Offstage Acting

This week we are asking our audiences to please take the time to vote for us in the British Podcast Awards Listeners' Choice Awards 2024! It only takes 3 minutes to do online. Just follow the simple instructions and help us become the best known podcast for actors in the world! 😃🎙️💕 (or at least in Britain🫅)

Thanks guys!

1) Go: to the website: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting

2) Search: for the podcast: Offstage Acting

3) Click: The "Offstage Acting" podcast

4) Enter: your name, email address and click "I'm not a robot"\

5) Click: SUBMIT

6) Check: your email

7) Confirm: your vote by clicking on the link sent to you by email

After 15 years on the comedy circuit, Matthew Bayliss is flipping the script — from mic to monologue.

In this episode, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum sit down with the Birmingham-based stand-up comedian who's recently begun transitioning into acting. With sharp timing, loads of stage experience, and a self-deprecating wit, Matthew brings a unique perspective to the craft of performance.

We chat about everything from hecklers and writing habits to imposter syndrome, industry gatekeeping, and learning to "act natural" after years of exaggerating for laughs. If you've ever wondered what it takes to cross over from comedy to acting — this one's for you.

🎭 Warning: this episode contains punchlines and painful truths.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Opening banter: Midlands vs. Manchester 01:40 – Meet Matthew Bayliss: 15+ years in stand-up 04:20 – His first open mic and early comedy scene stories 07:10 – Developing voice and confidence onstage 09:50 – Why acting felt like the next step 12:30 – Jay on vulnerability vs. bravado in performance 15:15 – Writing vs. improvising: crossover skills 18:00 – Acting classes and the discomfort of being raw 20:30 – Todd on the "unlearning" process for comics 23:00 – Getting seen by casting directors 25:20 – Headshots, reels, and building the new toolkit 28:10 – Comedy habits that help (and hurt) in auditions 31:00 – Lessons from gigs gone sideways 34:20 – Staying sane in a weird industry 37:00 – Advice for comedians eyeing the acting world 39:00 – Wrap-up and final punchlines

🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW

🎧 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

📣 HASHTAGS

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #MatthewBayliss #standupcomic #comedytalent #comicturnedactor #ukcomedy #actingjourney #fromstagetoscreen

This week, Todd & Jay sit down with a powerhouse of performance: Gideon Emery — an actor, voice artist, singer, and full-blown chameleon when it comes to the craft.

Born in Windsor, England, raised in South Africa, and now working globally across stage, screen, and console, Gideon has built a dynamic career that spans theatre, television, film, animation, and AAA video games. You might know him as Deucalion in Teen Wolf, or from Daredevil, Shameless, Call of Duty, Final Fantasy, and countless other credits.

But beyond the resume, Gideon talks about the work — the hustle, the mindset, the flexibility, and the love of craft that keeps him sharp and grounded. From awkward beginnings to career pivots, this one is loaded with insight, stories, and a dash of that Gideon charm.

🎧 Whether you're voicing dragons, chasing callbacks, or just trying to stay inspired — this episode is for you.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Todd & Jay intro: "That's a strong name" 02:00 – Gideon's origin story: Windsor to South Africa 04:30 – Finding theatre, avoiding rugby 07:00 – First gigs, weird gigs, and one with no trousers 10:00 – Stage to screen: early transitions 12:30 – Coming to LA & figuring out the hustle 15:00 – Breaking into US television 18:20 – Booking Teen Wolf and loving the villain 21:00 – Creating iconic voices in video games 24:00 – The difference between VO and on-camera work 27:00 – Staying grounded in a chaotic business 29:30 – Balancing skill, story, and self 32:00 – The role of mindset and maturity in acting 34:45 – VO technique and the art of disappearing 38:00 – Advice for younger actors and self-managers 40:00 – Jay gets emotional about effort 42:00 – Gideon on longevity, gratitude, and joy 44:00 – Wrap-up and final reflections

🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW

🎧 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 🎙️ Gideon Emery: https://www.gideonemery.com

📣 HASHTAGS

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #GideonEmery #TeenWolf #CallOfDuty #FinalFantasy #voiceactor #versatileactor #daredevilnetflix #videogamevoiceover #actorhustle

In this episode, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum talk with actor, theatre director, and podcast producer Jessica Beck, whose diverse background in stagecraft has profoundly shaped her approach to storytelling through sound.

Jessica has produced podcasts for The BBC, The Guardian, and Bloomberg, and recently worked with none other than Sir Michael Caine. Her foundation in theatre not only informs her creative instincts but also highlights how performance training can enhance narrative storytelling in the audio world.

Together, we explore the intersection of acting and podcasting, the value of transferable skills, and why no creative path is ever wasted—just rerouted. If you've ever wondered how acting chops can translate into other mediums, this one's for you.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro banter: Todd defines "podcast" (sort of) 02:10 – Meet Jessica Beck: actor, theatre director, podcast producer 03:30 – Working with Sir Michael Caine & BBC / Bloomberg gigs 05:10 – Theatre roots and how they shape her podcasting work 08:00 – From acting to directing to production: following curiosity 10:30 – The shift from live theatre to recorded voice 13:00 – Navigating career shifts with identity & clarity 15:45 – Working with actors in audio: tension vs freedom 18:30 – The structure behind the "storytelling voice" 21:00 – Jessica's process: from concept to launch 24:00 – Building trust with guests and clients 27:15 – Todd asks: "what makes a podcast good?" 30:00 – Listener habits & crafting emotional journeys 33:00 – The evolution of sound design & format freedom 36:15 – Jay on building audio like a stage 38:00 – How acting gives you the edge in podcasting 41:10 – Podcasting for institutions vs indies 44:30 – The story behind her first ever audio project 47:00 – Editing yourself vs letting things breathe 50:15 – How Jessica built a sustainable creative career 53:30 – Advice for actors looking to transition into audio 56:45 – Todd gets inspired by podcasting's wide-open future 59:00 – Jessica on long-form content and building slow 1:02:15 – Finding your creative lane without a map 1:05:40 – Future goals, audio dreams, and staying curious 1:08:50 – Todd's final question: where is Jessica Beck in 10 years? 1:10:00 – Closing thoughts and gratitude

🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW

🎧 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

📣 HASHTAGS

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #JessicaBeck #BBCPodcasts #AudioStorytelling #TheatreToPodcast #PodcastProducer #MichaelCaine #CreativeCareers #WomenInAudio

Celebrating their 20th episode, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum are tickled purple to welcome Lynda Rooke — President of Actors' Equity UK and a seasoned, highly respected actor with a rich and varied career across British theatre, television, and film.

Lynda isn't only a union leader. She's a working actor with decades of experience on stage and screen, admired for both her craft and her commitment to the profession. That dual perspective — artist and advocate — sits at the heart of this conversation.

Coming hot off the heels of the Equity Conference 2024 in Birmingham, Todd and Lynda dive straight into the big issues facing performers today: improving working conditions, advocating for fair pay, protecting actors' welfare, and pushing for meaningful diversity and inclusion across the industry. They also unpack how Equity actually functions behind the scenes, the progress unions have made in recent years, and the very real challenges still ahead.

Elected President in 2022, Lynda has helped steer Equity through major moments — from the impact of COVID-19 on performers' livelihoods to Equity's solidarity with US actors during the recent SAG-AFTRA strikes. Throughout, her passion for acting and for the people who make their living from it is unmistakable.

Jay and Todd engage Lynda on all things acting and acting unions — blending policy, practice, and personal experience into an honest, grounded, and energising discussion about what it means to protect both the work and the workers.

So, let's hear it for good work for artists. Good art for workers. And Equity for all!

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 20 🎉 02:10 – Celebrating the milestone & setting the tone 05:30 – Introducing Lynda Rooke 08:15 – What Equity is (and what it isn't) 12:40 – Life inside a trade union: how it actually works 18:20 – Equity Conference 2024: key themes & takeaways 24:10 – Actors' rights, welfare, and current pressure points 31:00 – Wins so far: where unions have made progress 37:45 – The challenges ahead for performers 44:30 – Lynda's acting career & professional journey 52:00 – Why advocacy matters for working actors 58:40 – Advice for actors engaging with Equity 01:04:30 – Final thoughts, reflections & wrap-up

🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW

🎧 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

#️⃣ HASHTAGS

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #EquityUK #ActorsUnion #ActorsRights #Performers #UKActors #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing

Curious what Offstage Acting is all about?

In this short trailer, hosts Todd Kramer and Jay Reum introduce the podcast for actors who want real conversations, real insight, and real-world perspective on the craft and the business of acting.

From working actors and industry professionals to honest discussions about training, career longevity, and life offstage — this show is about what actually helps actors get acting… and keep acting.

🎧 Hit play, meet the hosts, and get a feel for the vibe.

Then… get acting.

In Episode 19, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum sit down with intimacy coordinator Rebecca Johannsen for an open, grounded, and surprisingly revealing conversation about one of the most important new roles in modern filmmaking.

Intimacy coordination has emerged only recently as a crucial practice within film and television — designed to ensure safety, consent, respect, and artistic integrity in productions involving intimate scenes. In plain terms: it's how sex scenes are planned, choreographed, communicated, and shot — with clarity instead of chaos, and care instead of assumption.

Rebecca is not only a leading practitioner in the field, but also a teacher and advocate, helping shape industry standards that, frankly, should have existed since filmmaking began. Together, the trio unpack why intimacy coordination was missing for so long, what it actually looks like on set, and how it fundamentally changes the experience for actors, directors, and crews alike.

This is a thoughtful, no-nonsense deep dive into on-screen intimacy, power dynamics, professionalism, and why better systems don't limit creativity — they protect it.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome & setting the stage 02:45 – Introducing Rebecca Johannsen 06:10 – What intimacy coordination actually is 11:30 – Why this role didn't exist for decades 18:20 – How intimate scenes are planned & choreographed 25:40 – Consent, communication, and boundaries on set 33:10 – Actor experiences: before vs after intimacy coordinators 40:15 – Common misconceptions about the role 46:50 – Teaching intimacy coordination & industry standards 54:20 – Resistance, buy-in, and changing old habits 01:01:10 – Why this work protects creativity 01:07:30 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW

🎧 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

#️⃣ HASHTAGS

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #IntimacyCoordinator #FilmIndustry #OnSetSafety #ActorsRights #RebeccaJohannsen #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing

You're about to meet Yaron Mesika — an Israeli-Dutch actor with Tunisian roots, born and raised in the Netherlands and now fully in the thick of the acting hustle.

Todd Kramer and Jay Reum sit down with Yaron to talk about what it really takes to build a career from the ground up: focus, consistency, discipline, and attitude. This is a conversation about work ethic, mindset, and showing up — again and again — even when there are no guarantees.

Yaron brings a grounded, positive, no-nonsense perspective to the craft and the business, shaped by his multicultural background and a clear-eyed understanding of what success in this industry actually demands. No shortcuts. No mythology. Just the work.

If you're an actor navigating identity, geography, or the long road between training and traction, this episode hits close to home.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome & episode setup 02:30 – Introducing Yaron Mesika 06:10 – Roots, heritage, and identity 11:45 – Growing up in the Netherlands 17:20 – Choosing acting and committing to the craft 24:00 – Work ethic vs expectation 30:40 – Hustling without losing perspective 37:15 – Mindset, discipline, and long-term thinking 44:10 – Cultural background as an asset 51:00 – What "success" actually looks like 57:30 – Advice for working actors 01:03:20 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW

🎧 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

#️⃣ HASHTAGS

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #WorkingActor #ActorMindset #ActorHustle #InternationalActor #YaronMesika #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing

Have you ever watched a TV commercial and thought, "I could do that…" — but had absolutely no idea what actually goes into booking one?

In this Todd & Jay bonusode, the boys turn the spotlight inward as Jay digs deep into Todd's commercial acting history to unpack what the world of television advertising really demands from actors. From auditions and callbacks to contracts, clients, and the realities of being on set, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood — and financially impactful — lanes in the acting industry.

Todd shares first-hand experience from years of booking commercial work, breaking down what casting directors look for, how actors should think about usage and longevity, and why commercials can be both a blessing and a strategic minefield if you don't know what you're doing.

If you've ever wondered whether commercials are "worth it," how to approach them professionally, or how not to lose your soul (or your future opportunities) chasing a payday — this episode is a must-listen.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Opening banter & setting the agenda 03:20 – Why commercials matter more than actors think 07:45 – Todd's early commercial experiences 12:10 – What commercial casting actually looks for 17:30 – Auditions, callbacks, and the pressure to be "sellable" 23:15 – Money talk: why commercials can change your year 28:40 – Usage, longevity, and the fine print actors ignore 34:20 – Union vs non-union commercial work 40:10 – The client factor: who's really in charge on set 46:00 – When a commercial job isn't worth taking 51:45 – Saying no, setting boundaries, and protecting your brand 57:30 – Horror stories, war stories, and lessons learned 01:04:10 – When commercials go right (and why it feels great) 01:10:30 – Commercials vs film & TV acting mindset 01:17:00 – Advice for actors starting out in commercials 01:23:30 – Final takeaways & bonusode wrap-up

🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW

🎧 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

#️⃣ HASHTAGS

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #commercialacting #tvcommercials #advertising #auditions #workingactor #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing

Todd Kramer and Jay Reum sit down with JB Blanc — the prolific, proficient, passionate, professional (and probably a plethora of other P's) actor whose career spans over 30 years across film, television, and voiceover.

JB has voiced over 400 video game characters — yes, four hundred — making him one of the most recognisable (and unrecognised) voices in modern entertainment. From gritty dramas to animated worlds and massive AAA game franchises, his body of work is a masterclass in range, stamina, and commitment to craft.

In this episode, the conversation moves effortlessly between voice acting, on-camera work, longevity, and the mindset required to keep evolving in an industry that never stands still. JB speaks candidly about discipline, professionalism, and what it actually takes to sustain a creative life without burning out.

Insightful, energising, and packed with real-world wisdom, this is an essential listen for actors curious about voiceover, career longevity, or simply how to keep showing up and doing the work at the highest level.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome & introducing JB Blanc 03:40 – A 30-year career in acting 08:30 – Early training and finding his footing 13:50 – Moving between stage, screen, and voice 19:20 – Entering the world of video games 24:50 – Voicing hundreds of characters 30:10 – Craft, consistency, and vocal stamina 35:40 – Professionalism on long-running careers 41:10 – Voice acting vs on-camera work 46:40 – Staying curious and adaptable 52:10 – Avoiding burnout in a high-output career 57:40 – What younger actors misunderstand about VO 01:03:10 – Longevity without complacency 01:08:40 – Choosing growth over comfort 01:14:00 – Advice for actors chasing sustainability 01:19:30 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

💬 Join the Conversation

Have you ever underestimated the discipline behind voice acting? Are you curious about building longevity across multiple lanes of the industry? Drop a comment and let's talk range, resilience, and doing the work for the long haul.

🎬 SELECTED CREDITS DISCUSSED

• The Count of Monte Cristo

• Tristan & Isolde

• Garfield

• War Dogs

• Breaking Bad

• Barry

• Better Call Saul

• Over 300 video games

🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW

🎧 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

#️⃣ HASHTAGS

#acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #actorslife #VoiceActing #VideoGames #WorkingActor #CareerLongevity #JBBlanc #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing