(in alphabetical order)
ACTRESS & LIFESTYLE MODEL
Film, TV, Music Videos, Web Series, Commercials, Print, Petite Mature Model, Hand Model
DIRECTOR
Web Series, TV Pilots, Short Films, Music Videos, Feature Film (in development)
LIVE HOST
Event Host/Moderator, Theater and Film Q&A, Public Speaker
PRODUCER
TV Pilots, Web Series, Short Films, Feature Films, Music Videos, Web Series, Radio Shows
RADIO
Drive Time, Program Host, Interviews, Specials, Emergency Coverage, Remote Broadcast
VOCALIST
Musical Theatre, Opera, Live Bands, Studio Session Singer (Commercials, Publisher/Songwriter Demos)
WRITER
Film/TV/Web Series, Advice Columnist, Children’s Chapter Books, Radio Programs, Speeches
Born in a small Catholic hospital in Santa Cruz, CA with hand-written records, my name is a typo: Thresa. Spelled like somebody was too busy to proofread. It’s why most people just call me “T.” There’s a story behind it, but I’ll share that at another time, over a cup of coffee or tea.
My entire life I’ve been involved in the arts. From playing piano at 4, to choir and plays in school, to attending Strasberg classes as a pre-teen to attending a performing arts high school in Hollywood (The Hollywood Professional School). I was a classically trained vocalist who earned just enough money as a session singer to keep my pantry stocked with cheap ramen noodles (which is now tres chic) then went into television production because I needed to eat better. After I became a mom I coached neighbor kids in music and acting. Busy has always been my favorite gear, and never have I ever not been involved in some type of production.
I particularly love film and television production, whether in front or behind a camera. Reading a script and envisioning a version of a finished project in my mind, I love the art of being the actress who helps bring a character to life, or being on the production team who has to reverse-engineer a project to get it to the finish line.
My work ethic was honed early on in independent productions where shoe-string budgets, wicked time constraints and a ‘love of the thing’ become your tools to get things done. Indie filmmaking is a joy, when there are small crews of people happily pitching in to do all the work, no matter which hat you were initially assigned. It’s why I’m always excited to be included on a project, at any level. I have always been multi-hyphenated and slightly caffeinated, so hard work and long hours don’t scare me. As long as there is good coffee or tea to be consumed, I’m happy to go to work with a smile on my face!
Welcome to Afternoon T. — where the mug is always half-full.
Why T. ?
Actress / Lifestyle Model
I am pleased to have been a face for many campaigns over the years, but one of the most fun ones… was for SweetPainting.com
Writer
Voice-Over / Radio Personality / Vocalist
With a trunkful of 1,001 voices I have never met a character I didn’t like or couldn’t embody. My whole life, I’ve been a wicked mimic and I welcome the challenge of new material and people to become.
As Afternoon T. drive-time radio personality I made it my main goal to make SoCal traffic informative and occasionally entertaining, delivering traffic every ten minutes “On the 8’s!” I ran my own board, was responsible for precisely timing music, spots and interviews, some of which were sprung on me, depending on which way the programming wind blew that day in the station. In addition to deciphering traffic from three official websites, answering incoming calls from often aggravated Traffic Tippers and making room for breaking news from the newsdesk. Radio was a constant dance-on-your-toes experience, where switching from comedy to salesmanship to empathy had to be done seamlessly. Even when equipment failed or catastrophes were present (fire, flooding, bomb threats) I am happy to report there was never dead airtime when I was behind the microphone.
While at KHTS I also created and hosted Doctor Proctor , a show which gave listeners a chance to peek, with me, over the shoulders of the medical community, discussing exactly what it is they do I also co-hosted the Friday Matinee with George Cummings, the Morning Show host, where we brought the listening audience behind the curtain/camera/microphone/pen for a truly personal glimpse into the creative arts. Archived Programs are available from KHTS AM 1220/FM 98.1 at www.hometownstation.com
As a classically trained vocalist (thank you, Seth Riggs and Dr. Joel Ewing), I was a sight-reading session singer for music publishing companies, record labels, radio and television commercials/jingles for years (best job?… working alongside Robert Morse and Sue Raney at Capitol Records), but I also had some fun side-gigs ranging from big band, rockabilly, bluegrass, rock and pop. I also once sang live back-up for a metal hair band, but I’m absolutely positive that that performance was mostly about the spiky-hair, leather pants and chains they had me wear. But, we shall not speak of it.
Voicing technical and medical journals for the Braille Institute was something I truly loved and look forward to voicing more audiobooks (especially the challenging works filled with complicated medical information).
Producer / Director
With my production partners, Andrew Menjivar (aka Rookie Morgan) and Cameron Mitchell, I am proud of the work done by Tequila Mockingbird Productions . Both of them are off pursuing projects on their own now, but here’s what we did together:
Driven: The Tony Pearson Story — a documentary feature about a bodybuilder who overcame incredible odds to pursue the sport he loves. It is truly inspirational and is available on Apple, Amazon and other streaming platforms NOW. Directed by Andrew Menjivar.
This Sucks — a dark comedy feature. Everyone has there demons, sometimes literally. Now available free on TUBI, and other streaming platforms. Written and Directed by Cameron Mitchell.
Currently I’m in pre-production on two more feature films — Demontia, my own dark comedy horror, and Imposter Syndrome a female buddy comedy written by my production partner Cindy Baer, who will direct.
Before features, it all began with short films:
My very first short film (20 minutes), Strayed — was boot camp film school. The script was based on an elaborate funeral for a stray cat I’d brought home as a teenager. Should you happen to catch it anywhere, know that it is nearly a word-for-word, mostly true, truncated version of the actual story (crafted alongside Director/Co-Writer Heather Edwards). There were a lot of moving parts for a first film and I got to wear a lot of hats. Writer, producer and actress sure… but then there was location scouting, wardrobe, crafty and a whole lot of other tasks the director and I took on.
The second short film I created was Azteca Dietica — was inspired by what I believe is THE yummiest vegetarian restaurant Leonor’s and the equally delicious staff that run the joint. Here’s a bite-sized trailer:
The third short film was Shady Oaks Takedown! I was fortunate enough to be producer and actress (with a wickedly talented cast and crew) in a dark comedy written by award winning author Neal Shusterman. Our band of merry makers made this baby in under 48 hours… for the 48HFP — and nearly wrecked Andrew Menjivar (“Rookie”), a man who is truly is the Swiss Army Knife of production. It was this film that started Tequila Mockingbird Productions, a name that Cameron Mitchell came up with on the spot when pressed for a team name.
If anyone is interested in the entire story arc for an episodic series of this hilarious group of senior citizens, it is the wave streamers should want to ride for the growing silver tsunami of viewers (of which there are nearly 60 million of now).
My beloved husband got a smidge roasted by my short film I Spy a Foodie. He sort of deserved it, for appearing to be as much in love with food as me when we were first dating. The man took me to all of the best restaurants the world had to offer, and when I decided to treat him to a home-cooked meal I thought surely he’d be as enthusiastic about eating it as I was making it. Nope. Not so much. So… I made a film about exactly what he said, with just a different, not-so-happy ending.
Then, there’s Gray Matter about a group of ladies who are NOT your mama’s Golden Girls. (courtesy of Writer Toni Perrotta). This short film also has an entire story arc for an episodic series.
Two Chicks and a Truck is a DIY half-hour show set in the quaint coastal farming town of Watsonville, CA featuring two highly watchable women making the most of their next chapter of later life.
Watch the mini-webseries here. There is a whole season of episodes crafted and ready to shoot.
Patron Saint. This little gem came from the wonderfully wicked comedic mind of actress Peggy Glenn (aka Granny Pottymouth). Peggy and I co-wrote the script, and I directed the pilot, which was shot with a skeleton crew over a handful of days. It was super-fun to do, considering the wildly talent group of people I was working with!
And… there’s a whole Google drive filled with more projects ready to go!