Meet Andy Spring | Substitute Teacher / Event Server – Writer/Actor

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

Hi Andy, why did you pursue a creative career?
A year-and-a-half ago I was working in a corporate hotel, going through the motions, stuck in a job that felt like a dead-end. It wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. While working at the hotel, I had the good fortune to interact with a film cast and crew that was staying at the hotel in my hometown. I started talking to the various cast and crew, and it dawned upon me, maybe something clicked: this could be me. I could BE one of these people. So, I took a Screenwriting class at the local community college in my area, then another; I had seemingly caught the creative bug. I applied to grad school and for a whole year I studied Screenwriting and Acting at the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory (LAPAC). I have taken my first steps into this much larger world, and, suddenly, it felt like existence and all the possibilities opened up – like a flower waking to kiss the fresh morning dew. I settled on wanting to pursue a creative career because I was drawn by the dream, pulled almost magnetically, as though impelled by some kind of force outside myself. So, I did it. I ran with it. And I’m still running.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It’s been a challenge, for sure. When I’m not focused on my creative avenues as a writer and an actor, I am a Substitute Teacher by day for LAUSD and an Event Server by night running all over the Greater LA metro area. It’s a nonstop “go-go-go” hustle, to survive. I wouldn’t change it for the world though, because I am living the dream, the dream of many thousands of people that come to LA in search of something, something more for their life. The one thing I’ve learned in this journey is that you can’t give up on your dreams. Because your dream could very well become your reality. I think we can manifest our ideal reality, will it into existence. If you have that passion and that drive, don’t let anyone or anything stop you. Go for it. Run for it. It is your destiny.

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.
I would start the day waking up, grabbing tamale’s at the Vermont/Beverly metro stop across the street from me, then, we’d run all over town and people watch. Maybe we’d hit up Zuma Beach in Malibu or the Brush Canyon Trail and hike behind the Hollywood Sign. There’s so many amazing things you can do in LA that don’t have to break the bank. There are these pockets of tranquility hidden within the sprawl. And when you find these little places and encounter these little moments, it feels absolutely surreal.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
None of this would be possible – me pursuing this dream – without the encouragement and support of my family and friends, along with the many dedicated mentors I’ve had a long the way. I am deeply indebted to my high school drama teacher, Mr. Knox, as well as the director of LAPAC, Natalia Lazarus, and my teachers Maria Alexandria Beech and Debra Dragotto. These people have shown me that living a creative life, and becoming successful at it, is a worthwhile pursuit.

Instagram: @andyspring123

Facebook: @ Andy Spring

Image Credits
First Image – Natalia Lazarus – the director of LAPAC (Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory)