AMC and OLTL: Interview with extras

From: http://www.kccommunitynews.com/articles/20...nt-bv.grads.txt

Blue Valley grads on All My Children

BY: Sheri Baker-Rickman, Staff Writer

Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:34 AM CDT

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Residents wanting to see former Blue Valley North High School students Tiffany McEndarffer and Neil Roberts can tune into ABC soap opera “All My Children.”

McEndarffer, who uses the stage name “Tiffany Lee,” does background work on “All My Children” and plays a nightclub employee. McEndarffer also plays “Cindy,” a nightclub employee on another daytime drama, “One Life to Live.”

“Watching Tiff on the soaps has been really fun, even if it is just background,” said her mother, Debbie McEndarffer. “She has had some really good camera time and I have recorded all of them and put them on discs and labeled them with the dates.”

Debbie said Tiffany became interested in drama in seventh grade after attending a weeklong overnight drama camp called “Broadway at Baker.”

“She fell in love with theater and acting and never looked back,” Debbie said. “My husband, Dave, and I are so proud of Tiff. It took a lot of guts to move to New York City right out of high school and go for her dreams. She has been so determined and works hard every single day submitting herself for auditions.”

Debbie said Tiffany supports herself financially with acting jobs, but also works as a server and with promotion companies. She also models apparel for Planet Hollywood.

“She stays busy, and in her own words says, 'I am going to either make it in this industry or die trying,'” Debbie said. “Tiffany plans to stay in New York City for a couple years and get as much work and experience in film and television as she can.”

Debbie said Tiffany will probably eventually move to Los Angeles and is working on an independent film called “Sublet.”

While attending Blue Valley North, Tiffany participated in drama and as a member of the school's Rep Theater during her junior and senior years.

Debbie said Tiffany's perseverance helps her follow dreams.

Kathy Roberts, Neil's mother, said he has always been an entertainer.

“He has had a passion to perform ever since I can remember,” she said.

“Channeling his endless amount of energy into drama and (performing) as a drummer was a perfect outlet for him.”

Neil plays Troy, a “nerdy genius,”on “All My Children.”

The episode aired June 25 showed Neil's character bumping into longtime daytime drama actress Susan Lucci with a tray of food and knocking her over.

“The show just changed writers and they're considering writing him in permanently,” Kathy said.

Neil got his first “movie” job at 15 working the concession stand at AMC theaters, Kathy said.

Kathy said Neil also had a cameo role on “As the World Turns,” and has done a commercial for the Fed Ex Cup PGA golf tournament and a commercial voiceover for the U.S. Army.

“(Neil) is realistic – there are many rejections along the way,” Kathy said. “His personal training job supplements his income. I think it's all about shaking it off, letting it go and moving on.”

Kathy said Max Brown, performing arts department chair at Blue Valley North, and the drama program helped Neil focus on his dreams.

“Max took several kids to London over a spring break to see and study plays,” Kathy said. “He was very influential in guiding many kids to get involved in acting. Many of these high school plays have casts of over 100. Kids that may not get involved in other activities at school were always welcome to be a part of a drama production.”

Kathy said supporting her son's passions has been easy.

“He's shooting for the stars, learning so much along the way. Whatever role he lands is a victory and a step closer to a big break,” she said.

Seeing Neil on television is “a complete thrill” for Kathy.

“We have many videotapes of plays from middle school on,” she said. “But this is so thrilling to see him doing what he's dreamed of forever and loving it and making a living from it. It's the culmination of years of hard work.”