Actorcast

As we all know, we face a lot of rejection in our acting careers. It's important to develop a process for yourself in dealing with this rejection. In this episode of Actorcast, we discuss the various things to keep in mind as you are hitting the pavement for auditions and why we mustn't get too attached to the outcome.
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Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Ran Xia is a jack of all trades in the theatre industry, and it has certainly proven to be beneficial. Ran has worked as a playwright, director, sound designer, photographer,  and graphic designer. In this episode of Actorcast, we discuss how wearing multiple hats can help you create work in the industry and how her various roles inform one another.
Ran is an interdisciplinary theatre artist from Shanghai, China. She’s the 2021/22 Beatrice Terry Resident at the Drama League, a resident director at the Tank where she received the inaugural Artist of the Year award. Her works have been developed with Pipeline (Chava the Giant and the Oldest Bird, PlayaLab2020), IRT (Pomegrenade, Arctic's Fridge Fest), HERE (Harmony), Dixon Place*, The Brick ([ai], an adaptation of Ayn Rand's Anthem), The Wild Project, The Tank (Prometheus Bound, In Blue, Echo; Independent Study by Ben Gassman, The Tallest Man in the World by Ailis Ni Riain, and many more). She also wrote and directed the theatrical interactive portion of Risa Puno’s The Privilege of Escape with Creative Time. A frequent collaborator of Exquisite Corpse Co.** (audio/visual installation Echo at the Memory House, on Governors Island), Assistant Directing credits include: The Invention of Tragedy (by Mac Wellman, Dir. Meghan Finn at the Flea); Baby Fat: Act I (A Screeching Weasel punk rock opera, Dir. Michael Scholar, Jr. with Columbia Stages and LA MAMA), The Great Leap (by Lauren Yee, Dir. Taibi Magar at the Atlantic Theater), and Refrigerated Dreams by Carrie Mae Weems, Nona Hendryx, Francesca Harper, and Niegel Smith at Joe's Pub. She’s a commissioned playwright at the Vanderbilt University in fall 2021 and will be directing Orlando (Sarah Ruhl after Virginia Woolf at Barnard College). ranxia.info | thearcticgroup.org
To learn more about Ran, please visit http://www.ranxia.info
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Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

While it's great to have focus and clarity in our acting careers, it's also important to champion ourselves by creating our own work. In this episode of Actorcast, we talk about writing as an actor and how actors can utilize the power in writing to create performing opportunities for themselves. As a writer, your performing opportunities do not have to be decided by casting directors or producers. Instead, you can write your roles and add performing credits to your resume in no time, all while learning a lot about yourself as an artist.
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Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Tracey Knight Narang is the beam of light this industry needs. She is a Tony-winning producer and playwright I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her about her career and perspective as a creative professional. In this episode, we discuss how Tracey became a producer, common misconceptions about the job, and Tracey's recent project, Period Piece.
Tracey Knight Narang is a Tony Award winning producer and a playwright. Producer credits include OKLAHOMA!, Be More Chill, David Byrne’s American Utopia, and the highly anticipated Sing Street. She is the lead producer of Period Piece, a live-streamed fundraiser with a mission of destigmatizing menstruation, while raising funds for I Support The Girls, an international organization providing period products for the homeless and those in need. Tracey is a member of the Board of Trustees of New York City Center; on the Steering Committee for CT League of Professional Theatre Women; Westport Country Playhouse Theatre Council Member; and the former Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Actors’ Equity Foundation.  Her plays To Each Their Own and Away From You have been produced by FringeNYC and Planet Connections, respectively. Tracey coined the term “Subway Etiquette” after publishing her book Subway Etiquette: The Straphanger’s Guide to Underground Conduct.
To learn more about Tracey, please visit https://www.periodpieceplay.com.
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Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

It is so important to develop focus and clarity when we are pursuing our careers as actors. It's great to know what type of actor we want to be and how to run our business. But it's also a good idea to build a broad knowledge of the other facets within the industry. In this episode of Actorcast, we discuss why it's important to dabble in other roles in the entertainment industry and how doing so can positively impact your job as an actor.
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Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

One could tell that Sharon is incredibly passionate about her work as a theatre producer and general manager. She has been helping producers and artists bring their shows to life in theaters across the country for several years now. In this episode of Actorcast, we chat about how Sharon got into the theatre producing industry, what the role of a producer actually entails, what it's like to develop a show, and how to find the perfect balance between artistry and finances.
Sharon Fallon, (Sharon Fallon Productions) is an independent Theatre Producer, General Manager, and Theatrical Consultant. She brings a unique perspective to her work, having worked in both the commercial and non-profit theatre industry for over 20 years.  In 2015 she created a boutique theatrical production/general management company with a mission to bridge the gap between art and business, allowing productions to be financially viable and artistically satisfying, and successful. Taking a holistic approach – from page to stage and everything in between, she specializes in one-on-one work with early-career producers and artist-driven niche projects (showcases, readings, early development workshops, etc.)  as well as larger (big budget) union and non-union projects. In addition to producing commercially, Sharon served as the Associate General Manager of both the Helen Hayes Theatre and Lyric Theatre in New York. She is currently the Executive Producer of MotherFreakingHood and has a number of new works that are in development.  Broadway credits include Indecent, Beautiful (Broadway, London & National Tour), Matilda The Musical, and Lysistrata Jones. Sharon is a member of the NAMT, the National Association of Musical Theatres, and serves on the New Work Festival Committee.
To learn more about Sharon, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-fallon/
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Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

"Exploring themes such as the man box and male loneliness (which happiness.com described as “the ticking time bomb that’s killing men”), RUB is a film anyone who’s struggled with feeling like an outsider can relate to."

In this showcase episode of Actorcast, I speak with Micah Spayer, the actor who plays Neal in Christopher Fox's film, RUB. Micah and I discuss the themes present within the film, why they are important to explore today, and Micah's process for delving into this lead character. We also discuss what audiences should expect when going to see this film.

For the last 13 years, Micah has traveled around the world as an actor. He has written, produced and directed several award winning stage plays and films, including his most recent short film: How to Order Happiness, which made an appearance at the LA Film Festival. He prides himself on working with good, creative people. He has a Bachelors in Musical Theatre from Western Illinois University. He is the father of a beautiful 1 year old girl and enjoys wine, jazz and art.

You can learn more about Micah and RUB by visiting https://www.facebook.com/micah.b.spayer | https://www.facebook.com/rubfilm and https://www.instagram.com/rubfilm1/

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Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Robert Diamond created BroadwayWorld from a love of technology and theater and it was inspiring to hear his journey. In this episode of Actorcast, we talk about how Robert started BroadwayWorld, how actors can take advantage of the platform, and why BroadwayWorld covers theater, not just on Broadway, but from all over the world.
Robert Diamond founded BroadwayWorld.com in 2003, which has now become the largest theatre web site in the world. He also serves as the site's Editor-in-Chief, covering Broadway and beyond, with specific local coverage for 100 cities in the United States, 45+ countries worldwide and 10 other related areas of entertainment - including dance, opera, concerts, comedy, films, television and more. In 2014, the site was awarded an Award for Excellence in Theatre Arts Education by the prestigious Theatre Museum.  As a respected member of the Broadway and theatre community, Diamond also served as Lead Producer for a series of sold-out shows using the BroadwayWorld 'brand' for a set of 'Standing Ovations' concerts, which also branched out into titles that included Holiday Shows and even more specific concerts like 'From Stage to Screen and Back Again' in tandem with publishers and movie studios. All proceeds were in turn donated to Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, the industry's leader in aid for performers in need.
To learn more about Robert and BroadwayWorld, please visit https://robertdiamond.com and https://www.broadwayworld.com
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Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

It's no secret that empathy is required of actors. Actors must develop a keen sense of empathy when embodying and portraying their characters. So then why do so many actors have awful reputations for being rude, arrogant, and inconsiderate? In this episode of Actorcast, we discuss why actors must cultivate empathy outside their roles towards the production crew and others they are working with. In doing so, they generate trust and a deep willingness to support one another all around.
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Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Brian and I originally chatted on my other podcast, Relate with Patrick McAndrew, and after that conversation I knew I wanted to have him on Actorcast. Brian is an expert on the entertainment industry and particularly on the business side of acting. In this episode,  we discuss why actors must develop a business vocabulary for their business, how to develop relationships with agents and managers, and how actors can find success through connecting with various players in the industry.
Brian is the author of Acting As a Business: Strategies for Success, Fifth Edition, published by Random House, currently in its 40th printing. Acting As a Business is now considered such a vital resource that it recently won a spot on Entertainment Weekly Magazine's exclusive list of Top Ten "Show-Biz Industry Bibles." Brian is also the author of the book Actors Take Action: A Career Guide for the Competitive Actor. Brian created the advice column "Actor's Cues and A's" for Back Stage, and his books are required or recommended reading in many conservatory training programs, including Yale and Juilliard. Brian is the country's foremost lecturer on self-marketing techniques for actors. He lives in New York City and works with actors at all stages of their careers. Since 2010 alone, actors who have worked with Brian have become the stars of major motion pictures (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Inside Llewyn Davis, Robin Hood, Drive, and the Columbia Pictures release Great Hope Springs with Meryl Streep); been the recipients of Emmys and a Golden Globe (The Big Bang Theory); have become the stars of such television series as: Netflix's Sense8, Orange Is The New Black, HBO's True Blood, Charlie Sheen's Anger Management, Stargate Universe, and Outsourced. Also in the recent past, Brian's clients have landed leading and supporting roles in such Broadway productions as Frozen, the eight-time Tony Award winning Once, the five-time Tony winner Peter and the Starcatcher, Ching-lish, Al Pacino's The Merchant of Venice, Robin Williams's Bengal Tiger, American Idiot, Enron and Next Fall. Actors who have worked with Brian have later signed with agencies including: Creative Artists Agency (CAA), William Morris/Endeavor, ICM, Paradigm, Gersh, Innovative Artists, Abrams Artists, Don Buchwald & Associates and many others.
To learn more about Brian, head to http://www.actingasabusiness.com
Sign up for the Actorcast Newsletter at Actorcast.

Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/