Emily Pendergast
Interviewed by: Sibby Kirchgessner, CSA
1) Has there been a Casting Director that has encouraged and/or supported you in your career?
I feel very grateful in that I have had several casting directors in my corner like Nicole Abellera, Amanda Lenker Doyle, Chrissy Fiorilli, Allison Jones, Jeanne McCarthy, Lisa Miller Katz and Jessica Sherman. They are so deeply talented in what they do, so it feels so wonderful being supported by them. Sibby Kirchgessner and Dorian Frankel were the first casting directors that I ever auditioned for. It was for Season 6 of Veep and I remember them being so kind and helpful. Then 3 years later, they were the ones that cast me in Season 7 of Veep. That’s actually the job that got me my SAG card and I truly don’t know if I could ever express how much they changed my life.
2) What work are you most proud of?
This may sound like a cop-out but I’m extremely proud and grateful for all the work that I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of. I’ve learned something from each experience, but I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to be present in every moment and not get swept up with thinking about what’s next.
3) What or who inspired you to pursue acting as a career?
My cousins Tony and Richie were my comedic idols growing up. My goal at every family dinner was to be able to make them laugh. They could make a room full of people laugh even during the hardest times. They taught me that you can help cure a grieving heart by laughing and bringing people together. They would quote countless movies and I’d run home and watch them so I could too. I think that was really the most integral part of what inspired me to want to do this.
4) What was your first IMDBPro credit and how did you feel when you saw it?
My first credit was Leah, the bride on an episode of the Netflix show Love. I was so excited and proud to be able to see a credit on IMDbPro. And then to click on it and scroll down like, “Wow, my name is next to all of these incredible people too!”.
5) How has IMDBPro helped you market yourself to filmmakers?
I have always found that IMDbPro is my go to website to look up someone or help remind me of what else they have been in. I love that it can act as a resume as well as uploading photos, videos and articles. I think having everything in one spot is so helpful!
6) Any funny casting room stories?
Okay, so anyone who knows me, knows I’m not a great dancer. With that in mind, I once had a callback where I had to dance and pour coffee creamer to a Wu-Tang song. Midway through, the director turned to the client and said, “Well, it’s obviously not her.” So… I finished my dance in silence and, needless to say, I did not book that job.
7) Tell us a fun fact about you outside of acting:
Oh man, fun facts immediately make me sweat. While I was in college, I was having a hard time landing on a major that fulfilled me before eventually finding my path at Groundlings. But in doing so, I eventually graduated with a major in Criminal Psychology, which, as we all know, is the direct path to comedy.
Thank you so much again for having me, it means the world.
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