STAFF

Gary Stratton (Executive Director)
Gary brings a broad background of experience in higher education, Christian schooling, campus ministry, missions and the local church. He has served as Vice President of Christian Formation at Crown College (MN), Dean of the Chapel at Gordon College (MA), Theology Faculty at Biola University (CA), as Spiritual Life Director at Whittier Christian High School (CA), and on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ in the U.S. and China as well as a teaching pastor and youth pastor in a variety of churches. Gary currently serves as a "Senior Fellow for Spiritual Formation and Campus Renewal" for The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), a speaker/consultant for Renewal Associates and as teaching faculty for the Yale Institute for Campus Revival and Awakening, as teaching partner and program director for Bethel University (MN), and as a featured speaker for Compassion International.

Gary attended Wheaton College and Talbot Theological Seminary, where he was awarded a PhD in education and spiritual formation leadership. His dissertation, "Jonathan Edwards and Collegiate Leadership for Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Awakening," focuses on educational applications of Jonathan Edwards' theology of leadership practices of corporate prayer and repentance.

Prayer and spiritual awakening have been a hallmark of Gary and Sue's ministry. Gary's life has also been marked by a deep passion for film and culture. At Biola University (and later Bethel University) he helped pioneer the use of film in Christian higher education. In the early 90's he developed a course utilizing Academy Award winning films to teach worldview, ethics and theology and was awarded Biola's senior class faculty member of the year for his efforts. At Gordon college and Crown College he was known for his use of film and film references in chapel and leadership development programs. Gary's passion for spiritual formation and film are outweighed only by his love for his Savior, his wife and his four children.

Monica Jimenez-Grillo (Executive Program Director)
Before becoming a filmmaker, Monica Jimenez-Grillo dreamed of a career in music, training to be an opera singer for nearly eight years. Her successful transition into film and television production has afforded Monica several once in a lifetime experiences in some of the world's most unique locations, from autopsy rooms to aircraft carriers. On dry land, she has worked primarily as a field producer and assistant director for episodic television (The New Detectives, FBI Files), feature films, and music videos. Monica left her beloved Dominican Republic to study music in Belgium, and later earned her BA in Communications from Trinity International University, where she developed her passion for film. Continuing her training, she earned an MA in Directing and Editing from Regent University. Monica is a graduate of the Act One Executive Program in Hollywood, the Producer of the renowned City of the Angels Film Festival, and the President of Cricket Films.

Vicki Peterson (Writing Program Director)
Vicki is an alumna of the 2003 Writing Program, 2006 Executive Program, Act Two, and is a Writing Program Mentor. She was the 2007 Alumna of the Year.

Vicki has a degree in Theatre at the University of California, San Diego. From there, she worked for several seasons at the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse where she was fortunate to draw inspiration from resident Artistic Directors Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Tommy, Big River) Michael Grief (Rent) and many visiting directors such as Julie Taymor (The Lion King).

Vicki then taught Theatre and English at San Dieguito Academy, a premiere high school known for it's arts education programs. As Department Chair for Visual and Performing Arts, Vicki developed district-wide curriculum in addition to running the theatre program. She won several state-level awards for her directing from the Southern California Educational Theatre Association, including an Artistic Achievement Award created specifically for her production of Macbeth. Additionally, Vicki won the Crystal Apple teaching award in her first year, as well as the Old Globe Theatre award two years in a row. Vicki then was the Executive Producer for several VoiceAmerica new media shows while she worked on the craft of screenwriting.

In Hollywood, Vicki was the Director of Development at Hero Pictures and the Managing Director of the Writer's Table at Origin Entertainment. She was recently hired by Origin as a writer on a project she also helped to develop. Vicki also consults on story and critiques scripts for several production companies around town.

Rose Wright (Director of Advancement and Communications)
Rose began her career in broadcast and print journalism, first as the Traffic Manager for WUSS Radio Station in Atlantic City, NJ and later as a reporter for the South End News and Chief Assignment Editor for Neighborhood Network News in Boston, MA. Transitioning into public relations and development, she worked for the governor of Massachusetts and the president of the Boston City Council before joining Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA as the Director of Public Relations. Prior to joining Act One as the Director of Advancement and Communications, Rose served as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, CA.

A native of Gary, IN, Rose earned a double Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University, and holds an MS in Journalism and an MA in African-American Studies from Boston University. She is also a graduate of the Coro National Fellows Program in Public Affairs, an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and sits on the Board of California Pools of Hope, a warm water therapy program for children, the elderly and disabled in Long Beach, CA.

T.J. Berden (Programs Coordinator)
T.J., a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, started with Act One as an intern in 2006. Since finishing his degree in communication and theology, he has moved back to LA and has landed back under the Hollywood sign. T.J. is also a freelance grassroots and viral marketing contractor, having worked on Trade, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, An American Carol and the forthcoming Stoning of Soraya M.

In addition to marketing, T.J. has a great interest in documentary film and theater. His first credited work will be released in 2009 under the title "Facing Extinction", a documentary about the Christian Church in Iraq with director Robert Marcarelli.

Karen Veazey (Office Manager)
Karen Veazey began her career in entertainment with an invitation to train for an on-air shift at her local Christian radio station. She soon became a favorite among listeners and eventually developed a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of radio operations from promotions to programming. In 2001 she accepted the position of General Manager from Colorado's Power and Light Radio Network. Under her leadership, the ministry launched a second format and expanded it's reach statewide. Karen holds a degree in Communications and Journalism from BIOLA University and strives to reach a widespread audience with entertaining, uplifting, and challenging stories.

Jack Gilbert (TV Track Coordinator)
As the Director of the Warner Bros. Writers' Workshop - the entertainment industry's most prestigious and successful television writing program – Jack helped launch the careers of some of Hollywood's top TV scribes.  These days, he uses that expertise to mentor tomorrow's rising stars through the Act One Alumni Programs and Script Consultant Service. An expert story analyst in his own right, he has worked as a freelance reader for the William Morris Agency, NBC, and MTM Productions, consulting on projects ranging from Batman Forever to The Addams Family. Jack crisscrosses the country as an instructor for Act One Weekend Seminars and Learning Labs, and divides his time in Hollywood between Act One and his teaching post in the Theater, Film & Television department at Azusa Pacific University.  He is also a sought-after guest lecturer and consultant at schools, writers' retreats, and conferences throughout North America.

Andrea Nasfell (Editor/Website Administrator)
Andrea is a screenwriter, a partner in the film/TV production company Sodium Entertainment (Breaking Dawn, The Last Dispatch), and a proud graduate of the inaugural class of the Act One Writing Program, as well as the Act Two Advanced Writing Track.  She serves as the editor of the quarterly newsletter, Only Connect, and the administrator for the Act One website.  Andrea received her Bachelor's degree from Asbury College with an emphasis in film studies from the Los Angeles Film Studies Center.