What is 99? Los Angeles theater is at least partially defined by the Actors’ Equity 99 Seat Plan. This low-budget agreement has existed for decades and a tight-knit theatrical community has grown up around it. A newly proposed change to the plan has rocked the LA intimate theater world, leading to serious questions about art, commerce, and the definition of labor. On today’s show, we investigate the issue from the front lines, hearing testimonials from Los Angeles Equity members on both sides of the fence— from a young company reaching the cusp of major growth to a 46-year Artistic Director of a storied institution, from working actors seeking artistic fulfillment onstage to passionate professionals who cannot afford their place within the current Los Angeles market.

We set out to represent a diversity of experiences and opinions, and we hope that we have done so; as with so much of art, there seems to be no right answer—except, perhaps, to continue the conversation.

In 99 Seats (Part 1) we hear from John Flynn of Rogue Machine Theatre, AEA stage manager and SDC director Armina Lamanna, and AEA  actors Joel Swetow, Matt Hermann, Rebecca Metz, Ramon DeOcampo, Christian Barlllas, Ann Colby Stocking and Ben Mathes.

It’s our 60th episode, and we are thrilled to sit down with actor Patrick Mulryan of Fiasco’s super-acclaimed “Into the Woods” at Roundabout Theater Company! After getting his start as (possibly) the most prolific community theater performer of all time, Patrick majored in Theatre and English at Oberlin College and went on to earn his MFA at Brown/Trinity Rep. Patrick talks to us about getting into grad school, his love of ensemble, working as a teacher and why community is everything.

Find Patrick on twitter @mulryanpatrick and check out his “In Performance” video on the NY Times website!

For more on the Carnegie Mellon Showcase, check out last year's crowdsourced "Showcase" episode.

Like what you hear and want to hear more? Please consider making a donation at www.patreon.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast. Every dollar makes a difference!

Find hurryupandwait online at www.hurryupandwait.com, on twitter @huawpodcast and on facebook at facebook.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.

This week we are thrilled to chat with Broadway actor and teacher Craig D’Amico! In addition to his long career as a musical theater performer and private teacher, Craig is the Education Director of Broadway Dreams Foundation, a nationwide non-profit bringing the highest quality musical theater training to the next generation of Broadway artists. Craig talks all about his stage career, advice for young actors and the incredible work of Broadway Dreams. 

Find out more about Broadway Dreams Foundation at mybroadwaydreams.com.

Like what you hear and want to hear more? Please consider making a donation at www.patreon.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast. Every dollar makes a difference!

Find hurryupandwait online at www.hurryupandwait.com, on twitter @huawpodcast and on facebook at facebook.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.

Sandra Karas is back on hurryupandwait this week, and this time we are talking all about taxes! Whether you’re still working on this year or gearing up for the year to come, Sandra shares her tips and tricks for staying organized, monitoring your artistic income, and getting the highest deduction possible. 

Sandra is a true renaissance woman- her many hats include that of actress, attorney in private practice, Secretary Treasurer of Actors Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA New York Local Board Member, and site-coordinator of the AEA and SAG-AFTRA Volunteer Tax Income Assistance program. Sandra has many years of experience helping actors (and other artists) master their taxes.

Check out one of Sandra’s many tax-related articles on the AEA website; Union members can also access VITA tax worksheets via SAG-AFTRA or the AEA Member Portal.

Interested in meeting with Sandra? Find her in the AEA building at 165 W. 46th St. Suite 1104, or contact us at [email protected] for a direct referral.

You can also find us on twitter @huawpodcast, at facebook.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast, and on our website www.hurryupandwaitpodcast.com.

Like what you hear and want to hear more? Please consider making a donation at www.patreon.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast. Every dollar makes a difference!

Last fall hurryupandwait was privileged to collaborate with Casting Directors Wendy Kurtzman and Caroline Liem of College to Career Acting on their College Admissions Podcasts, a series of informal chats with department heads at Juilliard, NYU and Pace University. This week we are sharing the first podcast of the series, a conversation with Kathy Hood, Administrative Director of the Drama Division at Juilliard. 

We chat with Wendy and Kathy about Juilliard, studying in New York, auditioning for college and more!

For more on Wendy, Caroline and College to Career Acting, check out www.ctcacting.com or facebook.com/CTCActing. For more podcasts in the series, check back here or visit ctcacting.com/podcasts!

Find hurryupandwait online at www.hurryupandwaitpodcast.com, on twitter @huawpodcast and on facebook at facebook.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.

This week we are joined by actress and image consultant Jessica Myhr! Jessica has been in the business since childhood, and created her company Inherent Style to help actors find— and dress— their authentic selves. She talks to hurryupandwait about starting her acting career, the importance of image, and how finding confidence in your look leads to better acting.

Find Jessica online at www.inherentstyle.com, or her personal website www.jessicamyhr.com.

Like what you hear and want to hear more? Please consider making a donation at www.patreon.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast. Every dollar makes a difference! 

Find hurryupandwait online at www.hurryupandwait.com, on twitter @huawpodcast and on facebook at facebook.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.

This week we are talking to the very funny producer, writer and star of “Get a Life Coach,” the lovely Monica Hammond! Monica is an NYU graduate and New York-based actor, and talks to us about training programs, horrible jobs and creating her own web-based content.

Check out the first season of “Get a Life Coach” online at www.getalifecoachseries.com. For more on Monica (and to see her stalk Anthony Bourdain) visit www.monicahammond.com or find her on twitter @monicahammond.

Like what you hear and want to hear more? Please consider making a donation at www.patreon.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast. Every dollar makes a difference! 

Find hurryupandwait online at www.hurryupandwait.com, on twitter @huawpodcast and on facebook at facebook.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.

Last fall hurryupandwait was privileged to collaborate with Casting Directors Wendy Kurtzman and Caroline Liem of College to Career Acting on their College Admissions Podcasts, a series of informal chats with department heads at Juilliard, NYU and Pace University. This week we are sharing the first podcast of the series, a conversation with NYU Tisch Director of Admissions Chris Andersson. Chris has a long history as a performer and producer and is the former Director of Recruitment for the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.

We chat with Caroline and Chris about NYU, studying in New York, auditioning for college and more!

For more on Wendy, Caroline and College to Career Acting, check out www.ctcacting.com or facebook.com/CTCActing. For more podcasts in the series, check back here or visit ctcacting.com/podcasts!

Find hurryupandwait online at www.hurryupandwaitpodcast.com, on twitter @huawpodcast and on facebook at facebook.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.

This week we are sitting down with the Executive Artistic Director and Managing Artistic Director of Bottoms Dream, Nat Angstrom and Caitlin White! Nat and Caitlin met while working with Shakesperience Productions in Connecticut, and formed their NYC based theater company as a new approach to Shakespearean performance. Bottoms Dream’s “Weavings” fold two plays together into one overlapping story, bringing new light to characters and conflicts while preserving the integrity of Shakespeare’s text. Nat and Caitlin talk about their journey as actors and producers, their love of classical work, and their current “Macbeth” and “Hamlet” hybrid, “The Ghost.”

See “The Ghost” Feb. 4- 15! Podcast listeners get $5 off tickets with promo code “hurryupandwait.” Tickets at www.bottomsdream.org.

Check out the site for more on the first-ever New York Shakespeare Convention, Saturday April 25. Find Bottoms Dream on twitter @BottomsDreamNYC, at facebook.com/bottomsdreamorg and on instagram.com/bottomsdream. 

Like what you hear and want to hear more? Please consider making a donation at www.patreon.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.

Find hurryupandwait online at www.hurryupandwaitpodcast.com, on twitter @huawpodcast and on facebook at facebook.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.

This week we are thrilled to reconnect with actors Christine Bullen, Stefanie O’Connell and Will Brill for the first ever hurryupandwait reunion! Christine, Stefanie and Will took the sketch, publishing and Broadway worlds by storm in 2014, and open up about their biggest challenges, greatest accomplishments and goals for the coming year. We loved having them on the first time around- don’t miss all three of them together in one room!

Christine Bullen’s hilarious show “My Melonbasket” plays twice a month at New York’s UCB. She is also a member of UCB Maude Team “Goodbye Handsome” and House Team “Characters Welcome.” For more, check out www.christinebullen.com and follow her on twitter @ChrissyBox.

Stefanie O’Connell is an actor, writer, author and speaker. In addition to writing about finance for several major publications, her popular blog The Broke and Beautiful Life has just been adapted into a book of the same name! For more on Stefanie check out www.thebrokeandbeautifullife.com or her personal website www.stefanieoconnell.com and follow her on twitter @brokeandbeau. 

Will Brill is a Carnegie Mellon grad and accomplished New York actor. He has worked on and off Broadway in hits like “Tribes,” David Cromer’s acclaimed “Our Town” and Lincoln Center’s “Act One,” and is currently getting laughs 8 shows a week in “You Can’t Take it with You.”

Like what you hear and want to hear more? Please consider making a donation at www.patreon.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.

Find hurryupandwait online at www.hurryupandwait.com, on twitter @huawpodcast and on facebook at facebook.com/hurryupandwaitpodcast.