Meet Morgan Lauff | Actor, Theme Park Performer, Cosplayer

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

Hi Morgan, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
God.

My faith in Him ebbs and flows just like everyone else who commits their life to Christ, or their respective figure of worship (depending on your denomination).

I have been very fortunate over the last few years in surrounding myself with a great team of artists, friends, colleagues and loved ones who refuse to give up on me, and moreover refuse to let me give up on myself.

It is MUCH easier said than done, especially when I am in a season of hurt and confusion- whether it is a personal or career based crisis.

The only way to keep going is by simply getting up and face the day. The day is never a guaranteed success, but it is also never a guaranteed failure. Anything can happen.

I empathize with people who struggle in their own ways with life and difficult seasons, because when I am an outsider looking in on someone’s misfortune- it’s super easy for me to say “well you have to do X Y and Z and things will work out”. However, when I am in that same situation myself, I cannot see clearly the answers that I need to hear.

As an artist it is CRUCIAL to keep moving forward, because in this business it is a constant factory motion of supply, demand and results. I am merely an infinitesimal piece of this industry’s giant puzzle.

The caveat to that analogy, interestingly enough, is that the puzzle cannot be complete without the piece I am comprised of as an artist. So I might as well keep trying!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always had a difficult time in describing myself (playbill Bios are the WORST), so let’s see…

I am a strong character actor, who is never afraid to say, “yes, I’m game”.
My extensive training in community and regional theatre, as well as the B.F.A theatre program at Chapman University has shaped me into the versatile player I am today.

I am grateful to be working my 9-5 jobs in theme park entertainment and can be currently seen at places such as Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm!

Consider me, if you will, a GIANT optimist. I always come into any rehearsal or production process with the attitude of: “it can be done”. My upbringing in both the theatrical world and the athletic world (I played football growing up) taught me the values of teamwork and camaraderie. I believe in the heart of the production, no matter the size of the role, space, or the audience.

From a theatrical standpoint, I can give you a broad spectrum of brands and characters, whether on stage or behind the mic in a voiceover studio. I have typically played the “big brother” or the “father figure”; my strong stage presence attributes to that. I am well versed in Shakespeare, as well as contemporary classics of the last century.

I was born and raised in California (Southern California primarily), and in that upbringing, I was surrounded by extremely talented individuals- whether it was at school, during football practice, or in rehearsals at my community theatre. The level of standards and excellence that was expected in that community inspired me to continue to strive for that in my own personal life- though it is MUCH easier said than done.

I never want to go into something thinking that I am going to be the difference-maker and everyone should be in awe of me. That’s simply untrue and arrogant! I am the kind of guy who thrives off of camaraderie, encouragement, support, and FUN.

One of the biggest lessons I have gained as an artist is to NEVER take yourself too seriously (except of course if you’re in a dramatic and heavy role and such seriousness is necessary). Especially in an audition setting- I used to be incredibly nervous because I never could fully feel like i was giving the casting directors my BEST. I had to get over that hump, because I know that what I perceive MY best work to be may be the WORST thing casting has seen!

All kidding aside, the aspect of having FUN and JOY in what I do propels me to keep moving forward in this career. I enjoy doing what I do (and I very much enjoy the paycheck)!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think I would want to give them a classy Southern California experience.

I am VERY much a nostalgic person- where my idea of a party involves getting into a tuxedo and going to a speakeasy to have unique cocktails while a live band is playing.

Los Angeles definitely has those hidden gems leftover from the “good old days”.

I would want to take them on a studio set, whether it is the Disney Studios or Warner Brothers, and give them an idea of what Hollywood was like during the golden era and how similar the filmmaking process still can be today.

For lunch, I would take them to Clifton’s Cafeteria in Downtown, where they have a full thanksgiving dinner that you can get for a really affordable price. The food and the ambience alone are worth going. Clifton’s is a portal that takes you back in time to a very Gatsby-esque era, full of fantasy and nostalgic mystery.

If they are more of a fan of the macabre, I would give them a tour of some of the more famous cemeteries around LA- such as Forest Lawn in Glendale, where you can visit and pay your respects to such legends as Walt Disney, Humphrey Bogart, Lon Cheney, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Stewart, Nat King Cole, and many others.

If they are in the mood for more of a nautical adventure- I would absolutely take them to tour around Long Beach. More specifically, the Queen Mary (pending her reopening). Who knew that such a famous ship with immensely rich history can be found in our neck of the woods? The ship, like Clifton’s, is a time capsule full of mystery and history.

For dinner, I would without hesitation take them to my favorite Italian restaurant in LA- Miceli’s. There are two locations- the first (original) is in Hollywood and the second (where I frequent the most) is in Studio City. The food is spectacular- there is not a single bad thing on the menu. The ambience is quaint, and when the sun sets, your waiters break out microphones and sing beautiful broadway tunes with a live band. I personally know a few of those performers and I can absolutely vouch for their wonderful talent (and service)!

And lastly, of course, Disneyland. That speaks for itself.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a few figures in my life that I want to thank in brief.

1. God. He knows how He made me, and I am always encouraged to serve Him as the artist and actor He created me to be.

2. My mom and dad. I am an only child (hence why I LOVE being in the spotlight…), and growing up in California, I was constantly encouraged by them to pursue things that brought me success and happiness. At 30 years old, I am still in awe of their support. My mom is the typical “theatre mom”, and loved to live vicariously through me in all the theatres I was a part of growing up, and I owe a LOT to her encouragement, critiques (very strict ones but hey, she’s my mom), and artistic influence she had on me. My dad grew up in rural Pennsylvania and doesn’t have a single artistic or performance bone in his body- but his HARD work ethic and dedication to getting things done always inspired me to be a better artist in that regard.

3. All of my professors at Chapman University, where I obtained my Theatre Performance BFA degree, shaped me into the professional performer I continue to be today. One professor in particular changed my life however and I would like to give a quick shout out to him. Tom Bradac- my Shakespeare professor, my director, my fellow cast member, and my friend. I was introduced to him when I was a junior in high school, where he taught a Shakespeare workshop for the Chapman University high school Shakespeare festival. I was SCARED of him- his presence reminded me of Charles Foster Kane. But his simplicity in how he approaches Shakespeare transformed me from a kid who didn’t understand that text, to a young man performing in my final college production at Chapman as Hamlet, directed by Bradac. Bradac was the founding artistic director of Shakespeare Orange County, in Garden Grove- which had an immense success, as well as an immense impact on my life. So Tom, if you’re reading this…”I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks”.

4. My personal heroes are Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg. Spielberg directed the film that would go on to change my life and become the greatest film of all time (in my mind): Jaws. Jaws taught me about the “behind the scenes” of a film production (which, if you don’t know the Jaws backstory, I HIGHLY suggest you look it up…). Jaws was the first film that I watched critically as a little boy- wondering why cameras were used in certain scenes in certain ways, why the edits were done in such manners, and how monumentally profound the use of a cinematic score can be (shout out to John Williams)! Walt Disney needs no introduction. What more can be said about him than what Ray Bradbury coined as an “optimal behaviorist”- behaving to the best of your ability in any circumstance, and impacting those surrounding you. His ideals and his tenacity will always have a special place in my heart. Disneyland is that physical embodiment of said tenacity.

Website: www.morgan-lauff.com

Instagram: @mrlauff55

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mdlauff_92

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlauff/

Other: Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/morgandlauff Backstage: https://www.backstage.com/u/morganlauff/