On April 17th, First Light is excited to welcome casting director Tess Sanchez to discuss her debut book of essays, We've Decided To Go In a Different Direction, a funny and heartfelt essay collection about working in Hollywood, starting over, defining your identity, and the relatable messiness that ensues from unforeseen circumstances. Tess will be joined in conversation by actress and author Becca Tobin.

Tickets to this event include a reserved seat and a hardcover copy of We've Decided To Go In a Different Direction.

About the book

Wife to a well-known actor, the mother of two, a sister, daughter, and general meddler, Tess Sanchez’s life was like a #1-rated sitcom. But the loss of her career as a highly successful casting executive equaled series cancellation. Now, with humor and insight, Sanchez examines the aftermath of a major shift that forever changed the course of her life, and the resilience that came from reframing loss into possibility.

“We’ve decided to go in a different direction” was a phrase Sanchez rattled off to countless agents, actors, producers, and many more. But in the fall of 2020, the tables turned as she was on the receiving end of that phrase, when she lost the long-held job she adored. She quickly discovered how much that career defined her identity, from her personal relationships to her own perception of herself. In the midst of facing this upheaval, her father was diagnosed with a devastating illness and suddenly, Sanchez had to learn what it means to parent her parents.

Moving, witty, and fun, We've Decided to Go in a Different Direction offers you both welcome comedy and empowering strength when it comes to tackling life’s challenges.

About the author

Tess Sanchez has spent twenty years in the entertainment industry as a casting director. We’ve Decided to Go in a Different Direction is her debut book. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Max Greenfield, and their two children. Follow her on Instagram @TessSanchezGreenfield.

Becca Tobin is an actress, singer, dancer, New York Times Best Selling author, and the host of the LadyGang podcast, which has over 200 million downloads. She first broke into the pop culture zeitgeist when she left the Broadway stage and landed the role of Kitty Wilde on Fox’s internationally acclaimed show “Glee.” She most recently starred in the Disney+ series, “Turner & Hooch."