About

The Creators
The Cast
The Team

Meet the Creators

Co-creators Kathi Castoro and Kristen Lishen became friends while studying at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Like their onscreen counterparts, Viv and Christina, they reunited as roommates in Los Angeles thanks to a particularly disastrous breakup.

To them, this semi-autobiographical series is about more than laughs. At its core, MANIFESTING DESTINY is about finding humor in heartbreak, finding strength in friendship, and finding the courage to fight for the life you want to live… day by day.

Kathi Castoro

Kathi Castoro is an alumnus of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television, where she was awarded the Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme Scholarship. Her previous work includes directing and acting in a multi-media production of Fahrenheit 451, which earned her a Gilbert Cates Award and a job with author, Ray Bradbury’s production company.

A dual citizen, Kathi has lived and worked in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Paris; doing everything from casting to management to performing at the Hollywood Bowl. Most recently, her comedy pilot, Meta, placed in the 2021 Austin Film Festival Script Competition.

Kathi currently lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Rebel.

Kristen Lishen

Kristen Lishen is a Los Angeles-based writer, director and bivalve aficionado. Her first full-length play Baptized premiered at the Lynn Redgrave Theatre as part of the 2013 New York Fringe Festival (TONY Critic’s Pick).

Kristen was a Florida Fine Arts Talent Grant recipient (FSC) and has studied at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where she and Kathi bonded over a love of Shakespeare, wine, and Simon Pegg.

In her free time, she enjoys posting annoying pictures of sunsets, binge-watching 80s rom coms, and shouting at the news.

Meet the Cast

Kathi Castoro

Viv

Kathi Castoro is an alumnus of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television, where she was awarded the Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme Scholarship. Her previous work includes directing and acting in a multi-media production of Fahrenheit 451, which earned her a Gilbert Cates Award and a job with author, Ray Bradbury’s production company.

A dual citizen, Kathi has lived and worked in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Paris; doing everything from casting to management to performing at the Hollywood Bowl. Most recently, her comedy pilot, Meta, placed in the 2021 Austin Film Festival Script Competition.

Kathi currently lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Rebel.

Max Cutler

Zachary

Max Cutler is an LA Native, so he’s been fully entrenched in the energy of “Manifesting your Destiny” since day one. Max is probably best known for his role as Sam Higgins on the TV show Good Trouble. He’s thrilled to be part of Manifesting Destiny, and with his sardonic and dry sense of humor, he has no trouble relating to Zachary. Max’s performing origins come from the land of improvisational comedy, so you have to watch out for his quick wit. He believes that banana is the best flavor of candy.

Hilary Gay

Holly

Hilary Gay was born to a family of educators in San Diego, California. Growing up, her passions were music and theater. Some of her favorite roles include playing Ginny Jenny in Threepenny Opera, Guildenstern in Hamlet, and singing “Surabaya Santa” in UC Santa Barbara’s production of Songs for a New World. Manifesting Destiny marks her onscreen debut, and she had a great time composing the score and theme song behind the scenes! She has released several solo albums and collaborations, which can be found in all the old familiar places online.

Kristen Lishen

Christina

Kristen Lishen is a Los Angeles-based writer, director and bivalve aficionado. Her first full-length play Baptized premiered at the Lynn Redgrave Theatre as part of the 2013 New York Fringe Festival (TONY Critic’s Pick).

Kristen was a Florida Fine Arts Talent Grant recipient (FSC) and has studied at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where she and Kathi bonded over a love of Shakespeare, wine, and Simon Pegg.

In her free time, she enjoys posting annoying pictures of sunsets, binge-watching 80s rom coms, and shouting at the news.

Michael Minto

Cy

Michael Minto is one of the 6 actors (including Max) who are actually from Los Angeles. Michael is probably best recognized for his role as Jordan on the EKO comedy series, Wizard School Dropout. A devoted improviser since his tween years, he loves to teach science when he isn’t forcing people to laugh at his jokes.

Will Westwater

Jareth

Will Westwater is an actor and YouTuber based out of LA. His credits include Shameless, The Rookie, Genera+ion, and more. He learned a lot from Manifesting Destiny and had a lot of fun making it.