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Comedy auditions don’t fall apart because you aren’t funny, they fall apart because you’re trying too hard to show it. Emmy-winning casting director Wendy O’Brien (ABC’s Abbott Elementary and FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) joins actor and host Robert Peterpaul to get radically practical about what booking comedy of all kinds really takes. From grounded mockumentary style series to heightened multicam energy, Wendy shares how to clock tone fast and what she hopes actors do before they ever hit record.

In this interview for actors, you will learn:

• How to utilize improv in comedic auditions
• The underrated skill she wishes more comedic actors had
• What her and the casting team look for on Abbott Elementary
• How to truly understand an audition's tone, even within a subgenre
• Why sometimes the best self tapes don't have backdrops or ring lights
• Why actors don't need to drop big bucks on headshots, plus much more

CASTING DIRECTOR WENDY O'BRIEN has amassed a 35-year career, earning widespread acclaim in the industry. She is an Emmy Award winner for ABC’s Abbott Elementary, having been nominated a total of six times, with additional nominations for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and the HBO drama Carnivale. O’Brien is also a four-time winner of the Artios Award—the Casting Society of America’s highest honor—and has received seven other Artios nominations. Her exceptional work on the series Men of a Certain Age was recognized with a Peabody Award.

Recent credits include the films Brian and Love Language, both premiering at the 2026 SXSW Festival, as well as the Netflix film Bad Day starring Cameron Diaz, along with Little Brother featuring John Cena and Eric Andre. She also cast the new Netflix series The Hawk (starring Will Ferrell) and Kill Bert (starring Bert Kreischer).

Currently, O’Brien is just starting back on the sixth season of Abbott Elementary and the third season of NBC’s Happy’s Place. She also just finished working on the fifth season of Netflix’s Lincoln Lawyer and the 18th season of FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, along with Hulu’s reboot of the series Prison Break and the new Apple series She’s Fine.

O’Brien resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters and continues to row competitively in national and international regattas.

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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Re-Release! With Netflix's hit series Outer Banks ending, How We Role is throwing it back to our premiere episode with ones of the show's stars, Carlacia Grant.

Actor Carlacia Grant joins host and actor Robert Peterpaul to break down what it means to be an actor in this day and age, rolling through everything from self tape tips to the process of creating a character on set to the sacrifices that come with chasing a dream.

This interview for actors features:

• What it takes to call yourself a working actor today
• Why studying multiple acting methods can actually be an asset
• How to break down a fully-dimensional character and stay in their zone on set
• What it's like working on a popular Netflix series and much more

CARLACIA GRANT found a passion for acting at a young age and has quickly made herself one to watch. Grant's breakout performance was on Netflix’s top series “Outer Banks.” She stars as ‘Cleo,’ a confident and fearless Nassau girl, whose world collides with the Pogues, alongside Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, and Charles Esten.

On the small screen, Grant appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s well-received megachurch drama series “Greenleaf” as well as the critically-acclaimed miniseries “Roots” alongside legendary actors Laurence Fishburne and Forest Whitaker. Grant also recurred on NBC’s crime drama “Game of Silence” and recently guest starred on FOX’s medical drama “The Resident.” 

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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What is a local hire actor? Can I be a local hire if I live somewhere? How does getting cast a local hire work?

Acclaimed Atlanta-based Casting Director Kimberly Wistedt breaks down all the ins and outs of working as a local hire, and how it can be a fulfilling path to steady acting work. The kind creative, who's worked on local casting for series like Netflix's Out Banks, The Hunting Wives and His & Hers, candidly spells out the rules for working in regional markets across the country alongside host and actor Robert Peterpaul.

In this interview for actors, you will learn:

• What a local hire actor really means, and how to get hired repeatedly without living in the state
• The actor "white lies" that can get you into trouble with production
• How to weigh the best market for you to thrive as an actor and person
• Discovering stars amongst local talent like Madelyn Cline on Outer Banks
• Key mindset shifts that will transform your auditions
• What Casting sees and makes them click in a submission
• What makes a strong creative pitch, plus much more

KIMBERLY WISTEDT, CSA, is an Atlanta-based casting director who spent over 13 years at Fincannon & Associates before launching her own independent practice. Credited on 60+ productions spanning independent and studio features, network, premium cable, and streaming television, Kimberly is a University of Florida theater alumna who began her training under Broadway legends Tara Rubin and Bernard Telsey. She is a 5x Artios Award Nominee, a 2026 Children's & Family Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Casting for a Live Action Program (Descendants: The Rise of Red), and an actively voting member of the Television Academy. Kimberly brings a dialed-in perspective and fresh eye for talent — with precision, instinct, and ingenuity in every casting room. Credits include Judd Apatow's The Comeback King, Netflix's Outer Banks, His & Hers, and The Hunting Wives, HBO's The Righteous Gemstones, Amazon's The Summer I Turned Pretty, Paramount+'s Tulsa King, and AMC's entire Walking Dead franchise.

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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Do you dream of acting on television? Are you a TV actor in need of a little inspiration? Television star Reign Edwards (The Wilds, Truth Be Told, Snowfall, High Potential, The Rookie) joins host Robert Peterpaul to breakdown the process of booking work on networks and streamers from beginning to end. From specific craft quips to insights on the business side of acting, the Daytime Emmy-nominee generously gets real about achieving television success. 

In this interview for actors, you'll learn:

• How to build self-tape choices around what feels human 
• Key takeaways from working with acclaimed co-stars like Octavia Spencer
• Tips for staying grounded after booking a major gig and fighting imposter syndrome 
• From your wardrobe fitting to filming on set: how to raise your voice in a professional way
• Why actors should really read over contracts and ask questions
• Tangible ways to nail intense emotional scenes 
• Quick-hit audition tips on slates, callbacks, co-stars, and voiceovers, plus much more

REIGN EDWARDS was most recently seen in a flashy role in season 2 of ABC's hit series HIGH POTENTIAL, as well as ABC’s THE ROOKIE. She was also seen starring in Season 3 of Apple TV hit series TRUTH BE TOLD opposite Octavia Spencer and Gabrielle Union. On the film side, she last starred opposite Bill Burr, Bobby Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine in the Miramax comedy film OLD DADS, which Burr wrote and directed (it was a Netflix major hit that topped the charts for months). In 2022, Reign concluded her iconic series regular role of 'Rachel Reid' in Amazon’s hit series THE WILDS. Other credits include starring in the Hulu/Blumhouse anthology series INTO THE DARK and her breakout role on FX’s critically acclaimed series SNOWFALL. She also recurred on CBS hit series MACGYVER and had a three-year stint as 'Nicole Avant' on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, which earned her three Emmy Award nominations. Other select credits include Reign starred in Wayfarer Studios’ LOVE YOU ANYWAY opposite Charlie Gillespie, as well as CBS Films’ thriller HELL FEST, produced by Gale Anne Hurd.

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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The best way for an actor to build an authentic character boils down to asking the right questions. Jamie Hector, who’s been seen on television hits like The Wire and Cape Fear, reveals how leading with curiosity and empathy paved his way to working alongside greats like Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. In conversation with host Robert Peterpaul, Jamie explores the art of getting to the truth of every role.

In this interview for actors, you'll learn:

• The serendipitous training that prepared Jamie for his breakout role
• Why asking specific questions is the foundation of every great performance
• What he first does when he reads the script for a show like Cape Fear
• Lessons from working with titans like Spike Lee, Amy Adams, Javier Bardem and Steven Spielberg
• Why slowing down during your script analysis and scene work breeds more nuanced, truthful characters
• Practical tips for actors at every stage: from audition prep and self-tapes to understanding the business side of acting

JAMIE HECTOR is a two-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and actor whose career spans more than two decades. Known for his commanding presence, emotional depth, and authenticity, he has built a remarkable body of work. Most recently, Hector stars in the acclaimed Apple TV+ series Cape Fear and serves as executive producer of the two-time Emmy Award-winning sports documentary series The Story of My Number on the YES Network.

A graduate of New York’s Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, Hector gained recognition as Marlo Stanfield on HBO’s The Wire. He further cemented his TV star status with his portrayal of Detective Jerry Edgar in Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, while also developing his skills as a director and producer. Additional television credits include We Own This City, Queen of the South, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, The Strain, and Heroes. Film credits include Vacation Friends 2, All Eyez on Me, Night Catches Us, and Max Payne.

In 2026, Hector expanded his creative voice with Enough, a YA short film series he directed, centered on a Brooklyn performing arts student navigating identity and vulnerability in the age of social media. Beyond the screen, Hector is the founder of Moving Mountains Inc., a nonprofit providing free arts education to inner-city youth, and the author of five Scholastic children’s books—reflecting his lifelong commitment to mentorship, education, and storytelling.

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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How do I find my actor brand? Does hearing actor brand make you cringe? What if it could make you feel empowered in your career instead? 

Yes, "actor brand” can sound like a dirty phrase, but the truth is: we work in an industry built on perception and opinions, and your career benefits when you can get ahead of those. Director and Co-Founder of Reelarc Steven C. Schmidt joins Robert Peterpaul on the mic in this empowering episode to unpack actor branding as something far more human than a marketing trick. We talk about how the industry runs on bets, why a thumbnail can decide what gets watched, and how your job is to make it easier for casting, reps, and creatives to understand the value you bring.

In this interview for actors, you'll learn:

• How the truth about an actor's brand is deeper than you might think, and what it actually means
• Why “predictable traits under pressure” will keep you booking again and again
• The North Star of choosing authenticity above all else
• The three pillars of actor branding to take your career to the next level
• Tactical tips on headshots, resumes, reels, websites and more
• Why you may not need to be on social media, after all
• How an actor brand is really just for you in the end

STEVEN C. SCHMIDT is a director, DP and co-founder of Reelarc, the leading demo reel production company in the country. After entering the industry as a performer, Steve found he was better suited to help other actors discover their unique appeal and thrive. To put this passion into action, he co-founded Reelarc in 2014 alongside Guy Chackes (a guest from last season who broke down how to create your best demo reel), he’s spent his 10,000 hours working with actors both on their branding and giving head-turning performances on set. 

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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Emmy-Winning Casting Director Julie Tucker (Netflix's The Beast in Me) shares honest insights on how the entertainment industry is shifting and what golden acting advice remains true no matter what. The CD and teacher joins How We Role: a Podcast for Actors host Robert Peterpaul to chat self-tapes, survival jobs, and what actors can control right now in their career.

In this interview for actors, you'll learn:

• Why virtual auditions still dominate and what returning to offices looks like
• Kindness as respect that creates safety and courage in auditions
• A healthy actor mindset for beginners and why it can be a golden period
• Survival jobs that feed your craft and build character (literally)
• What makes an audition feel undeniable versus merely “good”
• The differences in casting a limited series versus network TV
• Why you should stop after three self-tape takes 
• How casting is championing you behind the scenes
• Why a mistake in the audition can actually help you book, plus more

JULIE TUCKER, C.S.A., is a two time Emmy-winning and five-time Artois Award-winning Casting Director with a career spanning two decades. The East Coast-based creative has worked on everything from the Oscar-nominated short film Red White & Blue starring Brittany Snow to the Queen Latifah led hit CBS series The Equalizer. Some other notable credits include: The Americans, The Affair, Nurse Jackie, Damages, Six Feet Under and Homeland. Today's chat revolves around her more recent hit: the Netflix juggernaut The Beast in Me starring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. 

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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Casting Director Tiffany Little Canfield of the prestigious Telsey Office has helped cast everything from the Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo-led WICKED films to Ryan Murphy’s chilling Netflix anthology MONSTER. She joins host and actor Robert Peterpaul to unpack what casting directors actually respond to— and why the best auditions stop trying to be “right” and start telling the story.

In this interview for actors, you’ll learn:

• Common trends she sees in stars from Ariana Grande to Anne Hathaway 
• Why breakdowns and slates aren't necessarily for actors and should be taken with a grain of salt
• How you can make strong choices (and what that means) from the first frame
• Why technical self-tape perfection isn't what Casting is really looking for
• Unpacking the psychology of "small roles"
• Whether social media plays a part in the casting process
• What great creative partnerships look like

TIFFANY LITTLE CANFIELD, CSA, is a casting director for theater, film, opera, television and commercials at one of the nation’s busiest casting offices, The Telsey Office.  Her team's recent film projects include “Wicked: For Good,” “Wicked, Part One,” “The Idea of You” and the upcoming “Verity,” starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett.  Some of Little Canfield’s recent television projects include “Paradise,” “Monster: The Eric and Lyle Menendez Story” and “Monster: Ed Gein,” “Only Murders in the Building” and “The Beauty.” She has been honored with many Emmy nominations for her television work.  Little Canfield was honored with the Casting Society of America’s Media Access Award for promoting awareness, accessibility and accurate depictions of people with disabilities.  She and Bernard Telsey, founder of The Telsey Office, also won the Robert Altman Spirit Award for their work on the film “Margin Call.”  An opera lover, she cast Baz Luhrmann’s production of Puccini’s “La Boheme” (Broadway and Los Angeles companies) and “Anna Nicole the Opera” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.  Little Canfield is a proud alumna of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ Drama program.

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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Emmy-winning Casting Director Julie Schubert gets refreshingly candid and practical about how actors can raise their odds on booking high-stakes. On the heels of her new series Netflix’s The Diplomat, Schubert joins host Robert Peterpaul to unpack everything from self-tape habits that quietly cost roles to concrete ways to make co-star scenes work in your favor.

In this episode for actors, you’ll learn:

• How to reframe networking as genuine curiosity and relationship-building
• Why honoring the exact dialogue matters on writer-driven TV
• What Julie looks for in a self-tape before she sends it to producers
• A vital hack for eyeline placement in a scene with multiple characters
• High-stakes scene tips for authority, subtext, and big moments
• The reality of recasting, continuity, and last-minute emergencies
• What it’s like working with stars such as Keri Russel, plus much more!

JULIE SCHUBERT is an Emmy winning casting director based in New York. Select film and TV credits include: The Diplomat, Under the Bridge, House of Cards (Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting); Night Comes On (Sundance award winning feature), Deliver Us From Evil; Marvel's The Punisher; Marvel's Daredevil; Marvel's Jessica Jones; Marvel's Luke Cage; Marvel's Iron Fist; Marvel's The Defenders; Mindhunter; Confessions of a Shopaholic, among others.

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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The casting team behind Netflix's Nobody Wants is here to make sure "everybody" wants to cast you! Casting Directors Brett Greenstein and Collin Daniel join host and actor Robert Peterpaul to chat through what actually gets actors hired, from self-tape prep to how tiny choices can make a co-star role feel alive. 

In this episode for actors, you’ll learn:

• What “being prepared” looks like in practical audition terms
• If you need to be off book or not
• How many actors are typically called in for co-star roles
• How props can help or hurt you
• What makes a performance feel specific, natural, and real
• How they scout new talent on Instagram and TikTok
• What they learn from working with legendary talent like Kristen Bell, plus much more!

BRETT GREENSTEIN, CSA, and COLLIN DANIEL, CSA, launched Greenstein/Daniel Casting more than 20 years ago. Together, they have cast hundreds of hours of entertainment.

Their television credits include the global Nobody Wants This, Never Have I Ever, Superstore, Reboot, Shrill, American Housewife, Home Economics, Kenan, BH90210, Melrose Place, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Odd Couple, and Hot in Cleveland. Their film credits include the RuPaul movie, Stop! This! Train!, and Good Burger 2 for Paramount+, which became the streamer’s most-watched original movie in its history. Additional credits: the animated series The Prince and Santa Inc., as well as the Lifetime movie The Menendez Brothers.

In addition to being Artios Award winners, Brett and Collin have received several nominations, including for their casting work on Nobody Wants This. They were also Emmy nominees for casting The Muppets Mayhem on Disney+. Both Brett and Collin are members of the Casting Society of America and the Television Academy.

This is - How We Role. Discover fresh casting calls at castingnetworks.com.

Follow Host, Actor and Producer Robert Peterpaul (Amazon's Sitting in Bars with Cake, The Art of Kindness podcast) on Instagram @robpeterpaul and learn more at robertpeterpaul.com.

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