Anna Stadler

March 18, 2022November 26, 2022 Rachelle Henry 0 Comments

Actress Anna Stadler is on the move and isn’t slowing down now. Having numerous projects set to release in the next few years, audiences will be able to see Anna in HEXANNE, DIRTY FAITH, VICE SQUAD and more. We had a wonderful chat with Anna to learn more about her background as a performer, her upcoming work and what her future may hold.

ILLUMINATE: Welcome Anna! You first got interested in acting at the age of 6. What drew you to acting and what made you switch from theater to film? Do you ever get the opportunity to still perform on stage?

STADLER: I always loved pretending and “make believe,” so acting was an extension of that when I was younger. My best friend and I would create scenes for our stuffed animals to play characters in and then, as we got older, we began to write scenes for ourselves. The private elementary school that we attended really valued the arts, so we had drama and music classes each week and school musicals/plays. Although I love the stage, I was drawn to tv/film as the more natural conversational style of acting is better suited to my personal skill set. I haven’t done theater since 10^th grade, but a part of me still misses it, so I would certainly consider auditioning for theatre if the right opportunity presented itself. I’m also a tremendous fan of watching live theatre, so I try to attend as an audience member whenever I can, as well.

ILLUMINATE: You recently played a news reporter/a member of Eleanor Roosevelt’s staff on the upcoming Showtime series THE FIRST LADY starring Gillian Anderson, Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer and more. What was the audition process like for this role and did you like stepping back in time to the 1940s?

STADLER: I was already in Atlanta filming another project when the casting announcement came in about needing featured background roles ASAP and I had previously worked with the casting director on another project, so I submitted. Honestly though, for the opportunity to work with such amazing talent and be on a set of that magnitude I would’ve made the drive regardless. My wardrobe both days on set was magnificent, but clothes of that era had zero stretch and were wool, so not only hot but also itchy in the Atlanta heat. I also had a wig on one of the days along with nylon stockings, so it was work just to stay hydrated. It was a pleasure to be on set with Gillian Anderson. She was truly amazing to watch in action and genuinely seems to be one of the kindest and most humble people I’ve met in the industry. She’s also totally hilarious and kept us all entertained in between scenes.

ILLUMINATE: You play the title role of Hexanne in the series HEXANNE and the feature film HEXANNE AND LADY TARANTULA. Both Hexanne and Lady Tarantula are based on graphic novels by Everette Hartsoe. Tell us about this universe, who Hexanne is and what we can expect from these projects? Have you already started filming either of these?

STADLER: Everette originally reached out to me about auditioning for a role in another series that he’d written, but once I submitted the audition, he decided I’d be better fit for the role of Hexanne which he was just starting to develop at the time. I’m really excited about the character, as she’s quite the bad girl which is always a fun role to play. She’s a mix of black magic and bad attitude that I can’t wait to bring to the screen. We are just now starting pre-production with some upcoming promo shoots coming soon. His graphic art is truly awesome, so bringing her to life off the page will be such an honor. We should have marketing material and photography in place by this summer that will shed more light on the character and her relationship with Lady Tarantula. They are certainly a duo that leave their mark.

ILLUMINATE: You’re in the VICE SQUAD franchise, which tackles the subject of human trafficking. What can you tell us about your character Ryan and do you think that this project will help spread more awareness on this difficult subject matter?

STADLER: Ryan is destined to be one of my favorite characters to date. She’s a prodigy in her field, holding a doctorate and years of experience in her early twenties, but don’t make the mistake of underestimating her, as she has no trouble holding her own. What she may lack in age or stature she more than makes up for intelligence and quick retorts. The Vice Squad Franchise has partnered with Lotus Rising International, so I’m confident that together they can help spread awareness and hopefully continue the work of rescuing those that have been trafficked, as Lotus Rising International has rescued over 400 to date. I love that aside from a great script, deep characters and storylines that keep you on the edge of your seat until the next episode, that it’s entertainment with a greater purpose.

ILLUMINATE: You are a part of the feature film THE SON which is ultimately about facing your inner demons. Tell us about your role. Do you play a dark character and what are your inner demons?

STADLER: I feel like The Son is already such a filming family and the feature film hasn’t even begun filming yet. I know it sounds cliché, but during the initial zoom audition it seemed like I’d known Luke Riether, the main writer and co-director, my entire life. It was so comfortable how I fell into the character and her conversations that it just seemed meant to be. I am the best friend of one of the main characters, played by Kiley Opsal, who I happen to also consider a real-life friend, so I’m excited to work with her onscreen and help support her character which was already established in a previous short concept film that won many awards. Again, this is entertainment, but with a message or “takeaway,” as well. I love when art can make you think on a deeper level. That’s a win, win in my book when it serves that type of double duty.

ILLUMINATE: One of your upcoming projects is DIRTY FAITH, which is a drama thriller. What can you tell us about this film? What genres do you like working in the most and is there a genre you haven’t worked in yet but would like to?

STADLER: Dirty Faith is going to be something that truly hasn’t been done before. It’s one that will make you think, make you feel and make you possibly look at everything a bit differently. It’s an exploration of connections and maybe a bit of an explanation of the unexplainable. We’ve been working on the script, and I’ve really enjoyed the writing process. The connectivity between the characters is where the creativity begins. I’m thankful to be working with some great writers, so it will be a growth experience in many ways beyond just the acting itself.

I really can’t pick a favorite genre. For the longest time, I thought comedy might be my least favorite to be involved in, but lately I feel drawn to it. I think the key is making whatever genre you’re working in relatable to the viewer on a deeper level. I also really enjoy comedy/horror right now, because mixing those two completely different emotions at the same time is so hard to do well that I feel like when it does all come together it’s so memorable.

ILLUMINATE: You’re one of the producers and writers on DIRTY FAITH. Do you find being behind the camera challenging? Any plans to direct?

STADLER: My first love will always be acting, but I want to do behind the camera jobs as well. Ideally, I would love to both direct and produce. All the jobs in the industry are connected, so I have always believed that every experience will help me become a better actor, director etc… I have plans to direct in the future and look forward to those opportunities.

ILLUMINATE: Along with acting, you can play keyboard and ukelele. Have you gotten a chance to bring these skills onscreen? Do you have any other talents that you have yet to feature on the big screen?

STADLER: I haven’t gotten the chance to utilize them in any capacity except for personal entertainment. I truly love to sing and apparently entertained the recovery room nurse after my appendectomy by singing the answers to all her post surgery questions. I was also a competition gymnast in middle school and an avid western horseback rider, so I hope to use those skills at some point onscreen too. I loved being so physically active, but my body doesn’t miss the beating of the many hours of practice each week that’s for sure.

ILLUMINATE: You’re passionate about animal rescue and frequently volunteer at animal shelters. How did you start getting involved with animal rescuing and how can people get involved to help animals in need?

STADLER: We currently have 3 rescues- 2 large dogs and a cat who is my very rotten child that runs us all. We volunteered at local rescue as far back as I can remember, helping with bathing and socialization along with basic cleanup and dog walking onsite. There is a job for everyone to participate in at any age. Young children can help wash bowls, ask for donations over birthday presents or even with folding laundry. You can’t imagine how much laundry a rescue organization can go through in a single day! Their washing machines can’t keep up, so just volunteering to pick up loads of laundry and return them clean is a tremendous help. Our favorite way to volunteer is to foster new intakes of either nursing moms with kittens that are sick, in need of extra attention, or litters of kittens that may have lost their mom and aren’t on solid food yet. Apparently, my gift is “fattening” them up. I must be a good kitten food chef, because every time we bring them in for weigh-ins they are amazed at how wonderfully chunky they are since the last visit. I haven’t been home for a long enough time to foster lately and I really miss it, so I’ve tried to collect donations (like blankets during the cold spell) and help in other ways. I would recommend reaching out to your local humane society and simply asking ‘What do you need help with?” as there are always jobs to be done.

ILLUMINATE: You’re a spokesmodel for The Lazy Surfer, which is a store based in South Carolina. Tell us about how you got involved with The Lazy Surfer and what cool items can people expect to find at the store?

STADLER: The owner of The Lazy Surfer, Daniel Bundrick, is genuinely one of the nicest people to ever exist. He followed me on social media, and we began talking, as he’s very active in our local community, especially in sponsoring our youth. He asked if I’d be interested in modeling some t-shirts and trying their new frozen treats and sharing genuine responses- to which I was like “me be the guinea pig trying gourmet ice cream and treats- I’m totally in!” The new store will be located on the local oceanfront pier once it’s rebuilt from the hurricane damage and so that role will grow as the company does. The Lazy Surfer is based on Daniel’s personal philosophy that you must make time for the things that are truly most important. It’s about slowing down a bit and enjoying family and friends. He has an adorable granddaughter that has brought home the lesson a bit more personally, as time stops when he’s with her, so the idea is about giving into that time and making it count. The store has wellness items, local art, gourmet treats to cool you down in the summer heat and collectible t-shirts etc. It’s a cool, hippie inspired theme that screams laidback lifestyle in all the best ways.

ILLUMINATE: Any upcoming projects you’d like to give us the inside scoop on? Are there any dream roles or collaborations that you hope to accomplish in the next few years?

STADLER: My favorite question so far! I am currently working on a script that I hope to eventually be a tv series. I don’t want to give away too much, but it takes some very unexpected turns. The main characters have so much diversity that it will truly stretch my acting skills as far as they can go. It has a way to go, but I’ve had a set of highly respected eyes already say it has promise and I will soon be working with two additional writers to bring it all together and polish up some twists. Ideally, I have several castings already in mind and would love to not only help oversee the direction of the continued episodes, but help direct and produce it, as well. It’s not a now project, but one that I am super excited about the future of to say the least.