AMBYR CHILDERS

Sundance Film: We Are What We Are

Age? “24.”

Where are you from? “I’m from Arizona. And yes, I still listen to country music—just like my parents.”

Big Break? “Doing Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie, The Master. And I have a small part in Gangster Squad.”

What’s special about this trip? “I’ve been to Sundance four or five times but this is the first year I’ve had a film there.”

What’s not to love, right? “It’s breathtakingly beautiful. And you get to play while you’re working, so I will find time to ski with my husband. I’m not nearly as skilled, so he’ll be waiting for me at the bottom!”

Describe your character in one sentence. “Iris is withdrawn and introverted yet she has an incredible amount of strength that she discovers throughout the movie.”

What’s the buzz? “I think it’s about Jim Mickle, my phenomenal director. William Morris are huge fans of his, and we’re not talking about some small agency here.”

Are you a fan of Robert Redford? “Love him! Oh, my gosh. Not only is he handsome but he started this festival—in Utah of all places. I’ve been to Cannes and Toronto but Sundance is a special place: It’s full of down-to-earth artists who just care about making films.”

JONATHAN GROFF

Sundance Film: C.O.G.

Age? “27.”

Where are you from? “Lancaster, Pennsylvania—home of the Amish. I’m a meat and potatoes guy, but that started to catch up with me so I’ve had to curb my appetite.”

Big break? “I did Spring Awakening on Broadway [with his frequent Glee costar, Lea Michele] for two years. That was the job that got me an agent. And nominated for a Tony Award.”

It’s your first time at Sundance! “Yup. And I’m excited to be popping my cherry with this movie.”

So what have you heard? “That the best thing is Park City is an incredible environment of natural beauty. And the worst thing is the inability to enjoy the atmosphere because you’re doing interviews all day—what a cocktease!”

Describe your character in one sentence. “He is a smart, well-educated young man who doesn’t really know anything about life.”

What’s the buzz about C.O.G.? “It’s the first time that David Sedaris has allowed anyone to translate one of his stories into a screenplay. My director sought him out at a book signing, and this will be David’s first time at Sundance, too. I can’t wait to meet him.”

What about before you became a Sundance and Broadway (and—for all of the Gleeks out there—TV) sensation? “I worked at Dutch Wonderland, an Amish-inspired theme park.”

JULIA GARNER

Sundance Film: We Are What We Are

Age? “18.”

Where are you from? “Riverdale, New York, so I wear a lot of black. What’s more New York than that?”

Big Break? “My film Electrick Children was my first lead—it was in competition at South by Southwest. And also Martha Marcy May Marlene because that did well at Sundance [in 2011].”

So what are the highs and lows of Park City? “The best thing is that it’s like a reunion: Bumping into people you’ve worked with before and don’t get to see anywhere else really—Amy Seimetz, for instance! All over Main Street it’s like: ‘Hey, where have you been? How are you?’ I’d have to say the worst part is the overcrowded restaurants.”

Describe your character in one sentence. “Her name is Rose Parker and she is ashamed of this toxic secret in her family that affects her and everyone around her.”

What’s the buzz? “That it’s edgy. You know it’s about cannibals, right? They actually have a lot of films about boy meets girl at Sundance…this is more like boy eats girl.”

What about before you became a Sundance sensation? “I started acting professionally in the 10th grade—three years ago. But before that I was still in middle school and didn’t know what I was going to do with my life. I didn’t realize that acting was, like, a real job.”

What’s next? “I’m in a film that takes place in New Orleans and comes out in March. It’s called The Last Exorcism: Part 2.”

LINDSAY BURDGE

Sundance Film: A Teacher

Age? “28.”

Where are you from? “I live in Williamsburg, but I’m originally from California. All I want to do is lie in the sun. I’ve been in Brooklyn too long!”

Big Break? “Last year I produced and acted in a film called First Winter, which was at the Tribeca Film Festival.”

Sundance virgin? “Yes, this is my first time. It’s funny, you hear such different things: Some people say: It’s the worst! And everyone’s like: Don’t drink too much. Someone even told me to bring my bikini because hot tubs are everywhere.”

One of your Williamsburg girlfriends? “No, actually. It was a programmer for Sundance!”

Describe your character in one sentence. “I play a Texas high school teacher who appears to have it all together—but is crumbling under the stresses of an illicit affair with her student.”

What’s the buzz about A Teacher? “The subject is taboo and we show compassion toward the protagonist—she’s not a monster—so that’s potentially controversial. It’s interesting that sometimes the most normal seeming people have the most to hide.”

What about before you became a Sundance sensation? “I did casting for commercials and music videos. Last year I cast and associate produced Gimme the Loot, which won South by Southwest’s Grand Jury prize.”

NICK ROBINSON

Sundance Film: Toy’s House

Age? “17.”

Where are you from? “Seattle. So I own a lot of North Face, and I certainly enjoy a good cup of coffee.”

Big break? “Landing a role on Melissa & Joey. The series returns on ABC in February.”

First time? “Yes, I am a Sundance virgin.”

What’s the buzz about Toy’s House? “It’s about the friendship between boys and recalls Stand By Me, E.T. and The Goonies. My movie has been scheduled to premiere on Saturday night of the festival’s opening weekend and that has to be a good sign, right?”

Describe your character in one sentence. “Joe is a hopeless romantic at the height of his awkward stage.”

What about before you became a Sundance sensation? “I had a chance to be a busboy at my local greasy spoon, but fortunately other opportunities acting in plays came along. And Boardwalk Empire.”