Cassidy McMillan
- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Cassidy McMillan is an award-winning actress, writer, filmmaker. Cassidy received the Los Angeles Times "Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role" Theater Critics Award for her powerful acting work starring in the leading role of author Brooke Wyeth in the Los Angeles area production of the Tony Award-winning, Pulitzer Prize Finalist family and political drama OTHER DESERT CITIES, written by Jon Robin Baitz.
Regarding Cassidy McMillan's critically-acclaimed portrayal of Brooke Wyeth, the best-selling author struggling to overcome her older brother's suicide and the tragic events leading to it, theater reviewers from the Los Angeles Times and Tribune wrote:
"Cassidy McMillan, simply brilliant as the determined author whose steely demeanor sets the circuitous plot in motion." -Los Angeles Times
"Her inner vulnerability is well camouflaged until the play's most crucial moment"
"Brooke Wyeth, a fragile but determined young woman a few years out of rehab, is the writer whose philosophical differences with her mom and dad couldn't be more pronounced." "Superior performance."
"The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominated play revolves around Brooke Wyeth (Cassidy McMillan) and her uncomfortable Christmas Eve visit to her privileged family in Palm Springs. Cassidy McMillan's Brooke starts off tentatively, nervous and subdued, as if still contending with the ghost of her depression, as well as dreading her family's reaction to her memoir: but as the story progresses, and we begin to see just how important to her continued existence that this novel is... the candle flame that is Brooke's restrained emotion begins to ignite into a bonfire of determination and self-preservation."
"This is Brooke's (Cassidy McMillan) first visit back to the West Coast in six years, having stayed back east for treatment for depression... But...she's now completed her manuscript for a new novel - a memoir, which includes details about her late brother Henry's suicide, and the events leading up to it, which may split the family asunder, irrevocably."
"(McMillan's) Brooke is reluctantly willing to let her relationship with her wounded and angry parents wither and die, as she sees the memoir as the only way she can get closure over Henry and go on with her life: but there are yet more secrets, darker still, to come to light"
"Other Desert Cities overflows with tension and conflict, while packing a powerful punch in its climax."
In interviews about her acting work, Cassidy says she enjoys portraying complex, multi-layered characters and works to bring an authenticity to each role she brings to life. Cassidy stated she likes to work on projects that shine a light on causes, marginalized people and underrepresented communities, and projects that can hopefully inspire others to help make the world a kinder place.
Cassidy began her acting career at a young age while still in school with roles in theater, commercials, film, television.
In addition to acting roles while still in school, Cassidy studied journalism, and in high school was selected by school administrators and the journalism newspaper instructor to be Editor-in-Chief of the high school newspaper. Prior to being named Editor-in-Chief, Cassidy worked as a newspaper reporter and received regional journalism awards for her news and entertainment reporting. After high school, Cassidy continued both acting and journalism study, majored in and received her college degree in journalism, and served as a News Editor for Cal State University's newspaper.
Cassidy is now also working in documentary filmmaking as a director, writer, producer. She's the director of a documentary film on bullying and suicide prevention. With her extensive research on the issue, Cassidy's become a requested speaker, writer, media expert on bullying prevention and has spoken to over 20,000 students, teachers, parents at schools, colleges and organizations. Cassidy works with government leaders on prevention initiatives and is an advocate for families affected by bullying related tragedies.
Cassidy is also an advocate for animal rights, and the adoption of cats and dogs from animal shelters.
Regarding Cassidy McMillan's critically-acclaimed portrayal of Brooke Wyeth, the best-selling author struggling to overcome her older brother's suicide and the tragic events leading to it, theater reviewers from the Los Angeles Times and Tribune wrote:
"Cassidy McMillan, simply brilliant as the determined author whose steely demeanor sets the circuitous plot in motion." -Los Angeles Times
"Her inner vulnerability is well camouflaged until the play's most crucial moment"
- Los Angeles Times
"Brooke Wyeth, a fragile but determined young woman a few years out of rehab, is the writer whose philosophical differences with her mom and dad couldn't be more pronounced." "Superior performance."
- Los Angeles Times
"The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominated play revolves around Brooke Wyeth (Cassidy McMillan) and her uncomfortable Christmas Eve visit to her privileged family in Palm Springs. Cassidy McMillan's Brooke starts off tentatively, nervous and subdued, as if still contending with the ghost of her depression, as well as dreading her family's reaction to her memoir: but as the story progresses, and we begin to see just how important to her continued existence that this novel is... the candle flame that is Brooke's restrained emotion begins to ignite into a bonfire of determination and self-preservation."
- Orange County Tribune
"This is Brooke's (Cassidy McMillan) first visit back to the West Coast in six years, having stayed back east for treatment for depression... But...she's now completed her manuscript for a new novel - a memoir, which includes details about her late brother Henry's suicide, and the events leading up to it, which may split the family asunder, irrevocably."
- Orange County Tribune
"(McMillan's) Brooke is reluctantly willing to let her relationship with her wounded and angry parents wither and die, as she sees the memoir as the only way she can get closure over Henry and go on with her life: but there are yet more secrets, darker still, to come to light"
- Orange County Tribune
"Other Desert Cities overflows with tension and conflict, while packing a powerful punch in its climax."
- Los Angeles Times
In interviews about her acting work, Cassidy says she enjoys portraying complex, multi-layered characters and works to bring an authenticity to each role she brings to life. Cassidy stated she likes to work on projects that shine a light on causes, marginalized people and underrepresented communities, and projects that can hopefully inspire others to help make the world a kinder place.
Cassidy began her acting career at a young age while still in school with roles in theater, commercials, film, television.
In addition to acting roles while still in school, Cassidy studied journalism, and in high school was selected by school administrators and the journalism newspaper instructor to be Editor-in-Chief of the high school newspaper. Prior to being named Editor-in-Chief, Cassidy worked as a newspaper reporter and received regional journalism awards for her news and entertainment reporting. After high school, Cassidy continued both acting and journalism study, majored in and received her college degree in journalism, and served as a News Editor for Cal State University's newspaper.
Cassidy is now also working in documentary filmmaking as a director, writer, producer. She's the director of a documentary film on bullying and suicide prevention. With her extensive research on the issue, Cassidy's become a requested speaker, writer, media expert on bullying prevention and has spoken to over 20,000 students, teachers, parents at schools, colleges and organizations. Cassidy works with government leaders on prevention initiatives and is an advocate for families affected by bullying related tragedies.
Cassidy is also an advocate for animal rights, and the adoption of cats and dogs from animal shelters.
