The 1st Team Actors Studio Team
Lauren Nichols, Acting Coach & Co-Owner of 1st Team Actor Studio
Lauren Nichols is an LA trained actress and proud member of SAG-AFTRA. While living in Los Angeles, she studied intensely with elite training programs such as Lesly Kahn and Company, Tim Phillips, and the famous Groundlings School. Lauren can be seen in many national commercials including Digiorno, Nestle Tollhouse, Ciroq, Carnation, and Nokia. Her television credits include guest star roles on Chicago Justice (NBC) and Scandal (ABC). Lauren appeared as “Xtina” in Todrick Hall’s Pop Star High, which was successfully piloted after its release, and she recorded the original cast album. Her film credits include sharing the screen with fantastic talents such as Nicolas Cage in Dog Eat Dog, Madtown with Milo Ventimiglia, and Assassin’s Code with Justin Chatwin. She can also be seen in White Boy Rick, and Triumph’s Summer Election Special.
Michael Busch, Improv & Acting Coach
Michael Busch is a Cleveland native who has over fifteen years of professional experience in the Los Angeles comedy scene and entertainment industry as an actor, writer, director, and producer. His television and film acting credits include: The Goldbergs, Adam Ruins Everything, Glee, The Middle, Pretty Little Liars, The Ghost Whisperer, Community, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Arsenio Hall Show, Body of Proof, Hope & Randy, Franklin & Bash, Workaholics, Carpoolers, Miss March, and dozens of national commercials. Michael Busch is a graduate of IO’s improv training program and studied improv and sketch at The Upright Citizens Brigade with founders Matt Besser and Matt Walsh, among others. He has acted in sketches on Human Giant, Key & Peele, and Conan; written sketches and digital series for FunnyorDie, Comedy Central, AwesomenessTV, Break, and Maker Studios; was a member of multiple house improv (Harold) teams at IO West and UCBTLA, a writer/performer on a house sketch (Maude) team at UCBTLA, and has also written/directed/produced/acted in various other shows there.
Megan Brautigam, Commercial & Children’s Acting Coach
Megan is an actress based in Cleveland with over 25 years of experience. After performing in over 50 musical theatre productions, she signed with Docherty Talent Agency and Heyman Talent Agency, leading to a transition into TV/Film, with a specialty in commercial acting. Megan has booked over 25 commercials and industrials (NFL, Honda, Acura, St. Elizabeth’s Healthcare, Wegmans, US Foods, Akron-Canton Airport, etc.) and principal roles on Netflix’s Mindhunter, a new sitcom pilot, and several short films. Megan has a recent online series of instructional videos for Docherty Agency including: Audition tips, self-tape tips, how to impress CDs, and how to act professional on set. She co-produces comedy shows at Hilarities, as well as also performing standup comedy.
Having gained a lot of valuable experience, yet still realizing there is much more to be accomplished, Megan’s main objective is to help students move effectively towards achieving their performing goals while providing insight regarding their professional journey and their growth as human beings.