5 year old autistic actor, Vincent Blass is cast in new web series, Lombardi
Street!
Innovative New Web Series to Premiere in the Fall!
LombardiStreet.com – August 14, 2009- Lombardi Street, LLC is thrilled to announce the cast for the
first six episodes of Lombardi Street, the new social network and web series about the lives of six
college freshmen beginning their journey to adulthood. This is perhaps the first time an autistic actor has
been hired to portray a character on the autism spectrum, certainly the youngest. Vincent Blass was just
5 years old when he landed the role of "Patrick," the son of lead character "Allison."
In an innovative approach to casting, as is typical for all things Lombard Street, the names of the actors
who made the “first cut” were posted on the Lombardi Street web site, with Director and Head Writer,
Kevin Allen Jackson’s accompanying comments on their audition and a slow reveal of who was and
wasn’t cast for the particular roles. “We operate under a policy of transparency and honesty here at
Lombardi Street,” says Jackson. “And we wanted to give the actors, and everyone involved, the chance
to see my decision-making process, as it was happening, in as close to real time as possible.”
The series will debut online in September and will be duplicated in a virtual world (such as Second Life,
for example). It is a groundbreaking approach that allows the fan, the actor, the crewmember, and the
public to not only see what happens in every part of this venture, but also participate and help create
Lombardi Street. Shooting is scheduled to begin in September in Northern California.
For a complete cast list and character descriptions, visit www.LombardiStreet.com.
To schedule an interview with Vincent Blass or Kevin Allen Jackson,
or to request additional editorial information, contact Alisa Gus at (406)962-0851,
agus@lombardistreet.com or Cheryl Games at (831) 241-2364, cgames@lombardistreet.com.
Lombardi Street will be the first acting role of 5 year old Vincent Blass, which he won through a
rigorous audition process competing against young professionals from around the country. Since his
diagnosis 3 1/2 years ago,
Vincent has gone from having no vocabulary at all and a severe lack of social and motor skills, to
becoming highly functioning and completing mainstream kindergarten a year ahead of schedule. Vincent
supports
Autism Speaks and Think Autism and wants to give back to the community that has helped him progress
so far in such a short time. Lombardi Street will give him the opportunity to help raise awarenmess of
this mysterious
disorder.
For more information on
Lombardi Street, visit www.LombardiStreet.com.