If you like success stories, show biz, movies and overcoming adversities, I think you’ll love this story.

Also, you’ll have a chance to live vicariously through some gifted young (and one not so young) actors as they attend Robert Redford’s prestigious Sundance Film Festival in a couple of months. More on that later.

The Story

Scott-Arthur Allen was one of the top-rated acting coaches in “Hollywood.” For many years it was often hard to get a seat in his ongoing classes.

A successful actor himself, Scott-Arthur discovered his own unique gift for teaching and eventually turned down parts so he could devote more time to his Creative Actors Workshop in L.A.

Creative Actors Workshop Recent Class

After numerous pleas from former students turned stars to become a manager, he finally caved in, dividing his time between his workshop and what became a successful personal management company, Gentle Force Artists Group.

Scott-Arthur’s reputation preceded him as he was quickly accepted into the prestigious Talent Manager’s Association as a member and then later president of the group.

Having met or exceeded his goals in Hollywood, it was only natural that he move to Springfield Missouri, right?

WHAT! Okay, here’s where the story really shifts.

Scott-Arthur has been my best friend for over 30 years. If it’s true that a true friend is someone who knows everything about you and likes you anyway, well, that’s us. I was best man at his wedding and we talk almost daily from wherever we may be. We share our opinions with one another easily and without hedging.

I’m a long time marketing strategist and an intuitive. I’ve been paid a lot of money over the years for my opinions and ideas. See, that’s me, all puffed up in the mirror, there.

Now see me deflating. Because I was so wrong this time.

Elizabeth, his wife and a gifted actress/teacher in her own right is from the Springfield/Branson area. When they went back for her mothers funeral eight years ago, they felt called to move there.

There they were, at the top of their game on the most difficult show biz turf in the world, ready to chuck it all for a move to. . .Springfield!

When he told me, I laughed. Then he said he was serious and I tried to talk him out of it.

Okay, long story short. He didn’t listen to my free advice and they moved. Not only that, but he opened his professional  acting studio in Springfield.

A professional acting studio in Springfield? What?

Student Annalise Basso On The Set Of "Lie to Me"

Then, within an amazingly short period of time, he not only filled up his class, he had to add new ones, and then more. Not only were there waiting lists, the word got out. He opened classes in St. Louis where there are waiting lists there now too.

Pretty soon, filmmakers interested in Southern Missouri locations began consulting him. Since his reputation of turning out quality actors was also well known, more and more began requesting casting calls from actors he would recommend as ready.

Then, something really extraordinary happened, and this is where you and the Sundance Film Festival come into play.

A feature motion picture, “A Winter’s Bone” was shot in the Springfield Branson area. Award winning director Debra Granik and her production team begin casting local talent. At first they intended mostly background, extras for the film, as the story from the book of the same title occurs in that region.

However they decided to  see what talent was available in the area, Springfield and Kansas City, for some of the major roles and also putting out the call to LA and New York.   After interviewing over  a hundred actors they called back 27 seven actors from the Creative Actors Workshop.

An unprecedented number of actors came from that single source, the workshop. In fact, given all the actors the production company had access to in both Hollywood and New York, the odds of what happened within this local talent pool are astronomical.

Five of his actors were chosen for various roles: Lauren Sweetser a starring role Casey MacLaren a supporting role Cody Brown had a supporting role Charlotte Lucas had a supporting role And Brandon Gray a feature role.

The producer and director were amazed at the quality and professionalism of these actors and were extremely thankful to the Creative Actors.

On The Winters Bone Set

Of course you don’t know any of these names . . . yet. Four of them are young dedicated artists, with one “slightly” older actress who has discovered a new career, Charlotte Lucas. Another great story in the making here, but more on that another time.

Some of them are working part or full time jobs, attending acting class, school, etc. Most of them plan on moving to LA or New York to join other alumni of the workshop who are living and working there now.

Here’s where you come in. Sundance is a huge opportunity for these actors. While productions might pay for a star to attend, the other players have to pay their own way.

For those who donate, any amount will do, you’ll get a personalized email from each of the actors with their thanks. You’ll also receive Sundance Updates as the festival and the cast experience this highly selective event.

A bank account at Peoples Bank in Nixa Mo. has been set up under Local Actor’s Fund or you can use your credit or debit card at the Creative Actors Website and on the home page you will see actors fund or just click the button below.

Then, keep an eye on the careers of these budding working actors and maybe even stars. One day you may be able to say that you had a hand in helping them achieve their place.

Please click here to donate and get on the Sundance/Creative Actors Adventure updates

Any donations in excess of their needs will be donated to a 501 C3 charity. All doners will be notified of the outcome.

Side Note: Scott-Arthur Allen, since moving to Springfield and building this successful workshop with Elizabeth, has already gone through a serious bout of prostate cancer, then after he recovered, open-heart surgery. Still they’ve built this extraordinary success story.

Today, you’ll find him working out vigorously, as he’s done all his life, living a full-out life in great health. He is truly one of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever known and am so very proud to be his friend.