film is - Best in Show.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - RuPaul's Drag Race, Survivor, Ice Cream.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - Veterinarian.
- My celebrity crush is - Heath Ledger (RIP) or living: Brad Pitt (obvious choice, but cannot be denied).
- My favorite travel destination is - Thailand or Mexico: anywhere with beautiful waters, amazing creatures, nature, and good food.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - Overcoming challenges and embracing foreign culture while living abroad in both India and China.
- A weird fact about me - I have over 500 photos of other people's dogs on my phone.
Miranda Basile - Extras Casting Director/Associate
Highlighted Project(s): Start Without Me - Independent Feature, Ironheart (Disney+) - Season 1 - Chicago Unit, Power Book IV: Force (Starz) - Season 1 - 2
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I’m typically pretty quiet at first, but I’m secretly hilarious once you get to know me. I would also do anything for the people I care about.
- My all-time favorite film is - Harry Potter - all of them.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Lynyrd Skynyrd or Van Gogh - or anything art related.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - To work at Subway - I used to practice wrapping the “sandwiches” after I finished eating. “Sandwiches” meaning all of my garbage from dinner folded up in the sandwich wrapper. But I mostly wanted to be an artist when I was younger (in terms of a real career).
- My celebrity crush is - Cole Sprouse, Rege-Jean Page, Grant Gustin, Jordan Fisher ... how are you supposed to pick just one?
- My favorite travel destination is - Cinque Terre, Italy. Anywhere in Italy really.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - On a vacation in Italy my mom was trying to order a pastry in a small cafe and the cashier had no idea what she was saying, I was so frustrated she kept asking the same thing and he didn’t understand her. Until I realized I knew how to say it in Italian, he knew exactly what I asked and was so excited when I spoke Italian! Or anytime I sell a piece of my artwork, the feeling is incredible. It’s hard to choose which one makes me more proud when those are 2 of the things I love the most.
- A weird fact about me - I’m left handed. Everyone seems to be so surprised when they find that out.
Mikey Everything - Extras Casting Director/Associate
Highlighted Project(s): South Side (HBO Max) - Season 3
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I am vibrant, bubbly, in your face, no nonsense kind of person!
- My all-time favorite film is - What's Love Got to Do With It.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Janet Jackson.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - I wanted to be an entertainer.
- My celebrity crush is - LL Cool J.
- My favorite travel destination is - Anywhere tropical.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - Creating my own music.
- A weird fact about me - I am borderline OCD when it comes to cleanliness.
Rebecca Martin - Extras Casting Director/Commercials
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I’m like bread- dry and full of carbs.
- My all-time favorite film is - Coco.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - A teacher.
- My celebrity crush is - Every character from Bridgerton.
- My favorite travel destination is - Disney World.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - The birth of both of my children.
- A weird fact about me - I had a curtain as a door when I was a child.
Ashley Smith - Extras Casting Associate
Highlighted Project(s): The Chi (Showtime) - Season 5 - 7, Saturdays (Disney Channel) - Season 1, 61st Street (AMC) - Season 1 & 2
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I pride myself on being dependable to those in need.
- My all-time favorite film is - Dirty Dancing.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Love stories.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - To be an Olympic track and field star.
- My celebrity crush is - Rome Flynn.
- My favorite travel destination is - the Bahamas.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - Having my firstborn son.
- A weird fact about me - When I laugh really hard, it sounds like I’m crying!
Sydne Braasch - Extras Casting Associate
Highlighted Project(s): The Bear (FX) - Season 1 - 4, Power Book IV: Force (Starz) - Season 3
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- I once went on dating apps in the past for the sole purpose of wanting to hear people’s ghost stories.
- If you once saw me on said apps - no you didn’t.
- I want to live in Stars Hollow - Gilmore Girls fans, you know.
- One of my dream vacations is spending Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts.
- Diet Coke is a superior beverage. I am happy to debate you on this topic and win.
- I am always trying to find a place that serves the best nachos. So far, it’s in my kitchen. Topping to Chip ratios are very important.
- I must check behind the shower curtain every time I enter a bathroom.
- Gordon Ramsay once told me my nachos were “Top Tier.”
- One of these is a lie.
Shani Diamond - Extras Casting Associate
Highlighted Project(s): Lady in the Lake (Apple TV+)
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I have a lead foot. I'm also and avid ping pong player.
- My all-time favorite film is - Almost Famous.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - F1orida.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kids was - To be on SNL.
- My celebrity crush is - Benicio Del Toro.
- My favorite travel destination is - Italia.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - Being the mom of three teenagers.
- A weird fact about me - I usually have a deck of cards on me.
Jose 'Tony' García - Extras Casting Associate
Highlighted Project(s): Lady in the Lake (Apple TV+), Insight (FOX) - Pilot, The Chi (Showtime) - Season 5
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I am a recovering comic book collector.
- My all-time favorite film is - It's a tie between Jaws and Batman (1989).
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Pizza.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - Probably something to do with drawing.
- My celebrity crush is - Sandra Bullock.
- My favorite travel destination is - Puerto Rico.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - It may be cheesy, but marrying my best friend Sarah.
- A weird fact about me - I have a fairly severe fear of opossums.
Lindsey Erin - Background On-Set Coordinator/Associate
Highlighted Project(s): Power Book IV: Force (Starz) - Season 3, South Side (HBO Max) - Season 3
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- A fun fact about me is that since 2014, I've been part of the Tony n' Tina's Wedding travel cast. It's SO fun!
- My all-time favorite film is Clue (1985), with honorable mentions to The Addams Family (1991) & The Addams Family Values (1993). My favorite new film is Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022). ... plus an endless list of other amazing films & shows, too many to pick from!
- The first job I wanted as a kid was, and always has been, to be a Screenwriter/Director. I've known I'm a storyteller since I held my first crayon.
- My favorite actors are Alan Cumming & Madeline Kahn.
- My favorite band is QUEEN, and I believe A Night At The Opera is one of the greatest albums of all time.
- My proudest life moment (so far) was directing the North American premiere of the West End hit play Death Ship 666!
- My favorite travel destinations so far have been the UK and Italy, and I can't wait to explore more of the world!
- A weird fact about me is in elementary school, I got bored one summer and taught myself how to yodel, and I still can.
Alexander Hall - Background On-Set Coordinator
Highlighted Project(s): Emperor of Ocean Park (MGM+) - Season 1, Saturdays (Disney Channel) - Season 1, Dark Matter (Apple TV+) - Season 1
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I’m a fan of daytime soaps. I’ve been watching them my whole life.
- My all-time favorite film is - Titanic.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - bowling. I love to bowl and have a good time.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - I guess professional bowler. I’ve been bowling my whole life.
- My celebrity crush is - There’s a few but I think I’ll go with Jensen Ackles.
- My favorite travel destination is - New York!
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - Going skydiving was pretty epic!
- A weird fact about me - I’ve never broken a bone. Is that weird? Haha!
Chris Green - Background On-Set Coordinator
Highlighted Project(s): The Chi (Showtime) - Season 5 - 7, Saturdays (Disney Channel) - Season 1, Shining Girls (Apple TV+) - Season 1
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- I’m a dancer, rapper, and actor.
- I honestly love the movie The Notebook a lot! It’s, to me, one of the best romance movies of all time.
- My favorite foods are oxtails, pizza rolls and Popeyes... lol.
- I get told I look like Raheem from the movie Juice all day, everyday.
- My personality: very creative and intellectual, observant, overly confident (to the point it may come off conceited), spiritual & willing to learn and absorb all knowledge given.
- I love my mother more than anything in this world! She’s literally my biggest inspiration and I thank her for all she's done to make me the man I am today.
- I like to read and watch crime documentaries. I’m very interested in human behavior and psychology.
- I always tell myself these three things: Stay Blessed, Stay Prosperous, Stay Positive.
Sarah Griffith-Garcia - Membership Coordinator/Extras Casting Assistant
Highlighted Project(s): Lady in the Lake (Apple TV+), Insight (FOX) - Pilot, The Chi (Showtime) - Season 5
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I am a whole lot of Leslie Knope, with a little bit of Liz Lemon and a just a dash of Doralee Rhodes. (I hope someone catches those references).
- My all-time favorite film is - I have so many....but I am partial to comedies. I love a good laugh. Unrelated, OMG - have you seen Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar?! You MUST!
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Doggos on IG.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - I wanted to be a pilot - like Amelia Earhart.
- My celebrity crush is - Dwayne Johnson.
- My favorite travel destination is - It would be a tie between Puerto Rico and Wales for very different reasons.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - I am not proud of one moment, but the culmination of all the moments that have brought me to who and where I am today.
- A weird fact about me - By the time I was 12, I had already lived in over 20 states. From Alaska to New Jersey, I have traversed the US a few times over.
Tracey Sokolowski - Communications/Extras Casting Assistant
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I'm loyal(!) outgoing, honest, trustworthy, caring, dependable, a Jack of all trades, and a queen of voices (you should hear me do Cartman!).
- My all-time favorite film is - I have several - Deep Blue Sea, Dolphin Tale, and any of the Fast & Furious series.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Dolphins and cars.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - To be a dolphin trainer.
- My celebrity crush is - Chicago Fire's Taylor Kinney.
- My favorite travel destination is - Hawaii.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - I have many ❤️, but my top two are: marrying my soulmate and becoming a mom.
- A weird fact about me - I can talk like Elmo!
Michelle Fehsenfeld - Social Media Manager/Extras Casting Assistant
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I always have something to look forward to- it usually involves some travel.
- My all-time favorite film is - Along Came Polly.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - COFFEE.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - The first job I had as a kid was working in a southwest gift shop at 13 & I have worked ever since. I never aspired to be a certain anything. As I grew older I found myself working in higher education - through my masters and beginning a PhD program- but I opted out after assistant teaching one semester- teaching is definitely not my passion. The entertainment industry sucked me in- and I’m not leaving any time soon!
- My celebrity crush is - Paul Rudd. He’s just so adorable!
- My favorite travel destination is - The world. I don’t have a favorite because I have different reasons for why I go to certain places.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - My children, who both have the most amazing work ethic at the young age of 15 and 20 years old.
- A weird fact about me - I like to scare my family by jumping out in front of them when they come around corners or out of their bedrooms. They scream and I double over laughing.
John Weis - Webmaster/Interactive Media
Current Project(s): The 4 Star Casting website
Eight Fun Facts:
Eight Fun Facts:
- Something unique about my personality - I collect useless information. Need a buddy for Trivia Night? I'm your guy.
- My all-time favorite film is - Citizen Kane.
- I'm the world's biggest fan of - Classic Warner Bros. cartoons.
- The first job I wanted when I was a little kid was - An astronaut.
- My celebrity crush is - Betty White.
- My favorite travel destination is - London.
- My proudest life moment (so far) is - Getting to be a husband to Laura and dad of two great boys.
- A weird fact about me - I once had to pay Roseanne Barr $100 (it's a long story).