50 - Bloc Agent: Stephanie Landwehr: "Navigating the Dance Industry with Agent & Former"

Episode Summary:

Menina Fortunato interviews Stephanie Landwehr, a seasoned professional in the dance industry, who has worked with top artists such as Cher, Tina Turner, Jessica Simpson, and Macy Gray. Stephanie now works as a dance agent with Block Talent Agency, helping dancers advance their careers.

Stephanie shares her journey from a competitive dancer to a choreographer and, eventually, to an agent. She provides invaluable insights into how dancers can advance their careers by building relationships with choreographers, agents, and casting directors. Stephanie also talks about the challenges and trends in the dance industry, including the shift from large auditions to direct bookings and the importance of proactive career management. She discusses what agents look for in dancers, tips for submitting to agencies, and how to manage finances as a dancer.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) – Introduction to the episode and Stephanie Landwehr

• (2:15) – Stephanie’s transition from dancer to agent

• (5:00) – The importance of building relationships in the industry

• (8:00) – Current trends in casting: direct bookings and submission processes

• (12:00) – The shift from large auditions to direct bookings

• (15:00) – Tips for headshots: what agents look for in professional photos

• (18:00) – How dancers can leverage social media to enhance their careers

• (22:00) – Managing a bi-coastal career and building relationships across cities

• (25:00) – Financial advice for dancers: saving, budgeting, and multiple income streams

• (30:00) – Q&A with mentees: injury management and staying proactive in your career

• (35:00) – Building and maintaining professionalism as a dancer

• (40:00) – How to get noticed by agents and the casting process

• (45:00) – Importance of versatility in dance training

• (50:00) – Final thoughts on dancing, agenting, and career longevity

Biography:

Stephanie Landwehr has been dancing for her entire life. She feels fortunate to have had an incredibly varied and diverse dance career before crossing over to the agenting world. She worked internationally in all media - from stages in Seoul, Korea, to film sets in Rome, Italy; from the Los Angeles Opera to Cher at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. Stephanie had the privilege to dance with many music artists, including Panic at the Disco, Cher, Tina Turner, Jessica Simpson, Hole, Chemical Brothers, and Macy Gray.

She danced in numerous television shows, including Dancing with the Stars, Penny Dreadful, Veep, Dead to Her, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, American Housewife, and Lucifer. Some of her film appearances include La La Land, Valley Girl (2020), The Muppets, Gangster Squad, and commercials for Ford, AT&T, Subway, Pepsi, K-mart, Chase Bank, and The Gap's iconic "swing khakis" commercial. Her experience on stages and film sets naturally led her to add ‘choreographer’ to her list of professional achievements. Her choreography can be seen in the films Give Me an A, Too Late, and Mafia!; in the Green Day "Last of the American Girls" music video, and commercials for Chase Bank, K-mart, Jell-O, and Burger King. As a dance educator, Stephanie was principal faculty at the Academy of Musical and Dramatic Arts (AMDA), and previously on faculty at Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles and Broadway Dance Center in New York City.

In early 2024, she enthusiastically jumped into the role of dance agent and now works for Bloc Talent Agency. She’s excited to continue exploring the entertainment industry through a new