For Women's History Month, The Actors Society proudly celebrates the remarkable achievements of women who continue to shape the entertainment industry and beyond. From acclaimed actors and playwrights to authors and casting directors, these women are breaking barriers and redefining their fields.
This month, we highlight the journeys of artists like Jennifer Coolidge, Martha Millan, Kate Moennig and many more—each making history in their own way.
Read Part 1 of our celebration below.
Jennifer Coolidge (‘82)
Two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner Jennifer Coolidge joins the cast of the upcoming live-action A Minecraft Movie directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite). Starring alongside Jason Momoa and Jack Black, the film is slated for a wide theatrical release on April 4th.
Martha Millan (‘97)
Martha Millan has continued to gain recognition for her role as Fiona De La Rosa in The Cleaning Lady, which will air its fourth season at the end of March. The crime drama series has helped her reach a broader audience, and she has been active in promoting diversity in Hollywood. Millan has also been involved in other television projects and public appearances discussing her journey as a Filipino-Australian actress in the industry.
Kate Moennig (‘98)
Over the past year, Kate Moennig has expanded her involvement in the entertainment industry: she is set to release a memoir titled So Gay For You: Friendship, Found Family, & The Show That Started it All on June 3, 2025. The memoir, landing just in time for Pride Month, was co-authored with her The L Word co-star Leisha Hailey.
Regina Blandón (‘11)
Regina Blandón is well-established in the Mexican film and television scene, with her most notable project being the Netflix series The Accident. The film was released in mid-2024 and continued to showcase her comedic talent. In addition to acting, Blandón has been vocal on social issues in Mexico, using her platform for progress.
For a one-on-one interview with Blandón, check out The Academy Pages.
Charly Clive (‘14)
Charly Clive has made waves in television, particularly as the co-writer and star of the comedy series Pure and as Sarah Leigh in the sci-fi drama The Lazarus Project. Next up, Clive will star opposite Steve Carell in an upcoming comedy series from HBO.
Skyler Harman (‘17)
After graduating from The Academy in 2017, Skyler Harman interned at Walt Disney World, where experiencing Hurricane Irma sparked a passion for weather. This led to her earning an Atmospheric and Oceanic Science degree from Stony Brook University. Harman worked as a freelance journalist before landing a role as an on-air meteorologist. You can see her across News 12 stations including New Jersey, Connecticut, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. She credits her acting training for giving her the ability to deliver broadcasts with clarity and confidence.
Cedar Daniela Wolf (‘98)
From 2021 to 2022, Cedar co-directed the Berliner Schule für Schauspiel and headed its film department. She then shifted focus to post-production on her feature documentary Run the World, shot across the UK, Germany, and the US. Despite production hurdles, Cedar released the film after positive feedback from attendees at its German premiere.
Patti Hupp (‘88)
Upcoming, you can catch Patti Hupp starring as Beth in Hurricane Diane. The play, written by Madeleine George, will run in Brewster, New York.
Anna Frankl-Duval (‘09)
Anna Frankl-Duval has launched I Know I Sound Like A Crazy Person, But I Hope You’ll Love Me Anyway, a (platonic) love story told through real-life daily letters. Written with a friend she met in a play, the letters capture their journey navigating the industry, heartbreak, grief, and self-discovery. Born from a creative experiment after Anna moved back to London to support her mother, the project explores the power of deep, true friendship.
Ulla Virtanen (‘06)
This 2006 alumna has worked extensively in Finland as an actor, writer, and comedian. Among the Finnish TV shows dotting her resumé are Onnela, Luottomies (Wingman), Härölä, Roba, Downshiftaajat, and ToosaTV, along with roles in the films Valmentaja (2019) and Sangarid (2017). A versatile talent in the entertainment industry, Virtanen has also written numerous comedy, entertainment, and fiction scripts for Finnish television, including the comedy series Härölä, the Kultainen Venla Awards galas, the game show Mental Samurai Suomi, and Dancing with the Stars Finland.
Gayle Turner (‘76)
Gayle and the cast of (pray) took home the 2024 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Ensemble in Ars Nova’s acclaimed production, written and directed by nicHi douglas. The show won three of its five nominations, including Outstanding Director and Outstanding Musical.
Up next, Gayle will take the stage at Green Room 42 in New York for her concert Still Holding On. She is also preparing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Tony-honored Broadway Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir with a special event at City Winery in New York on April 7th.
Mara Marini (‘02)
Best known for her work starring as Brandi Maxxxx in Parks and Recreation, Marini recently filmed The Prince with Nicolas Cage, which is set for release later this year. Will Helm, a film she led, recently premiered at Screamfest. To round out her lengthy film and TV resumé, Marini has begun to expand her career into writing and producing.
Catherine Bush (‘93)
Catherine Bush recently celebrated her 18th anniversary as Playwright-in-Residence at Barter Theatre, where she has had over 50 plays produced. Her adaptation of The Three Musketeers just completed a run at Vancouver’s Arts Club Theatre Company, with a student production set for next month in Tennessee. For the holiday season, her work will be featured in productions at Barter Theatre, Nashville Repertory Theatre, and on an East Coast tour. She is currently developing a historic dramedy for the VA250 Celebration.
Christine Rose Schermerhorn (‘15)
Christine Rose Schermerhorn guest stars as Ion in the latest season of Star Trek: Prodigy and Tyler in Thirsty Suitors, earning GLAAD Media and BAFTA Games Award nominations. She also plays Valerie in Puppy Place on Apple TV, appearing in both seasons.
Karen Ryan (‘00)
Karen Ryan has made a name for herself as a casting director specializing in the fast-paced world of commercials. She recently worked on the HBO series It’s Florida Man. Last year, she received her second nomination for a Heller Award for Commercial Casting Director of the Year. In 2020, she was invited to be a judge at the prestigious ARPA Film Festival.
Myra Helfand (‘62)
Now retired, Helfand spent over 40 years in Hospitals and schools, providing entertainment to children as a performer. Helfand performed Summer stock the summer following graduation at the Playhouse in the Park in Philadelphia, before penning several plays, poetry collections, and children’s stories.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our celebration of Women’s History Month.