The Working Actor's Journey

Nov 22 2022 16

The Working Actor's Journey Podcast artwork

In The Working Actor's Journey, hear from amazing teachers, role models, and mentors about their lifelong careers. Learn from those who have been acting professionally for decades—to see exactly how they approach the work, what decisions and resources have made the biggest impacts on their artistic lives, and to hear their struggles and successes in the business. How do great actors work? What do they actually do? Let’s find out. These conversations are a virtual toolbox for actors, full of techniques, advice, and lessons learned.

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Acting the Role: Uncle Vanya with Tony-winner Reed Birney

Nov 22 2022 46 mins

Reed Birney played Uncle Vanya at SoHo Rep in 2012 in a translation by Annie Baker, with a cast that also included Michael Shannon. He joined us in December 2021 to discuss the character in depth. You’ll hear Reed and I talk about: his ideas going into Chekhov what he discovered and connected with about the role trusting the script challenges in the production and playing trappe

Q&A with director Libby Appel (OSF, Indy Rep, Cal Arts)

Nov 01 2022 63 mins

This is a wonderful follow up to our Chekhov workshop from last episode with an even deeper discussion with the director! You’ll hear Libby and I talk about what she looks for in auditions, what she expects in rehearsals, her inspirations, what things went well, what scared her, and yes, we have another lighting round! Libby Appel is the author and translator of Five Chekhov Pla

Uncle Vanya Presentation with Alberto Isaac, Deidre Henry, and Libby Appel

Oct 18 2022 116 mins

We have our first workshop scene NOT from Shakespeare, and there’s a great reason! From October 2021, we present a deep dive into the first half of Act 2 from Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya with director Libby Appel - who wrote the translation along with our dramaturg! Uncle Vanya - excerpt of Act 2 DIRECTOR: Libby Appel (Q&A) DRAMATURG: Allison Horsley VOICE: Ursula Meyer PROFESSOR

Acting the Role: Dogberry with Geoffrey Wade

Oct 04 2022 64 mins

Geoffrey has played Dogberry twice, at very different times in his life, and finds it's a fascinating character to dissect. He first performed it as a student at Amherst College and then again at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. You’ll hear Geoffrey and I talk about rehearsals, preconceived ideas, and discoveries. How to ground characters that seem eccentric, bizarre or over the

As You Like It Presentation (3.5) with James Newcomb and Erika Rolfsrud

Sep 20 2022 87 mins

We have another “all pro” group—all the actors in the scene are professionals, so the work has been so fun and rich! Our dramaturg Philippa said that she found it so mind-blowingly good how fully the actors and director jumped into this scene, that it’s not something she usually experiences—and I don’t think I could have said it better myself. In the scene today, Silviu

Ep #30: Veralyn Jones on Feeling Like a Fraud, Circuitous Paths, and Saying Yes

Jul 12 2022 122 mins

Today’s guest grew up on a tiny island in the Caribbean, studied fashion and dance in New York, often felt like she never had the right background or training, and yet found success in several careers. Veralyn Jones is an award-winning actress who has been working professionally for over 30 years across theatre, film and TV. She has worked at The Denver Center, South Coast Repert

Ep #29: Alberto Isaac on the Work of Acting, Handling Rejection, and Not Hiding

Jun 14 2022 85 mins

Today’s guest grew up in the Philippines, fell in love with movies as a kid, found validation through acting, pursued his master’s degree, got fired from a big break, and still has been working for over five decades! Alberto Isaac has been working for 50+ years across theatre, TV, and film. In addition to regional theatre gigs across the country, he has enjoyed a long associati

Ep #28: James Newcomb on Being Authentic, Career Hang Times, and Readiness

May 10 2022 128 mins

Today's guest started in the theatre at a very young age, felt adrift and wasn’t exactly sure what he’d do as a young man, and ended up working for years at some of the best theatres in the country. Jamie Newcomb has performed in over 60 Shakespeare plays and 75 other productions. He worked for 14 seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, is a founding company member of Shake

Text Work: Video game voiceover with Marcelo Tubert

Apr 26 2022 11 mins

Marcelo shares how he approaches a voiceover audition for a video game. We look at what direction and description is initially provided and then how to use your instincts to create your own performance rather than going for an impersonation. You’ll hear the actual audition Marcelo sent in and we also get into dealing with rejection and booking jobs. Click here for full show notes

Ep #27: Marcelo Tubert on Trusting Instincts, Living Simply, and Remaining Grateful

Apr 12 2022 103 mins

Marcelo was born in Argentina, moved to LA at a young age, felt very lost with his career, almost quit after his first TV role, and eventually booked a job that changed his life. Plus, we get a quick look at Marcelo’s process with a voiceover audition for a video game, and you’ll hear what he sent in! It was fascinating to hear about the many ups and downs, and all the relation