Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Wagner.
Hi Claire, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in the Bay Area of San Francisco and knew from a young age I wanted to act; my mom loves telling the story of my first audition and telling her “I don’t care if I’m Tree #2, I just want to be on stage!” After success in local theater and through school, I was accepted into the CSU Fullerton program of Theater and Dance to pursue my B.A. in Theatre. I secured my degree in 3 short years, having some wonderful opportunities along the way. I worked with Best Coast Improv, an excellent regional improv team based in Orange County, performed with staged school productions and student-led productions through a wonderful program at CSUF. A month before the pandemic hit, I auditioned for the Stella Adler Art of Acting Studio in Los Angeles and was fortunate enough to be accepted. I’ve just finished the 2 and 1/2 year Professional Conservatory and can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings me!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not, but there wouldn’t be a story if it was! One of the hardest emotional challenges I went through was during my time at CSU Fullerton. I originally entered the school with the end goal being the BFA program, either in Acting or Musical Theatre. Their system works on a cut program, so every semester we would re-audition to stay in the program. The final cut was made at the end of the sophomore year of college, and that was when I was cut from the program – a group of about 30 people down to 20 people. This cut definitely took a deeper emotional toll than other auditions had in the past, as I had spent the past two years getting so close to my peers and professors within the program. I definitely had some time where I wondered if I was talented enough to make a career out of acting, if other people would recognize my joy for the profession and allow me to explore my training further. But I couldn’t be more grateful for the experience, because looking back, it was just another audition that allowed me an opportunity to perform. And I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to move out to LA and start at AOA so soon, so in a way it was truly a blessing in disguise.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My primary focus and love is comedy. I have over 6 years combined of improv experience, ranging from my high school team Creatures of Impulse to a regional company Best Coast Improv in Orange County, to classes at AOA with iO West trained Sean Cowhig and Jenn O’Brien. I’m at my happiest when I’m on a stage with a few chairs and a group of people that are willing to be as experiential and playful as I am.
And I find I’m able to incorporate this into my work in any acting project because the mindset of an improvisor has a lot to do with their personality to begin with. On set or during rehearsal I am always looking for new ways to explore a character or break up monotony by playing a game, and I love engaging with my fellow creatives in this way. I can be looked to when a scene needs to be flipped on its head or tweaked in a way we haven’t seen before, which helps set me apart from others.
Interestingly enough, however, my favorite project to date so far has been a dramatic piece. In my final semester at AOA I was given the opportunity to play Lemml in Indecent, the true story of a little Jewish play that shocked the world when it premiered on Broadway at the turn of the century. It was an honor to tell the story of artists that were willing to risk so much to create this piece of art that they truly believed in, and I think it touched everyone in the audience to see art prevailing no matter the circumstances.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
One of the joys for me has been the shift to online self-tapes and submissions. I know it hasn’t been popular with everyone, but personally, I love the opportunity to craft a character at home and tape within the comfort of my established place. It makes going to the in-person callbacks even sweeter and mean so much more because you’ve had time to sit with the character and now you can craft it in the room with the creatives! I don’t think they’re going away any time soon, and I hope it gives more accessibility to actors now that they’re able to tape within the comfort of their own homes.
Moving forward, I hope to see more diversity in the stories we’re telling and actors that are telling them. Already I’m seeing my peers that come from marginalized communities strive to tell their stories authentically, and I see them met with joy and encouragement. I hope to be a champion for telling stories like that as my career moves forward and striving to make sure we are all seeing ourselves onstage and onscreen.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @clairesuzanna11
- Twitter: @clairesuzanna11
- Youtube: @clairewagner2574
- Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/clairewagner
Image Credits
Jeremy David Joey Snap
