Meet Amanda Weier | Realtor & Performer/Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Weier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, but grew up in Colorado Springs. My Dad, who is from a very small farming town in Wisconsin, met and married my Mom while he was in Officer Training at Fort Monmouth, NJ. After two tours in Viet Nam, he was sent to work at NORAD, so that’s how we landed in Colorado and I’m glad we did. I grew up around a lot of military families, but also a lot of outdoorsy types, not quite hippies, not quite cowboys, but rather somewhere in between. I think more than anything, this exposure to “somewhere in between” thinking impacted who I am. I tend to see 3 sides to every story, if that makes sense. When my Dad left the Army, he got into real estate, which is of course what I do for a living, as well. A typical weekend growing up would include lots of running around outside, building forts in the common area behind the houses in my neighborhood, and then getting cleaned up for company — my parents were (still are) very social and so weekly dinner parties were the norm. These dinner parties brought together a fun mix of characters. One of my Mom’s best friends worked as a checker at a grocery store, and she and her husband would be there, alongside a 4 star general and his wife, and a retired fireman from New York City who was looking to open a tavern. I’m sure everyone’s politics were all over the place, but I don’t remember that being a point of contention. Instead I remember that being fodder for a ton of laughs. I think this bringing together of people from all backgrounds informed my love for theatre, which is what I went on to study in college, at Northwestern in Chicago.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Like a lot of folx who live in Los Angeles, I am a multi-hyphenate. I’m a Realtor with Gold Star Realty, a family-owned boutique real estate company that’s been around for about 30 years, and I am part of the acting faculty at AMDA College of the Performing Arts, and I also serve as Associate Artistic Director of The Open Fist Theatre Company, where I direct and act and also occasionally write (I’m currently writing sketches for a topical sketch show that Open Fist is producing called This Week This Week — it runs Thursdays at 8p at Atwater Village Theatre and it’s just the best time.) I truly love all my jobs. I love working with Buyers, Sellers, Actors and Directors. And while it might not initially seem so, I feel my jobs are all connected because they all revolve around helping people, whether that’s with finding their definition of “home,” or finding their footing within a story that a group of actors have come together to tell. That might read as cheesy, but hey, I also really like cheese. And dogs — is it too late to give a shout-out to dogs?
In terms of what sets me apart from others, I’m not really sure. I think that’s probably for others to speak to, but I’d like to think the people I represent in real estate transactions, as well as the people with whom I collaborate on stage, feel heard and respected. The “Golden Rule” is big for me and I’m proud of the fact that actors, directors and designers work will with me again and again and that my real estate business is all word of mouth and referral-based. I know I should be more into “branding.” I mean I try with the social media stuff, but self-promotion is hard for me. It feels immodest. I’d rather be like the A-Team, you know? “… if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them… maybe you can hire The A-Team.” And I do realize the irony of this both in terms of me participating in an interview about myself and in terms of me thwarting any chance of becoming a great real estate tycoon. I’m okay with irony.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were in town for a few days and looking to have the best time ever, we’d most definitely hike to the top of Beachwood Canyon to get some fun views of the Hollywood sign and on our way back we’d pop into the Beachwood Cafe for a bite. We might also walk down to Ameoba records (and I say walk, because I live in East Hollywood and love how walkable my neighborhood is.) That night we’d probably go to Anarkali, which is my favorite Indian restaurant, possibly we’d hit up Formosa after that to meet friends for a drink. The next day we might hike Griffith and then pop over to Cafe Figaro to pretend we’re in Paris for a minute. We’d stop at Skylight books after that. On day 3, we’d hike Fryman and then head over to The Front Yard, which is such a lovely spot for outdoor dining. The next day (I’m imagining it a Thursday) we’d hike Bronson and then that evening we’d go to Atwater Village to grab a bite at Bon Vivant before heading to The Open Fist to see This Week This Week. We’d laugh ourselves silly for an hour and then hang out afterward in the courtyard, drinking wine with the cast. On Friday we’d do brunch at The Abbey and some people watching at Fred Segal. That night (by my count it’s a Friday) we’d be back at Open Fist to see the main stage show (currently that’s Sarah Ruhl’s In The Next Room, which is wonderful.) Then another post-show hang in the courtyard of Atwater Village Theatre. We’d fit in a visit to the beach on Saturday, followed by a bite at 26 Beach Cafe and on Sunday, we’d have high tea at Huntington Gardens or The Peninsula.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In addition to my parents and their diverse group of friends, I would like to give a shout out to The Open Fist Theatre Company, which is where I get to continue to play with a wonderful array of open-minded artists from all backgrounds. Open Fist is where I met most of my L.A. friends. Northwestern deserves a shout out, too, of course. Loved that place and just adore every person I met there.

Instagram: @amandaweierrealtor and @geldofgodot

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaweier/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.weier.56

Other: www.openfist.org

Image Credits
Maia Rosenfeld, Liam Carl