Wendy S. Kurtzman, CSA is an Emmy and Artios nominated casting director with more than 35 years of experience in feature films, movies for television, limited series, and theater. Wendy has worked with many distinguished directors such as Paul Schrader, Diane Keaton, Sally Field, and Roland Emmerich, for whom she cast the blockbuster “Independence Day.” Prior to starting her own casting business, she was a casting executive at Lifetime and NBC.

 In 2013, Wendy launched College to Career Acting to help emerging BFA/MFA artists navigate the transition from Academia into the Entertainment Industry. Her experience as both a casting director and a performer afford her a unique perspective into what it takes to sustain a meaningful career.

Currently, Wendy serves as Head of Casting for PhilmCo Media, is on faculty at Pace University and Chapman University, and serves on the Casting Society Board of Directors. She has also taught at UCLA, New York University (The Lee Strasberg Institute and Stonestreet Studios), The New School, and The SAG-AFTRA Foundation, among many others.  Her book, “Acting is Your Business: How to Take Charge of Your Creative Career” (Bloomsbury Press) is available on all major platforms.  When she is not using her left brain, Wendy uses her right brain as a singer, wannabe interior decorator, and obsessive shoe collector.