Jonathan Vasquez
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Following article Courtesy of Screenwriting Magazine
Born Jonathan Lauren to a family entrenched in the entertainment industry. Having both parents as talent agents and his sister acclaimed actress Tammy Lauren, Jon had a wealth of knowledge on which to draw from. Starting at the age of 6, Jon worked continuously on commercials and episodic television through the age of 16 when Jon noticed a flyer at his high school that would forever change his life.
The flyer was for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. Having auditioned with close to 6,000 Clown College hopefuls from all over the US, Jon was one of the 39 to be chosen for a tuition free once in a lifetime opportunity. A gruelling, 10 week course in Venice, Florida that begins at 9 in the morning till 10 at night, 6 days a week.
Learning everything from juggling and make-up, to mime and improvisation to how to slip on a banana without breaking your neck. Concluding with Mr. Kenneth Feld, owner and producer of Ringling Bros.,choosing 10 of the 39 students to come and join his world renowned show. Jon was chosen and went on to tour with the Ringling Bros. Red Unit for close to 2 years.
After hanging his clown shoes, Jon received an offer to tour with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Concert Tour as none other than, Michelangelo. Performing both in the concert as well as the voice for the cartoon series of the same name for two seasons. Jon spent his time then in Chicago for a short while, attending Second City upon invitation. Then back to Los Angeles to study under Milton Katselas' Beverly Hills Playhouse in Milton's advanced class. While also training with Academy Award nominated actress and acting coach, Nina Foch.
It was then that Jon wanted to learn the business side of the industry and started working for The Chasin Talent Agency, where he would meet and go on to assist award-winning writer/director Charles Jarrott on several projects. Both as an assistant and free-lance writer, giving the legend a younger voice in which to aide him. From there Jon, moved to United Artists Talent Agency, starting as an agent and moving quickly to Sr. Vp. Of Talent.
During his tenure at United Artists Talent Agency, Jon wrote a highly praised book titled, Actors411. An opportunity for the beginning actor to sift through the confusion and obstacles that make being a "working actor" so daunting. Actors411 is making actor's life easier even today, through Amazon.com. His experience, charisma and passion for actors made Jon a natural, highly sought after choice by casting agents for their own seminars and speaking engagements. Jon accomplished all of this before his 30th birthday. And it is now, that Jon wishes to bring Actors411 to life through his teachings.
-- ScreenWriting Magazine, February 2005
