Episode 146: Interview with LA Theatrical Agent Melissa Berger Brennan

 About Melissa:

Melissa Berger Brennan has been an agent for Theatrical (Film and Television) since 2002 and is Senior Vice President of the Young Talent Voiceover Department at Cunningham-Escott –Slevin-Doherty, (CESD), a talent agency with offices in Los Angeles and New York. Founded in 1967, CESD has been one of the most prestigious and popular agencies for commercial and voice over talents as well as a pioneer in the theatrical representation of young talent in all areas of the entertainment industry.

As a theatrical agent, she has placed clients on such diverse projects as PAPER GIRLS, EXPATS, LIGHT YEARS, GOOD GIRLS, BLACKISH, THE GOLDBERGS, GRIMM, GLEE, SHAMELESS, MAD MEN, PARENTHOOD, and THE WALKING DEAD.

Melissa is also the Senior Vice President of the Young Talent Voiceover department. Her clients have voiced leading roles in animated movies such as TURNING RED, MOANA, BIG HERO 6, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA (2 & 3 & 4), GOOD DINOSAUR, PEANUTS, KUNG FU PANDA 3, PEABODY AND SHERMAN, as well as upcoming features. 

Animated series regulars include leads in MOON GIRL, RIDLEY JONES, MY DAD THE BOUNTY HUNTER, A TALE DARK AND GRIMM, PETE THE CAT, OWL HOUSE, JURASSIC WORLD: CAMP CRETACEOUS, GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE, VICTOR AND VALENTINO, LOUD HOUSE, GUMBALL, DRAGONS, NIKO AND THE SWORD OF LIGHT, SOFIA THE FIRST, ADVENTURE TIME, LION GUARD, PHINEAS & FERB, AVATAR, DOC MCSTUFFINS, JAKE AND THE NEVERLAND PIRATES and LEGEND OF KORRA, to name a few. 

Her clients have also voiced interactive games, including leads in JEDI: FALLEN ORDER and GOD OF WAR: RAGNAROK, plus numerous television and radio commercials, and done ADR for major feature films.

Melissa studied theatre and acting at the University of Michigan and holds an MFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts.

“Good work is good work is good work.”

It’s all about the slow game.

“You’ve got to come out guns blazing, you have to get out on the jump.”

What do you look for in new talent?

• Training
• Is there a spark?
• Is there something inherently watchable about them?
• Do they have an artistic point of view?
• Did they make my heart rate change?
• Partial to school programs?
  • U of Michigan
  • Cal Arts
  • Pace
  • North Carolina School of the Arts
  • Boston
  • Julliard
• She listens to teachers

Never stop growing never stop learning.