The Working Actor NYC

The rejection you didn't see coming.

What happens when you help build a project… and then the project moves forward without you?

In this LIVE episode of The Working Actor NYC podcast, Benjamin and Patrick dig into one of the most painful — and least discussed — experiences actors face: being part of the reading, workshop, lab, or regional production… and then not being invited back.

Benjamin shares his recent experience of being dropped from a Broadway-bound project, and members of the acting community share their own stories of rejection, replacement, heartbreak, resilience, and recovery.

This episode includes:

• stories from actors who helped build shows and were later replaced

• conversations about self-worth and rejection in the acting industry

• thoughts on how actors recover emotionally and professionally

• field reports from NYC casting offices and the theater community

• a discussion about series regular auditions, managers, and “moving up the ladder” in TV

Featuring stories and perspectives from:

Kimberly Doreen Burns

Lauren Pastorek

Jackie Petroccia

If you’ve ever felt left behind by this business… this episode is for you.

Do you need to be selfish to succeed as an actor… or is that just insecurity in disguise?

We break down confidence, ego, and the real behaviors that shape a career in the room.

In this episode of The Working Actor NYC, we tackle a deceptively simple question: do you have to be selfish to succeed as an actor? What starts as a surprising on-set interaction quickly opens up a deeper conversation about confidence, status signaling, and the fine line between self-belief and ego. From actors subtly “flashing credentials” to moments of bold self-positioning in the room, we unpack what these behaviors actually mean—and whether they help or hurt in a collaborative industry.

Along the way, we break down real audition struggles, including a listener-submitted story about a dance call gone wrong, and explore the mental habits that can either derail or save you in high-pressure moments. We also dig into the idea of “infrastructure” in an actor’s career—from daily habits to unexpected homework like watching television with intention—and how clarity, resilience, and self-awareness ultimately shape long-term success more than any single moment of confidence or ego.

Are you falling behind as an actor… or does it just feel that way?

In this LIVE episode of The Working Actor NYC, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood dive into one of the most destructive beliefs actors carry: the idea that everyone else is ahead.

They unpack the comparison trap, the illusion created by social media, and why acting careers don’t follow timelines — even though we keep trying to force them onto one. They also discuss late starts, the long middle of an acting career, and why longevity matters more than early success.

If you’ve ever felt like you started too late, haven’t booked enough, or watched others “pass you by,” this conversation will change how you think about your career.

Because you’re not behind. You’re just in the middle.

Type gets you in the room. Brand gets you cast.

In this LIVE episode of The Working Actor NYC Podcast, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood introduce their new format — featuring real-world field reports, live audience questions, and deep dives into essential acting career topics.

This week, they tackle one of the most misunderstood concepts in the industry: type vs brand — and how understanding the difference can help actors move from co-star roles to series regular opportunities.

Featuring insights from casting director sessions and practical tools actors can apply immediately.

If self-tapes feel like punishment, there’s a good chance you’re approaching them completely wrong. Self-tapes didn’t kill auditions. They just changed the rules.

Self-tape auditions are now the standard for film, TV, and many theatre projects — but many actors still treat self tapes like a chore instead of a creative opportunity. In this episode of The Working Actor NYC, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood share practical self-tape audition tips, discuss how to approach acting self tapes creatively, and talk about what actually helps actors stand out on camera.

Self-tapes have completely changed the way actors audition — and a lot of actors still treat them like a chore.

In this episode of The Working Actor NYC, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood unpack the mindset shift that can make self-taping not just tolerable… but actually creative and empowering.

Yes, many actors miss the energy of being in the room with casting directors. But the self-tape era has also opened up new opportunities: more control over your performance, the ability to collaborate with your own community of readers, and a chance to approach the audition like a miniature piece of storytelling.

We talk about:

• Why self-tapes feel isolating — and why that might be a myth

• How building a circle of readers can actually strengthen your acting community

• Whether props help or hurt your audition

• Why overproducing your self-tape can backfire

• The difference between playing it safe and making specific choices

• How to start thinking of self-tapes as a creative opportunity instead of a burden

Because here’s the truth: the rules of the industry have changed. And the actors who adapt fastest are the ones who keep working.

If you’re still treating self-tapes like something you have to get through, this conversation might help you start using them to your advantage.

A conversation about longevity, identity, and staying alive to the work.

Acting careers don’t follow straight lines — they move through seasons.

In this episode, we explore the reality every long-term actor eventually faces: the transition from one chapter of work to another. Roles evolve, identities shift, and the challenge becomes not holding onto what once worked, but staying responsive to what the work is asking of you now.

We discuss:

• The emotional reality of aging into new casting territory
• Letting go of roles that defined earlier chapters
• Why some actors struggle during transitions
• How curiosity sustains longevity in the profession
• Practical ways to recognize where your career is heading next

This conversation isn’t about surviving change. It’s about remaining artistically alive as your career evolves.

Because longevity in acting isn’t about holding on — it’s about knowing when to release.

A BFA doesn't make you a working actor.

What’s the difference between foundational training and ongoing training as a professional actor?

In this episode, we unpack the distinction between degree-based programs (BFA/MFA) and the kind of training actors pursue once they’re working in the industry.

Neither of us came up through conservatory programs — but we’re both deeply committed to ongoing training. Benjamin talks about the classes that shaped him at HB Studio in New York. Patrick reflects on the private studio in Hollywood that transformed his craft. In both cases, the work demanded imagination, truth, and personal responsibility — not just trying to impress a teacher.

We explore:

• The strengths of foundational programs
• The pitfalls of thinking a degree means you’re “done”
• Why some actors struggle to transition from student to professional
• How class can become a shield from the marketplace
• And why community and continued growth matter at every level

Training doesn’t end when school does. And the actors who last are the ones who keep sharpening the tool.

If you’re navigating your own path — whether in school, out of school, or years into your career — this conversation will help you think about training in a more strategic way.

Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood are back with Season 2 of The Working Actor NYC Podcast — and they’re starting 2026 with an honest conversation about goals, momentum, and what’s actually changing in the acting industry.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Why traditional goal-setting doesn’t always serve actors
• The difference between chasing moments and building momentum
• Industry shifts they’re already noticing in 2026
• How working actors can orient themselves without burning out or clinging to outdated ideas

This isn’t about resolutions or hype. It’s about clarity, adaptability, and staying awake to the work as it evolves.

Whether you’re resetting after a tough year or looking ahead with intention, this episode is about starting the season grounded, curious, and connected.

This is our Christmas week episode — and a look back at a year that changed everything.

In this conversation, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood reflect on 2025: the growth, the surprises, and the evolution of The Working Actor NYC.

What started as an audio-only podcast recorded at a dining table became:

• a video podcast

• a full YouTube channel

• daily short-form content

• weekly long-form episodes

• and, unexpectedly, a coaching practice serving actors around the world

We talk about:

– the origin story of The Working Actor NYC

– our most popular and favorite podcast episodes

– what content resonated most this year

– how coaching grew out of the work organically

– and the community that made all of it possible

Mostly, this episode is about gratitude. For the listeners. For the viewers. And for each other.

Thank you for being here. Truly.

🎄

Every working actor knows the feeling: watching a truly top-level performer and thinking… “How do they do that every day?”

In this episode, Patrick Richwood and Benjamin Howes break down the real habits, routines, and rituals we’ve seen in the pros — the ones that keep them consistent, resilient, and ready, even when life throws curveballs.

We talk about things like:

🎭 Would you still show up to the theatre every day if an injury kept you offstage? Some performers do — to stay connected to the show, keep their body in therapy, listen from the wings, and remain a part of the company. That level of commitment is a habit, not an accident.

🔥 Mindset that keeps you from spiraling

🥗 Diet, hydration, and fuel that actually support performing

💪 Warm-ups and physical routines Broadway actors swear by

😂 And yes — plenty of the usual chaos and jokes you expect when Patrick and Benjamin get together

These habits aren’t about perfection. They’re about the tiny choices that keep you grounded, prepared, and professional — whether you’re on Broadway, on tour, or building momentum in your hometown.