We found out what one of our many talented Alumni Cheerleaders members has been up to. Pennie Orcutt is a former LA Rams and LA Express Cheerleaders and shares with us her latest news and accomplishments.
I started out as a dancer and trained with the prestigious London of Academy of Ballet in Canada. Moving back to California in Junior High, I saw how dance and cheerleading were related, both as an expression of movement and energy. I cheered and danced through high school on the Capistrano Valley Champion Song Squad and was honored by being chosen as “Dancer of the Year.” I continued to cheer at the college level at Long Beach State on a Champion Song Squad led by national cheer/dance chorographer Rey Lozano (Recognized as one of the 25 most influential people in cheerleading.) It was a natural transition to audition for the LA Express as one the original USFL Cheerleaders. I cheered for two years before becoming a Los Angeles Rams Cheerleader from 1985 –1988. I loved the cheering and loved the opportunity it presented to travel around the world.
Dancing turned to acting after I received my degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts from Long Beach State. I have starred in Independent film, commercials and soap operas. I became fascinated with production and I began producing plays, showcases, and small film productions.
I decided to concentrate on producing full-time when I was befriended by producer David Jones (Catherine Zeta-Jones’ brother.) David became my mentor for a short time but in that limited amount of time I learned quickly. The transition from actor to producer felt natural and I have recently produced the horror/comedy feature “Death By Engagement“.
“Death By Engagement” has secured North American DVD rights with Maverick Entertainment and is available in Blockbuster, Best Buy, and on Netflix. I have also sold it Internationally and it is currently running on Showtime and The Movie Channel.
“Death By Engagement” has twelve festival wins both domestically and internationally, along with a special Producers Choice award for me at The Sci Fi, Fantasy, Horror and Supernatural Fill Festival.
“Little Fish Strange Pond” starring Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Paul Adelstein, Zach Galifianakis, is my third producing venture. I worked along side veteran producers Margo and David Kravis. This film will be released by Lions Gate 2010.
I’m excited by my most recent endeavors as a producer for television. I have various projects in the works but most interesting to this website is a cheerleading project that I’m currently negotiating with networks on. I can’t wait to share the details with everyone in the coming months and I am proud to employ some of my cheerleading colleagues who are so multi-talented and successful.
On October 3, 2010 I took the field with 100 former Rams Cheerleaders to “Cheer for a Cure” in St. Louis. A portion of the proceeds of this game went toward to help fight breast cancer. The alumni performed a 5-minute half-time routine choreographed by John Peters.
I appreciate the love and support of my beautiful family who help guide me through all the day to day challenges.
Alumni Cheerleaders 