Austin Abrams
A self-proclaimed lover of television and theatre, child actor Austin Abrams was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Florida, where he began his dramatic training when he was 5-years-old. Continuing to take acting lessons over the next several years, Abrams first appeared on stage at age nine. In his initial role in a theatre production, he portrayed the talking teacup Chip in "Beauty and the Beast." He then went on to act in "The Plexiglass Slipper," a musical take on the "Cinderella" tale, before going the Shakespearean route with a part in "The Winter's Tale." He also appeared in a staging of Brecht's "Life of Galileo" before beginning his film career in 2011. That year, despite his lack of screen credits, Abrams landed a substantial role in the straight-to-video thriller "Ticking Clock." The young actor shared the screen with stars Neal McDonough and Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding Jr. A dark, violent affair, "Ticking Clock" found the latter star playing a reporter who is tracking down a serial murderer. As a supporting actor, Abrams portrayed James, a young orphan with a grim past. Shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the film was helmed by director Ernie Barbarash, an action and sci-fi specialist.