Jessica Ilko's Modeling Jobs, Acting Auditions and Additional Experience

About Me: My name is Jessica Ilko, and my most promising role thus far has been a lead role in the independent feature film "Leaving Hollywood." This film is currently being rewritten by a Hollywood production company, and then we will begin re-filming this movie in anticipation of it picking up distribution as a mainstream film and possibly as a backdoor pilot to a television series; incidentally, I also sang a song for the movie's soundtrack which will be available on iTunes. Since completing filming on "Leaving Hollywood," I have filmed "REACH" based on the play of the same name, which was written by various high school students and which is being considered as an off-Broadway play; it premiered at New York City's Players Theatre in November 2009 at the culmination of its four-season run. I was also able to complete the independent feature film "The Good Man," which is based on Thomas Hardy's "Return of the Native" and which will be submitted to various film festivals.

In addition to films, I have had extensive experience performing onstage in local college, church, and community theater productions over the past eight years, earning national awards for my troupe's drama and pantomime performances and for vocal performances. I have also appeared in several school productions.

I am 16 and beginning my junior year of high school; however, I can play teenage characters up to 18 or 19 because I am often told I look older, and I can play younger characters as well since I am on the petite side. I feel incredibly at home on the stage or in film, and I relish any opportunity that comes my way where I can practice my craft and share my passion for acting. I often know instinctively how I would play a character and deliver her lines; however, I am always eager to hear new ideas and suggestions on how to improve my portrayal of a character, and I am always prepared to take direction on how to develop my character further.

I look forward to your casting process, and I hope to be hearing from you soon.

Short Resume: Film:

2012: Seeking Closure (in production)...Principal...Kevin Tan/Inner Glow Pictures

The Good Man...Lead...Ben Westbrook/Lickerish Media

Reach...Lead...Ben Hodge/Tango Productions

Leaving Hollywood...Lead...Nick Bailey/First Star Media

Leftovers: The Restless Hours...Lead...Josh Brown/Boston University

Theater:

Almost, Maine...Lead...Mark Zortman, dir.

Curtains...Supporting...Mark Zortman, dir.

Reach...Lead...Ben Hodge, dir.

Pop's Diner...Lead...Lynette Plath, dir.

The Music Man...Principal...Mark Zortman, dir.

Reach...Lead...Ben Hodge, dir.

I Am: The Jesus Incident...Supporting...John Ilko, dir.

A Mouse Christmas...Lead...Lynette Plath, dir.

A Christmas Carol...Lead...Jim McGhee, dir.

Music:

Leaving Hollywood Soundtrack..."Three Last Words"...Moho Productions