Vinton woman earns ‘big break’ at audition;
Published 4:29 pm Monday, November 24, 2008
Kramer invited to callback
with Warner Brothers Casting
By Dean Close – Times Editor
Rachel Kramer just knew all of her hard work over the past year had paid off; that all the hours she spent rehearsing with Jill g. Lockard-Bopp and Becky Mossman on her monologue from “Night Luster” made a difference when she performed that monologue recently in Florida.
But when it was time for the awards to be presented at the annual Millie Lewis American Modeling and Talent Convention, Kramer didn’t receive the top award she thought and hoped she’d win.
She did receive — for the second straight year — the Role Model Award, honoring her for showing the spirit of Millie Lewis. And she took second place in the Cold Reading/Scene Study category.
Kramer acknowledges that she was disappointed; she received fewer awards this year then she had last year in her rookie appearance at the Millie Lewis competition.
She thought after the award ceremony that her trip to Florida had resulted in somewhat of a failure.
“I went back to my hotel room and threw my name tag into the trash,” she recalls.
But the next morning, her agent, Rena Ramiah, handed Kramer a piece of paper that may change her life.
Kramer was one of only 10 of the 1,200 participants in the summer competition who was invited to a callback with Robert Russell of Warner Brothers Casting.
Kramer could hardly contain her excitement as she told the Times about visiting with Russell for about 30 minutes.
Sometime in the near future, Kramer plans to visit either New York City or Los Angeles to perform again for Russell, who has helped find actors for several well-known shows, including shows produced by Mark Burnett, Warner Brothers and the three major TV networks: ABC, CBS and NBC.
“This is my big break,” said Kramer. “The time is right.”
Kramer recalled her conversation with Russell, who told her that timing and having connections was a very big part of the path to success in show biz.
Russell wasn’t the only show biz professional to notice Kramer.
Nise Davies, an agent who books local and national ad campaigns for TV and print, as well as many music videos, told Kramer she’d like to see her move from Vinton to Nashville, Tenn., so Davies could become Kramer’s agent.
Kramer said there’s no way she could move at this time, but she said relocating may be part of her future plans.
Right now, she plans to get married in August, and continue serving her home health clients. Kramer also plans to sing in the ACT 1 Musical, “110 in the Shade,” and to continue performing with Gene Spicer and Doc Brumwell in the trio, Sugar and Spice at area care centers and events, including Shellsburg’s Big Day this Saturday.
Meanwhile, her agent is working out the details of her callback with Russell.
“Rena will follow up for me on an audition for him,” Kramer said after returning to Vinton from the competition that ran from June 27-July 3.
“Over the next two weeks, Rena follows up for me with the agents who gave me callbacks so I’ll know specifically what they want and what it requires of me,” she said.
Kramer doesn’t know where this opportunity will lead, but she feels she is ready to make the most of it, and she again thanked Jill and Becky and her sponsors for their role in helping her achieve her dreams.
