Meet Anna Wenger | Actor & Creative

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

Hi Anna, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Being surrounded by the arts has very much shaped me into the person I am today. I couldn’t imagine a life where I didn’t pursue a creative career in some way.

I was fortunate to grow up in a very musical family, so I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts, but I didn’t always know that I wanted to be an actor. I dabbled in several different instruments (violin, trumpet, piano), but it wasn’t until I got involved in my high school theatre program that I really felt the pull towards acting.

Acting is so magical. The idea of being a vessel to tell stories and connect with so many people through those stories is so so special. It’s a super power. I think what’s great about acting is that there’s always room to improve; new things to discover, and that’s what makes this journey of pursuing it as a career so exciting.

Looking back it’s not all that surprising that I ended up being drawn towards acting, considering I would memorize lines that Filch, the caretaker from Harry Potter, would say and randomly recite them in character at the age of 4…

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an actor originally from Kansas City, MO. I got my BFA in Acting from Oklahoma City University and moved to Los Angeles shortly after graduating. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to study at several fantastic studios here in LA.

I am very proud of my work ethic and resilience. I don’t ever really give up on anything, even if life throws some curveballs my way, I still find a way to keep pushing forward.

Pursuing a career in the arts is definitely not an easy endeavor. I think mindset is crucial to success and taking the time to work on that has been so beneficial to me. A major lesson I’ve learned on my journey is if you don’t believe in yourself it will be so much harder to get where you want to go. It seems obvious, but I have found that so many artists and creatives really struggle with this as well. I have really taken to heart the Ted Lasso effect; phrases like “Be a Goldfish” or the Believe sign may seem silly, but there is so much truth in them. Keeping little reminders like that around for me have been super helpful.

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.
Gosh, there are so many amazing spots to visit- one of the many perks of living in such an awesome city.

Here are my favorite spots to get a good bite/drink:
– Idle Hour (it’s shaped like a barrel, need I say more?)
– Guildhall
– Poke’To + Kokoroll Cafe (check out those sushi burritos!)
– Organico
– San Antonio Winery (DTLA)

Places to see:
– The Iliad (book and cat lovers unite!)
– Hollywood Reservoir
– Tansy (the cutest little plant shop ever!)
– Magnolia Park
– Aquarium of the Pacific
– Getty Center
– Universal Studios/City Walk
– Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First off, I owe a huge thank you to Stan Kirsch Studios. I recently joined their community and felt immediately welcomed. I have grown so much as an actor, and with the training I am getting each week in class, I feel confident and prepared to translate that to my professional career.

I also owe a huge thank you to my parents, Alan and Mimi, and boyfriend, Caleb. They have been my biggest supporters throughout my journey, and have always been there to encourage me to keep moving forward and to not give up.

A couple books that have been invaluable to me: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and 12 Notes on Life and Creativity by Quincy Jones. Both are excellent reads – I highly recommend!

Website: https://annawenger.com

Instagram: @annakriswenger

Image Credits
Leah Huebner, Jackson Davis, Kylie Olsen, Elina Moon