Actorcast

For the season three finale of Actorcast, we are joined by entrepreneur, producer, writer, and Sundance award-winning actress, Emily Grace! Emily is teaching actors how to create opportunities for themselves through writing and creating their own work, which is a topic that I am very passionate about! We discuss how writing your own work can create opportunities for you as an actor, some of the difficulties actors struggle with that can be solved through writing, and how writing helps us grow as artists. To learn more about Emily and to register for her free workshop, please visit https://writeyourdreamrole.com Emily Grace is an entrepreneur, producer, writer, and Sundance award-winning actress. Through her company, Pickford West, she helps actors write their dream role so they can stop waiting for the industry to pick them and put themselves on the map. Inspired by the pioneering actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood, Mary Pickford and Mae West, Emily helps actors create success on their own terms. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

In episode 059, we talk about the importance of listening as an actor. We often focus on the lines we need to recite without realizing that listening to what is happening and reacting realistically is just as important. Some of the most powerful performances come from listening and it's often the listening that makes for more interesting acting rather than speaking. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

For episode 058 of Actorcast, we are joined by Andrea Osvart! Andrea has had a successful career as an actress and now she is imparting her wisdom to fellow actors as a coach. In this episode, we talk about Andrea's career as an actress, why actors get in their own way, and what actors should prioritize. We also discuss our relationship to social media as actors. You won't want to miss this one! To learn more about Andrea and her work, please visit https://andreaosvart.coach or book a call at https://andreaosvart.coach/book-in-a-call/. Andrea Osvart is a multi-award-winning European actress, with nearly 25 years in the industry and over 50 credits starring opposite movie stars like Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Heath Ledger, Clive Owen, and J.K. Simmons. Andrea's mission is to educate actors about long-term success and career longevity through her method. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

For episode 057 of Actorcast, I am joined by actor, singer, and producer, Brennan Srisirikul! Brennan is truly an inspiration and I enjoyed my conversation with him immensely. Brennan is paving the way for disabled performers in the entertainment industry. In our discussion, we talk about how Brennan became a performer, how disability breeds creativity, and the struggles that exist for disabled performers in entertainment. We also discuss Disabled Down Center, the concert and training center that Brennan started alongside past Actorcast guest, Danielle Demchick Pretsfelder, and which is providing immense opportunities for disabled performers. To learn more about Brennan and his work, please visit https://www.disableddowncenter.com BRENNAN SRISIRIKUL (He/Him, Creator, Producer) – Born in Bangkok, Thailand, and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth, Brennan is a singer, actor, producer and speaker He is proudly disabled. Favorite stage credits include: Pillowman, Breaking the Code and Titanic, the Musical. Film/TV: Yuna's Lunch. Music videos: "Sticks and Stones" (Atlantic Theatre Company). Brennan has also performed his solo show In My Own Little Corner around the East Coast. He produced several short films as well. Brennan received his B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre from Rhode Island College. Brennan is the creator and producer of Disabled Down Center, an annual benefit and training program of Disabled performers and allies. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

In episode 056 of Actorcast, we talk about the age old dilemma of technique versus instinct. As actors, how much should we rely on technique, analysis, and psychology versus instinct, presence, and being in the moment? I'm confident that these two perspectives can work in harmony with one another and it's all a matter of when in the process to focus on each. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

In episode 055, we are joined by none other than Austin Pendleton. Austin is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the wide world of acting. Having trained with him myself, I was excited to share his perspective on the show. We talk about what initially fueled his excitement about acting, some of the strongest skills that successful actors have, and what were some of the biggest takeaways that Austin learned from his acting teachers. Austin Pendleton is a playwright, actor, director, teacher, and a Steppenwolf ensemble member since 1987. He received critical acclaim in 1964 for his performance as Motel in the original Broadway cast of “Fiddler on the Roof.” He appeared in “The Last Sweet Days of Isaac” (for which he won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance and an Obie Award), “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “Goodtime Charley,” and “Up from Paradise” as well as many other plays. In August 2006, Pendleton played the Chaplain in Bertolt Brecht’s “Mother Courage and Her Children” with Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline in the Public Theater production. As a director, Pendleton has worked extensively on and off-Broadway. His direction of Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton in Lillian Hellman’s “The Little Foxes” garnered him a Tony Award nomination. In 2007, Austin Pendleton received a Special Award for his contributions to American theater at the 52nd Annual Drama Desk Awards. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

For episode 054 of Actorcast, we are joined by Danielle Pretfelder Demchick, a talented casting director who is doing some amazing work in advocacy for inclusivity in the entertainment industry! I very much enjoyed my conversation with Danielle, and I don't have any doubts that you will learn A LOT in this episode. We chat about Danielle's career in casting, her time at Nickelodeon, and her role in the various advocacy work she does for performers with disabilities. We also discuss the best ways for actors to building professional relationships with casting directors. You can check learn more about Danielle by visiting https://www.dpdcasting.com and @dpdcasting. Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick, CSA (she/her/hers) has been an active member of the New York casting community since 2004. Nickelodeon was her casting home for over 14 years, where she tapped into her love of developing young talent. From live action and animation, scripted and unscripted, long form and short form, and even podcasts, she has and loves to cast it all! Some highlights from her Nickelodeon years include The Astronauts, The Barbarian and the Troll, Blue’s Clues, You, Bubble Guppies, Dora the Explorer, Drama Club, Wallykazam, and Welcome to the Wayne. Since her departure from Nickelodeon to open her own casting office in April 2022 The co-VP of Advocacy for the Casting Society of America, her work elevating underrepresented communities has been barrier breaking. A leader in the organizations Equity in Entertainment committee, she serves on the board of both the Casting Society of America and Casting Society Cares, where her focus is on Training & Education. She serves as a faculty advisor for RespectAbility and she is on the Actor’s Fund’s Looking Ahead Advisory Board. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

In this solo episode of Actorcast, we talk about why it is so important to know why you are an actor. We talk about why we need to find an interior reason to pursue this craft rather than relying on external validation. So long as we have a reason, we can persevere. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time talking with Kathleen in episode 052 of Actorcast! This is a wonderful episode for all of you aspiring actors out there. Kathleen discusses why she became an actress, the struggles and hurdles she had to overcome to get to where she is today, and how actors can create sustainable careers. She also shares stories from her time on sets like The First Lady and Billons. Be sure to follow Kathleen on Instagram @thisiskathleengarrett. Kathleen Garrett is an actress, voice-over talent, writer, audition and voice-over coach. She is a recipient of a Screen Actors Guild Award, The Drama Critics Circle Award, Garland Award, LA Weekly Award, Robbie Award, and Ovation Nomination. She is one of the few actors to be awarded the international Clio Award and The Women’s League of Advertising Award (Lulu Award) for Best Performance in a commercial. She won a SAG AWARD for her work in THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7; and she is in not one but two of the hottest shows of 2022: recurring in Netflix’s smash, record breaking hit, INVENTING ANNA as Sasha Thomas, and in the star-studded Showtime hit, THE FIRST LADY as Laura Bush opposite Viola Davis. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

Whenever I get the opportunity to chat with Anne Bogart, I feel like my mind explodes as I develop some new insights into the vast world of theatre. This is why she was an amazing guest to have for our season 3 opener. Anne and I discuss her latest book The Art of Resonance and what inspired her to create this book after writing so many others. Anne shares her definition of resonance, we talk ethos, pathos, and logos, and we also talk about some of the most effective ways to connect with an audience. To learn more about Anne and her work, and to purchase The Art of Resonance, please visit https://siti.org and https://www.amazon.com/Art-Resonance-Theatre-Makers/dp/1350155896/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15F789I5TH314&keywords=The+art+of+resonance&qid=1657309386&sprefix=the+art+of+resonance%2Caps%2C63&sr=8-1 Anne Bogart is a Co-Artistic Director of the ensemble-based SITI Company, head of the MFA Directing program at Columbia University, and author of six books: "The Art of Resonance," “A Director Prepares,” “The Viewpoints Book,” “And Then You Act,” “Conversations With Anne” and “What’s the Story.” With SITI, Bogart has directed more than 30 works in venues around the world, including “The Bacchae,” “Chess Match No. 5,” “Steel Hammer,” “The Theater Is a Blank Page,” “Persians,” “A Rite,” “Café Variations,” “Radio Macbeth,” “American Document,” “bobrauschenbergamerica” and “Hotel Cassiopeia.” Recent opera works include Handel’s “Alcina,” Dvorak’s “Dimitrij,” Kurt Weill’s “Lost in the Stars,” Verdi’s “Macbeth,” Bellini’s “Norma” and Bizet’s “Carmen.” Her many awards and fellowships include three honorary doctorates (Cornish School of the Arts, Bard College and Skidmore College), A Duke Artist Fellowship, A United States Artists Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Rockefeller/Bellagio Fellowship and a Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Residency Fellowship. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

In the season 2 finale of Actorcast, I share my thoughts on how we, as actors, can overcome self-doubt. Self-doubt is a huge plague within the entertainment industry. It can be easy to negate our talents and all of our hard work when we aren't booking gigs or even getting auditions. But, so long as we are improving every day in our craft, then nothing will stop us from being the best actor we can be. It's all in the process. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

In episode 049 of Actorcast, we are joined by actor and comedian, Otter Lee. I love how much joy and humor Otter brings to this interview and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation! We discuss Otter's career trajectory from studying multiple disciplines in school, to improv, then stand-up. We chat about the first Asian Comedy Festival that Otter helped produce, and Otter gives his insights into what actors can be doing to elevate their careers. To learn more about Otter, please visit @otterleemoy and check out "Tooning Out the News" on Paramount + and "Fairview" on Comedy Central. Otter Lee (He/They) is a queer actor, writer, comedian, and VO artist that can currently be heard on Fairview, a new animated sitcom on Comedy Central. He also performed on Seasons 1 and 2 of Stephen Colbert Presents: Tooning Out the News, an Emmy-nominated political satire cartoon. Otter has performed stand-up, sketch, and improv at such venues as The PIT, The Squirrel Theatre at Caveat, The Knitting Factor, The Magnet, Flushing Town Hall, Buzzfeed, and UCB. Their projects and performances have been written in The New York Times, Time Out New York, AsianCrush, Mediaite, and World Journal.

For episode 048 of Actorcast we are joined by Alicia Beekman, who is a youth talent agent at DDO Artists Agency. Alicia has an extensive background in the industry and I enjoyed speaking with her in-depth about the actor-agent relationship. We discuss the processes involved in being an agent to an actor, from signing talent, to pitching and negotiating deals. We also chat about what actors can do to best prepare themselves for representation. You can learn more about Alicia and DDO Artists Agency by visiting https://ddoagency.com. Learn more about Alicia @aliciabeekman and @ddokids. Alicia Beekman is an agent at DDO Artists Agency in Los Angeles. She started her career as an agent after a background in PR about a decade ago, focusing on Voiceover and Youth across the board representation. In 2019 she was brought onto the kids team at DDO in LA to head up their voiceover department and also represent youth and young adults theatrically in film and television. Alicia is extremely passionate about helping young actors find their way in this crazy business. Outside of work, you can most likely find Alicia travelling internationally, having been to 60 countries and always planning more. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of being grateful for the work you get. As the world has slowly opened back up, being appreciative to all members of a production will go a long way. You will enjoy the process more and lay seeds for future projects. When you are grateful, through preparation, a good attitude, and showing respect, the production process becomes so much more enriching and enhances your work at the same time. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

I was thrilled to have Erica Hart on the Actorcast. She is an amazing casting director who has worked on a variety of different types of projects and I appreciated her succinct, actionable advice she provides throughout this episode. Erica and I discuss how she got into the world of casting, what the casting process looks like on her end of the table, as well as what she looks for in an audition. Erica also shares why she is a casting director and why this is work that is inspiring to her. You can learn more about Erica and follow her work on Instagram @elove67. Erica A. Hart, CSA (Casting Professional / Producer), graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied film and television. She has been casting for over 10 years on many high-profile projects. She started off in network and studio casting moving her way up to Casting Coordinator in the New York Office of ABC Primetime Casting. In 2014, Erica appeared in The Hollywood Reporter as a featured rising artist. She has cast projects that have screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW, Outfest, Cinequest, and the Cannes Film Festival and are streaming on Netflix and Amazon. She has cast commercials for high-end brands such as Maybelline, Gillette, Hasbro, and Delta, to name a few. She has also collaborated with The National Black Theatre and has cast a handful of their productions. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

Todd Lien and Jeffrey Liu are incredible artists who have worked together in telling relatable stories about immigrant families and their parents. I was so excited to have them on Actorcast to talk about their short film, "Always Come In Second," as well as the work they are doing with Todd's company, iStage Entertainment. We discuss the importance of AAPI representation in the entertainment industry, why actors should create their own work, and the advice that both Todd and Jeffrey have for young performers. You can learn about all of the great work Todd and Jeffrey are up to by visiting https://www.istageentertainment.com and @istageentertainment. Todd Lien is a SAG-AFTRA Taiwanese born actor & singer based in Los Angeles. Todd Lien is the CEO and Artistic Director of iStage Entertainment.Services, a platform and incubator for Asian-American youth pursuing an interest in entertainment. From screenwriters, filmmakers, actors and singers, iStage Entertainment is developing the next great AAPI artists and creatives, providing career guidance and confidence to navigate a changing industry. Todd is also known for the Viral coming out short film “Straight A” which received 4 million views. Jeffrey Liu is a well-rounded 13-year-old bilingual young performer that has trained in hip hop dancing, ballroom dancing, pop singing, acting, drums, and piano for years. He has a few short film credits including "The Speech" and the current one where he co-produced and acted as the lead actor "Always Come In Second." Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

Penny Templeton returns to Actorcast, this time to talk about how actors can develop their artistry online. I really enjoyed my conversation with Penny and it was a nice continuation from her previous episode in season 1. We talk about how actors can improve upon their craft by learning online. We discuss how actors can develop in their craft in the online medium and we also discuss how actors can best prepare their careers in a post-pandemic world. Learn more about Penny, her book Acting Lions, and her work at https://pennytempletonstudio.com. You can check out the studio's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PennyTempletonStudio. To learn more about The Drama Bookshop, please visit https://www.dramabookshop.com. Ana will be portraying the role of Josephine Baker in the new off-Broadway Musical: Harmony: a true story of the Comedian Harmonists, six talented young men, who came together in 1920s Germany and took the world by storm with their signature blend of sophisticated close harmonies and uproarious stage antics. It’s directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner and Emmy-nominated Director Warren Carlyle at the Folksbeine National Yiddish Theatre. Music and lyrics by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman. Opens April 14-May 8th with a possible extension until May 15th. Purchase tickets at: https://nytf.org/harmony/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn9iK2v7S9gIVja6GCh3lmgKLEAAYASAAEgKoQ_D_BwE Follow on Instagram at: @thecastofharmony Penny Templeton’s over 30 years of artistry is the culmination of four generations of theatre actresses. Although Penny was warned by her family not to go on the Stage, she embraced her legacy and began performing and studying under such masters as Paul Sorvino and Wynn Handman. Highlights of her career include starring in Joyce Carol Oates’ I Stand Before You Naked at the American Place Theatre, and as Paul Sorvino’s wife in All The King’s Men. She started teaching in the early 1990’s, and opened the Penny Templeton Studio in Manhattan in 1994. Ms. Templeton was selected by Columbia University’s School of the Arts to teach ‘Acting for the Camera’ to third year MFA students. Her book on the craft, business and art of acting, ACTING LIONS has been referred to as “The Actor’s Bible” and has received rave reviews in the industry. Her unique teaching methods and techniques have garnered awareness and recognition from the press as well as industry peers. Most recently the Wall Street Journal highlighted her On-Camera Teaching techniques in its article on the importance of Green Screen in today’s films. She has appeared on ABC News, as well as broadcast media outlets in the US, Great Britain, Canada & Australia as an expert commentator on the craft of Acting. Her articles on acting have been published in national magazines, and she was called upon to be a finalist Judge for the New York Film Festival, Emmys and Cable Ace Awards.Her directorial credits include the Off Broadway show, The Rise of Dorothy Hale, as well as the one man shows: F Train, Idiot’s Guide to Life and I Stand Before You Naked. She is featured in Ronald Rand’s acclaimed Acting Teachers of America, and Glenn Alterman’s book, Promoting Your Acting Career. Ms. Templeton works and Skypes regularly with actors in Theatre, Film and Television in New York City, Los Angeles, throughout the United States, and all over the world. She has recently produced her Facebook Live Stream series on the craft of acting, airing Wednesdays at 5pm EST on the Penny Templeton Studio Facebook page. Penny teaches her Master Class, Advanced on Camera and coaches actor on set, for theater, auditions. and coaches and records self-tape auditions. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

Hank Schob is an incredible acting coach with so much insight. I was thrilled to have him back on Actorcast for our second season. In this episode, we specifically talk about the benefits that come with learning acting online instead of in a studio and why Hank believes this is the way of the future. We discuss the advantages that come with working in the Zoom medium and why it is so crucial for actors to learn in this format. Please visit https://pennytempletonstudio.com to learn more. And check out Hank's last episode at https://www.actorcast.fm/14-hank-schob-acting-coach-at-penny-templeton-studio-qa/ As well as being Co-Owner, Hank Schob teaches Camera Technique, Green Screen and Private Coaching for Actors at Penny Templeton Studio. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Hank immediately began working on stage. His 50 years of theatre experience Off Broadway include the hit show Your Own Thing, Regional Theatre, and National Tours with stars such as Richard Gere in Awake and Sing, Jose Ferrer in Cyrano, and John Raitt in Shenandoah. He was nominated for a Carbonal Award in the Leading Actor category for his portrayal of Billy Flynn in Chicago. Mr. Schob has also been featured in the films Cadillac Man, Heading for Broadway and Fame. His TV credits include roles on All My Children, Ryan’s Hope, Kojak, and Law & Order. He has also appeared on Good Morning America as an expert commentator on Acting and has been casting director for the feature film The Paragon Cortex as well as for Off-Broadway and Summer Stock. He contributed chapters on Camera Technique to the book Acting Lions. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

Kimberly Jago is a powerhouse within the entertainment industry, helping actors achieve their goals. I very much enjoyed my conversation with Kimberly because I could see her passion for actors shine through. I could tell how dedicate she is to helping actors like yourself thrive in this industry. We talked about the role of a talent manager, why actors must prepare like professional athletes, and some of the best ways that actors can improve their careers. Be sure to follow Kimberly on social media @Kimberly_jago on Instagram, Twitter, and Clubhouse. Kimberly Jago is a talent manager with G&G Talent and has represented actors in episodics, film and theater for over 15 years in NY and LA. Additionally, she is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences within the Professional Representative peer group. For many years she was a board member of the Talent Managers Association where she co-produced the organization's past annual Heller Awards, as well as having the distinguished honor of being elected the first vice president, in the organization's 50+ year history.

Eric Neal is at the forefront of the evolving theatre industry and I was so excited to have him on our show for the first episode of our second season of Actorcast. He was an incredible guest with a deep passion for helping the theatre industry during a difficult time. We had a great conversation chatting about: - What is an NFT - How emerging technologies can help the theatre industry - How Third Act is paving the way for new, financial opportunities in theatre You won't want to miss this conversation! Be sure to check out https://thirdact.digital and @_thirdact to stay up-to-date on all of the exciting happenings. Eric Neal is a Tony-nominated producer and founder of Third Act: theatre's first NFT marketplace. Third Act formed in response to the disruption of the theatre and help the industry come back stronger than ever. Third Act helps fans own their favorite theatre moments through digital collectibles while helping shows recoup. Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.