Ed Wagenseller has been acting professionally for over two decades. As a character actor, Ed enjoys playing the role of “everyman”, but really thrives when challenged with a role that requires him to put to use the extensive training he has had over the years.
As graduate with an MFA in acting from one of seven Professional Actor Training Programs in the U.S. (UNC-Chapel Hill), he studied the Stanislavky based method along with Boleslavsky, Hagen, and Strasberg. The intensive three year program and exposure to a variety of techniques allowed Ed to develop his own process for approaching any role. It was through this training that he realized that trusting your impulses and intuition can, with some roles, outweigh the “heady” approach of acting techniques.
While Ed’s work in film and television has been mostly that of the day player, he has had opportunities to expand his range in independent shorts and feature films. Most recently Ed played Robert Engledew in the feature film To.get.her under the direction of Erica Dunton. This film was made an official selection to the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL in January 2011 where it will make its world premiere.
Ed has been honored throughout his career to work with Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winners alike such as Eva Marie Saint, Judd Hirsch, and Linda Lavin. He has been equally privileged to work with such notables as Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Haley Joel Osment, Nate Parker, Danielle Pannabaker, Lance Armstrong and many more. However, Ed is most proud of his 15 year marriage to his beautiful wife Melissa and his two sons, Max and Ben who support his need to act. When not acting, Ed serves on the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with the Department of Theatre. It is there he shares his passion for the craft of acting with his students and faculty.