Meet Curtis Bechdholt, Talent Manager and Acting Coach

Longtime WMM member Curtis Bechdholt is a Vancouver character actor who has transitioned into one of the industry's top acting coaches and talent managers. Countless of our actor- members have coached with Curtis when those important self-tape auditions come in (including yours truly!) Curtis has a knack for not only quickly breaking down the scene but finding something organic in each actor that puts a unique spin on the tape. If you're one of the few LA WMM members who hasn't worked with Curtis, here's a bit more about our in-house audition coach. 

Where are you from? What do you do?

I’m originally from Vancouver Canada and I’m currently an Acting Coach and a Talent Manager.

What is your education/background? How did you start working in the film industry?
I had a few scholarships to study Shakespeare for college. However During that summer I walked into a talent agency and immediately started working as an actor in film and T.V.

What other professions have you had in the film industry?
I started as an actor, since then I’ve directed, and also been a DP. Now I coach and I’m a talent manager with ADS Management.

What made you want to get into what you are doing now? Inspirations?
I’ve always loved working on scenes and auditions. Even in my early 20’s my friends would come to me to work on their auditions. When I turned 40 I decided to make coaching my full time career. When I moved to Albuquerque in 2020, Andrew at ADS Management reached out to me to see if I was interested in Management, and I was. I draw inspiration from all the actors that I work with. It’s such a tough profession and to see people striving for their goals gives me a ton of juice!

What are some challenges you've faced as a coach and manager?
I think my biggest challenge was just learning the power of yes and learning my worth. I was in a job that I hated, so in my off time, I would work with some Canadian actors that knew me from years ago for fun. I didn't think I could make a career out of it. One day, by total coincidence I helped an actor with a self-tape and they booked the lead in a feature. They were adamant that I make coaching my career. I started charging for coaching and  people started booking so their agents started to refer me to other clients and it just took off. Managing has been much the same.