Meet the team

thisishardtoread productions is an award winning film/tv production company based in Nashville

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thisishardtoread productions is an award winning film/tv production company based in Nashville * * * * *

Chris Guerra

Director/Writer/ Producer/Actor

Chris Guerra is an alumni of The Groundlings Main Company—the legendary Los Angeles comedy theater that launched the careers of Will Ferrell, Phil Hartman, and Will Forte—where he was also one of the artistic directors. There, he wrote and performed original sketch comedy, helping shape the creative voice of the institution.

He’s appeared on Modern Family, starred in national commercial campaigns, and performed on Broadway in Company with Neil Patrick Harris. He also toured the country in the 1st Broadway National Tour of Sister Act, with additional regional credits including Spamalot, Avenue Q, Frozen: Live at the Hyperion, and many more.

Now based in Franklin, Tennessee, he co-founded Oddity Improv, a clean comedy theater and training center. He co-wrote and directed the award-winning improvised feature film Re-Opening through his production company, thisishardtoread productions. He is also the creator of the viral series Facebook Marketplace Nightmares, which has drawn nearly 800,000 followers and won a 2025 Telly Award for Best Comedy Series.

Kelsey grew up acting professionally in Hollywood, signing with her first agent at the age of 7. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from Vanguard University, and pursued a Broadway, TV and Film career in New York upon graduating, working on shows like PAN AM (ABC) and ROYAL PAINS (USA). Her work eventually brought her back to Hollywood where she trained in improv at The Groundlings, UCB, Second City and iO West. She worked on projects like LIFE PARTNERS (Tribeca & Sundance Film Festival), BLACK NOVEMBER (Vivica Fox), BAD TEACHER (CBS) and THE VERONICA MARS MOVIE. In 2020 she Co-Founded “thisishardtoread” productions and is an award-winning producer, writer, and actor on the award-winning feature comedy, RE-OPENING. Up next, Kelsey directed the feature comedy “Back to Bridgewood” coming soon. She is now based in Nashville where she and her husband Chris Guerra, founded the new Improv and Sketch Comedy School “Oddity Improv”. IMDB - Instagram

Kelsey Cooke

Director/Writer/ Producer/Actor

Currently serving as a Casting Producer at Thisishardtoread Productions, Lottie Shudde specializes in identifying and aligning exceptional talent with bold creative visions. From sourcing and vetting talent to collaborating closely with directors, producers, and marketing teams, she ensures casting decisions elevate storytelling, resonate with audiences, and align seamlessly with campaign goals.

With previous experience as a Lead Project Coordinator at Collaborative Entertainment, LLC, Lottie brings a deep understanding of cross-functional project flow and team collaboration. She has worked across departments including marketing, video, PR, merchandise, design, and internal talent booking—supporting everything from creative development to production execution. Her strengths lie in troubleshooting on the fly, managing shifting timelines, and ensuring that every moving part stays in sync.

Lottie has contributed to casting for hit shows like Henry Danger and several Netflix pilots, working closely with creative executives to find fresh, engaging talent that fits both the script and the screen. Whether handling fast-paced auditions, talent coordination, or network communication, she brings a strong sense of narrative intuition and logistical precision to every casting process.

Lottie holds a B.S. in Psychology: Crisis Counseling from Liberty University, which underpins her strengths in communication, emotional intelligence, and team coordination. She is passionate about pairing the right talent with the right story—and ensuring every project is delivered with purpose, clarity, and creative integrity.

Lottie Shudde

Casting Director