Offstage Acting

This week we're joined by the multi-talented Laurence Bouvard — an actress, voice artist, audiobook narrator, and creative powerhouse who's crossed continents and mediums in her career.

From training at Harvard and Drama Studio London to voicing characters in some of your favorite audiobooks, Laurence shares her journey navigating the stage, screen, and sound booth. We get into accent mastery, audiobook techniques, working internationally, and how actors can future-proof their careers by diversifying with intention (and joy!).

00:00 – Opening 02:30 – Why Laurence almost gave up acting 05:00 – From Harvard to Drama Studio London 10:00 – UK vs. US training: differences that shaped her 15:00 – Early acting gigs and the shift into voice 20:00 – Mastering accents across languages 25:00 – What makes a great audiobook narrator 30:00 – Jay fangirls over Laurence's audiobook credits 35:00 – Studio tech, comfort, and remote workflow tips 40:00 – Building a long-term voice career 45:00 – Advice to actors: diversification = survival 50:00 – Final reflections and actor encouragement

Which part of Laurence's story resonated most with you? Leave a comment or tag us in your post-show thoughts!

🎧 Full Podcast & More: https://offstageacting.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting ❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing 🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer 🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum

🎧 Laurence Bouvard: https://www.laurencebouvard.com

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #act #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #voiceacting #audiobooknarrator #voicetalent #laurencebouvard #ukacting #harvardalumni #dramaeducation #accentwork #remotevoicework

David Fellowes was born in Nairobi just before the D-Day landings, has performed across stage, screen, and studio for over half a century — and claims to have pitched the idea of the internet. Honestly? We believe him.

In this episode, the legendary (and delightfully unfiltered) David Fellowes joins us to share tales from a long life in the arts. From rep theatre and cruise ship gigs to his storied family tree (yes, that Julian Fellowes is his brother), David weaves together humour, wisdom, and some seriously unexpected stories.

If you like your acting insight served with charm, history, and a dash of chaos — this one's for you.

00:00 – Opening banter 03:00 – Who is David Fellowes? Nairobi to the stage 07:00 – Acting in the '60s and surviving rep theatre 11:00 – A strange cruise contract and other gig adventures 15:00 – The voiceover years: from BBC to bedroom booth 19:00 – Storytime: how David invented the internet (allegedly) 23:00 – Growing up with Julian and Rory Fellowes 27:00 – Jay & Todd try to keep up with the tangents 31:00 – Reflections on the biz: brutal and brilliant 36:00 – Final words from a lifelong storyteller

What's the wildest gig you've taken as an actor? Drop a comment or tag us with your story. Bonus points if it involves cruise ships, old theatres, or accidental tech inventions.

🎧 Full Podcast & More: https://offstageacting.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting ❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing 🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer 🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #voiceartist #stageactor #DavidFellowes #OffstageActing #TheatreHistory #CruiseShipActor #RepTheatre #Storyteller #OldSchoolActor #JulianFellowes #InternetOriginStory #CreativeLife

Lady Gaga. Joaquin Phoenix. A musical Joker sequel. 🎤🃏 What could go wrong? Todd and Robert unpack the madness of Folie à Deux in this provocative deep-dive into DC's most daring film yet.

This week, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum spend some quality time with Amber Martin — a powerhouse singer, magnetic performer, comedian, and all-around show-stopper with a bold voice and a genre-hopping career to match.

A true chameleon, Amber brings raw energy and presence to everything she touches — from comedy and cabaret to theatre and beyond. Her latest venture, the stunning country album Unbreakable Heart, marks a powerful new chapter: a soul-stirring record that fuses deep storytelling with a down-home sound that's as timeless as it is fresh. Southern grit meets NYC glam, with more than a little spiritual gut-punch along the way.

In this lively, honest, and joy-filled conversation, the gang dives into songwriting, storytelling, stage magic, Tennessee energy, genre-jumping, and the kind of language that still manages to shock (even when it really shouldn't). We had a blast with Amber — and whether you're a country fan or not, trust us: this one hits.

This episode contains liberal use of "the C word" — yes, that one. It's not used gratuitously, and Amber breaks down the why behind its power. You've been delightfully warned.

00:00 – Opening + warning: the C word cometh 04:00 – Meet Amber Martin: genre-breaking, name-taking 08:30 – Cabaret, comedy, chaos: finding her voice 12:00 – Unbreakable Heart: the album's roots and risks 17:00 – Todd's southern feelings, Jay's country surprises 22:00 – Owning the C word (and what it really means) 26:00 – NYC vs. Nashville vs. nowhere 31:00 – Singing your truth, loudly 36:00 – Outro & laughter therapy

Are you ready for Amber's version of country cabaret chaos? Let us know what hit hardest — the voice, the lyrics, or the unapologetic boldness.

🎧 Full Podcast & More: https://offstageacting.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting ❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing 🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer 🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum 🎤 Amber Martin: https://ambermartin.org

#actingpodcast #ambermartin #countrymusic #unbreakableheart #cabaretartist #offstageacting #actorslife #artistinterview #comedyandcountry #cabaretcomedy #ToddKramer #JayReum #theCword #genrebreaking #stagepresence

Acting is not for the faint of heart — and even the most seasoned performers sometimes need a reset.

In this calming and deeply insightful episode, Todd and Jay sit down with longtime friend Amanda Lara-Kay, a South African-born actor, dancer, and well-being coach who's dedicated her work to helping artists stay emotionally and energetically aligned.

With 20+ years of performance experience across the globe, Amanda now leads Self-Worx — a unique therapeutic program combining coaching, reiki healing, and mind-body techniques. She helps creatives manage stress, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with their authentic selves — all while holding space with true compassion.

If you've ever needed a breath, a pause, or a spiritual tune-up… this one's for you.

00:00 – Opening & warmup with Todd and Jay 03:30 – Welcome Amanda: a performer's journey 07:00 – From South Africa to the global stage 10:30 – Blending performance with healing 14:00 – Why actors are emotional sponges 17:30 – Developing the Self-Worx method 22:00 – What coaching means in a creative life 27:00 – Reframing stress & the power of rituals 31:00 – Reiki, bodywork, and grounding practices 36:00 – Confidence, clarity, and creative flow 41:00 – Final thoughts & your inner healing room

How do you reset between gigs? What tools have helped you stay grounded in this work? Drop a comment or tag us @OffstageActing.

🎧 Full Podcast & More: https://offstageacting.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting ❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing 🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer 🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum 🌀 Amanda Lara-Kay / Self-Worx: https://selfworx.co.uk

#acting #actingpodcast #actorwellness #selfcareforactors #spiritualgrowth #amandalarakay #selfworx #reikihealing #creativemindset #offstageacting #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #performanceandhealing

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice (there we said it) is back… but should he be? 🎭 Todd Kramer and critic Robert Nelson dive into the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton's cult classic. Was it worth the wait—or a ghostly misfire? Tune in for laughs, insights, and Robert's official rating.

Have you ever known one of those families? The kind who seem effortlessly talented, creatively blessed, and just... ugh, annoyingly charming?

Yeah — welcome to the Miles family.

In this Halloween-themed episode, Todd and Jay sit down with 14-year-old Lois Miles, a young actor with a decade of stage, screen, and voice credits already under her belt. Currently slaying (literally) as a vampire in A Sign You Were Alive at Murphy's Creek Theatre in Northern California, Lois shares what it's like growing up surrounded by performers — including her actor mum Aimee Miles (a past podcast guest) and her dad John Miles, an actor-turned-concert promoter who's been called the "Godfather of Silent Disco."

We talk about ambition, fun, fear, and family — and why Halloween is the perfect time to spotlight a bloodthirsty young actor.

00:00 – Opening: spooky season is here 03:00 – Meet Lois Miles: teen vampire and pro performer 06:00 – What it's like growing up in an actor family 09:00 – Commercials, voice work, and being on stage at 5 12:00 – The role she loves (and the one she hated) 15:00 – On playing a vampire in a dramatic Halloween piece 18:00 – Dreams, auditions, and what's next for Lois 21:00 – John Miles and the silent disco legacy 25:00 – Halloween wrap-up and family talent overload

Who was your first on-stage role? Did it involve fangs? Let us know in the comments or tag us on socials for this spooktacular episode.

🎧 Full Podcast & More: https://offstageacting.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting ❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing 🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer 🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum 🧛 Murphy's Creek Theatre: https://murphyscreektheatre.org/

#actingpodcast #loismiles #teenactor #youngactors #halloweenepisode #offstageacting #murphyscreektheatre #vampireplay #silentdisco #johnmiles #aimeemiles #actorslife #familyofactors #stagekid #spookyszn #ToddKramer #JayReum

Actors need photographs of their heads in order to sell themselves to the people handing out the jobs. Full stop.

Known in the industry as headshots, these portrait-style photos are the most powerful, most immediate way to get yourself seen — especially by the one person who matters most: the casting director.

In this short, sharp episode, Todd and Jay get into why your headshot is more than a picture — it's your shot at the room, your first impression, and your first "yes." We talk about what works, what doesn't, and how casting directors actually read your image.

So… what's your face saying about you?

00:00 – Why actors need photos of their heads 01:30 – The real purpose of a headshot 03:00 – Who actually cares about your headshot? 04:30 – It's not just about the hair or smile 06:00 – Getting in front of casting 07:30 – What makes a headshot pop? 09:00 – Todd evaluates Jay's new batch 10:30 – Finding "the one" that books 12:00 – The science and art of standing out 13:30 – Role reversal: Todd critiques, Jay defends 15:00 – Jay panics about lighting 16:30 – Todd is mentally already on holiday 18:00 – "Barely hanging on" – episode energy check 19:30 – Welcome to chaos: Bonusode origin story 21:00 – "Is it Bepisode or Bonusode?" 22:30 – Spiraling into branding debates 24:00 – Good day to you, Jay. Good day to you, Todd. 25:30 – Bepisode vs Bonusode – the rematch 27:00 – Offstage inside jokes and naming chaos 28:30 – "No, that's dumb — take it out!" 30:00 – Todd immediately regrets everything 31:30 – Bepisode: The hill Jay will die on 33:00 – Bonusode wins the battle (sort of) 34:30 – You should say it to yourself… "Bepisode." 36:00 – "What's our actual topic again?" 37:30 – Jay distracts, Todd recalibrates 39:00 – Todd gets new headshots — let's unpack 40:30 – Beards, image, and first impressions 42:00 – Sorting through "the maybes" 43:30 – Navigating identity in your headshots 45:00 – Authenticity vs marketing 46:30 – The industry's visual bias 48:00 – Todd's top tips for standout shots 49:30 – Hair choices, eye contact, and posture 51:00 – Agents and the headshot debate 52:30 – Are black & white shots still a thing? 54:00 – What does a good photographer actually do? 55:30 – Jay asks about retouching and filters 57:00 – Overdoing it vs. underpreparing 58:30 – Lifestyle shots, reels, and self-branding 1:00:00 – Should your headshot match your reel? 1:02:00 – Don't fake who you are (even in print) 1:04:00 – The "type" dilemma: leaning into it 1:06:00 – Everyone wants to be leading man/woman 1:08:00 – Real talk on being a "character actor" 1:10:00 – Are casting directors visual learners? 1:12:00 – Todd on subtle storytelling in a still frame 1:14:00 – Jay's headshot regrets 1:16:00 – Final thoughts: get your face together 1:18:00 – Outro and total collapse of focus

What's the worst (or best) headshot advice you've ever gotten? Tell us in the comments — or tag us in your current fave.

🎧 Full Podcast & More: https://offstageacting.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting ❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing 🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer 🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum

#actingpodcast #headshots #actorslife #castingdirector #offstageacting #actorbranding #actorheadshots #actorsadvice #ToddKramer #JayReum

What do acting, improv, and coaching psychology have in common?

In this sharp, funny, and unexpectedly deep episode, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum sit down with a man who's the Swiss Army knife of talent, Jonathan Broke — a quick-witted improviser, seasoned performer, and legit coaching psychologist. Yes, he can make you laugh and sort your life out in one session.

We explore Jonathan's dual life on stage and in the therapy room, how he uses psychological tools to support performers, and why improv might just be the secret to emotional intelligence. Equal parts cerebral and chaotic, this conversation brings the brains and the banter.

00:00 – Acting, improv, and psychology — wait, what? 01:30 – Meet Jonathan Broke: improv actor and coaching psychologist 03:00 – The Freud–Cleese lovechild? Maybe. 05:00 – What is a coaching psychologist anyway? 07:00 – Performing under pressure and mental resilience 09:00 – The Britishness of Jonathan's stage presence 11:00 – Working with actors in therapy contexts 13:00 – "You're not crazy, you're creative" 15:00 – Jay and Todd spiral into laughter (again) 17:00 – Finding joy through improv and connection 19:00 – Helping performers access play 21:00 – Structured freedom and inner voice work 23:00 – Jonathan's coaching philosophy 25:00 – Tools that translate from rehearsal room to real life 27:00 – What performers really need support with 29:00 – Jay's personal therapy revelations 31:00 – The overlap between scene work and self-work 33:00 – Why we resist vulnerability 35:00 – Working with groups vs individuals 37:00 – Inner critic vs outer persona 39:00 – "It's okay to laugh at your darkness" 41:00 – Jonathan's take on creative burnout 43:00 – Final thoughts and ways to work with him 45:00 – Goodbye, gratitude, and groundedness

🎧 Full Podcast & More: https://offstageacting.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting ❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/offstageacting 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@offstageacting 🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer 🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum

Hashtag style: #acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #act #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #JonathanBroke #coachingpsychologist #improvcomedy #mentalhealthforactors #improvtools #creativeperformance

Elsie Escobar is a trailblazer in the podcasting world — a powerhouse of presence, purpose, and persistence.

As the co-host of Libsyn's The Feed and the first Latina inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame, Elsie has spent over a decade shaping the podcasting industry from the inside out. She's not just a voice behind the mic — she's a mentor, advocate, coach, yogi, and a fierce champion for women and marginalized voices in audio.

In this heart-forward episode, Todd and Jay dive into Elsie's creative journey, her unapologetic authenticity, and her tireless commitment to building community through story. Whether you're new to podcasting or knee-deep in your own audio journey, Elsie will make you feel why voice still matters.

00:00 – "Podcasts are gonna be big someday…" 01:30 – A prophetic voice from the past 03:00 – Elsie's early connection to podcasting 04:30 – The power of voice and visibility 06:00 – Starting before it was cool 07:30 – Who is Elsie Escobar? 09:00 – The Feed, Libsyn, and becoming a podcasting force 10:30 – Podcasting as purpose, not just platform 12:00 – Championing women in audio 13:30 – ShePodcasts and community advocacy 15:00 – Elsie as actor, yogi, mentor, and disruptor 16:30 – Authenticity in an overproduced world 18:00 – Showing up fully, flaws and all 19:30 – Representation, identity, and being Salvadorian American 21:00 – First Latina in the Podcast Hall of Fame 22:30 – Navigating growth and burnout 24:00 – Yoga, mindfulness, and creative sustainability 25:30 – Coaching creatives through chaos 27:00 – How podcasting still makes room for everyone 28:30 – Why every voice deserves to be heard 30:00 – Final thoughts, gratitude, and community

🎧 Full Podcast & More: https://offstageacting.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/offstageacting ❌ X: https://x.com/OffstageActing 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/offstageacting 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@offstageacting 🌐 Todd's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/toddkramer 🌐 Jay's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jayreum 🎙️ Elsie Escobar: https://elsieescobar.com

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #ElsieEscobar #podcastingpioneer #womeninpodcasting #latinasinmedia #podcasthalloffame #thefeedpodcast #libsyn #purposefulpodcasting #creativityandcommunity