Victoria "Tori" Sancho-Bonet, 14, of Cavalier Woods, recently auditioned for and was accepted by the prestigious International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA). Hollywood stars such as Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, and Ashton Kutcher all attended IMTA.
"I WAS REALLY excited about going. Not too many people get to go and I was nervous auditioning, but I eventually relaxed and had fun" said Tori. About 1,000 actors audition and only 100 get to go to the event. Tori was involved in seven different competitions ranging from Sitcom, Monologue, Theatrical Headshot, "I’m Ready for My Close Up," Cold Read, TV, Real People Commercial and Soaps. She received a medal for placing in the top 10 percent for her age division for "I’m Ready For My Close-Up" competition.
The daughter of Karen and George Sancho-Bonet, Tori has been involved with acting ever since she saw her mother’s cousin, Sarah Litzsinger, playing Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway.
"I saw my mom’s cousin on Broadway and I wanted to do it. I saw movies and I thought that would be neat so I started getting involved in church and school plays," said Tori.
IN NOVEMBER 2006 she attended a six-month course at the Barbizon School of Acting and Modeling in Vienna and graduated in January of 2007. Only those affiliated with IMTA — which Barbizon is affiliated, can audition. Tori then auditioned locally and was chosen to represent the placement agency (JMT agency) which is part of Barbizon, to audition for IMTA.
Just before Christmas, Tori and her family found out that she had made the cut. From July 22-28 Tori was in New York City. There were more than 5,000 competitors for the entire event, and each actor was broken down into an age and gender category.
Tori had fun at the event too, and says she learned a lot. "We studied with people from L.A. and New York City under Curtis Davis (runway coach) and Patrick Baca and Erin Marcus for commercial print modeling," said Tori. "They taught us commercials and how to present yourself properly, grooming, modeling, acting for soaps, and runway."
Recently Tori was just signed with LMN Models of New York and Baltimore. "We’re so proud of her, we really enjoyed seeing her act and the event was exciting," said her mom Karen.
"I hope all of her dreams come true. Her dad and I will support her in her endeavors whatever she does, we will back her all the way."
In her spare time, Tori enjoys reading, camping, soccer, and hanging out with friends. The rising freshman at Centreville High hopes to be involved with the theater department.
"I really enjoy acting. I’d like to become a professional actor but if it doesn’t work out, I don’t know what I’ll do right now," said Tori. "I’m just looking for acting jobs so we’ll see where that takes me."