Offstage Acting

Will Tizard is the kind of creative most people only read about — but Todd and Jay actually know the guy.

Originally from Arizona, Will now calls Prague home after more than 25 years living and working across Central Europe. His eclectic career has taken him from stage acting in Scottsdale to covering murders as a local crime reporter in LA… and eventually to becoming a trusted voice in international journalism and media production.

He's a correspondent for Euronews, a Central European contributor to Variety, a producer at Radio Free Europe, a National Geographic journalist, a videographer, and an occasional actor in projects like The Musketeers and 1864. Not to mention: he's Todd's friend.

In this globe-spanning episode, the trio talk journalism, culture, media, politics, art, and yes… even acting. Come for the world wisdom — stay for the laughs.

00:00 – Who is Will Tizard and why are we giggling? 01:30 – Will's Arizona theater roots 03:00 – Life in Prague: 25 years later 04:30 – From actor to crime reporter 06:00 – Working with Euronews and Variety 07:30 – National Geographic stories and foreign reporting 09:00 – Radio Free Europe and its global role 10:30 – The balance between media and creativity 12:00 – Will's work in TV and film (The Musketeers, 1864) 13:30 – Commercial gigs and character acting 15:00 – "Journalism and art don't always mix — but they should" 16:30 – Living between cultures 18:00 – What the Czech Republic taught him 19:30 – Differences between American and European media 21:00 – Filmmaking in post-communist spaces 22:30 – Tips for young journalists or actors abroad 24:00 – Will's advice on voice, presence, and staying human 25:30 – Jay's favorite Will quote 27:00 – Prague as a cinematic city 28:30 – Storytelling across languages 30:00 – Wrap-up and gratitude for The Tiz

🎧 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 📰 Will Tizard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willtizard/

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #WillTizard #foreigncorrespondent #euronews #praguejournalism #journalistactor #centralEurope #VarietyMagazine

Episode 32 is something special — Todd and Jay welcome the incomparable Bart Shatto, a performer whose voice could fill a stadium… and then some. Known for iconic roles like Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and powerhouse performances in The Civil War and Hands on a Hardbody, Bart is a Broadway veteran with a resume that sings.

But that's just the start.

Bart is also known for touring with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, where he blended theatrical intensity with rock star electricity. His stories are larger than life, filled with humor, heart, and that unmistakable Shatto presence.

This episode is pure Broadway magic — whether you're into musicals, metal, or just damn good storytelling.

00:00 – Broadway smells and musical intro chaos 01:30 – Big voices, big spaces, and the "Shatto Effect" 03:00 – Meet Bart Shatto: the myth, the man, the music 04:30 – From Valjean to rock anthems 06:00 – How Les Mis changed his life 07:30 – Bart's take on keeping roles fresh 09:00 – The grind of eight shows a week 10:30 – Audition war stories and dream roles 12:00 – How he landed Trans-Siberian Orchestra 13:30 – Life on tour with TSO: chaos and connection 15:00 – What it takes to shift between genres 16:30 – Bart's philosophy on performance and presence 18:00 – Lessons from tough gigs 19:30 – The offstage life of a Broadway rocker 21:00 – Jay and Todd go full fanboy 22:30 – What younger performers need to know 24:00 – Bart's secrets to longevity and staying sharp 25:30 – Final thoughts and thunderous gratitude

🎧 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

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #BartShatto #LesMiserables #BroadwayStar #TransSiberianOrchestra #rocktheatre #musicaltheatre #stagelegend

This week, Todd sits down with the multilingual and multi-talented Alexander Marchi, an Italian actor whose journey into the performing arts didn't begin in a drama school — but in a pharmacy.

Fluent in English, German, and Italian, Alex shares the fascinating story of how he pivoted from life as a licensed pharmacist in Italy to a growing acting career in London, after an unexpected leap of faith (and a bold move to Bristol). Along the way, he's picked up stage work, commercials, screen credits, and yes — a story involving Mark Wahlberg, Ridley Scott, and a Todd Kramer workshop.

It's the real-life arc of a working European actor making it happen across borders, languages, and life paths. È una storia vera — and it's a good one.

00:00 – Buongiorno and bienvenue to the pod 01:30 – Introducing Alex Marchi: actor, pharmacist, polyglot 03:00 – How pharmacy gave way to performance 04:30 – Landing in Bristol without a plan 06:00 – That one fateful London workshop 07:30 – Mark Wahlberg, Ridley Scott, and a strange day on set 09:00 – Finding purpose in acting later in life 10:30 – Why Alex left Italy for something bigger 12:00 – Acting in three languages: advantages and surprises 13:30 – Craft, classes, and cultural differences 15:00 – Jay is away — and Todd flies solo 16:30 – Trusting the process (and building credits) 18:00 – Theatre, commercials, and steady growth 19:30 – What drives Alex today 21:00 – Working actors in Europe: an honest portrait 22:30 – Todd on what makes a grounded actor 24:00 – Final thoughts and molto grazie

🎧 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 🎭 Alexander Marchi: [Link if available — placeholder]

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #AlexMarchi #italianactor #pharmacistturnedactor #workingactor #multilingualperformer #actorsabroad #bristoltolondon

This week, Jay Reum and Todd Kramer head out to the fringe—literally—to chat with Helena Bunker, the dynamic force behind the Stockholm Fringe Festival (STOFF) and a key figure in developing fringe festivals across the Nordic and Baltic regions.

Over 15 years ago, Helena set out to create something bold and experimental in a cultural landscape that didn't even understand what a "fringe festival" was. Today, she and her partner Adam Potyrkus are shaping the fringe scene across Northern Europe—championing alternative performance, outsider art, and the kind of work that challenges the mainstream.

Thinking of starting your own festival? Curious what it really takes to go full-on fringe? Helena shares candid insight into the highs, lows, bureaucratic headaches, and artistic joys of building a creative movement from the ground up.

This one's for the rebels, the weirdos, and the future festival curators among us.

🎟️ Learn more: https://stockholmfringe.com

00:00 – Welcome to the fringe 01:40 – Who is Helena Bunker? 03:10 – From artist to festival founder 05:30 – Starting Stockholm Fringe Festival (STOFF) 08:00 – What is fringe, anyway? 10:45 – Creating space for outsider art 13:00 – Early hurdles: funding and recognition 15:20 – Working with Adam Potyrkus 17:10 – Expanding to Nordic and Baltic scenes 19:30 – Cultural clashes and creative diplomacy 22:00 – Artist selection and festival curation 24:15 – Advice for starting your own fringe 26:45 – Memorable fringe moments 28:20 – Fringe fatigue: staying inspired 30:00 – Why the fringe still matters 32:10 – What's next for Helena and STOFF? 34:00 – Final reflections from Todd & Jay

🎧 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 🎟️ Stockholm Fringe Festival: https://stockholmfringe.com

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #HelenaBunker #StockholmFringe #FringeFestival #NordicTheatre #BalticArt #outsiderart #festivalfounder

Being a parent is a challenge for anyone — but try doing it while juggling auditions, rehearsals, late-night gigs, and a freelance income.

In this episode, Todd Kramer speaks with Cassie Raine, actor, advocate, and co-founder of Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA), a UK-based charity that's reshaping the conversation around caregiving in the entertainment industry.

Cassie shares the origin story of PiPA, the cultural and structural blind spots around parenting in the arts, and what it actually takes to build a supportive, family-conscious industry. We talk about policy, representation, flexibility, and how to make real change without losing your creative identity in the process.

Here's to the actor-parents. The unsung superheroes. You're not alone — and you deserve better.

👶 Learn more at: https://pipacampaign.org

00:00 – Parenting + acting = chaos? 01:40 – Meet Cassie Raine and the birth of PiPA 03:30 – What the industry misses about parenthood 06:00 – Cassie's own story: from performer to advocate 08:30 – Raising kids while working in the arts 11:15 – What parents in theatre really need 13:45 – PiPA's research, reports, and hard truths 16:30 – The long road to policy change 18:20 – Rehearsals, tour life, and real-world logistics 20:45 – What employers can do better 23:00 – Gender disparities and invisible labor 25:30 – Resistance from within the industry 27:45 – Building solutions: job shares, flexibility, funding 30:10 – The power of naming the problem 32:00 – Why supporting parents supports everyone 34:30 – Cassie on hope, burnout, and balance 36:00 – Todd's reflections on actor-parent life 37:30 – Final thoughts + shout-out to every parent trying to do it all

🎧 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 👶 PiPA Campaign: https://pipacampaign.org

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #CassieRaine #PiPA #parentsinperformingarts #actorparents #carersinarts #freelancefamilylife #creativecaregiving

For actors, privacy is often the first thing sacrificed on the path to success.

In this follow-up to Episode 026, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum dive deep into the tension between visibility and vulnerability in the age of online branding. Some actors overshare, others hide away — but most don't have a real strategy for managing their digital presence.

This episode is all about finding that balance. Todd and Jay get honest about how they personally use (and sometimes avoid) tools like Instagram, Spotlight, IMDb, LinkedIn, Facebook, and self-tape platforms. Whether you're an actor building your brand or someone who just hates social media — this is for you.

🔦 There's nothing private about staying relevant.

00:00 – Privacy vs publicity: the actor's dilemma 01:45 – Is online visibility necessary? 04:15 – Jay hides from the algorithm 06:30 – Todd rants about Spotlight profile hell 08:00 – Where actors waste time online 10:20 – The good, bad, and ugly of IMDb 12:00 – What casting directors actually look for 14:30 – Social media: friend or foe? 17:00 – How much is too much to share? 19:00 – The case for authentic visibility 21:30 – Should you pay for casting platforms? 24:00 – Agents and managers: what are they doing online? 26:30 – Todd's minimalist online strategy 28:00 – Jay's "leave me alone" philosophy 30:15 – Profile photos, reels, and what matters now 33:00 – Final thoughts on relevance and resistance

🎧 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

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #actorbranding #onlinepresence #spotlightprofile #castingtools #imdb #socialmediaforactors #actorprivacy #relevance

Jeannette Robinson has lived a life most couldn't dream up — and she's just getting started.

From a wild childhood in Jamaica, Queens, to Olympic aspirations in Michigan, to becoming a ward of the state as a teenager… Jeannette's journey has been one of resilience, reinvention, and raw talent.

Now living in London for over 25 years, Jeannette is an actor, writer, director, producer, and voice artist with a razor-sharp perspective on life, art, and disability. She studied at the prestigious Goldsmiths University and is currently completing a full-length play that dives headfirst into her lived experience with disability — a work she aims to bring to the London stage in 2025.

Todd Kramer and Jay Reum sit down with Jeannette to talk identity, adversity, creativity, and joy. This one's fierce, funny, and full of fire.

00:00 – Opening: meet Jeannette Robinson 02:00 – Growing up "feral" in Jamaica, Queens 04:00 – From NYC to Michigan and Olympic dreams 06:00 – Losing her grandmother, becoming a ward of the state 08:30 – Discovering her voice through athletics 10:00 – Moving to the UK and reinventing herself 12:30 – Goldsmiths University and diving into the arts 14:45 – The road to acting, producing, and directing 17:00 – Navigating disability and creative drive 20:00 – Her upcoming play: themes and intention 22:30 – London theatre and making space for new voices 25:00 – Creating work that's personal, political, and powerful 27:30 – Being loud, bold, and beautifully Jeannette 30:00 – Final words: legacy and letting nothing stop you

🎧 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

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #JeannetteRobinson #londonactor #disabilityinthearts #blackactress #womeninarts #queenstoriches #newwriting #goldsmithsuniversity

Actors are a rare breed. Most people hate work and have too much of it — we love work, but can't find enough of it.

In this episode, Todd & Jay dive into the digital storefront of every working actor: your online casting profile. Whether it's Spotlight, Casting Networks, Mandy, or Actors Access, this is where your headshots, reels, clips, and credits live — and it's how you get booked.

They break down what makes a great profile, what hurts your chances, and how to create a setup that actually gets attention from casting directors. Expect real advice, profile critiques, comedic chaos, and the occasional rant about shirtless photos and poorly cropped thumbnails.

If it's time to put your profile online — or if you're long overdue for a tune-up — this one's for you.

00:00 – Actor problems: we want work, we just can't find it 01:30 – What your online profile really is 04:00 – Casting directors don't have time — make it easy 06:30 – Reviewing Jay's Spotlight photos 09:00 – Types, range, and picking the right looks 11:30 – Todd on bad headshots and chipmunk faces 14:30 – The secret in the eyes 👁️ 17:00 – About me bios: what to include (and what to avoid) 20:00 – Making your reel actually work for you 24:00 – Breaking down Jay's footage 28:00 – Spotlight vs. Mandy vs. other platforms 31:00 – Video tags, labeling, and uploading tips 35:00 – Audio clips, voice reels, and playing to your strengths 38:30 – Special skills videos: underrated & useful 41:00 – Keeping your profile fresh, relevant, and clickable 44:00 – Final thoughts + profile tune-up challenge

🎧 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

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #castingprofile #spotlightprofile #actorbranding #actorshowreel #headshots #auditiontools #profiletuneup

Some actors dabble. Aimee Miles dove in — and never looked back.

From her childhood in Northern California to graduating from the elite Wesleyan University, Aimee has pursued her acting dreams with relentless passion. A bilingual Spanish speaker with a thesis on Latin American theatre under military dictatorships, her journey is anything but ordinary.

Now raising a family in California's Gold Country and still working out of San Francisco (with a killer home studio to boot), Aimee continues to hustle, grow, and inspire.

In this episode, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum sit down with Aimee for a funny, honest, and deeply motivating chat about staying in the game, building a career around your life (not the other way around), and finding joy through the grind. Jay nearly cries. Todd keeps it together.

🎭 This one's got love, laughter, and a ton of actor wisdom. Don't miss it.

00:00 – Meet Aimee Miles: actor, mother, badass 01:45 – California roots & early acting obsession 04:00 – Wesleyan University and an unexpected thesis topic 06:15 – Latin American theatre under dictatorship 08:30 – Bilingual acting and multicultural storytelling 10:00 – Life in the Gold Country: acting far from LA 12:15 – Home studio setup and remote workflow 15:00 – Auditioning with kids and chaos in the house 17:30 – Jay gets emotional (and Todd kinda lets him) 20:00 – Aimee's career advice to young actors 23:00 – What she wishes she knew earlier 25:30 – Hustling without burnout 28:00 – Why she never gave up 30:15 – Final thoughts: passion, purpose, and perseverance

🎧 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

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #AimeeMiles #WesleyanUniversity #latintheatre #workingactor #remoteworkforactors #actingandmotherhood #goldcountry

In this episode, Todd & Jay talk with the brilliant and fast-rising Anna Brindle, a London-based actor and proud alum of ArtsEd — one of the UK's top performing arts schools.

At just 28, Anna is carving her own space in the industry with a powerful mix of talent, grit, and glowing optimism. We talk about the rollercoaster of being a young actor, navigating the grind of auditions, finding your type, trusting the process, and staying joyful even when the phone's not ringing.

This is a raw and honest chat — one that speaks directly to the now generation of performers building their craft and career from the ground up.

00:00 – Cold open: remembering actor dreams and gigging culture 01:40 – Todd & Jay introduce Anna Brindle 04:10 – What it means to "make it" as an actor in 2024 06:45 – ArtsEd memories and the transition to working life 10:20 – Industry expectations vs. actual experience 13:10 – "Where's the money?": side hustles and pressure 16:05 – Dealing with long gaps between acting jobs 18:50 – Taking breaks vs. staying in "actor mode" 21:15 – Losing confidence and recovering self-worth 23:00 – The voice in your head and imposter syndrome 26:30 – Anna on self-representation and mental health 29:00 – Finding joy in collaboration and creative play 32:15 – Spotlight, self-tapes, and the self-worth trap 35:45 – The "right" job vs. the right-for-you job 39:10 – TikTok and the shift in self-marketing 42:00 – Being enough without being everywhere 45:00 – Wrap-up: Anna's advice to actors on the rise 47:10 – Todd & Jay reflect: gratitude and staying grounded

🎧 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

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #AnnaBrindle #ArtsEd #youngactors #actingadvice #earlycareeractor #londonactors #spotlightready