Aktrez's World

et's start at the very beginning ... a very good place to start. I was adopted into a little town called Orrington in that big state of Maine (way up they'ah in the nohth east foh all you folks from away). I was pretty much a geek from day one. I would rather be inside playing video games, making movies with my Barbie dolls or pretending to be a famous rock star than being outside playing with the other kids.

I got my first video game when I was 4 years old. I remember it like it was yesterday. After receiving several bruises from my brother (trying to steal back his Atari 2600 controller) my mom wisened up and brought home Strawberry Shortcake's Musical Mix-up just for me! It was then that my obsession with the controller REALLY began.

At the same time as my budding "geekdom" was growing, so was my hopefully stardom. I began taking dancing, singing and acting lessons. I participated in several pageants every year, placing in the top 3 in almost every one! It was the love of entertaining that kept me going. Having an impact on the people watching me. Making them laugh, cry, smile and sing along was the drive that pushed me every day to continue my goal.

After graduating high school, I moved to NYC to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. For a graduation present, I received a custom build computer from my uncle as well as a plethora of games to keep me busy while away from my family.

It was in 2004 that I started my career in the video game industry working as Marketing Coordinator for Mythic Entertainment on the title Dark Age of Camelot. I had become very active in the MMO and RTS community and my activity is what attracted the eye of Executive Producer of DAOC - Matt Firor. After creating the Miss Rubi-Ka pageant in Anarchy Online, Hyperdrive Radio for Star Wars Galaxies and finally, the Miss Galaxy competition (SWG as well), it was time to ply my newfound community management skills in the REAL industry!

In 2005, I met Tommy Tallarico at the Game Developers Conference and 2 months later found myself living in Orange County, CA and working for the national touring concert - Video Games Live. It was through VGL that I began meeting many of the contacts and making friends within the industry.

I am currently “The Video Game Nussie” on Maxim Radio’s Covino and Rich show (Sirius Satellite - channel 108), Reoccurring guest of “The Loop” on Attack of the Show (G4 TV), Co-host on The Next Level (www.gamemusicradio.com), consultant on numerous gaming titles (such as Dance! Online and World of Darkness) and am now the Event Director for Video Games Live.

I'm a cosplayer (Costume Player) and love to recreate the characters in my comic books/movies and video games. It's a fun outlet for my acting/improv skills and has introduced me to a group of really amazing and talented people!

GIRLS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: My goal in creating The Girls Entertainment Network is to build a community and hub for everyone (regardless of sex, age or interests) to realize their dreams, make friends and grow as individuals.