Lynsey Bartilson was born in Edina, Minnesota on July 1, 1983, and
moved to Los Angeles with her family at four. A dancer from a very
young age, Lynsey won her first talent competition at the age of seven,
in solo dance. She discovered her love for comedy in a summer drama
class, when she was cast as the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, even
though she was the smallest child in the class. With a soon-revealed
instinct for comedic timing, Lynsey had 'Dorothy' shaking with fear,
and the audience roaring with laughter.
Lynsey began acting professionally at the age of 9, with guest
appearances on television and video. At the same time, she was
performing in professional musical theater productions across Los
Angeles. She played Annie in three different productions; starred as
Ramona Quimby, and got great notices as Effie Lou in the world premiere
of Amelia Bedelia. She won a Dramalogue Award for her performance as
Young Maxine in Situation Tragedy. She also continued dancing
professionally, appearing twice in the Joffrey Ballet's annual
Nutcracker. All of that musical theater experience paid off when CBS
began looking for a young triple-threat to star opposite Angela
Lansbury in the Hallmark Christmas musical special, Mrs. Santa Claus.
Lynsey was chosen from more than 500 girls who auditioned for the part.
Lynsey enjoys helping others achieve their goals. The director and
choreographer for Celebrity Centre's Kids on Stage for a Better World,
Lynsey works with 40-50 youngsters to create positive-message benefit
concerts for the disadvantaged. Under Lynsey's direction, the group was
awarded the Young Artists Awards Michael J. Landon Community Service
Award. In addition, Lynsey is currently the International Spokesperson
for Youth for Human Rights. The purpose of this group is: "To teach
youth around the globe about human rights, thus helping them to become
valuable advocates for the promotion of tolerance and peace."
