JMU alumna lands role on ‘CSI: NY’
Griffin enjoys fast-paced atmosphere of acting on television shows
By Kelly Mason, contributing writer
Posted on October 12, 2006

Can you imagine repeatedly giving up your weekend activities at JMU to drive six hours to Wilmington, N.C., for work?

Stephanie Griffin did.

Griffin (’95) knew exactly what her future held. She was not going to let those missed weekends and long drives to Wilmington go to waste. She was going to work in the entertainment industry.

Shortly after graduation, Griffin moved to Los Angeles and began making appearances on television shows and in movies including “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Dragnet” and the film “Jeepers Creepers II.”

Griffin recently landed a guest-starring role on CBS’s drama series “CSI: NY.” She described her role in the episode as “a woman, a teacher, who finds her self in the wrong place at the wrong time. I can’t say much about it without ruining the show.”

She said she enjoys working on TV shows because “it moves faster, which makes it fun and exciting.”

But she has other aspirations in the entertainment business as well.

 “I’m working on producing right now with a company called FastShoes,” Griffin said. “I like being able to use my creativity and have more control. We’re currently pitching some television shows to the networks.”

Along with her upcoming role on “CSI: NY,” Griffin recently worked on two movies, an independent thriller, “Captivity,” and a family drama, “Manifest Mysteries.” This past summer, she spent seven weeks performing in the comedic play, “The Id and Bob,” which was written and produced by Jed Seidel, a writer and producer for another popular CBS series, “The Ghost Whisperer.”

Griffin also spent time working on a promotional campaign for The Learning Channel called “The Messengers.”

 “It’s been a good year for me,” she said.

During her time at JMU, Griffin learned what it meant to work hard alone and with others.

“Everyone in the department at JMU was so talented, I had to work hard,” Griffin said.  “I made great relationships, though. I’m still friends with a lot of people from JMU who live in L.A. as well.”

Roger Hall, a professor of theatre and dance whom Griffin described as a mentor while at JMU, is someone she still remains in contact with. She e-mailed him after she found out she got the job on “CSI: NY.”

 “Stephanie is a perfect example of the combination of talent, intelligence and persistence that’s so necessary in the entertainment business,” Hall said. “And it doesn’t hurt that she’s also a delightful person to be around.”

For inspiration, Griffin looked to actresses Patricia Clarkson (who appeared in “The Green Mile” and “Good Night, and Good Luck”) and Laura Linney (who appeared in “The Truman Show,” “Mystic River” and “Love Actually”) and their careers for some time.

“They pursue the projects that have personal meaning to them, which they’re passionate about,” Griffin said. “I hope to be able to do the same. I love telling stories. I want to do this forever.”

The episode of “CSI: NY” is set to air next Wednesday at 10 p.m. on CBS.