Biography

Director

Willo Hausman

After graduating NYU with a BFA in acting and cinema, Willo was the Founding Artistic Director of NRG, a theatre company in NYC which performed verite’ style throughout Manhattan. NRGS’ most notable endeavor 'The Hobbywood Canteen', was on a soundstage at Culver Studios in LA where it received much kudos and notoriety. Her very favorite stage acting gig was as a murderous little girl in Edward Gorey’s delightfully macabre 'Tinned Lettuce'. Willo was also honored with the opportunity to perform in a few David Mamet movies where she honed her skills as an actor. Willo enriched her film knowledge by training on many high-powered film sets, working in a multitude of capacities, including 'Nobody's Fool' (Stand-in/Perdiem-Envelope-Stuffer and Art Department Production Assistant), Family Thing' (Set PA and Casting Assistant), 'People vs. Larry Flynt' (Extras Casting Director), 'Twilight' (Producer’s Assistant) and 'Man on the Moon' (Camera Assistant). To name a few. Willo also spent many years in her youth working by her father’s side at his NY-based production company, Cinehaus. And later also spent some years at a B-movie house, Cinetel, located on Sunset Boulevard. Willo continued to work as a casting director on movies and commercials for many years.

'Fairie' was Willo’s filmic directorial debut. A fantastical tale about 9 fairy creatures celebrating the new millennium at the Hollywood sign. Willo also shot and directed the 'Last Day Series', short works at the forefront of the reality genre, humorously revealing the inherent frustrations of being an artist trapped in a menial job. This evolved into 8 episodes, now in the works to become a roster. Willo directed a well-received theatrical production of 'A Christmas Carol', combining cinema, an original score, Victorian Steampunk costumes and an exquisite gothic-hued set. She also helmed an innovative stage version of 'Dracula', with teenage vampire brides. As well as a successful version of Albee's 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf'. August 2021 was an outstanding outdoor production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the launchpad for her NY theater company, The Tivoli Players. Followed by 'The Love Play', ten vignettes from local playwrights, all revolving around matters of the heart. Autumn 2023, 'The Haunted Tavern' came to life at the illustrious Byrdcliffe Theater in Woodstock NY, with varied tales of death and monsters. Next up on stage is the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical 'Hair' slated for the summer of 2026 and an original visually wild version of 'Alice in Wonderland' set to open in 2027. Waiting in the wings are Elmer Rice’s 'Street Scene', Tennessee William’s 'The Glass Menagerie', O’Neill’s 'The Iceman Cometh' and a play based on the intriguing life of Willo's mother, actress Diane Varsi.

In active development is a sitcom series, 'The Vibe', a comedic show set in an occult shop, shooting 2026. And two feature films: 'Clare', a murder mystery revolving around a clan of modern-day witches living amid a bustling metropolis and 'Among The Wonderful', a vintage tale about the adventures of a giantess and a taxidermist who work at Barnum’s American Museum circa NYC 1842. Bubbling on back burners is an Edward Gorey based film, a Buster Keaton bio-movie and a documentary about mental illness.

Willo is the founder of Gryphon Pictures, a CA and NY-based production company.