Western Alumna Betsy Sodaro Cast as Regular on NBC Comedy
(June 26, 2012) - Fans of TV sitcoms will see more of Western alumna Betsy Sodaro (B.A. communications/theatre) this fall following the announcement that the 2006 graduate will be cast as a regular on the new NBC comedy series “Animal Practice.”
Betsy Sodaro ('06)
In the series starring Justin Kirk as a “House”-like veterinarian who loves animals but generally hates their owners, Sodaro plays Angela, an animal hander. Following a strong guest-star performance in the series pilot, Sodaro earned a promotion to her first regular role in a television series.
“Betsy is by far one of the most unique people I've ever met,” said Paul Edwards, Ph.D., who instructed Sodaro during her career at Western. “(She is) instantly likeable, and has an almost superhuman ability to engage in improvisation.”
At Western, Sodaro appeared in productions of “Polaroid Stories,” “The Ophelia Project,” “MacBeth” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” She also assisted Karin Waidly, Ph.D. with the Gunnison Valley School’s dramatic projects and appeared in a number of plays at the Gunnison Arts Center.
Originally from Leadville, Colo., Sodaro currently writes and performs with the Los Angeles-based improve group Upright Citizens Brigade as well with the sketch comedy group Cream.
"Animal Practice" premiers this fall in the Wednesday 8 p.m. (EST) time slot on NBC.
Founded in 1901, Western is a public, liberal arts college located in Gunnison, Colo. With an enrollment of 2,300 taught by 120 faculty members, Western offers bachelors of arts degrees in 22 areas of study, a bachelor of fine arts, master of arts in education and a master of fine arts in creative writing. Governor John Hickenlooper signed HB 1331 on Monday, June 4, 2012 officially changing Western’s name to Western State Colorado University. The name change will take effect on August 1, 2012.
