ABOUT

An evening of inspiration
Join us at our next event!

We've all attended cold reading series where the writers showcased tell stories that are limiting for women, barely touch on any minority experiences, and see the world through the lens of a cis-white male. And that's not to say that the writing wasn't good. They just left out more than they included, and ESPECIALLY now, we wanted to create a forum for underrepresented voices to be heard.

So the BREAKTHROUGH READING SERIES
​was born!

How the evening works
Celebrate diverse talent!

Each Breakthrough Reading Series evening, 6 writers will be showcased.  Actors and actresses in attendance will be cast by the writers on the spot to perform their scripts live for the whole group.

Like all grassroots movements, we can't do this without YOU, our friends and co-collaborators. You are the wind beneath our wings, just as we hope to be the springboard for your success.

Please spread the word. We can't wait to see you, and -- we invite YOU to breakthrough!

Meet the Breakthrough Reading Series Co-Producers

Melissa Bickerton

​​​ACTOR/PRODUCER

MELISSA BICKERTON ​(@blissmjb)  Melissa is an Australian actress/singer living in LA.  However, as a master of nearly all regional dialects, she can sound like she’s from anywhere, from down under in “Oz” to home spun in Arkansas. She’s appeared on hit shows like “LOST”, “Criminal Minds” and “The Last Ship”. Most recently Melissa appeared in "Shameless",  “Arrested Development”, “Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D”, “Snowfall” and “The League”, where her innate improv skills garnered her some of the most memorable lines of the episode. Her film credits include “Saving Mr Banks” with Tom Hanks, “Conviction” with Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell, “Any Day” with Sean Bean and most recently “Foster Boy” with Matthew Modine.

​An accomplished singer, she then starred in the Australian production of "Seven little Australians", a Classic Aussie Novel, as the beloved role of Judy. For her portrayal of Judy, Melissa was nominated for three of Australia's major Theatrical Awards; the Greenroom, the Mo Award and the Sydney Theater Critics Award for Best Female Performance in a musical.

​Karen ​Herr

​​WRITER/ACTOR/director

KAREN HERR (@kgoga) has been acting, teaching and performing improvisation since 1993.  Having studied with some of the most recognized luminaries in the improv world (Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts, Todd Stashwick, Jay Rhoderick, Mick Napier, Michael Gellman among others). Karen co-founded the first nationally franchised All Female Improv group “goga” and received critical acclaim for her work. “Divine sirens!” said Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush of Ms. Herr’s goga group during one of their tours of Australia, “smart and stealthy…an improvisational slow burn” – Time Out NY, “The characters, choreography and dialogue were so well drawn it was almost impossible to believe it was unscripted” Velvet Park
Magazine – NY. 
 
Currently, Karen lives in Los Angeles and continues to develop feature length screenplays and direct live theater.  In addition to co-producing the Breakthrough Reading Series, she is also the Director of NY-Chicago-LA based “improv2improve,” a national improv and performance company whose mission is to create real life “corporate harmony” through Team Building Improv workshops and performances.
​​

Teresa Huang

​​WRITER/ACTOR/producer

TERESA HUANG (@teresapalooza) was raised to be a doctor but born to be an artist. A genuine MIT graduate, she gave up problem sets and thermodynamics to become a writer, actor, and producer. Her parents are still scratching their heads. Teresa is a graduate of the CBS Writers Mentoring Program and was named a WGA TV Writer Access Project honoree. She is currently a Staff Writer on PUMP, a new series about the rise of bodybuilding in the early 1970s.
 
Teresa is a proud Board Member of Break the Cycle, a national non-profit that inspires and supports young people to build healthy relationships and create a culture without dating abuse. Her superpowers include power napping, parallel parking, and spending too much money at farmer’s markets.