ALL PANELS AND WORKSHOPS ARE INCLUDED WITH YOUR REGULAR FESTIVAL ADMISSION TICKET

Bring your headshots and resumes for the casting director meet and greet sessions

2025 Panels and Workshops

(Below are the Currently Scheduled Panels and Workshops for 2025)


Saturday, August 2 at 1200

“The Dinner Detective”

Whitney Axley - Executive Producer

[Main Theater]

Whitney Axley-Andrews has been an integral part of The Dinner Detective since 2005, bringing nearly two decades of expertise in live entertainment, event production, and immersive theater experiences. As an Executive Producer, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing show operations, casting, venue coordination, and audience engagement to ensure every performance delivers the signature blend of comedy, mystery, and interactive fun that makes The Dinner Detective the nation’s largest interactive murder mystery dinner theater.

With a deep understanding of improv-based performances, Whitney has helped shape and evolve The Dinner Detective's unique format, ensuring it remains fresh, engaging, and adaptable for public audiences, private events, and corporate entertainment. Her leadership in event planning, production management, and guest experience has been instrumental in expanding the brand and maintaining its reputation for delivering high-energy, one-of-a-kind performances across multiple locations.

Passionate about the art of storytelling and live performance, Whitney continues to drive innovation, talent development, and exceptional guest experiences, making The Dinner Detective an unforgettable night of mystery, comedy, and immersive entertainment for audiences nationwide.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PRESENTATION, WHITNEY WILL BE CONDUCTING FOUR AUDITION SESSIONS TO ALLOW NEW ACTORS/ACTRESSES THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE DINNER DETECTIVE CAST.

Spaces are limited and will fill quickly - register for a spot when you arrive at the theater on Saturday


Saturday, August 2 at 5:00pm

“How to Get Into Stunts in Studio and Network Projects”

Scott Dale - Stunt Man/Stunt Coordinator

[Second Floor Lounge]

Scott Dale Scott has 126 Stunt credits as a stunt man and stunt coordinator on projects ranging from Teen Wolf to Furious 7. He began his stunt career in 1982 in “Six Pack”, starring Kenny Rogers and Diane Lane. and has worked as a stunt performer, stunt drive and/or stunt coordinator on some of the biggest films and television shows ever since. Most recently he worked as a stunt drive on “Jackpot”, starring John Cena, Awkwafina and Simu Liu.

Scott Dale - IMDb


Sunday, August 3 at 11:00am

Brian Beegle

How the Current State of the Film Industry in Georgia is Affecting Casting and What You Need to Do to Improve Your Chances

[Second Floor Lounge]

Brian Beegle is one of the most experienced commercial casting directors in the country - having cast over 2000 projects in the past 15 year as a casting director.

He began his career in the industry as a child actor - working as an actor from the age of 8 all the way through college. When he finished UGA he moved to LA and lived there for 3 years acting but working up to 5 jobs simultaneously trying to ‘make it’ in Hollywood.

He moved back to Atlanta in 2006 and booked a great role in the movie We Are Marshall where he played the starting running back #33 Lucas Booth. He also became the lead singer in a cover band and did around 350 shows around the southeast - playing everything from Elvis to Dr. Dre to Peter Gabriel.

He was hired as an assistant at Stilwell Casting, the south’s leading commercial casting director at the time, and was lucky enough to study under Melissa Mcbride (who would go on to play Carol on the Walking Dead) for two years.

He took over casting in 2009 and when the pandemic hit in 2020, he started his own company - Brian Beegle Casting. He now casts all over the country - Commercials, Music Videos, Films, Industrials, etc. He does it all and loves it!


Sunday, August 3 at 1:00pm

Ken Feinberg, Lloyd J Schwartz & Alexis Adams

Making Quality Feature Films on a Limited Budget

[Main Theate]

Ken Feinberg has been producing, directing, writing, and acting for over 25 years in award-winning films, hit television series and major heater projects in Los Angeles, New York Florida and Atlanta. He has won numerous awards in more than 100 productions, and he has achieved a great deal in the years he's been in Hollywood after nurturing his career in New York Florida and Atlanta.

Ken Feinberg founded Creative Studios of Atlanta in 2005 after relocating to Atlanta after years of working in Los Angeles. Feinberg has been directing, writing, producing and acting for over 25 years in award-winning films, hit television series and major theater projects in Los Angeles, New York Florida and Atlanta. He has won numerous awards in more than 100 productions, and he has achieved a great deal in the years he's been in Hollywood after nurturing his career in New York Florida and Atlanta.

Feinberg just wrapped producing/directing the feature SLICE OF LIFE, and just sold the Family Christmas movie SANTA'S BOOT CAMP. Prior to 2013 Feinberg has premiered 4 films premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and has directed over 100 short films.

As an actor, Feinberg is known to millions of television viewers around the world for his role as the Chaos Demon in the highly acclaimed Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

As a theater director, Feinberg is noted for directing the hit Hollywood show A Tribute to Saturday Night Live.

Lloyd J Schultz - Mostly known for his “Brady Bunch” and “Gilligan’s Island” TV work, Lloyd has always been involved in theater and independent film at the same time. He wrote and produced his first movie “Games Guys Play” (nee: “Goodnight Jackie’) in 1975. He then wrote, produced “One Dozen” a comedy jury trial. Both movies were made on shoestring budgets. He has major film credits: “The Brady Bunch Movie,” and its sequel and an upcoming movie “The Mary Walker Story” at Walden, but he much prefers independent and low budget personal movies.

Alexis Abrams is an award winning actress who plays as Belinda in "Love&Taxe$”. She’s also currently on Netflix’s “Bad Thoughts.” She has studied at The Nancy Banks Studio, with celebrity coach Amy Lyndon, and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Alexis was recently crowned Miss West Coast and with her title, she serves as an advocate for domestic violence victims. Alexis uses her empathy on and offscreen, which has helped her book several projects coming out over the next year.  She is excited to attend the Cobb International Film Festival and connect with audiences through her work.