Bios
Susan Hess Logeais - Writer, Producer, “Jane”
Susan’s first love was dance but after a summer at School of the American Ballet in NYC, and a year with San Francisco Ballet, she turned her focus to modeling, working for Italian, English, Brazilian, and German Vogues, as well as international fashion shows, commercials, and ad campaigns.
While still modeling, she studied acting with Warren Robertson and had her first big break as Margaret in Miami Vice’s Prodigal Son. She moved to Grant’s Pass, Oregon, where she studied novel writing and choreographed for Rogue Music Theater. Back in LA she formed Two Chicks With Cameras with another aspiring film maker and wrote, produced, directed and edited a series of short dance films and a music video.
On a visit to Paris, she met a French playboy. 6 years later they moved back to the US, with 2 cats and 2 kids, settling in Oregon, where Susan had fallen in love with the natural beauty many years before.
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Sherilyn Lawson - “Michelle”
With a featured extra part as the “Busty Co-ed” in Animal House and it’s infamous pillow scene as her first film experience, Sherilyn knew she would use her BA in Theater from the University of Oregon for film work as well. Although she studied several forms of dance for most of her childhood, it took Beaverton High to draw out her theatrical side. A college term of study in London only deepened the desire.
Her acting began to blossom after working directly with Sanford Meisner and in the many opportunities in series and film work available in Oregon’s developing market. She and her husband, Bruce, an accomplished Key Grip, both born and raised in Oregon, have been active in Portland’s film and commercial market for years. They have two wonderful children, Taylor and Aryn.
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Betty Moyer - “Cindy”
Betty was born on an army base in Taipei, Taiwan but grew up in Smiley, Texas. She attended college at Texas State University as a drama major and then moved to Dallas, Texas where she worked in regional theatre, doing the occasional commercial or industrial, until she moved to LA in 1984. She then met J. Isaac, moved to Portland, and got married. Their son Joey came along a year later.
Betty returned to her career soon after and has been fortunate to participate in most of the film and television projects shot in the Northwest. Her favorite film experience was co-starring in the Hallmark Film, Valley of Light. Betty has most recently been seen in the motion picture, Untraceable. She is very excited about being a part of NDY.
Seymour Cassel - “Francis”
Seymour Cassel began making film and TV appearances in the 1960s. He studied at the American Theatre Wing and the Actor’s Studio before making his film debut in John Cassavetes’ first film, Shadows (1959), for which he also served as associate producer. He was Oscar-nominated for his portrayal of an aging hippie in Faces (1968).
In the ’90s, he played Sam Catchem in Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy, dog-sled adventurer Skunker in the Disney classic White Fang, and a chauffeur in Indecent Proposal. His role as the shyster Joe in the black comedy In the Soup also earned special recognition at Sundance. Cassel then appeared in two romantic comedies with director Andrew Bergman: It Could Happen to You and Honeymoon in Vegas.
During this period, he developed a rapport with filmmaker Wes Anderson, who cast him as Max Fisher’s barber father in Rushmore and Royal’s friend Dusty in The Royal Tenenbaums.
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David Odgen Stiers – “William Weinshawler”
An accomplished actor of stage, film, and television, Stiers’ career has spanned over 30 years. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, and he began his acting career in Northern California. He then moved to New York City, where he studied drama at Juilliard and joined the Houseman Acting Company at its outset.
A three-time Emmy-award nominated actor, Stiers has appeared in a multitude of both television films and series. On the big screen, Stiers’ list of credits includes The Curse of the Jade Scorpion, Oh, God, The Accidental Tourist, and The Majestic. Stiers has also lent his voice to several animated films.
As a conductor, Stiers has appeared with 70 orchestras in both the United States and Canada. He maintains a repertoire of 50 orchestral works including concertos, and is the principal guest conductor of the Yaquina Chamber Orchestra in Newport, Oregon.
Jill Andre - “Gracie”
Jill Andre is a producer, director and an actress. She was co-founder of the Pleiades Theatre Group, a non-profit organization created to develop playwrights (LA). She was also co-founder of the American Renaissance Theatre (NYC).
As an actress, some of Jill’s Broadway performances include Children Of A Lesser God, The Trip Back Down, and The Great White Hope, as well as many Off-Broadway and regional productions. Some of her film & television credits include Twin Falls Idaho, And The Band Played On, Ghosts of Mississippi, Cold Case, The Practice, NYPD Blue, as well as several soaps. A recent highlight was the lead role in a short film, The Moor, story by Russell Banks, directed and adapted by Caerthan Banks.
Alexander Blaise - “Herve”
Paris born, Alexander Blaise began acting as a teen in a neighborhood theater company.
His parents, both artists, traveled with the family a great deal, choosing the famed artist haunt “Hotel Chelsea” as their first home in the U.S.
Alexander’s burgeoning interest in acting was stimulated by teacher’s like Uta Hagen, among others. His first big break came when he was cast as an officer in Return From The River Kwai, and WWII film shot on location in the Philippines. He has since had the good fortune of portraying a variety of characters on both the big and small screen as well as in the occasional play.
Patricia Ferguson – “Diane”
Born in Augusta GA, Patricia discovered her passion for acting after winning Best Talent in the Junior Miss Scholarship Program for her interpretive “Gone With The Wind” monologue. She worked with community theatres in high school and earned acting scholarships for college. She received her BA in English at Augusta State University and then moved to Austin where she completed an MFA in Acting at The University of Texas. That’s when she knew that she would act for the rest of her life. She relocated to Seattle where she worked in regional theatres, met her husband and had her 2 precious children.
Her family moved to the Portland area 4 years ago and while she’s still devoted to theatre, she’s developed an absolute love affair with film, commercial and radio. You can hear her do sketch comedy on OPB’s Live Wire! and you might spot her on television or at your local Best Buy hawking various products. While she has appeared in award winning short films, and at the Cannes Film Festival, this is her first full length feature and there are no words strong enough to describe her joy in working on this project.
Sam Hull - Director
Sam Hull comes to NDY with an eclectic background as a director/acting coach/artist. His credits include work in film and television, as well as award winning theatrical productions. Sam is also an accomplished stained glass artist and designer. He has earned three college degrees, including a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Florida. He has taught acting and directing at the university level for over 11 years in addition to his 16 years as a professional actor. Sam’s creativity can be seen across the United States in many forms including the recent re-model of The Virgil and Beulah Crum House, a National Historic Home in Portland, Oregon.