IU graduate to star in upcoming web series

Andrew J. West, a 2006 IU graduate, has come far from his days at IU spent working at the Eigenmann food court. West is a current star on ABC Family’s “Greek” and will make his debut as the main character, “Hunter,” in an upcoming web series called “Rockville, CA” on TheWB.com on March 17.

The Merrillville, Ind., native had a double major at IU in philosophy and anthropology and took acting classes for fun. West said his turning point was performing in the IU stage production of “Suburbia,” which solidified his interest in acting. West said he also participated in producing short films, one of which received an award from a festival in Ohio.

Paul Spade, West’s former philosophy professor who helped direct his thesis, said he remembers one of West’s papers was published in The Undergraduate Quarterly in 2004. When Spade heard news of West’s recent accomplishments, he said West’s prior interest in philosophy would be useful.

“We try to teach students in philosophy about seeing things from different points of view, and if you’re doing acting, that is something you have to be good at,” Spade said.

West said he loved many different things about IU. He recalls the traditions, like Little 500.

“I loved the Little 500,” West said. “I remember the partying, the craziness. I miss jumping off rocks at IU. I even went swimming in the Showalter Fountain at IU.”

West moved to Los Angeles in August 2006 with some friends – without having any connections in the acting scene. West started going to events and meeting people and was eventually introduced to his current manager. He began auditioning while at the same time waiting tables at an Italian restaurant, and landed his first gig after a full year of auditioning.

West said his role in the upcoming series “Rockville, CA” has been his biggest achievement so far.

“I am super proud of ‘Rockville.’ It’s the biggest part I’ve had,” he said. “It’s more ‘mine’ than anything else I’ve done in the past.”

“Rockville, CA” is about a fictional music venue, Club Rockville, in Los Angeles. The show features live bands and revolves around the relationships of the people who work for the club. Actress Alexandra Chando and West play two of the main characters, “Deb” and “Hunter,” respectively, who meet working at the club and eventually become each others’ love interests. Chando previously starred on “As the World Turns” and said it is important to be able to work well with on-screen love interests.

“It’s very weird making out with somebody that you’re not dating, that you kind of have to be in love with them,” Chando said. “Andy and I kind of hit it off, we got along really well, and we bonded. It’s fun having that kind of chemistry and experimenting.”

West’s other co-star, Matt Cohen, plays the character “Syd,” the heartthrob bass player. Cohen said West’s character is very wordy and he did a good job at putting the monologues together.  

“He has to elaborate and explain things, and he’s fortunate to have found the role and the role was fortunate enough to have found him,” Cohen said.

West said the quick rise to stardom shocked him and suggested that anybody who wants to do TV or film should move to Los Angeles for opportunities.

“It does kind of surprise me that it happened,” West said. “It’s surprising because so many people try to do it, and it seems like it can be this daunting fantasy. If you’re serious about it, and you know you can do it, then you can. It’s special to be able to do something you love.”