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Meet Will Slanger-Grant

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Will Slanger-Grant.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Will. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, I always had an affinity for performance. Regardless if I truly realized it… It all started with the kid modeling that I only remember based on the photos. Early elementary school, I stepped it up and would play Weatherman in the living room, performing daily weather reports for my parents. With Michigan winters being cold, indoor activities are critical. At ten, I started my tap dance training, I never really thought anything of tap classes at the time. It was something pretty cool that I was becoming better at. I’ll never forget the time I performed at an event for my Grandparent’s church. Due to all the festival activities going on around me, it felt to me at the time as though nobody was paying attention to my performance, aside from the few family that was in attendance. After my piece, I was pulled aside by an older churchgoer who had the most moving experience watching me perform. This was the moment I really understood why us creatives do what we do. Touching that one person in such a special way made the whole performance for me. From there on, Tap has kept my love of performing alive and well, always looking for more of those connections.

After graduating from Michigan State University with a BFA in Theatre, I quickly made the move to Los Angeles. Another Michigan winter was not going to get a hold of me. I also knew LA would be a good fit for my personality and what I am truly trying to achieve. To be a Working Actor.

Within days of moving, I was thrown into the production world as a Production Assistant (PA), working on Commercials and Music Videos. This was a whole new side of the industry that I never thought I would be fortunate enough to explore. It all starts with those who give you that first opportunity. I was lucky enough to have amazing guidance early on in Producer Melissa Larsen. I will be forever grateful to her for instilling the “Jump in and make it happen” mentality that I have been trying to follow.

I quickly learned how to network because, well, gotta eat! Being a PA is what has kept me out here. Through the many amazing people, I continue to work for and with, I have been fortunate to build a sense of stability in this city. While creating this stability, being a freelancer has also allowed me flexibility where I can maintain focus in my acting career. While being a PA is great to pay the bills, Acting is and will always be the goal.

I have now started my seventh year in Los Angeles. I am feeling more grounded than ever and have found such an appreciation for the industry and what goes into these projects. I continue to enjoy this shift from PA to Working Actor. Whether I am taking more classes or building on the relationships I have made in and out of the industry, I am now able to invest in my acting career in ways I wasn’t able to earlier on.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey definitely hasn’t been smooth. I have learned so much from all of the bumps and twists that have happened along the way. Being 2200 miles away from family will always be tough. Big life events or just being able to watch my brother perform weekly for the East Lansing High School Drum Line are tough things to miss. I give immense credit to my parents in supporting my move across the country to pursue such a dream.

I think most would agree being an actor in general is a struggle. Frequently being told “No.” Having to walk in a room with many talented people looking exactly like you and not letting it get in your head. With the peaks and valleys of work in the film industry, getting caught in a slow time is tough financially. These among others are all struggles that have caught me over and over out here. But it has really tested my strength and if this is a journey that I want to continue.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My business is my craft. I am an Actor, Tap Dancer and Voice Over Artist. (SAG-AFTRA) often seen in a casting office near you.

What do I do? Well being an actor, I help be a piece in someone’s storytelling. For a period of time, I try to snap you out of reality and take you on a journey.

I love how I have been able to make people feel with my performances and just work in general. I think there is a very approachable and likable quality to my work. I love collaborating with others on projects and really embracing the vision of others. We all have such great stories that need to be told.

With my PA work, I have always had that go get it mentality. Trying to soak in as much as I can to be the best I can and learn from everyone. I truly believe that’s what has led to my success and I try to carry this over into my acting career.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was 13, our family adopted a little boy. Also being adopted, there was something exciting about us having a similar piece in our stories. I will never forget the morning my parents brought him home and I got to see him, hold him for the first time. We are a very close family and active in each other’s lives. Being old enough to really appreciate watching him grow up has been more than a blessing. Now he is a Sophomore in high school and way taller than me. Life catches up to you fast.

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Image Credit:
Andres Raygoza, Anthony Anastasi

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