``Dharma & Greg's'' ``Earth Mother'' Mimi Kennedy, to Bring Down-to-Earth Perspective on the Acting Profession at Back Stage West Actorfest 2000.

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 13, 2000

Hollywood -- it's a lot of hype, glamor, fame and fortune ... or at least that's how it's promoted and perceived.

But any hard-working actor knows that audition after audition, from walk-on extra to cameo to bit-part, Taft Hartley-ing your way toward getting a SAG card, and then supporting role to starring, isn't just a journey -- there are necessary actions one needs to take "beyond the karmic twists of fate."

ABC-TV's Golden Globe-nominated, Top 10 sitcom, "Dharma & Greg" co-star, Mimi Kennedy, who plays hippie "Earth Mother" Abby Finklestein, will bring universal reality to the forefront in a debut focus session called "Supporting Vs. Starring -- Your Role As An Actor," from 1 to 3 p.m.

Here actors will be empowered by the necessary tools required toward a strategic career plan and some action on the actor's part to take on the resources, networking contacts, skills, trade vehicles and mindset necessary to make it.

At Back Stage Actorfest on May 6, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., at the Hilton Universal City & Towers, 555 Universal Terrace Parkway in Universal City, actors will get a personal, intimate, classroom-setting educational.

This once-a-year, live forum of the one-and-only definitive actor's trade weekly is joining with BPI sister publications, The Hollywood Reporter and SHOOT and The Music Video Production Association, to bring a full day's actor's bible of the must-have/must-know tools for the acting profession.

The full-day agenda includes: four informative panels; all-day access to a lively exhibit floor full of the latest digital, Internet and performer's resources; 21 hours of Up Close & Personals with Hollywood's top sitcom, drama, primetime, soap and feature film casting directors; and the four new career focus sessions, including Kennedy's "Supporting Vs. Starring" segment.

Kennedy, who is joining Back Stage West Actorfest for a second year in a row (last year she was joined by her castmates for a "Dharma & Greg" panel), created her own focus session for Actorfest 2000.

"An actor always needs to 'get into character' for the role they play, but sometimes the role itself as a supporting character vs. a starring one is just as important to the storyline and how it unfolds. Knowing your place and the role you play is as essential in knowing how to get there," stated Kennedy.

The actress/author of "Taken To The Stage: The Education of An Actress," has trekked quite a path in her acting career; her credits include everything from the Broadway stage as "Jan" in the original production of "Grease," to the TV drama series "Homefront" and "Savannah" and musical variety series, "Three Girls Three," to the feature films, "Death Becomes Her," "Chances Are" and a bit part in the box-office smash, "Erin Brockovich."

She's worked with everyone from Sid Caesar and Andy Warhol to Jeff Goldblum and Stockard Channing in a career which has spanned TV, film and theater, to her current success with "Dharma & Greg" now entering its fourth consecutive successful season, showcasing her in a very prominent lead as it approaches the May season finale cliffhanger.

Back Stage West Actorfest 2000 will showcase four main panels for the day, including a 9 a.m. Back Stage Peek at big breaks in TV/film, with opportunities overseas.

This panel includes such talents as Ricky Paull Goldin from CBS' "Young & The Restless," Majel Barrett Roddenberry (Gene's widow) from the original "Star Trek," Natalie Raitano from FOX-TV's "VIP," Adrienne Frantz from CBS' "Bold & The Beautiful" and Trevor Goddard from CBS' "JAG," moderated by multimedia-hyphenate Nelson Aspen, producer/reporter of TV Guide Television and morning radio personality for KRLA.

This is followed by "The Complete Hollywood Report on Hollywood's Hottest Agencies" -- hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, and moderated by the the publication's own Dawn Allen, featuring agents from voice-overs, TV, film, commercials and motion picture literary sides of the business from ICM, APA, The Hollander Group, Sutton, Barth & Vennari and Cunningham, Escott & Dipene.

Other panels include "Commercials: Your 30 or 60 seconds of Fame," moderated by commercial producer/director, Bryan Michael Stoller -- with Carlos Alazraqui (voice of the Taco Bell Chihuahua), Scotty Leavenworth ("Green Mile" and "Erin Brockovich," who landed his first commercial at age 4) and European theatrical actress, Alexandra Boyd ("Titanic," "Meow Mix").

The final panel of the day is "Inside the Music Network -- Career in the Music Industry Crossing Over to TV & Film" -- moderated by music/radio announcer/hall of famer, TV/film actor and "Laugh-In" icon, Gary Owens; his son, Sony/CBS performer, producer and international singer, Christopher Dane Owens; and Tolley Casparis-Pierson -- sought-after music video casting director (Mariah Carey, Goo Goo Dolls, Smashmouth), whose bio includes eight pages of music video credits from nearly every music video in the business.

Incidentally, Casparis-Pierson cast Oscar-winner Hilary Swank in a Bonnie Raitt video 10 years ago!

The event's debut of the niche area "FOCUS Sessions," aside from Mimi Kennedy's "Supporting Vs. Starring Scenarios," includes ABC's development executive Daysun Perkins showcasing casting and development; Parisfalls.com's production team of Meiselman-Rede Media Group with creating, pitching and starring in your own projects; and Improv co-owner Mark Lonow with special guest, CBS' Niecy Nash, with stand-up comedy transitions into TV and film.

Attendees will get to meet the Back Stage West Masthead at Back Stage West Park, sponsored by Louise's Trattoria restaurants. There, starving actors will get their 10 chances to "Win A Power Schmooze Industry Lunch for 2," as well as a special ultimate "Meal Ticket" grand prize of a "Wrap Party for 20."

This special "Picnic In The Park" promotion allows attendees to get a chance to talk with Back Stage West editor, Rob Kendt, and publisher, Steve Elish, and meet other prominent members of the paper, along with staff members of sister publications, The Hollywood Reporter and commercial must-have publication, SHOOT.

Actor attendees are guaranteed to "not walk away hungry" for information and resources for the day -- including a chance to feed their minds and bodies, literally!

For more information on Actorfest 2000, go to the Back Stage West Web site at http://www.backstage.com, click on Actorfest, or call 323/525-2225 for Hollywood's hot ticket to the actor's trade weekly's once-a-year, live forum.

Tickets are $35 for an all-day pass. Visit Louise's Larchmont and Studio City locations for special promotion information on Actorfest 2000, or for more information on all 14 Louise's locations, go to http://www.louises.com.

For interviews with panelists or for media access prior to or on the day of the event, call Stacey Kumagai, The Southland's Media Monster, at 818/506-8675 or e-mail [e-mail].