We are proud to recognize the success of Michael Nehring for his latest acting project, Drifter, which will have its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 12. To celebrate his role, we had the chance to speak with him about his career, both as a working actor and Chapman professor.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Meet the Film
Congrats on this exciting part in Drifter! We’d love it if you could introduce the film and your role in it.
Michael Nehring: The story is of a lonely and troubled man’s commitment to drifting and his fight to be recognized for his abilities. I play Bennett, a mechanic and mentor to Tree, the leading character played by Sung Kang. The film is director, co-writer, and star Sung Kang’s valentine to the drifting and car community, and is co-produced by Kang and production company Raison D’Etre Stories.
How did you get involved in the film? What drew you to the project?
I met Sung Kang in the 1990’s when I was co-teaching with acting teacher Sal Romeo at his studio in Los Angeles. Sung was a student at that time, as were fellow cast members Tamara Braun and Gregory Cruz. When I read the script, I loved the writing and realized that the story was built on character relationships as much as the driving scenes. I was also very attracted to the character of Bennett: an older mentor, broken by his past and searching for connection. The character spoke to my heart.
Any particularly memorable experiences or surprising moments on set?
Yes. Many. First and foremost, I was able to work with former students who have gone on to successful acting careers. Watching them work in the feature film context, with the pressures of that kind of a shoot, was thrilling. This was my first lead in a feature film, and I realized very early on that I could learn from these wonderful actors who happened to be studying at Sal’s workshop in the ‘90s. The crew was a big family, and one of my favorite moments was getting into makeup early in the morning and laughing with the good folk in the makeup trailer!
Also, watching world-class drifters drift in front of me. Some of the best drifters in the world worked on the movie as stunt drivers and characters. One day, I was shooting a scene where Bennett is teaching Tree, and the entire crew was behind me, shooting my reaction to a car drifting into a perfect circle stop fifteen feet away from my face! It was like I was watching a world-class drifting session that was staged all for me! Thrilling.
Acting Throughout Michael’s Career
What does it mean to have this film premiere at TIFF, one of the largest and most prestigious public-attending film festivals in the world?
This is thrilling, of course. For the film to have its international premiere at such a prestigious festival is so exciting, but also I think it is fitting given the interesting character-driven focus of this film. The cast and crew saw a screening of the film for the first time in August, and it is a powerful—I would even say poetic—film. Toronto is a festival that is open to the public.
We presented a panel and did multiple press/media interviews about the film at the recent San Diego Comic-Con, so that was a bit of a preview of what is to come in Toronto.
I think both critics and the public will find Drifter to be a surprising film, as I suspect they will come to this thinking it will be another “driving” movie.
How has your professional work as an actor complemented/shaped your teaching at Chapman?
The two were completely intertwined. A good professor is a forever student. I always like to choose roles that challenge me, even frighten me a bit. I spent my teaching career testing my teachings in my performances, looking at the techniques I taught to solve performance problems, and using my struggles and successes to model professional behavior for students. I liked to share my stories of performing in the classroom to allay students’ fears: professionals struggle; professionals deal with success.
How does this project fit into your career after years at Chapman?
This was a total surprise. I put my Screen Actors Guild union card on hold thirty years ago when I realized that teaching at Chapman would be my focus, as would my work with Shakespeare Orange County. I was planning to sign up for a film extra agency and do extra work for a film or two to watch filmmaking happen in 2026. So when I was offered this role in Drifter, I realized I was on a fast track to experience contemporary filmmaking. My SAG card is reactivated, and I’m proud to be a working actor again.
What advice do you have for students hoping to pursue acting?
Be very courageous and learn who you are. It all starts there. Learn what fear feels like in your body—what love feels like, what sadness feels like, what joy feels like. Be aware of your feelings and learn to accept them. If you need it, study with reputable teachers who will help you reveal the stories you want to tell and who will teach techniques that liberate those stories. Be kind, professional, and focused. Do not assign a timeline. I became a professional film actor at 73 years old.
Finally, as you celebrate this premiere after retiring from Chapman, what thoughts do you want to share about this chapter of your career?
I worked hard for 42 years at Chapman and am very proud of having been Professor Nehring. Now I am Michael Nehring, actor. I do auditions, talk to casting agents, and am thrilled to be doing this. I realized that I could never give professional acting the energy it needs due to my commitments to Chapman. Chapman kept me young. I will turn 75 during the Toronto International Film Festival. I am experiencing a brand-new chapter in my performing career, and new growth always makes me feel young!
Watch the trailer for Drifter (2026)
To learn more about Chapman’s Theatre department, for which Professor Nehring taught courses, visit our website.
Header photo used with permission of photographer Kevin Jan/Pop-Culturalist.com.
