Fame

About the Cast

ASHER BOOK (Marco, singer) began his career at an early age onstage.  He got his first break at an open casting call for the theatrical production of Beauty and the Beast as “Chip.”  Most of Asher's experience stems from several years in theater, film, and television.  Theatrically, he played the principal role of "Oliver" in Oliver, and he was in the film Come Away Home, the original television movie Pop Rocks, and had guest-starring roles on Medium and Zoey 101.

Asher currently performs as a member of the pop vocal group V Factory, which is gearing up to release its debut album on Warner Bros. Records next year.  V Factory spent last May on a nationwide trek across the country for the first-ever “Bandemonium” tour.

Asher loves to travel, and recently ventured to the Sundance Film Festival to support his friends and their films and to spend time on the slopes skiing, one of his most favorite pastimes.  When not bundled up in the mountains, he's learning to ride waves on the California coast and looking for any opportunity to go horseback riding.  He also stays involved in many community service activities.

KRISTY FLORES (Rosie, dancer/actress) is from New York.  She began taking ballet, jazz, tap, gymnastics and singing lessons early on in life, and has performed in Texas, at Walt Disney World, and in Las Vegas.  In high school Kristy helped form her own dance group, Synergy, and was one of the choreographers, performing all different types of dance, from old school pop lockers and break dancing to fresh urban street jazz.  She also joined a local break dancing crew called The Spiders.

In high school she also started to write her own poetry and songs.  She joined a program called the Vibe Theatre Experience, learning firsthand what teenage girls from different boroughs throughout New York were feeling, acting, dancing, reading poetry and monologues, and singing.  Kristy joined The Bronx Dance Theatre and taught in local public schools.  While working and teaching I came across the chance to audition for a movie: Fame.

PAUL IACONO (Neil, director) is a New Yorker through-and-through, and has performed in over fifty theatrical readings, workshops, and shows.  Some of his favorites include “Sail Away” at Carnegie Hall, “Mame”at the Papermill Play House, John Guare's “Landscape of the Body,” and the Drama Desk Award-winning revival of William Inge's “The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.”  Paul has appeared in several independent films, including Consent, Glow Ropes, Return to Sleepaway Camp, Winter Solstice, and Parrot Beach.  On television, Paul can be heard as the voice of Benny the Bull on Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer.  He played Billy Boy in the MTV sketch comedy show Human Giant, and has made appearances on the soap operas Guiding Light, As the World Turns, and Another World.

Paul's other passion is writing.  His new play “Price/Elizabeth” recently received its first reading in Manhattan, featuring Taylor Momsen and Connor Paolo of Gossip Girl.  When not acting, Paul is proud to do charity work for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America.

PAUL McGILL (Kevin, dancer) is nurturing an impressive body of work that encompasses film and stage and is positioning himself as one of Hollywood’s most promising young talents.  His career continues to evolve with exciting and challenging projects.

Paul recently starred in the Academy Award®-winning film Man on Wire.  The film chronicles Philippe Petit’s 1974 high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in New York; Paul played young Philippe.  Along with winning an Academy Award®, Man on Wire also won an Independent Spirit Award and the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film.

When he was a junior in high school, Paul was seen in the original cast of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of "La Cage aux Folles" with the Tony-nominated director and choreographer Jerry Zaks and Jerry Mitchell.  Paul’s performance received rave reviews, which then led to him being cast in the much-acclaimed Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line," which was nominated for a Tony Award.

Paul resides in New York and Los Angeles.

NATURI NAUGHTON (Denise, pianist/singer) was born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, and started singing in the choir at New Hope Baptist Church when she was just 5 years old.  By the time Naturi was 14, her career shifted from local talent to professional recording artist.  She became a member of girl band 3LW, and within six months the group had scored a record deal with Sony/Epic Records, eventually achieving a platinum selling album (1.3 million sold).  While still a teenager, Naturi toured nationwide with Destiny’s Child, N’SYNC, and had the opportunity to work with such notable producers as P. Diddy and Full Force.

Just before her junior year of college, Naturi landed the role of “Little Inez” for the National Touring Company of “Hairspray,” which led to her Broadway debut in the same role in “Hairspray” in 2006.  Naturi made her film debut in the feature film Notorious playing the role of Lil’ Kim.  She is currently working on her own music for her solo project.

KAY PANABAKER (Jenny, actress) is recognized by many from her role as angst-filled teen “Nikki Westerly” on the drama Summerland.  Younger fans know her work on the Disney Channel, including the telefilm Read It and Weep and a recurring role on Phil of the Future.  Currently Kay plays “Lindsey Willows,” daughter of Marg Helgenberger’s character on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, while recent guest appearances include Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Boston Legal, Two and a Half Men, and Weeds.

Last year, Kay was seen on the big screen playing best friend “George” to girl sleuth Nancy Drew in the feature film adaptation of the classic book series, and was later seen on the small screen in Lifetime’s Custody alongside Rob Morrow and James Denton.  She plays the title character in Moondance Alexander, an award-winning family film that also stars Lori Loughlin and Don Johnson.  She was also recognized in 2007 for her performance in the Dylan and Cole Sprouse film A Modern Twain Story: The Prince and the Pauper.

Extraordinarily focused, Kay has pursued a rigorous academic schedule in addition to her work, graduating as valedictorian of her high school at the age of 13, and then completing her undergraduate work in history at UCLA in March 2007 at the age of 17.  When not working, Kay enjoys working with young people as a hands-on volunteer with different children’s charities, including The Young Storytellers Foundation, Starlight Starbright, and Children’s Hospital.

About the Director

KEVIN TANCHAROEN (Director), a multifaceted talent with a background in music, video and performance, is poised to take on the film world by stepping behind the lens.  Fame is Tancharoen’s feature film directing debut.  With his extensive background in music, Tancharoen also had a hand in the film's soundtrack, on which he received an executive producer credit.

Passionate about film even as a young boy, Tancharoen began going to the movies with his parents at age 4.  By the sixth grade, he was writing papers about the films of influences like Robert Rodriquez and Quentin Tarantino.  Even at that young age Kevin found himself focused on the creative and technical aspects of filmmaking, enjoying the "making of" and "behind the scenes" featurettes as much as the actual films.  This led him to explore the creation of special effects, enrolling in a creature mold-making class side by side with people twice his age.  Dabbling in the world of digital effects and surrounded by aspiring musicians, Tancharoen found himself drawn to shooting and editing their music videos.

Simultaneously, Tancharoen explored his own talent as a performer by joining the dance company led by world-renowned choreographer Wade Robson.  Tancharoen himself moved to choreography, quickly catching the eye of superstar artists like Britney Spears and N*Sync, and getting the opportunity to work with both.

His varied experience in dance, music, and as a seasoned film buff allowed Tancharoen to undertake remixing projects for musical performances and specials.  His video work includes pieces for Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, and Tyrese.

Tancharoen's next film project, Arcana, will infuse elements from his many influences, from comic books to genre films to dancing to martial arts.