Actorcast

This marks the 100th and FINAL episode of Actorcast! It has been an incredible journey and I can't thank you enough for joining me for the ride. In this final episode, I reflect on creating this series, the guests we had on the show, and the conversations had. I discovered that there was a through-line within most of the conversations we had in these 100 episodes: acting is YOU! Acting is at it's best when you are expressing your authentic self through another character while making distinctive choices. It's my hope that you will always be able to refer to Actorcast as a library of information no matter where you are at in your acting journey. It has been an immense pleasure being your host. Never stop creating! Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew

For episode 099 of Actorcast, we are joined by Olivier award-winning actress, Fiona Shaw! I had such a wonderful time speaking with Fiona. I had taken a master class with her several years ago, and ever since then I've been fascinated with her perspective on acting. We discuss what acting means to her, how actors get in their own way, how the entertainment industry has evolved, and how to determine if you are on the right path as an actor. You do not want to miss this episode! Fiona Shaw is an Irish film and theatre actress, known for her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, as well as in film and television.  She won the 1990 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for roles in the plays Electra, As You Like It, The Good Person of Szechwan, and Machinal. She received three Olivier Award nominations for her roles in Mephisto, Hedda Gabler, and Happy Days. She made her Broadway debut playing the title role in Medea for which she earned a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. She returned to Broadway in the Colm Tobin play The Testament of Mary. In film, she played Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter film series. Other notable film roles include in My Left Foot, Persuasion, Jane Eyre, The Tree of Life, Colette, and Enola Holmes. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew Photo credit:  © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons

For episode 098 of Actorcast, we are joined by Domenick Scudera! I credit Domenick with introducing me to the world of acting, as he cast me in my first production that I was ever involved with. From there, I worked on a handful of other productions with him, he taught many of my theater classes, and he was my advisor in undergrad. In this episode, we talk about his experience working as a theater professor at a small liberal arts college, how teaching theater and acting has changed through the years, and why it's beneficial for non-theater people to enroll in a theater class. To learn more about Domenick, you can visit https://ursinus.edu/live/profiles/213-domenick-scudera Domenick Scudera is Professor of Theater at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.   He has been teaching acting, directing, and theater history at the college since 1997.  As a director, he has directed 40+ plays at the college. Professionally, he has directed at theaters such as the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater (where he served as Resident Director), Delaware Theater Company, the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, the Waitstaff Comedy Troupe, and Historic Philadelphia Inc.  He has also worked in the administrations of the Wilma and Arden Theaters in Philadelphia.  As a playwright, he recently finished work on an original full-length play, The Half of It, inspired by the life of Vauedeville drag pioneer Bert Savoy.  Domenick received his B.A. from Colgate University, and M.F.A. in Directing from Penn State University. Follow my work at ⁠https://patrick-mcandrew.com⁠ and @patrick.mcandrew

For episode 097 of Actorcast, we are joined by my good friend, Federico Mallet! Federico and I met doing playback theater together, and I've always been drawn to his approach to artistry and his contagious attitude. In this episode, we talk about what inspired Federico to move to New York City from his birthplace of Mexico, what it's like living and working in New York as an international actor, and how actors can create sustainable careers for themselves. We also discuss the mission behind the production company that he co-found, Quemoción. To learn more about Quemoción and Federico, be sure to follow them both on social media @quemocion and @fedemallet. You can also email Quemoción at qmocion@gmail.com. Check out Quemoción's website at https://www.quemocion.com/ and Federico's website at https://www.federicomallet.com/. Federico Mallet is a multi-hyphenate artist based in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from Mexico City, he came to the U.S. to get his MFA in Acting at the New York Film Academy. With Alexandra Gomez, he co-founded “Quemoción” a multimedia production company with the mission of shedding light to underrepresented stories within the Latin American community. Federico is the Assistant Artistic Director at Village Playback Theater, an improv-based theatre company that focuses on amplifying the stories of people from underserved communities in Metro NY. He collaborates with “Something From Abroad” an artistic group founded by Hispanic immigrant women, and is a content creator for The Toy Museum of NY.   Previous work as an actor includes productions of  “Romeo and Juliet”, “Venus in Fur”, “Almost Maine”, “The Rocky Horror Show”, amongst others, some of which he directed and produced. He won “Best Featured Actor” at the 2019 NYIT Awards for his work in “Eight Tales of Pedro”. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew

For this episode of Actorcast, we are joined by Ashlee Mundy! Ashlee has had an extensive career as an actor, writer, and producer, and has also established herself as a sought-after web designer for actors. In this episode, we talk about how she got into web design, why marketing for actors is so important, and what actors could do for their websites and social platforms to set themselves apart. You can learn more about Ashlee and her web design business by visiting https://www.ashleemundy.com/ and https://www.amwdwebsites.com/. You can follow Ashlee on social media @tuesdaymundy Ashlee Mundy is a New York City based actor, writer, producer and website designer. She has been acting on film and stage since her days studying theatre at The Ohio State University and for the past 15 years living in New York. As a writer, her theatre works have been produced on stages in Chicago, NYC and San Diego. She also wrote and starred in a short award winning sci-if drama film IN/FINITE that was screened in various festivals around the world, shown in select theatres and distributed for viewing on DirecTV and Amazon as part of the anthology AI Tales. She's produced a comedic web series and, most recently, three short films. Ashlee built her first actor website 6 years ago and plunged into the world of website design. Utilizing her strengths in technology and design and adding in that specific knowledge of the acting world, Ashlee established a niche for building websites specifically for actors. She has since expanded her business into websites for all vocations large and small with over 500 websites built and counting. Follow my work at ⁠https://patrick-mcandrew.com⁠ and @patrick.mcandrew

For episode 095 of Actorcast, we talk about the importance of having a substantial reason (or reasons) for being an actor. It's a tough industry, as you all know, so it's important for us to have a reason pursuing this craft that grounds us in the artistry. While the allure of fame and glory is tempting, it's not substantial. Rather, we should listen to our hearts, our gut, and trust ourselves when discovering our own path. No one will know it better than yourself. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew

For episode 094 of Actorcast we are joined by Omar Sangare. Omar is the Founder and Artistic Director of the United Solo Theatre Festival, the largest solo theatre festival in the world! I had the opportunity to work with the "King of Solo Theatre" himself and learned a lot about the processes involved with running a successful theatre organization in New York City. In this episode, we talk about how Omar began his acting career in Poland. We reflect on how the United Solo Theatre Festival has grown throughout the years. We also talk about why solo performance is such an important art form. To learn more about Omar and United Solo, please visit their website at https://unitedsolo.org/ and follow them on social media @unitedsolo. Omar Sangare graduated from the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw, Poland, where he studied with the Oscar-winning director, Andrzej Wajda. He was awarded a scholarship to The British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England. While there, he worked with Derek Jacobi, Alan Rickman, Michael Kahn, and Jeremy Irons. Omar holds many film, television, and radio credits. For his one-man drama “True Theater Critic,” he was voted The Best in Acting by The New York International Fringe Festival. The New York press acclaimed his lead part in the Arena Players Repertory Theater production of “Othello.” The New York Times wrote—“Omar Sangare was born to play Othello!” In 2011, he was selected by the U.S. Department of State for a video project that appeared as part of President Obama's trip to Poland. In 2012, he was named “Person of the Year” by nytheatre.com for “a significant contribution to the NYC theater landscape.” Omar is a founder and artistic director of UNITED SOLO, the world's largest solo theatre festival, a resident company at Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York City. Currently, he serves as Chair of the Theatre Department at Williams College. Follow my work at ⁠https://patrick-mcandrew.com⁠ and @patrick.mcandrew

Entertainment Lawyer, Joshua Lastine, joins me for episode 093 of Actorcast! Many actors don't consider the importance of having a good lawyer at their side when negotiating contracts, which is a big reason why I wanted to have Joshua on the show. We talk about what an entertainment lawyer does, when and how actors should look for legal representation, and what questions actors should be asking lawyers. We also discuss the implications that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence have on actors' careers from a legal perspective. To learn more about Joshua and his practice, you can visit https://lastineentertainmentlaw.com/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8524601/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_3_q_Joshua%2520Lastine And you can follow him on Instagram @lastinelaw Joshua Lastine is the Founder and Managing Partner at Lastine Entertainment Law. As a former Lionsgate and ViacomCBS attorney, Joshua Lastine launched Lastine Entertainment Law in 2021 to protect the artistry and livelihood of actors, production companies, writers, producers, directors, animators, social media influencers, and podcasters. In addition to his legal negotiations, Lastine also serves as an adjunct lecturer on entertainment business law at The Los Angeles Film School. Joshua's production legal and talent transactions have spanned a wide breadth of media and projects from $100M+ Netflix series to $30K YouTube branding, endorsement, and commercial deals. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew

Kaisha Huguley joins us for episode 092 of Actorcast! I had a wonderful time speaking with Kaisha. I learned about her work after taking a workshop with her on how to develop your social media as an actor and I decided that I had to have her on the show for you all to listen to and enjoy. In this episode, we talk about Kaisha's journey into the wide world of acting, why content creation is important for actors, and how actors can get started in making content. To learn more about Kaisha, please visit https://kaishacreates.com/ or following her on all social media platforms @kaishacreates. Kaisha S. Huguley is a New York based multi-hyphenate (actor, theatre maker, & creative) originally from Washington, D.C. Kaisha's recent stage credits include Kinky Boots (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina & John Engeman Theatre), The Full Monty and Miracle on 34th Street (Argyle Theatre) Kaisha has performed in a solo cabaret at The GreenRoom 42 in promotion of her first EP Villain Era which is available on all music streaming platforms. Most Recently, Kaisha is in production of Clue! Kaisha creates content on TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube documenting her journey as a musical theatre artist & creative living and working in New York City. Kaisha's audience knows her as the woman who quit her full time job with the federal government to move to New York City to become an actor and she's been taking them on this journey with her ever since she took the leap.  Kaisha is the quintessential multi-hyphenate as she works as an actor, arts administrator, educator, EDI Professional, and is currently training to become an Intimacy Director. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew

For episode 091 of Actorcast, we are joined by James Brill! Jim is an acting teacher who teaches the Meisner Technique at The Neighborhood Playhouse. I had the opportunity to study with Jim this past summer and it was an incredible experience. In this episode, we talk about Jim's experience studying with Sanford Meisner himself, what the Meisner Technique is exactly, why actors must work from a point of view, and much more. You can learn more about the Neighborhood Playhouse by visiting their website at https://neighborhoodplayhouse.org/. You can visit them at 340 E 54th St in New York City, or call at 212-688-5770 to learn more about their program. Jim also teaches at his own private studio. You can learn more about that by visiting his website at https://www.jamesbrillacting.com/ James Brill has been teaching acting in New York for close to three decades both privately and at The Neighborhood Playhouse. In 1983 he graduated from The Playhouse where he studied acting with Sanford Meisner, William Alderson and Richard Pinter. After graduation he began his career as an actor and has worked in theatre, film, & television. Early on Mr. Brill was drawn to the idea being a teacher of the Meisner Technique and began an apprenticeship under his artistic mentors from the Neighborhood Playhouse to learn the craft of teaching acting. In addition to being a faculty member at The Playhouse he has also taught at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, and runs a successful private acting studio in NYC.

For episode 090 of Actorcast, we are joined by Randy Mulder. I've had the opportunity to train and work with Randy and I thought it essential to have him on the show to talk about playback theatre. He talk about what playback theatre is, why it's so great for community building, and how actors can benefit from awareness about playback. You can learn more about Village Playback Theatre and the NY School of Playback Theatre by visiting the following links: https://www.villageplaybacktheatre.org/ https://www.nyspt.org/ https://www.facebook.com/VillagePlaybackTheatre/ Randy Mulder is the artistic director and co-founder of Village Playback Theatre in New York City. As an applied theatre company, VPT has performed in diverse settings, from homeless shelters to Lincoln Center. Under his leadership, the company has performed throughout metro New York, many parts of the U.S., and overseas. He has led performances and workshops in schools and universities, corporations, government agencies, social services, prisons, professional conferences, psychiatric hospitals, and several shows in traditional theatres. Randy is co-director and trainer of the New York School of Playback Theatre, which attracts students from all around the world. He is a faculty member at Kansas State University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, where he teaches drama therapy graduate students. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in music (vocal performance) and a Masters in drama therapy. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew

In this episode of Actorcast, we are discussing Applied Acting! More commonly known as Applied Theatre/Improv, Applied Acting is a wonderful career path for actors who can teach others from other industries their craft and how it applies to their work specifically. We talk about some of the skills that are easily transferrable from acting to other industries and why these skills are so important today. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew

For episode 088 of Actorcast, we talk about social media. I know I have a love/hate relationship with social media and it's important, as actors, that we find a way to use it that works best for us. In this episode, we talk about different ways to create content, why you must enjoy the process, and what to do if you are not feeling compelled to make content. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew

For episode 087 of Actorcast we are joined by my friend, actor and singer, Luisa Tascone! Luisa is such a wonderful person. I had the opportunity to meet her through my time at the Neighborhood Playhouse and was excited to have her on the show to share her story of training and working in the industry. We talk about what inspired her to pursue this career, why she enjoyed her training at the Neighborhood Playhouse so much, as well as her experience working in the United States as an Australian. To keep up with all of Luisa's work, be sure to follow her @luisatascone and visit her website at www.luisatascone.com. Luisa Tascone (AEA, MEAA) is an Italian Australian actor and singer trained in the Meisner technique and contemporary and classical singing. She is an alumni of the world-renowned acting school The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in NYC. Recent credits include lead actor in the short films ‘Through Fault' (awarded Best Australian Short Film at PRIDE Film Festival), ‘Blue Belt' (awarded Best Youth Short Film at St Kilda Film Festival) and ‘The Keys' (awarded Best Short Horror at Bloody Mirror Film Festival). Luisa has also performed Off-Broadway in the premiere musical production of ‘Oceanborn' (part of the Rave Theatre Festival produced by multi-award winning Broadway Producer Ken Davenport) and appeared in commercials for some of Australia's highest-ranking businesses including Fox Footy, Medibank, Commbank and Chemist Warehouse. Recently she co-founded a new Melbourne theatre company Mi Casa Theatre (@micasa_theatre) and performed in their first production‘Tales from the Vault' in April 2022. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com and @patrick.mcandrew

For episode 086 of Actorcast and the season 5 premiere, we are joined by Todd Susman. I had the opportunity to train with Todd Susman at the Neighborhood Playhouse and he is just a wealth of knowledge when it comes to acting and the entertainment industry. In our conversation we discuss everything from preparation, auditioning, decision making, imperfections, and much more. You can learn more about Todd by visiting https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0839881/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_q_TOdd%2520Susman Todd Susman has been a professional actor since 1969.  He's been a regular in six television series and a recurring character in fifteen or more, including five years recurring as “Officer Shifflett,” the town cop in “Newhart.” Todd has done twenty-two television pilots, myriad movies made for TV, and performed in countless episodic television shows, voice-overs, and on-camera commercials.  He was the “Public Address Announcer” in the TV series “MASH” for eight years, and the “Man From Mitsubishi” for another eight years on radio.  Todd starred as “Wilbur Turnblad” in "Hairspray" on Broadway.  He recurred as Jason Biggs's father in “Orange Is The New Black,” and recently filmed episodes of “Blue Bloods,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “The Good Fight,” “For Life,” and “Bull.”  Todd worked with Denzel Washington in “The Taking Of Pelham 123” and Al Pacino in “You Don't Know Jack.”  For the past ten years, Todd has added writing plays, teaching and coaching to his repertoire.   Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 085 of Actorcast, and our final episode of the Minisode Series, we talk about the importance of trusting yourself as an actor. There are so many unknowns in this industry and so much that is out of our control. Because of this, it is crucial that we maintain perspective on things, that we enjoy the process, and focus on becoming the best actor we can be and why that matters to us. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For this episode of Actorcast, we are talking about the importance of simplifying your acting. As actors, it is often tempting to over complicate things. We need to do all of the research, analyze every last detail of our character, and dissect every one of our lines. But this often leads to us loosing focus and forgetting what really matters: being in the moment of the scene. Prep work is important, but it's also important to leave it behind you when it comes time to perform. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 083 of Actorcast, we talk about ten great books for actors. There are so many great books out there that it was hard to narrow it down to ten (and I, in fact, include two honorable mentions, so it's actually twelve books). We give a brief overview of each book and why you need to go out and get them. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

Doing background work as an actor is an excellent way to learn about how a professional TV or film set operates. In episode 082 of Actorcast, as part of our Minisode Series, we are talking all things background work. We talk about the benefits of doing it, what to get out of it, and what it's not. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 081 of Actorcast, we talk about the different ways that you can find an agent or manager. It is often a confusing pursuit, but we discuss three main ways that you can at least begin the conversation with them: cold submissions, referrals, and having them see your work. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

In this episode of Actorcast, we talk about how the audience isn't stupid. It's so tempting for actors to feel like they have to explain what's going on in the story through their character. Sometimes actors worry that the audience will be completely lost otherwise. While there are plays and movies that can be confusing at times, most of the time the audience is right there with us. So long as actors remember this, their performances will be much stronger. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 079 of the Actorcast, we do a deep dive into auditioning. It is so important that we have the right perspective when we go in to audition for a project. In this episode, we discuss why we must see our auditions as performances and why we should allow our work to speak for itself when making connections in the industry. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

In this minisode episode of Actorcast, we are talking about the importance of letting the text do the work. It's all too common for actors to feel like they have to explain the text and what is going on in their performances. Through over-the-top embellishments or large facial expressions, actors trap themselves when they don't trust the text. Rather, actors should lean heavily on the text and let it lead them through the script. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

There are a lot of opinions out there regarding the best way for actors to memorize their lines. In this episode of Actorcast, I chat about what has worked for me in the past, why I believe it to be one of the best ways to memorize, and why every actor must find their own process for doing so. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

Self-tapes can sometimes be a tricky thing to navigate for actors. In this episode of Actorcast, as part of our Minisode Series, we discuss how to make a proper self-tape, what is doable, and setting yourself up for a successful audition. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For people beginning their acting journey, it can often feel overwhelming deciding where to start when it comes to choosing an acting class. In this episode of Actorcast, we discuss a couple of options to get you started and why these particular classes could be a great start to your acting journey. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 074 of Actorcast, we are talking casting websites! It is essential for actors to submit themselves for projects, especially when they are first starting out. We discuss Actors Access, Casting Networks, Backstage, and other websites that actors should be checking out. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

In episode 072 of Actorcast we are discussing the three essential materials that actors need in their arsenal: the headshot, the resume, and the demo reel. We discuss how important each one is, what is to be included within each, and why they are so crucial for all actors to have. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 072 of Actorcast, we are discussing things to consider before pursuing acting professionally. The decision to be an actor is certainly not a light one, and in this episode we dissect some of the important things to think about before making that leap. We chat about having a life outside of acting, developing valuable skills, as well as knowing the business side of the industry. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

Kicking off our minisode series is episode 071, which covers the all-too-well-known question, "So do I want to be an actor?" In this episode, we discuss how to determine if acting is something you want to do professionally, as a hobby, or just something you tried once. We talk about the importance of taking classes, getting involved in community and school productions, and more. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For the season 4 finale of Actorcast, we are joined by Christopher Barrett! After years of working as a performer, talent agent, and running his own talent agency, Chris shares his wealth of wisdom for us in this episode. We discuss his career as a performer, the natural transition to working as an agent, and the opportunities available for actors today. We also discuss the future of the entertainment industry and its continuous evolution alongside technology. This episode is choke full of insights and wisdom you'll want to retain. Christopher Barrett was CEO and President of Metropolitan Talent Agency up until 2017. A 35 year veteran in the industry, Barrett has experience in all aspects of entertainment from theatre and television production to digital media, and is showing the way forward to many of his clients. Chris began his career as a performer. Though he enjoyed the success of working with the likes of Liza Minelli under the direction of Martin Scorcese, Chris began to feel there were broader horizons for him to explore in show business. He accepted his first job as an agent with the Los Angeles office of The J. Michael Bloom Agency. Within the next seven years, Barrett moved to take sole control of his own company, which in 1989, ultimately evolved into what is now known as Metropolitan Talent Agency. After many years of agenting, Chris developed a successful producing career in both the theatre and television space with LOUIS KEELY: LIVE AT THE SAHARA! at the Geffen Playhouse and a musical/biographical John Lennon production, JUST IMAGINE. For two seasons, he served as Executive Producer on Showtime's comedy talk show, THE GREEN ROOM WITH PAUL PROVENZA. Barrett currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Anne Schedeen, and their two dogs. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

Michael Tow joins us for episode 069 of Actorcast, and you do not want to miss this one! We discuss Michael's love and passion for the craft of acting, one he had ever since he was young. After pursuing a career as a financial planner, Michael decided to pursue acting one small step at a time, which has led to an impressive career of credits. We talk about his journey into entertainment, his own work that he has produced for the AAPI community, as well as the tragic loss of his daughter and how that informs his creative mission. Don't miss out on listening to this incredible actor! To learn more about Michael, please check him out on social media @michael.tow. Michael Tow is a Chinese-American actor from Boston. He is a versatile TV, Film & Theater actor who will next be seen in Apple TV+'s highly anticipated limited series City on Fire, From creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, Tow will play the series regular role of Joe Yeung alongside Chase Sui Wonders & Wyatt Oleff. Tow previously recurred on NBC's Law & Order: SVU and AMC's NOS4A2, and has upcoming recurring guest stars on Taylor Sheridan's Lioness opposite Zoe Saldana & Nicole Kidman and STARZ's Raising Kanan. He is also known for his starring role as Little Handsome in the Tribeca Darling Lucky Grandma and the Oscar winning film Sound of Metal. Tow is also a co-creator at Tow Arboleda Films a company that has made numerous Asian American social justice shorts and videos seen by millions of people around the world, including That's not the Nanny and Coughing While Asian. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

Actress Emily Berry joined us for episode 068 of the Actorcast and she did not disappoint! In this episode, we talk about Emily's journey as an actress, her process in discovering and rediscovering her type, and what actors should avoid doing in their professional lives as actors. We also discuss the importance of self-care in the industry and how to overcome certain challenges. Follow Emily and her journey @officialemilyberry. Emily earned her SAG card in 1997, while in Chicago, shooting a commercial with Michael Jordan. Today, she is a face you easily recognize having over 50+ credits in both television and film. Her diverse TV credits include roles on shows such as “Grey's Anatomy,” “New Girl,” “NCIS,” “Young Sheldon,” “Fresh Off The Boat,” and too many national commercials to count. Her film credits include projects such as “Logan,” “Pearl Harbor,” “No Man of God,” and many more. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 067 of Actorcast, we are joined by my good friend Roger Lee! Roger is the Founder and Managing Director of Roger Lee Arts and he has been such a valuable resource for me in my artistic career. We discuss his beginnings as a dancer and how he uses entrepreneurial skills to develop a sustainable dancing career for himself and his company. We also discuss his career coaching, as well as his recently released e-book, Artist Income Boosting Strategies. We discuss the importance of artists valuing themselves, the work they do, and the careers they are forging for themselves. You don't want to miss this one! To learn more about Roger, please visit https://www.rogerleearts.com/ or follow Roger on all social platforms @rogerleearts. Roger Lee is the Managing Director, Owner, and Founder of Roger Lee Arts, LLC, a business producing dance company concerts, portrait drawings, and artist career coaching since 2012. He wrote the e-book Career Advice For Visual and Performing Artists based on his 18 years of professional experience as an award-winning visual and performing artist. He is also the author of the newly released e-book: Artist Income Boosting Strategies. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 066 of Actorcast, we chat with James Bundy, Dean at the Yale School of Drama (recently renamed the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale). I actually borrowed this episode from my previous podcast, Relate with Patrick McAndrew, because it was so chock full of wisdom for actors that I had to bring it over to Actorcast. We chat about common traps for actors, the types of actors Yale's program looks for, and why acting is so helpful in understanding our own humanity. You can learn more about Yale's acting program by visiting https://www.drama.yale.edu/ James Bundy has served as Dean of Yale School of Drama and Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre since 2002. He teaches in the Acting program at the School and in the Theater Studies program in Yale College. During his tenure, Yale Rep has produced more than thirty world, American, and regional premieres, nine of which have been honored by the Connecticut Critics Circle as Best Production of the year and two of which have been Pulitzer Prize finalists. James has directed productions at Theater for a New Audience, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theater Festival, The Acting Company, California Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and The Juilliard School Drama Division.  James is a graduate of Harvard College; he trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and Yale School of Drama. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

I was so excited to chat with Daniel Durston for episode 065 of Actorcast! We talk about his upcoming musical, 1996, which uses songs by Blink182 to tell a story rooted from Daniel's life experience. We talk about his background as a performer and musician, the years he has spent developing the show, and what's coming up around the pike. Daniel also shares stories about his encounters with both Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker. You won't want to miss this episode. And be sure to tune in until the end to hear Daniel's rendition of "Home is Such A Lonely Place" by Blink182. You can learn more about the show by visiting https://www.1996musical.com/ and @1996musical. You can follow Daniel on Instagram @danieldurston. From the CBS hit reality TV show Big Brother, Daniel Durston is an award winning Elvis Tribute Artist from Legends in Concert in Las Vegas. He has gone on to originate the role of Elvis Presley in two world premieres: Elvis The Musical and Million Dollar Quartet Christmas. Originally from the Inland Empire, Daniel grew up a musical theatre kid and an avid pop-punk music fan. He began his professional career touring with Nickelodeon stars Victoria Justice and Max Schenider, went on to tour in three Broadway musicals as well as two years on The Vans Warped tour. For the last ten years he's created a show that would not only encompass his favorite styles of music but also a story driven book based on his personal life while honoring the humor and accolades of San Diego based Pop-Punk band Blink-182. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 064 of Actorcast, I am joined by my good friend, Bobbi Block! I had the opportunity to work with Bobbi on a show called Playing Favorites a handful of years ago, and it was such a learnable experience for me as an actor. In this episode we discuss how Bobbi got into improvisation, and how she went on to develop her method of "Actors Improv." We discuss a variety of forms of improv, how it can help actors with their scripted work, and how improv has the ability to help those outside of the industry as well. To learn more about Bobbi's amazing work, please visit https://bobbiblock.com/ and https://tongue-groove.com/ Bobbi Block is a Philadelphia-based theater artist.  She performs, directs, teaches and produces unscripted theater.  She founded and was the Producing Artistic Director of critically acclaimed Tongue & Groove Spontaneous Theater for 15 years. She Co-Founded and continues to perform with Barrymore Award Recipient ComedySportz Philadelphia.  She teaches Improvisational Theater at Temple and Drexel Universities, and has taught her signature ‘Actors' Improv' method around the world.  Recently Bobbi ventured back into scripted theater as Agatha in Michael Hollinger's Incorruptible.  Bobbi has an MA in Theater from Villanova, and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. Bobbi's other career is a Communication Skills Facilitator and Applied Improv practitioner. Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

For episode 063 of Actorcast, we are joined by George Armistead, the CEO and Founder of a new casting website called ReelCall. ReelCall is looking to change the landscape of professional entertainment websites, and I was excited to hear what George had to say about the company. We talk about what inspired George to get into the entertainment space, how ReelCall is unique from other casting websites, and how all creatives can benefit from using the platform. Be sure to sign up for ReelCall at https://reelcall.com/. Use ACTORCAST to get a 50% discount! Follow my work at https://patrick-mcandrew.com.

Jim Calder and Devin Shacket join me for episode 062 of Actorcast, and they do not disappoint! In this episode, we dive deep into the craft of acting and the important things that actors should keep in mind (or out of their mind) when performing. We discuss why Jim and Devin became acting teachers, what makes a good actor, and the common struggles that actors come up against in the rehearsal and audition room. We talk about experience versus explanation, the illusion of the word "instinct," and so much more. You can learn more about Jim and Devin's work by visiting https://www.thenewyorkdramacenter.com or @thenewyorkdramacenter. Jim Calder is the Head of Movement at New York University Tisch Graduate Acting Department. He is the winner of the David Payne Carter Excellence in Teaching Award and Artistic Director of La Pietra Summer Theatre Festival in Florence, Italy. Jim has directed at various locations in New York City including the Lincoln Center Institute, Pearl Theatre, Classic Stage Company, The Public, New York Theater Workshop and HERE. Jim was movement and creative consultant for the upcoming film ‘Silent Retreat” written and directed by Todd Straus-Schulson, on ‘Pericles' at Berkeley Rep, (Director Mark Wing-Davey), ‘Passion Play' by Sarah Ruhl (Director Mark Wing-Davey) and movement director on Broadway for ‘Therese Raquin' staring Keira Knightley, (director Evan Cabnet). Jim has performed at The Old Globe, P.S. 122, and throughout Europe. He was the lead actor and creative consultant in PBS's ‘Noddy & Friends'. Jim trained at Ecole Jacques and performed under the direction of Jacques LeCoq in numerous TV specials in France. Devin Shacket is an actress, casting professional, audition coach, and on-camera acting teacher.  Devin began coaching and taping auditions in early 2013, while working in the House of Cards: Season 2 casting department. Her casting credits include the second season of House of Cards, alongside Emmy Award winning casting director, Julie Schubert, feature films including Good Funk, Black Nativity, Three Backyards, and theatre projects and the San Francisco Playhouse. Her students have appeared on television shows such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Iron Fist, Happy, Gotham, New Amsterdam, Switched at Birth, Tyrant, Ramy, The Deuce, Jack Ryan, Sneaky Pete, Quantico, Infierno Verde, Jessica Jones, Blue Bloods, Sweet Bitter, The Looming Tower, FBI, Dickinson, The Blacklist, The Godfather of Harlem, and more.  In addition to private coaching and audition taping, Devin teaches on camera acting and audition technique to adults and young actors internationally.  She has been a guest lecturer at NYU Stonestreet School for Film and Television, SF Playhouse, SF State University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, dBs Berlin Film School, and several private studios in New York City.  She is the founder and Artistic Director of the New York Drama Center. Follow my work at https://www.patrick-mcandrew.com/

For the season 4 premiere of Actorcast we are joined by actor, producer, and stuntman, Douglas Vermeeren! Douglas has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry working in a variety of different facets and he does not hesitate to share what it takes to work in show business. We talk about his process in doing stunt work, his experiences as an actor and director, and his philosophy behind working with great people. To follow Douglas's journey be sure to visit his website at https://www.douglasvermeeren.com/ or follow him on social media @douglasvermeeren. Douglas Vermeeren is an actor, stunt performer, producer and director. His interest in the film business began at young age being inspired by blockbuster films like Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Back to the Future. He first got on the set at a young age in Canada participating in a CBC show playing a newspaper boy. He continued to get involved in film any time he had the opportunity, even skipping school to spend time on movie sets. He attended college and soon found himself on academic probation until shifting gears to acting, screen writing and film arts. Now in the right place he began an honour student and was even awarded a scholarship. He began his efforts in stunts at 13 years old with his first stunt riding on the roof of a speeding car. Since that time he has done an extensive training in martial arts, motorcycles and race cars, horse back riding and stunt falls, fire and gun play. Vermeeren is also the producer and director of 4 of the top personal development documentaries. Follow my work at https://www.patrick-mcandrew.com/

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.comEmily 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.comBRENNAN 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=8-1Anne 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.