Grace Kaufman – Man With A Plan

By: Kelly Kearney

Q) You play Kate Burns on the CBS comedy “Man with A Plan.” Can you tell our readers a little bit about the show and how your character fits in?

Grace: The show basically wrapped around the concept of our mom Andi played by Liza Snyder. She goes back to work after staying home for thirteen years of raising me and my siblings. My dad is trying to take control of the wheel. He has to start parenting us and taking care of us instead of just being our friend. So, it really is just him stepping up to the plate and kind of like the mischief and crazy adventures we go through from there. My character Kate is really fun to play and I feel like I can relate to her in a lot of ways. I like the way she fits into the whole premise of the show because she really gives Adam (Matt LeBlanc), my dad, lots of drive and helps him along the way. She can be really rebellious sometimes and very spunky but yeah, she’s really fun to play.

Q) What was your audition process like?

Grace: Initially I got the script from my agent and read it over and immediately fell in love with Kate. I felt like there were so many different ways I could relate to her. The scene that we had for casting I just felt like that was totally a real-life thing that would happen to me and my parents. I totally related to her. So, yeah, I loved the part from the beginning and then I got the call back. Then, Matt came and I read with him. Of course, I fangirled all over him for a little bit because I loved him on “Friends.”

Q) What is it about “Man With A Plan” that drew you to the project?”

Grace: I think the writing initially drew me to it. I really loved how realistic it was. I just kept thinking that I could relate to this and I’m sure many other girls and families watching this show could, too. I think that was definitely something that caught my eye. Also, the fact that there were so many amazing people in the cast.

Q) Is there anywhere you found that you related to your character of Kate?

Grace: She’s obviously loving and cares about her family, which goes for me, too. She’s also has that little rebel side and that little spark to her that caught my attention because around my house I can be kind of rebellious with my parents and stuff. Also, on the show Kate has two little siblings and in real life I have a little brother who’s nine years old. I can totally relate to her about the sibling drama that goes in, but also the love for her siblings, too.

Q) Being onset with such veteran comedians like Matt LeBlanc and Kevin Nealon must be a great experience for you. Is there anything that you learned from working with them that you can share?

Grace: Yes, gosh…I learned so much throughout the whole experience. It’s just been incredible and they’re all so nice and supportive and fun to work with. I think a really important thing that I learned as an actress, that’s really helped me grow on a comedy show like this, is comedic timing. Matt has really helped me with that a lot. I love just sitting there and watching them work and just really taking in all I can from working with them.

Q) What is it about this show that appeals to viewers?

Grace: I think because it’s family appropriate; it’s something that everyone can watch together. Since the whole show revolves around a family, a lot of the situations that take place in the episodes are relatable to many people. A lot of family members can be like, “Oh, I’ve been through that situation,’ and, “Oh that’s happened to me….” So, yeah, I think that’s something a lot of people can relate to.

Q) As we have mentioned, your costar in “Man With A Plan” is Matt LeBlanc. What’s it like working with the famed “Friends” star and do you have any fun behind the scenes stories from set that you could share?

Grace: Gosh, yeah it has been so awesome and cool to get to work with such amazing and talented people like Matt. Not only because I learned so much from him, but because he so much fun to work with. He’s so talented, but he’s also so much fun to be around. He loves goofing around with us on the set and in between takes. He’s just fun to work with overall so gosh where do I even start with funny behind the scene stories? Matt and I have a bunch of inside jokes that we talk about. Every day, our writers revise our scripts and when we finally have our shooting drafts, we always nudge each other and go, “Did ya’ get the changes?” He always comes up to me and give me wet willies too so a bunch of inside jokes like that.

Q) Recently, you starred in an independent film called Brave New Jersey that premiered at the Austin Film Festival. Can you tell the fans a little bit about your role in that film and when they can expect to see it hit theaters?

Grace: My character’s name is Ann and the film was cool because it wasn’t like anything I have ever done before. First, it was shot in Tennessee which was a cool place I’d never been to before. The concept was interesting, too. It’s a period film that takes place in 1936 during the War of the Worlds broadcast on the radio. It takes place in this little town in New Jersey and it is about how they react to the radio broadcast even though it was just a play on the air. Everybody thought it was real and reacted like aliens were invading and going to take over. The whole concept or cool message it brings is if you had one night left, what would you want to do? It was the first time I had heard about War of the Worlds and I hadn’t looked into it much until I was cast and we were getting ready to film. Our director Jody Lambert sent me all these articles and the broadcast from back when it happened in 1936. It was fascinating to hear all of it because it helped my performance. It gave me that drive I needed and seemed like such a real situation.

Q) Over the course of your career you’ve worked in theater, television and film. What would you say is your favorite genre to work in and why?

Grace: That’s difficult. I don’t know if I have a favorite. I think there’s parts about all of it and I don’t think I’d be complete if I didn’t do one of those genres. They’re all special in their own ways. I love TV because the amazing people I get to meet and the great scripts and theater is amazing because there’s nothing like being on stage and performing for a live audience. Then there’s things about voice over I love, it’s one of my favorites because it’s kind of laid back and you don’t need to come to wardrobe and wear a costume and because you can look at the script. It’s not as much pressure as it is doing a film or working on a TV show.

Q) Besides acting, what are some things you like to do in your free time?

Grace: When I’m not working I’m at school and focusing on my education. When I’m not doing that, I do what most teenagers do. I like to hang out with my friends and I love going on hikes and going to the beach. I do dance and take singing lessons and play the piano. I’ve recently been into different types of photography. I love listening to music and I’m really into fashion trends so yeah I’m all over the place!

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback on your work?

Grace: It can be a little intimidating sometimes, but recently I’ve tried taking breaks from social media. I know it sounds so cliché, but I try to focus on the details of the world. Like I notice If I’m driving in the car with my mom, I won’t notice or look out at the trees and stuff like that so I try to take breaks. I do love going on it [social media] and all the benefits it has. You can see what other people are into or look at other people’s opinions and stay connected to each other through that. I think it’s really cool.

Q) Do you have any other projects that you’re working on that we should look out for?

Grace: A couple years ago I did a film called Sisters and it premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and Newport Beach Festival. It recently premiered on Showtime On Demand. So, that came out and we will see where it goes, if it comes out on Netflix or something like that. I loved being a part of that movie it was an incredible experience. Other than “Man With A Plan,” I’ve been doing a lot of voice over work on a show called “Clarence” and that a lot of fun to do. So, that’s mostly what I’ve been working on lately.