Willo Hausman
Biography
After graduating NYU with a BFA in acting and cinema, Willo was the Founding Artistic Director of NRG, a theatre company in NYC which primarily employed a film-based crew and performed verite’ style throughout Manhattan. NRGS’ most notable endeavor, THE HOBBYWOOD CANTEEN, was performed on a soundstage at Culver Studios in LA where it received much kudos and notoriety. While attending the Tisch School at NYU Willo was also honored with the opportunity to perform in a few David Mamet movies where she honed her skills as an actor. Willo enriched her film knowledge by continuing training on many high-powered film sets, working in a multitude of capacities, including NOBODY’S FOOL (Stand-in/Perdiem-Envelope-Stuffer and Art Department Production Assistant), FAMILY THING (Set PA and Casting Assistant), PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT (Extras Casting Director), TWILIGHT (Producer’s Assistant) and MAN ON THE MOON (Camera Assistant). Willo also spent many years in her youth working by her father’s side at his NY-based production company, CINEHAUS. Since 2014, she was busily employed on commercial endeavors as a Casting Director. In 2022-23 she was a DJ at WKZE!
FAIRIE was Willo’s filmic directorial debut. A fantastical tale about 9 fairy creatures celebrating the new millennium at the Hollywood sign. Willo also shot and directed the LAST DAY SERIES, short works at the forefront of the reality genre, humorously revealing the inherent frustrations of being an artist trapped in a menial job. This evolved into 8 separate episodes, now in the works to become a roster. Willo directed a well-received theatrical production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, combining cinema, an original score, Victorian Steampunk costumes and an exquisite gothic-hued set. She also helmed an innovative stage version of DRACULA. As well as a successful version of Albee's WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. August 2021 was an outstanding outdoor production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, the launchpad for her new theater company, THE TIVOLI PLAYERS. Followed by THE LOVE PLAY, ten vignettes from local playwrights, all revolving around matters of the heart. Most recently, in Autumn 2023, THE HAUNTED TAVERN came to life at the illustrious Byrdcliffe Theater in Woodstock NY, with varied tales of death and monsters. In the wings is an original version of ALICE IN WONDERLAND set to open in summer of 2026 Elmer Rice’s STREET SCENE, THE GLASS MENAGERIE and a play based on the intriguing life of Willo's mother, actress Diane Varsi.
In active development is a sitcom series, THE VIBE, a comedic show set in an occult shop. And two feature films: CLARE, a murder mystery revolving around a clan of modern-day witches living in the midst of a bustling metropolis and AMONG THE WONDERFUL, a vintage tale about the adventures of a giantess and a taxidermist who work at Barnum’s American Museum circa NYC 1842. Bubbling on back burners is an Edward Gorey based film, a Buster Keaton bio-movie and a documentary about mental illness.
Willo is the founder of GRYPHON PICTURES, a LA and NY-based production company.
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