About Us Our Mission and Volunteers

About the NUEA West

The NUEA West (Northwestern University Entertainment Alliance West) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run alumni organization dedicated to NU graduates working in or looking to break into the entertainment industry in the Los Angeles area. Our goal is to help create a cohesive, supportive community of Northwestern alumni working in all sides of the entertainment industry.

The NUEA’s mission is to provide Northwestern alumni in the entertainment industry with opportunities to learn about the industry, network with other entertainment professionals, advance their careers, and promote their work. To that end, we offer year-round events, such as panels, mixers, script readings, short film showcases, casting director workshops, and our annual LA|NU Showcase for writers and actors. In addition, we also offer ongoing programming such as our Writers Group and Peer Groups to create communities where alumni can network and develop their skills.

Not in LA? Visit our sister chapter in New York, the NUEA East!

Our Volunteers & Programming

The NUEA West is run by volunteers and funded entirely by your membership dues. Our programming is determined by demand and feedback from our members, as well as the interests and passions of our volunteers.

If there is programming that you would like to see from the NUEA West, please contact us and let us know! To learn more about the people behind the NUEA, please read on, and if you are interested in volunteering for the NUEA, please let us know on our volunteer page.

The NUEA West Board

  • Jackie Laine

  • CO-PRESIDENT, PEER GROUPS

Jackie is an ’08 R/TV/F graduate and has been one of the co-presidents of the NUEA West since 2010. She is a freelance reality TV producer and in her (sadly limited) free time loves to create original letterpress prints. She hopes to see you at an event soon!

  • Marcus Folmar

  • CO-PRESIDENT, LA|NU SHOWCASE

A graduate of The School of Speech’s Writing For The Media program, Marcus has acted in over 60 TV shows, films and commercials and is a produced screenwriter. Since 2008, he’s helped other actors find success with his acting and audition coaching business, The Booking Room.

  • Aziza Walker

  • TREASURER

Aziza is an editor who has worked in the editorial department of numerous films and TV shows, including “Sparkle” and “The Game.” She recently produced and edited “The Three Canvases,” a short film about a renowned artist who comes clean about events that made his career in 1953.

  • Jen O’Leary

  • COMMUNICATIONS + SOCIAL MEDIA

Jen graduated in ’09 with a double major in RTVF and History. She does the emailing, social media-ing and communicating for the NUEA. Her passion is cinematography and she works freelance as a Camera Assistant.

  • Diana Theobald

  • JOB LIST, SHORT FILM NIGHT

Diana graduated in ’08 with majors in RTVF and Animate Arts. She monitors the NUEA Job List and applies her love for short films towards organizing Short Film Nights. Above all, she enjoys animation, and currently works in children’s TV at Marvel.

  • April Wright

  • PRESIDENT EMERITUS

April is an Independent Filmmaker and Consultant currently working for Real D, Women in Film, Sundance Film Festival and AFI Fest. She is an award-winning director, writer and producer of narrative features and shorts, as well as documentaries. Her latest film is the documentary “Going Attractions.”

  • Andy Wolf

Andy graduated in ’94 with majors in Theatre / Creative Drama and Jewish Studies. He teaches all over the country, using Improv as a basis for all subjects; he also puppeteers, produces, writes, directs, and performs on both sides of the camera.

  • Elsie Nwankwo

Elsie is a communications professional with 10 years of experience managing media relations and corporate/brand identities. She is the founder of Speculaas Media, a company that specializes in communications and entertainment. Speculaas Media also partners with production companies on film, TV, web and mobile projects.

  • Josh Goldenberg

  • SURVIVING LA PANEL

Josh is a literary and talent manager at Kaplan/Perrone, representing actors, film and TV writers, and directors. Before becoming a manager, Josh worked in development at Marc Platt Productions before becoming an exec for producer Mike Karz, then a VP for Red Wagon.

  • Marrion Johnson

Marrion is a Chicago native and a 2011 graduate from the School of Communications. He currently works in television development, and would like to continue developing compelling content in that space. He also loves to meet great NU people!

  • Michael Crane

Michael Crane is a composer, pianist, and producer. He is currently co-producing and scoring several film projects. He is a laureate of the Society of Composers and Lyricists’ mentorship program. Michael is the founder of the independent film production company, Ufonaut Films.

  • Michelle Lang

  • INDIE FILM EVENTS

Michelle Lang graduated from NU’s acting program. She is an independent film producer, producing features through Origin Films and Folly Films. Michelle is also a black belt martial artist and is best known for playing Bruce Lee’s wife in the TV Series, “The Legend of Bruce Lee.”

  • Sasha Bayan

Sasha is an active composer and performer who’s traveled the world to learn about musical styles like flamenco, samba, and Indian classical music. Sasha’s debut album Do I Know You? is an eclectic work of eccentric pop-rock available on iTunes, Spotify, and his website.