Michael J. Sonntag
Michael J. Sonntag is a stage & screen producer, casting director, and acting coach.
Michael began his career producing local evening news for NBC, after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. He has worked both in front of and behind the camera, in a wide range of positions – most recently, developing several films with his business partner, John Coppola. His producing credits include Co-Producer on award-winning director Vince DiPersio’s acclaimed feature documentary, Truth In Terms Of Beauty, and Associate Producer & UPM on Semper Fi: One Marine’s Journey, for Showtime. He also served as line producer and casting director for the television series, Bourbon Street, for Rampart Entertainment, as well as producer and executive producer on a number of film shorts through his Studio C Artists banner. Michael’s other casting credits include the feature films, Nephilim and Styria, as well as a number of commercials for clients such as Intel, NFL Networks, Cisco, TV Land, Walt Disney Studios, Panasonic, and the U.S. Army. Prior to starting his own company, Michael held the titles of Director of Development for Shakrah Films; associate producer for Alton Entertainment, where he was involved in the development, writing, and daily production of their television shows; and as a freelance producer on a number of commercial and industrial projects for Dark Light Pictures.
Michael has also produced dozens of theatrical stage productions including the world premieres of I Get Knocked Down, I Love Me I Love Me Not, The Monica Davis Show, the West Coast premiere of Face Cream , And All The Dead Lie Down, and The Milk Meetings – as well as all of the original productions for Studio C’s one-act play series. Michael’s varied career has included a position at Roth Capital Partners, where he assisted in arranging venture capital for several internet IPO’s, as well as working for many years as an actor in Hollywood. One of the founding partners of Studio C Artists, he also currently teaches acting classes to both kids and adults, and offers private coaching.
Michael is currently the President and CEO of One World Stage & Screen, a 501c3 organization that provides high quality training and mentorship to professional-grade, young actors who lack the financial resources. He is also very proud of his work with Voices in Harmony, a mentoring program that links actors with inner-city teens, and was instrumental in the productions of two of their stage shows, as well as their film, Listen: Everyone Has a Story to Tell, starring Jim Carrey.
Michael lives in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles with his growing family. As a community organizer, he has served on the board of his neighborhood association, as well as six years on the Mid-City Neighborhood Council, including 2 years as MINC’s President. If he has any spare time, you will usually find Michael engrossed in his lifelong passion for classic films – he loves anything TCM, and is probably watching Casablanca right now for the 5438th time.
What Price Hollywood? 