Meet Wendy

Born in Chicago, the daughter of a funny mother, Wendy Goldman would hop the El downtown to see lots of theatre and study improvisation at the historic Second City. She was hooked. Wendy began her career as an actress in TV-film and a company member of famed LA comedy troupe, The Groundlings. She and fellow Groundling, Judy Toll, created an original musical — so they could have really big parts and sing in front of a large group of people. A surprise hit and winner of multiple theatre awards, “Casual Sex” caught the attention of producer-director Ivan Reitman (“Ghostbusters”), who hired the two to adapt their play into a movie for Universal Studios. Wendy’s career writing for the film and TV industry was launched. She’d found another creative passion. 

Wendy had been improvising for years, but now it informed the way she wrote and developed characters. It gave her trust in her instincts and the ability to handle constant change and deadlines. Once again, she was “making it up as she went along.” A natural leader with a gift for collaboration, she learned on her feet to run a Writers Room. Wendy has now written and produced loads of TV shows, series and pilots, for companies such as ABC-TV, HBO, Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox, wearing many hats and holding high-level positions. Most recently, she was an Executive-Producer on the critically acclaimed comedy, “Faking It,” during its three-year run on MTV. 

In improv, it’s all about saying “yes” and adding new information to the story. In addition to her ongoing writing pursuits, Wendy’s story grew to include teaching as well. She’s led Master Classes at the prestigious Hedgebrook Writers Retreat, and for groups such as the Writers Guild of America East and Pen America. She’s been a guest lecturer at colleges including UC Riverside and Claremont McKenna College Center for Writing and Public Discourse. Wendy has also created workshops designed to foster creativity for writers of all genres and levels of experience. A great success in LA, these workshops are now being offered in New York, where she currently lives. 

Wendy’s ability to inspire creativity also serves her well as a Writing Coach. She works one-on-one with clients worldwide, including authors of fiction and non-fiction, journalists, screenwriters, TV writers and producers, playwrights, actors and directors. So far, Wendy hasn’t had another opportunity to sing in public, but who knows what the next chapter will bring?

“Wendy was invaluable. Bottom line, if you’re writing a script, any script, you want Wendy to consult on it.” • Senta Moses Mikan, actress/screenwriter