THOUSAND OAKS, CA - Actor Spencer Garrett will talk to California Lutheran University students and the community from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, as part of the “Conversations With …“ series.

The informal discussion on the craft of acting will be held in the Preus-Brandt Forum on the Thousand Oaks campus. Actor, writer and director Markus Flanagan, who teaches at CLU, will be the moderator for a one-hour talk followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Garrett has appeared in productions ranging from big movies like “Casino Jack” to the indie film “Cruel Will” set for release in 2012. He has also acted in more than 100 television episodes and will appear next year in the new HBO series "Luck" with Dustin Hoffman. The third-generation actor is the son of former two-term Screen Actor’s Guild president Kathleen Nolan and former Film Artists Associates President Richard Heckenkamp. He was raised in New York and Los Angeles and attended Duke University and Fordham University before embarking on his theatrical studies with Sanford Meisner.

Flanagan’s 2007 book, “One Less Bitter Actor: The Actor’s Survival Guide,” explains how to make it in the business of acting while staying sane and focused. The “Conversations With …” talks at CLU take the same approach, providing theater arts students and other aspiring actors with advice from professionals.

Farm Fresh Clothing Co. is sponsoring the series. Donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit the CLU Theatre Arts Department.

Preus-Brandt Forum is located south of Olsen Road near Mountclef Boulevard.

For more information, call 805-493-3415 or e-mail dramadpt@callutheran.edu.