Austin Laine WalkeR
Creator & Showrunner
IG: @theaustinwalker
Fueled by his love of classic variety shows and vaudevillian humor, Austin created Varietyville as both a creative playground for sharpening his skills as a character actor, writer, and musician, and a community dedicated to one simple goal: making people feel good. Inspired by legends like Dean Martin, Carol Burnett, and The Muppets, Varietyville carries forward the rich tradition of variety show entertainment with heart, humor, and plenty of improvisational blunders.
A lifelong lover of performing, filmmaking, and dreaming big dreams, Austin moved to Los Angeles at 22 with nothing but a car, a cat, and a confidence that he was meant for this path. Since then, he’s worked in film, TV, live theater, comedy, podcasts, and more. A student of The Groundlings, Austin specializes in character comedy and takes inspiration from the unique folks he meets in his work and travels.
Featuring LEGENDARY Character Actor
“Doctor” M.C. Gainey
M.C. Gainey is a veteran actor with a career spanning over four decades, known for memorable roles in Con Air, Sideways, Django Unchained, and TV shows like Lost and Justified. A longtime member of the Varietyville cast, M.C. brings a lifetime of experience and wisdom to our multi-generational community. He loves Varietyville because it reminds him of his “good ol’ Hollywood days” when folks would put on a show just for the hell of it! Whether he’s our Mardi Gras king, the Devil, the town sheriff, or is simply playing himself, M.C. is a Varietyville legend.
The Varietyvillians
FEATURING:
Cait Bidwell
Will Marcil
Suzanne Nichols
Iris Perry
Yasha Rayzberg
CAIT BIDWELL is one of the friendly and often weird faces of the Varietyvillians. Hailing from Indiana, PA, Cait is a graduate of The University of Alabama with a BA in Telecommunications & Film. When not acting, she spends her time with her husband spoiling their dog, Murphy. Film & TV: "Fluxx", "Elkhorn", "Mayans M.C.", and "The Other One". Theatre: "Yellow Face", T"he Night Auditor", "They Don’t Even Go To The Party", "The Women", "Harvey". Representation: Ignite Talent Management - NTA Talent (Theatrical) - HRI Talent (Commercial)
WILL MARCIL, though born in the last century, was, contrary to popular belief, born in the latter half, rather than the former. This fact has not stopped him from keeping alive the styles of yesteryear, with, he hopes, enough of a grasp of modern sensibilities to keep them entertaining in these latter times.
IRIS PERRY is an Oklahoma born actress who the wind swept down the plains all the way to sunny LA ! She is known for her blend of "bubbly yet macabre," and when not haunting Varietyville you might catch her working as a time traveling flapper or hear her through your headphones in a spooky audio drama. Keep your peepers peeled cause this Iris is in full bloom!
YASHA RAYZBERG is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up loving the theatre and has been performing (on and offstage) since the age of 3. He attended Winchester-Thurston Academy and graduated from Goucher College with a B.A. in Psychology before settling in North Hollywood, where he continued to sharpen his skills at the Theatre 68 company and the Ruskin School of Acting. Yasha is honored to have worked with lauded director Lilton Stewart III as the lead role in horror flick "All Things Come to Night," as well as in the forthcoming feature film "Oswald: Down the Rabbit Hole" with Ernie Hudson. His credits include short films, voiceovers, commercials, digital content, and live theater. Be ready for your ville to be varietied by Yasha and the Varietyvillians!
SUZANNE NICHOLS is from Oakland, CA. In addition to being a Varietyvillian, she has been in numerous plays and musicals in Los Angeles, including "For the Love of a Glove," "My Name is Eartha," "But You May Call Me Ms. Kitt," "Pope Joan" and "HAIR." She is very proud to be a Varietyvillian!
Mike Bolger &
The Varietyville Sound
Featuring: Fiddlin’ Tom Hanslowe, Madison Shearer, and Jared Tashjian
MIKE BOLGER is a musician and Los Angeles native. He teaches, composes, and performs on trumpet, piano, accordion, and various other brass and keyboard instruments. He has appeared on many albums, scores, and soundtracks including Weird Al, Jewel, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimmy Cliff, Ry Cooder, and Spongebob Squarepants. He is a band leader and his album "Bolger's Crystals" was released last year. Mike is involved in first-amendment advocacy as a busker as well.
Website: mikebolgermusic.com
IG: @mikebolgermusic / @buskingwithbolger
MADISON SHEARER is the co-founder and Executive Producer of Varietyville (and she's Austin's fiancée!) — she is the wearer of many hats! As a lifelong musician, singer, and drama queen, Madison supports the music team with vocals, arrangements, and the occasional piano accompaniment. She's also the set designer, prop maker, marketing manager...if it's behind the scenes, Madison is probably behind it!
TOM HANSLOWE is a musician and songwriter, and the man behind Varietyville's "The Mister Tom Show." After growing up in New Jersey, Tom moved to Los Angeles for grad school. He has released three albums of his own songs as Mister Tom, and his playing can be heard on music by The Swill and The Ashes.
JARED TASHJIAN has been playing guitar for over 10 years and is excited to play with The Varietyville Sound. He is the guitarist and vocalist for LA-based band Faultliner.
Madison Shearer
Executive Producer
Elizabeth Stanton
Producer
“Cue Card Colin” Hatton
Cue Cards
Valeria Ruvalcaba
Stage Manager
Julia Vargas
Hair & Makeup