Meet Spencer Kramber | Actor – Casting Session Director – Acting Coach

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

Hi Spencer, what makes you happy? Why?
As a casting session director and acting coach, what makes me happy is when the talent I’m working with knows they’ve done a good job. I’ve developed a statement over the years that I say to actors at the end of the audition when they’ve done exactly what I’ve asked and brought a little more to the party. I say, “If you don’t get a callback, it’s not because you didn’t get it right.” To see the way the artists response to this comment is very rewarding. As an actor, that’s what I need to know. So much of the process is out of my control, but if I can hear from one person in the room that I did what I needed to do in their eyes, then I’ve done my job. The talent I say that to really seem to respond to it, and that makes me happy. They might not get the job, but they did their job.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Upon graduation from graduate school at UCLA I didn’t have a plan for how to survive. I foolishly thought the world would just open up and reward me for being great. That was very much not the case. Just finding a job to pay the rent was difficult. Luckily, casting director Mimi Webb Miller, gave me a shot and trained me as a session director at a casting studio named Westside Casting in West LA. Unfortunately, like all casting directors, she had cold spells. When she didn’t work she encouraged me to just “hang around the studio” since people there knew me (not advice just anyone should follow). In doing so, I got approached by the studio manager, Tim Riel, who hired me as his assistant. I went from not working and almost homeless to working 40-60 hours a week learning every aspect of commercial casting. I did this for three years until the facility closed. I then became a freelance session director for over twenty casting directors, a successful acting coach/teacher and actor. What I’m most proud of is how for eighteen years I’ve survived doing what I love. As the waters of my life have shifted so has my career, including a brief stint being a phlebotomist, but I’ve always come back to what I do as an actor-session director-teacher. I’m now expanding myself to include my new venture of ActWithSpencer.com.

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.
This is easy. It’s Venice Beach, where I lived for nine years. We’d start at where Venice Blvd runs into the beach. We’d then walk north with our feet in the water until we get to the north end of the shops (at about Rose Ave.). We’d then stroll the shops back going south enjoying all of the sites, sounds, smells, culture and atmosphere that the Venice Boardwalk has to offer. Once the boardwalk ends we’d saunter through one of the best kept secrets in LA, the Venice Canals. After looking at all of the unique houses and crossing the cool little bridges, we’d come out on the south end on Washington Blvd. near the Venice Pier. There we’d dine at one of the wonderfully little beach restaurants to take in the local vibe. We’d finish with a walk out to the end of the pier to take in the sunset and walk back to our car. That is my day.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I would shoutout to Keep It Real Acting Studios where I teach and study. CEO and founder Judy Kain has giving me an amazing platform to grow as a teacher and influence numerous performers.

Secondly, I’d like to acknowledge the theater departments at Minnesota State University-Mankato where I received my bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts and UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television where I received my MFA in Performing Arts. These two institutions are the foundations of my art and humanity.

Lastly, I’d like to thank all of the casting directors across the country who have hired me to run their audition sessions and work with their talent. I’ve been blessed to be trusted as a session director for 18 years and look forward to many more.

Website: https://www.ActWithSpencer.com

Instagram: SpencerKramber

Twitter: @SpencerKramber

Facebook: Spencer Kramber

Youtube: @ActWithSpencer

Image Credits
Ann Ogdahl Grandry and Minnesota State University – Mankato.