Author: Gary Wimmer

I've been a professional musician and psychic since 1972, have been writing since 1984, and started acting in 2001.

August 14, 2019 ~ Bill Kirchenbauer

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Bill Kirchenbauer
Entertainer Extraordinaire

Bill Kirchenbauer

Our guest speaker at August’s #NAMixer will be the one and only Bill Kirchenbauer, an intensely talented and insanely creative actor, comedian, producer, writer, host, and much sought-after entertainer. Bill has appeared in film flicks you may have seen, including Airplane, National Lampoon, and Stoogemania, as well as starring and regular roles on television series, including Mork & Mindy, Fernwood Tonight & America 2 Night, Night Court, and Totally Hidden Video.

Bill’s been tickling people’s funny bones since early childhood. Later, while his peers studied marketing strategy, he pursued mime, ventriloquism, and improvisation, leading up to his winning the first Stand Up Competition in Los Angeles in 1978. Soon after that victory, he appeared on Late Night With David Letterman and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Carson liked Bill so much that he booked him for 10 more appearances.

ABC executives knew a good thing when they saw his popularity spiral in the role of the irascible, but lovable, “Coach Lubbock” in the hit series Growing Pains, leading to starring in a spinoff in the same role that also proved to be a ratings hit, Just the Ten of Us, which continues to air in many countries, including the United States on the USA Network.

Bill’s true love has always been the stage, and he’ll be on ours this month! So don’t miss an evening with him to learn what drives him, how he manifested his dreams, and his successes. Mark you calendars and join us on Wednesday, August 14 @ Opal Divine’s for a fun-filled, inspirational, and unique experience with stories from our industry’s foxhole.

Last Month

We extend our deepest appreciation to those brave and highly successful casting directors who graced our stage in July: Brad & Kimberly Burton, both CSAs of Burton Casting, Michael Druck of Michael Druck Casting, and our own amazing Donise Hardy, CSA, of A Casting Place.

These outstanding professionals shared their insights and experiences with our huge crowd, and answered all kinds of questions from our attendees. Thank you all so much for your time and passion!

See photos here, and more mixer photos here.

Come on the 14th and bring a friend to network and enjoy the show. While there enjoy Opal Divine’s Happy Hour which lasts until 7, then $3 “Three for Texas” beers the rest of the evening. And don’t cook or go anywhere else for a meal or snacks because Opal’s offers a tasty and largely locally-sourced menu of goodies.

Beware both rush hour traffic and current construction! From IH35,

heading south, slight right with construction cones veers off the frontage road to get to the businesses just north of Oltorf, including Opal Divine’s at the Best Western Plus Hotel

heading north, turn left onto Oltorf, then turn right immediately after crossing over the southbound frontage road of IH35 onto East Live Oak Street, and turn right into the Best Western Plus Hotel parking lot where Opal Divine’s is situated

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
Find this month’s mixer on Facebook and invite your friends.
Get on our mailing list and keep up with us on social media:
Like our page & join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Mixing & Networking @ 6:00PM, Announcements @ 6:30, Program @ 6:45
Followed by More Mixing & Mingling and Networking

July 10, 2019 ~ Casting Director Panel, Part 2

Posted onAuthorGary WimmerLeave a comment

Casting Director Panel

Casting Directors Panel #2

How do actors get good work? The answer is simple: via casting directors. These hard-working professionals are the decision makers as to who gets invited to audition for roles. Actors need to know exactly what casting directors do, how they think, what they look for, what their responsibilities are, and what they expect from actors. We’ll be offering that information and more at our next couple of mixers. So brush up your résumé & dig up your headshot and mark your calendar for Wednesday, July 10th & July 10th at Opal Divine’s Austin Grill!

This month’s panel features these casting directors:

☆ Brad Burton, CSA & Kimberly Burton, CSA of Burton Casting

☆ Michael Druck of Michael Druck Casting

☆ Donise L. Hardy, CSA of A Casting Place

The program will commence with an introduction from each casting director sharing with the audience about themselves, their experience, and their companies. Then the floor will open to the audience for a Q & A session which will last approximately a half hour.

Instructions for Headshots & Résumés: Actors are encouraged to bring 3 sets (1 for each casting company), with the headshot & résumé stapled back-to-back, for placement at a designated table upon arrival, preferably prior to the beginning of the program, so that they may each have your submission package to review when they leave.

Come have a bright, fun, productive time with us on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 @ Opal Divine’s. Network all night, meet like minds and other interesting industry people, get a bite of good food and wash it down with a drink, and get some great info from our 2nd Panel of Casting Directors!

And keep current by getting on our mailing list and following us on social media.

Last Month

We extend our deepest appreciation to casting directors Sally Allen & Toni Cobb-Brock of Brock/Allen Casting, Brenda J. Ambrize of Brenda Ambrize Production Services, and Vicky Boone of Vicky Boone Casting for being our guest speakers at our June 12th NAMixer! We had a huge crowd, our attendees asked some very good questions, and our fantastic speakers addressed each question with clarity and insight. Thanks to all of you for such a great presentation!

See photos here, and more mixer photos here.

Come on the 10th and bring a friend to network and enjoy the show. While there enjoy Opal Divine’s Happy Hour which lasts until 7, then $3 “Three for Texas” beers the rest of the evening. And don’t cook or go anywhere else for a meal or snacks because Opal’s offers a tasty and largely locally-sourced menu of goodies.

Beware both rush hour traffic and current construction! From IH35,

heading south, slight right with construction cones veers off the frontage road to get to the businesses just north of Oltorf, including Opal Divine’s at the Best Western Plus Hotel

heading north, turn left onto Oltorf, then turn right immediately after crossing over the southbound frontage road of IH35 onto East Live Oak Street, and turn right into the Best Western Plus Hotel parking lot where Opal Divine’s is situated

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
Find this month’s mixer on Facebook and invite your friends.
Get on our mailing list and keep up with us on social media:
Like our page & join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Mixing & Networking @ 6:00PM, Announcements @ 6:30, Speakers @ 6:45
Followed by More Mixing & Mingling and Networking