A teenager from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Karan Hiexenbaugh is an artist through and through. She enjoys making pastel art, cards, T-shirt designs, and anime cosplay. She is also involved in martial arts, specifically American Taekwondo where she just earned her 1st degree black belt! A natural creator, she found herself following in her brother’s footsteps as he began pursuing acting. “I enjoy acting because it’s a fun, relaxing, way to release built-up emotions and using your imagination to guide yourself through a scene or through a character,” she said.

Karan was no stranger to acting when she found us. She was involved in various projects locally, but was unsure of how to take her career to the next level. “I was lost. I had done films and projects before, but we weren’t sure where to go to get higher than just commercials,” she recalled. Soon she found Pro-Model and Talent Management and decided to audition to attend IMTA with us. She was accepted.

IMTA, a bi-annual convention hosted by the International Modeling and Talent Association, brings models and talent ready to tackle the national and international markets in front of established agents and managers looking for new faces to represent. Pro-Model and Talent Management is the mother agency to countless models and talent who have launched successful careers nationally and internationally after attending IMTA.

“I was rather nervous before I went; it all seemed unrealistic,” she said. “It took a long time for me to convince my brain that IMTA was actually going to happen and that I was going to be at the heart of it all.” And the heart of it all she was! Every time she stepped on stage, she shone in the spotlight! Especially during the Monologue competition!

A big hit at IMTA, Karan found interest from a top bi-coastal manager, Fabio Ciro. Owner/CEO of Jago Ciro Entertainment, Fabio and his company have helped clients book with such titans as CBS, Starz, Netflix, and more. “Now that I have a new manager, and I’m meeting new people and coaches I feel like I’m not lost anymore. I know where I have to be and how to get there now,” she said.

The IMTA experience holds within it a special lesson for everyone. Karan shared hers with us hoping it may inspire others to follow their dreams. “ I learned that you just have to go,” she said. “If you stop doing something you’re never going to progress, and if you wait until you’re ready for something you’ll never be ready for it.”

What are Karan’s next steps? Tackling more development as an actor! Karan wants to ensure that she is at the top of her game before she starts worrying about getting jobs. Working with her new manager, they are able to find the coaches and programs to take her skills to the next level.

Karan has some words of advice for those considering attending IMTA to break into the larger markets: “Go for it and don’t back down. I know so many people that talk about how they wanted to get into acting but they were told they were too short for a role so they never tried again. Not only will you grow, but there will always be roles for you to play even if you’re short, or bigger than others. Keep trying and don’t let one person's opinion get in your way.”

Karan has been an inspiration to us and an absolute pleasure to work with. She has her eye on the prize and we cannot wait to see what’s in store for her with her new bi-coastal manager by her side! We are so proud of you, Karan!

Nikki Ward is a Cleveland native who has always had an immense drive to serve her community. The seed was planted at a young age by her mother. A well known local restaurant owner, Nikki’s mother hosts the less fortunate for holiday dinners like Thanksgiving and Christmas. When not working with her mother, Nikki serves the community as a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority Inc. While it is work she loves doing, Nikki recently decided to pursue her own dreams outside of Cleveland.

This holiday season we would love to highlight a great local business that is a must-see when it comes time for gift-giving: Zeber-Martell Studio! For years the Zeber-Martell Studio has been the premier destination for buying unique pieces to enhance any space. Specializing in one-of-a-kind jewelry, wall art, vases, lighting, and custom commissions, they have something for everyone!

Jordan Meeker is one of our PMTM/IMTA alums who has made her way to the West Coast! We could not be more proud of this hard-worker who has been making big moves in her career since attending IMTA New York with us back in 2018. Jordan is currently represented by Manikin Model and Talent Agency in Los Angeles and the Southeast. She was kind enough to send over this video of her getting acclimated to the big city that she now calls home!



Keep up the good work, Jordan! We are so excited to see what this move does for your career! We know you're going to do great things!

A pianist, thespian, and film connoisseur, Natalya Wood was a force to be reckoned with at IMTA New York this past summer. Though a native of West Virginia where the acting scene may seem scarce, Natalya found ways to work towards her goal of becoming a national film actor. “I like to read acting books and then practice what I read… although it’s hard to find a lot of acting things where I live, the beautiful scenery of WV makes up for it!”

Seventeen-year-old Mason Briggs enjoys a challenge! Whether it’s restoring old vehicles or working around a busy schedule, he loves tackling them head on. That’s why it was no surprise to those who know Mason that he wanted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

“The thing I love most about acting is the challenge. That is because it’s so different from the normal challenges like school... It truly forces us to use a different part of our minds in order to fit the shoes of the character we’re trying to play,” he said.