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| By Natasha Clark Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Kiley Rothweiler graduated from East Longmeadow High School with a plan UMass, Psychology degree. Nine years later, she is acting on CBS' new show Love Monkey. Right off the bat it's a coincidence that Rothweiler is acting on a show that is based on a novel written by fellow East Longmeadow High alum Kyle Smith. Rothweiler caught up with Reminder Publications on a weekend in from New York City. She makes an effort to come home at least once a month to spend time with her family. "I've been working since November as a stand-in [on Love Monkey," she said. "I didn't have a character and then I got bumped to a principal role. I don't have a character name per se." Rothweiler said she initially sent her picture in to American Casting just to do extra and stand-in work. "I guess the crew and cast liked me. They wanted to kind of get me back and give me lines and stuff," she said. So they cast her as one of the employees at main character Tom Farrell's new record label. This isn't Rothweiler's first job as a stand-in. She's had work in music videos and films, and even though her aspirations in college have changed, acting was never too far off. "I grew up in a family that is very artistic. My parents were ballroom dancers," she explained. "I grew up in that arena around theaters and using your creativity is something that has always been in me." "I went to UMass for psychology, but I've always been involved [with acting]. I was in drama club in high school. I took private acting lessons at the Drama Studio in Springfield," she added. Rothweiler said she worked in psychology for a couple years after graduation, but it wasn't for her and she decided to pursue the one thing she really loved. So off she was to attend a New York theater institute. Rothweiler said while there she mainly just went to school and didn't do any auditions. Later she sent her resume to various casting agencies and soon jobs followed. Right now she loves where she's at. "Everyone is really nice [on the Love Monkey set]. I only work on the days that I shoot. I primarily work with Tom Cavanagh (producer and star of the show) and Ivana Milicevic (plays the character Julia). "I like the concept of the show and it has a good soundtrack. They're always trying to bring on a guest," she added. "[The show has] fictional music characters that have actual music talent." Rothweiler's mom, Donna Taylor, is very proud of her accomplishments. A realtor at Keller Williams, Taylor said she has always believed that the arts are important and felt it necessary to expose her children to them. "I've always told them they could do whatever they wanted to," she shared. "Kiley just always loved to perform in front of people. She just always had that gift." Rothweiler's sister, Kayci Rothweiler, does extra work in New York as well. As for what her's future holds, the words "wait and see" may come to mind. This one-time career psychologist turned actor also dabbles in photography, having two of her pictures published in a book. After discussing her various employment and what's ahead, she took a moment before adding, "I want to say yeah, primarily acting is my focus." And her mother believes that Rothweiler is on the road suited for her. "When she does acting she becomes alive and it brings out the best in her," Taylor said. Love Monkey airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. (ET) on CBS. |