Nine Residents Attend Actors, Models And Talent Competition in Florida

By Vickey Boyd
Publisher, Moultrie News

You have a dream to become a model or actor, but where do you begin? How do you get in front of agents?

Mille Lewis of Charleston has introduced hopeful actors and models to leading agents and casting directors for 29 years.

Recently nine East Cooper residents traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete at the AMTC, (Actors, Models and Talent Competition).

Jeff Argenio, Joey Argenio, Laura Boyd, Rhett Cuthbert, Troy Gandee, Andrea Kittle, Alexi Pate, Catherine Pease, and Grayson Richburg spent a week competing in competitions such as monologue, TV commercials, cold read, scene study, improv, runway modeling, photography, swimsuit and more.

Years worth of auditions were condensed into six days as participants performed for over 89 agents, casting directors, and managers at the summer AMTC. Attending were 36 regional directors. Millie Lewis of Charleston took a total of 38 contestants.
And the East Cooper contingent did very well as they competed against 900 contestants from around the world. Contestants receiving Honorable Mention included: Andrea Kittle, photography; Joey Argenio, TV commercial and spokes model; Alexi Pate, runway; Troy Gandee, runway and spokes model; Rhett Cuthbert, TV commercial, stand up and monologue; Jeff Argenio, spokesmodel. Catherine Pease won second place in runway and Jeff Argenio was a finalist in male commercial.

“It kicked butt,” said Cuthbert, 13 years old. “I liked everything about it.” Cuthbert is headed to Los Angeles in October for call-backs with agents. “I learned so much from the Millie Lewis classes and I am ready to go to LA and talk to agents and hopefully get a job.”

Cuthbert’s mom, deLeisseline, says she plans to do whatever it takes to help Cuthbert fulfill his dream, even if it means moving to LA and home schooling.

Jeff and Joey, father and son, attended classes together. “Wow, I sure had a super duper time and I feel like I’m on the fast track to stardom!” said Joey, 13.

Father Jeff said, “In addition to the thrill of auditioning in front of agents and casting directors from all over the planet, I found the experience to be so much fun that I find it hard to put into words. Also, I was fortunate enough to meet some terrific new friends. And I’ve already done some filming so who knows where this will lead?” Jeff is proud to be 52 years old and still chasing his dream.

Boyd, 17, said she had a wonderful time and felt she came away with important life skills. “I performed in front of over 500 people; I was taped and photographed. I talked with agents from top modeling and acting agencies. The confidence to do all this will help me in life in whatever I choose to do. I didn’t want to come home it was so much fun, ” Boyd said.

Some contestants have already moved forward with their careers. Gandee has moved to LA and signed with Simmons and Scott Management. Pate is headed to Canada for test shots in October for fashion week.

Present day Director Suzanne Green says the industry is a roller coaster ride. “When a client is up and happy, I am too. But when an audition doesn’t go well or someone doesn’t get a call back, I am sad with them. The important thing is not to give up. You will not make it at every audition, but it is important to keep trying.” Green says that Millie Lewis is one big family with everyone supporting each other.

Green started out as a participate in the original class in Charleston with Millie Lewis’ daughter, Carey Lewis Arban, as her director in 1979. Green’s acting career never really took off, but she found a home in helping aspiring actors and models. “I was a tomboy and mom put me in the class to learn poise. All I wanted to do was be an athlete.”

Green says she just traded one competitive career, sports, for another, acting and modeling. She became director of Millie Lewis of Charleston in 1989 and she has never looked back. “God had a plan for me. I just didn’t know it. I enjoy helping people improve their skills, appearance and confidence. We are one big family at Millie Lewis. This is a competitive field and I hope to offer the opportunity to excel, a chance to be discovered, and the assurance to meet the future with no regrets. But in our classes everyone is encouraged to help and support each other.”

To find additional information about AMTC competition/auditions visit www.millielewis.com. Debbie Chard will MC the special event.