The Audition Helper

Joan Thorne's career goes way back to assisting Zelda Fichhandler at Arena Stage and legendary director Alan Schneider who directed the American premiere of Waiting for Godot. Joan Thorne's career has crossed paths with Becket, Pinter, Edward Albee, and Thornton Wilder.  She even had a run in with Katharine Hepburn.  Hear stories of these legends firsthand through Joan's dazzling life in the American Theatre. 

Playwright and Pulitzer Prize finalist Clare Barron stops by to talk about her latest play Shhh which premiered at the Atlantic Theater Company in January.  Clare talks about feeling exposed and vulnerable in her writing, and her experience with sexual assault. 

Jeremy Shamos stops by to discuss working with Denzel Washington and George C. Wolfe in the film version of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, as well as his Tony-nominated role in Bruce Norris's Clyborne Park which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2011.  Jeremy discusses his trajectory as an actor as well his experience in his favorite productions.  

Namir Smallwood stops by to talk about being in one of the first shows to open on Broadway after the pandemic shutdown, and about his upcoming performance in Tracy Lett's Bug at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. 

Kara Young stops by to talk about her experience acting in C.A. Johnson's All the Natalie Portman's at MCC and what it was like to work with director Kate Whoriskey.  Kara talks about what it takes to live the life of a professional actor.  "Respect the hustle."

Talent Manager and Producer Jen Namoff stops by to share her advice for actors from years of managing great talent like Gavin Creel, Katrina Lenk, and Titus Burgess.  Jen has produced Broadway shows, like How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying with Daniel Radcliffe and the film version of The Last Five Years with Anna Kendrick.  She's a wealth of knowledge and great advice on how actors can best represent themselves. 

Lea DeLaria from Netflix's Orange is the New Black drops by to discuss her journey from stand-up comic to jazz singer to her illustrious acting career on the stage and screen.  Hear all about her experiences on the Arsenio Hall Show and the Broadway productions of On the Town and The Rocky Horror Show. 

Star of Broadway's The Book of Mormon, Rory O'Malley,  drops by to talk about his journey and career.  From his cameo appearance in the film Dreamgirls, to his understudy role in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, to his Tony nomination in The Book of Morman.  Rory also offers insights about performing the role of King George in Hamilton.  Catch Rory on Apple TV's Central Park.

The Audition Helper interviews star of stage and television Mary Testa, who recently received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the Daniel Fish production of OKLAHOMA. 

The Audition Helper interviews Broadway star Telly Leung, from Aladdin, In Transit, Flower Drum Song, and Allegiance.