On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem sits down with visionary playwright and director Robert O’Hara, known for his provocative and boundary-pushing works like “Slave Play”, “Bootycandy”, and his new play “Shit. Meet. Fan.” 

O’Hara opens up about his journey as an artist, his passion for unflinching storytelling, and how his personal experiences as a Black queer creator informs his work. He explains his philosophy of creating art that challenges comfort and forces audiences to confront uncomfortable truths. With humor and insight, he shares the collaborative processes he uses to foster authentic performances, including his unique “triage” technique that he uses with actors during rehearsals.

Robert offers a masterclass on artistic courage and listeners are in for a conversation that delivers a profound exploration of the power of storytelling to challenge, transform, and transcend.

"Shit. Meet. Fan." runs through December 15th at the MCC Theater in New York City.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor's Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment. 

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad. 

www.actorsinstrument.com

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem welcomes performer Elijah Ahmad Lewis for a candid discussion about life as a touring artist. With credits from Motown the Musical to Ain't Too Proud, Elijah shares what it’s really like to live on the road, from maintaining his voice and health to finding family among his castmates.

He opens up about the discipline required to perform eight shows a week in different cities and the unique challenges actors face in touring productions.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday! 

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment. 

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.  

www.actorsinstrument.com

This week on The Actor's Instrument, Hassiem welcomes actress Charlotte McKee from the #1 movie in America, Terrifier 3!

With credits including Law and Order: SVU, Apple TV+'s Bad Monkey, and HBO's Random Acts of Flyness, Charlotte gives us a candid look behind the scenes of Terrifier 3 and chats about making bold acting choices, improvising, and remaining resilient amongst industry chaos.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday! 

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment. 

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.  

www.actorsinstrument.com

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with multi-talented performer Jarrett Austin Brown, known for his acting roles in films like Don't Turn Off the Lights and the upcoming feature Gazer, which premiered earlier this this year at the Cannes Film Festival. He's also known for his dynamic dance career working with artists like Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa and performing at the MTV Video Music Awards and the Grammys. 

Jarrett shares his industry insights, the importance of staying focused on the work, his future goals as an actor and producer, and his favorite horror films!

New Episodes drop every Tuesday! 

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment. 

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.  

www.actorsinstrument.com

On this week's episode of The Actor's Instrument, Hassiem speaks with acclaimed writer and director Gordon Greenberg.

Best known for his work on Broadway and in London's West End, Gordon takes us on the journey through his creative process. From directing and co-writing the comedic Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors to working on musicals like Broadway's The Heart of Rock and Roll, he shares valuable lessons about collaboration, trust, and the evolving role of artists in the changing industry.

Hassiem and Gordon also delves into the importance of fostering creativity, finding your unique selling point, and the importance of humor in the creative process.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday! 

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment. 

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.  

www.actorsinstrument.com

Live From New York, it’s The Actor’s Instrument’s first live episode!

Hassiem sits down with Luis Quintero at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture in New York City on the set of his play, Medea: Re-Versed, which has recieved high criticial praise from Vulture and The New York Times, amongst others. Time Out New York called it one of the best off-Broadway shows of the fall. 

Luis and Hassiem discuss actors who create their own work, making your work "undeniable", the challenges of producing Off-Broadway, and the art of mixing Greek mythology and Hip Hop.

Medea: Re-Versed runs off-Broadway at the Sheen Center's Shiner Theater until October 20th, 2024.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment.

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad. 

www.actorsinstrument.com

Welcome back to The Actor's Instrument! Hassiem sits down with Alaine Aldaffer, the resident casting director at Playwrights Horizons in New York City. With over 25 years of experience in theater and television, Alaine has a wealth of knowledge to share, having cast over 100 productions, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning play A Strange Loop and the most Tony Award-Winning show of 2024, Stereophonic.

Join us as Alaine provides a unique perspective on the casting process, especially in the world of contemporary theater where she often brings new works to life for the first time. We’ll dive into the intricacies of casting original plays, nurturing new voices, and the importance of POV in auditions. Whether you’re an aspiring actor or a theater enthusiast, this episode is packed with invaluable insights and inspiration.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday! 

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment. 

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.  

www.actorsinstrument.com 

Welcome to this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, your go-to source for industry insight and inspiration! Our guest this week is Jamil Jude, the Artistic Director of Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theater and Co-Founder of The New Griots Festival.

Jamil gives us an inside look into the Atlanta theater and on-camera markets, as well as his unique perspective as an “artist-plus,” blending his passion for social justice with the world of theater. Discover how Jamil's extensive experience at renowned theaters—including The Olney and Forum Theatres in DC, the Denver Center for Performing Arts, and various companies in the Twin Cities—shapes his artistic vision and commitment to meaningful storytelling.

Join us for an engaging discussion on the transformative power of theater, the importance of representation, and how artists can advocate for social change. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications to stay updated on all episodes!

Don’t miss out on more captivating conversations! Subscribe to The Actor’s Instrument wherever you get your podcasts. New Episodes drop every Tuesday! The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment. Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.  www.actorsinstrument.com

Welcome back to The Actor’s Instrument, the podcast where we delve into the stories and experiences of industry insiders. I’m your host, Hassiem Muhammad, and in this episode, we’re celebrating an extraordinary achievement in the world of theater.

Ever wondered what it takes to land a coveted role on Broadway straight out of drama school? This week’s guest, Matias, is here to share his incredible journey. Just months after graduating from UNCSA’s School of Drama in 2021, Matias made his Broadway debut in Lincoln Center’s production of Camelot—a dream come true for any theater actor.

In this episode, Matias opens up about his whirlwind transition from student to Broadway star, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of his early career. Discover the behind-the-scenes stories of his debut, learn what it’s like to perform on one of the world’s most prestigious stages, and hear how he navigated the complexities of the theater industry to achieve such a remarkable milestone.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into the theater world and find inspiration from Matias' unique path to Broadway success. Whether you’re an aspiring actor or a theater enthusiast, this episode is packed with advice, motivation, and the real-life experiences of a rising star.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday! 

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment. 

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.  

www.actorsinstrument.com

Welcome back to The Actor’s Instrument! In this episode, we are thrilled to feature the remarkable Daryl Sledge, an award-winning producer and director renowned for his outstanding contributions to film and television.

In this episode, Daryl Sledge shares his wealth of experience, including his work on the HBO Best Short Film-winning "2nd Life" and the acclaimed documentary "THAT DAUGHTER'S CRAZY," which earned him the prestigious Saatchi & Saatchi Achievement in Film Feature Documentary award. Discover how Daryl made his mark with the Off-Broadway hit "FRIED CHICKEN and LATKES" and his directorial debut “un•bind,” which has been honored with Best Film awards at the New York Cinematography Awards and European Cinematography Awards, and an Award of Merit at the Best Shorts Competition.

Daryl’s work has been recognized at top international festivals, including the Black Toronto Film Festival, and he is currently collaborating with major players like TBS, NBCU Films, and Focus Features. This episode is a goldmine of tips and strategies for aspiring filmmakers and actors looking to make their own way in the industry.

Tune in to gain invaluable insights into the art of self-creation and learn how you can forge your path in the dynamic world of entertainment. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the industry's leading voices!