Meet the Member - Katie Lantz, CSA

Katie Lantz, CSA knew early in life that she wanted to pursue a creative career. A professional baton and fire baton twirler as a child, Lantz eventually traded batons for casting, working on projects including Better Things, Survival of the Thickest, and Avatar the Last Airbender. In the interview below, she shares more about her Bravo obsession, her first trip abroad, and the career advice that keeps her calm.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the Palisades in LA.

When did you know you wanted a life in the arts?

I think in some sense I’ve always known, but it was crystallized in 5th grade. My school produced 3 original historical musicals with the 5th grade class every year; I grew up watching them, and when it was finally my turn to play Benjamin Franklin (complete with a cane tap dance) in “Miracle in Philadelphia”, I found I was motivated to learn and energized to think about storytelling
and entertaining in an entirely new way.

What's currently on your watchlist (that has nothing to do with work)?

Well, I’m a big Bravo-holic, and pretty much all reality tv when I want to tune out and let myself be entertained. I run a fantasy league for some reality shows, so I’m very excited for the new seasons of The Housewives (all cities), The Traitors and Survivor.

If you weren't casting, what career might you pursue instead?

I have degrees in Stage Management and Costume Design, and I think I would have probably tried to be a shopper or costumer for TV/Film. Outside of the industry, I probably should have been a lawyer.

What is one thing people don't know about you or would be surprised to find out?

That my husband also works in casting! Or that I was a dancer and professional baton/fire baton twirler as a child.

Young Katie, Baton Twirling at a Parade

What was one of the hardest roles you've had to cast, but also one of the most rewarding?

While working on Season 2 of Avatar the Last Airbender for Netflix, under the genius of casting director Jenny Jue, we conducted an incredibly large search and international open call for “Toph.” We explored actors from all over the world, and the depth, generosity, thoughtfulness, and thoroughness of the audition process was extremely rewarding. I loved getting to really give time and care to the full process to ensure we found the right actor for such a beloved character and key component to the success of the overall series.

Which show's casting have you admired lately (excluding one of your own)?

Widow’s Bay! Sterling Point! Oh, so many more, but those two come to mind as every episode I found myself saying “Oh, I love them so much” or “This is such a great role for them”.

What's a piece of advice you got early in your career that you still lean on?

Be a duck! Calm and cool on the surface, moving forward, keeping the chaos underwater.

If you could tell your first-day-in-the-industry self one thing, what would it be?

Don’t wear heels! And try to put a little money away for the “slow times”, this job is freelance and unpredictable, but put in your best work and just keep swimming. Try not to panic; jobs will come and go, just do your best work.

Katie and Felicia "Flea" Fasano at the Artios Awards.

What is the best thing that's happened to you this year?

I traveled abroad for the first time in my life for two different weddings, one in Kenya and one in England (and we also traveled to Scotland) and both trips were incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I feel very lucky to have been able to enjoy personal life and a career I truly love. Big shout out to Flea and Brent for allowing those trips to happen and covering while I was
galavanting around the world!

Katie (Center) on a Safari in Kenya earlier this year.

Why Casting?

I love storytelling, puzzle solving, and creative collaboration. I’ve always been a 50/50 left/right
brain thinker, and the job is so suited to feeding both. Who doesn’t love getting to laugh and cry for a living while doing non-monotonous, creatively challenging work, and making people's dreams come true? It’s a dream job!

Katie and her husband Austin at the Artios Awards. 

About Katie Lantz:

Katie Lantz (she/her) is a casting director and associate casting director for TV and Film. She is from Los Angeles, and a proud graduate of the University of Michigan. She has 5 Artios award nominations for her work on various productions and has most recently worked as the Casting Director of season 3 of Netflix's live action series, Avatar the Last Airbender, co-casting director of the upcoming feature film "The Last Hurrah" (with Brent Hagata) and co-casting director of "Survival of the Thickest" (Netflix, with Felicia Fasano) and "Better Things" (FX with Felicia Fasano).

Katie has had the opportunity to work with some incredible filmmakers and casting directors; other credits include "A League of Their Own" (Amazon, Felicia Fasano), "That 90's Show" (Netflix, Geralyn Flood), "The Lovebirds" (McCarthy Abellera) and "Downhill" (McCarthy Abellera).

Meet the Member is a CSA series spotlighting our members' careers in casting and the lives they lead beyond the industry. The CSA community is filled with talented, dynamic individuals, and this series celebrates the members making an impact through their work, experiences, and unique perspectives.