The Working Actor NYC

It’s the holidays, and that means one thing: people everywhere are trying to figure out what on earth to buy the actor in their life.

So in this episode of The Working Actor NYC, Patrick and I put together the ultimate gift guide — featuring 20 actor gifts that range from genuinely helpful… to deeply questionable… to what fever dream did this Etsy creator wake up from?

We’ve got everything from:

🎭 A website promising “How To Get A Restaurant Job With Zero Experience” 🕯️ A “Smells Like World’s Best Actor” candle

🎖️ A Tony Award replica (tell me you don’t want one…)

🛋️ Your own face on street furniture (yes, really)

🔪 A Sweeney Todd straight razor (please don’t give this to method actors)

🧣 A Shakespeare throw blanket for the drama queen in your life

🧑‍🎨 And… The Working Actor NYC Merch Table, obviously. (Truly the perfect gift. I don’t make the rules.)

Some gifts are sweet. Some are ridiculous. Some are surprisingly awesome. And one of them is literally a bus stop bench with your headshot on it.

But honestly? The best gift for your actor might just be what we talk about at the end: love, support, and a soft place to land when the industry gets loud.

Happy holidays from The Working Actor NYC — now go get your theatre kid something magical.

From Broadway to birthday clowns — we’re talking every acting job out there, and why they all count.

In this episode, we take a wild ride through every corner of the acting world — from Broadway and Off-Broadway stages to national tours, regional houses, and community theatre. We break down film and TV work, commercials, and the surprising ways acting shows up in the corporate world — training videos, industrials, even tech demos and gaming voiceovers.

And of course, we couldn’t resist diving into the weird acting jobs: children’s party clown, escape-room characters, historical re-enactors, Santa stand-ins… plus a few of our own stories you’ll have to hear to believe.

Whether you’re a new actor figuring out your lane or a seasoned pro remembering your roots, this episode proves one thing: there are so many ways to make a life in this industry.

Spot the monster in your cast before opening night.

Every actor has faced them — the narcissists, the laugh snatchers, the egomaniacs who turn rehearsals into nightmares. In this Halloween-inspired episode, Benjamin Howes sits down with actor Patrick Richwood to cast these toxic colleagues as monsters of the stage and set.

Whether you’ve dealt with a Narcissactor, an Ego-Saurus Rex, or just a desperate Laugh Snatcher, this episode will help you keep your sanity, protect your craft, and remember: their monster is not your monster.

🎭 Hosted by Benjamin Howes & Patrick Richwood

The Working Actor NYC is your go-to resource for honest, real-world insight into building a career in acting. Every other Monday, catch our co-hosted Podcast episodes — packed with candid stories and laughs — and on alternating Mondays, dig into our Practical series: tactical solo episodes full of actionable tips and tools to help you work smarter, stay inspired, and build the acting career you actually want.

Visit us at https://theworkingactornyc.com/

🎭 Hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with insider intel, actor tools, and behind-the-scenes truths from the heart of the industry.

You got this. Keep going!

There's a fine line between blowing off steam - and burning the whole cast.

Every actor vents — it’s practically part of the job description. But when does a little healthy release turn into full-on toxic dumping that drags down the energy in the room? In this episode, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood dig into the fine line between blowing off steam and becoming the person everyone avoids at rehearsal. Inspired by a listener’s real-life question about a castmate who wouldn’t stop badmouthing their own show, we talk about why we vent, how it bonds us, and what happens when it starts to poison the atmosphere instead of clearing it.

With humor, empathy, and a lot of first-hand experience, Benjamin and Patrick share tools that help you stay on the healthy side of that line — from time-limiting your rants to signaling when you just need a minute to unload. They also explore how your emotional energy shapes your reputation in this small industry, and how to keep your venting productive, professional, and human. Whether you’re mid-rehearsal, mid-tour, or mid-meltdown, this episode will help you turn frustration into fuel — and remind you that venting clears the air, but dumping just clouds it.

From baby face to “dad bod” roles — the actor’s aging curve.

Getting older in the acting industry comes with its own set of challenges — and some unexpected advantages. In this episode, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood unpack the realities of aging on stage and screen: the shifting dynamics of age in a cast, whether age brings respect or obsolescence, and how actors navigate playing older or younger than they really are.

With humor, honesty, and a lot of lived experience, we tackle the lies actors are told about age, the truths we’ve learned along the way, and why the conversation matters now more than ever. Whether you’re fresh out of school or decades into your career, this episode will make you laugh, think, and hopefully feel a little less alone in the climb.

Your type gets you in the room. Your wheelhouse books it.

Want to land more acting roles? It’s not just about “knowing your type.” In this episode of The Working Actor NYC Podcast, Benjamin and Patrick break down the secret edge that helps actors actually book the room: your wheelhouse. You’ll learn what casting type really means, how it differs from your wheelhouse, and why understanding both is essential for building a consistent, hireable brand as an actor.

We share personal examples, practical tools to discover your own type and wheelhouse, and how to strategically use them in auditions, headshots, reels, and networking. Whether you’re a student actor or a seasoned professional, this conversation will help you audition with confidence, stand out in crowded casting offices, and ultimately land more roles.

Join our community at TheWorkingActorNYC.com and let us know how we're doing!

Rejection isn’t the end — it’s part of the job.

Actors face rejection constantly — but what does it really mean, and how do you keep going when it hurts? In this episode of The Working Actor NYC, hosts Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood break down the truth about rejection: why it feels so personal, why it’s not a verdict on your talent or your worth, and how to shift your mindset so it doesn’t derail your career.

You’ll learn 8 practical strategies for handling rejection as an actor, from building resilience and reframing the “no,” to protecting your mental health and staying motivated between auditions.

Whether you’re a working actor in NYC, a student actor just starting out, or a performer looking to book more work, this episode will give you the tools to survive rejection and thrive in your acting career.

The Working Actor NYC is your go-to resource for honest, real-world insight into building a career in acting. Every other Monday, catch our co-hosted Podcast episodes — packed with candid stories and laughs — and on alternating Mondays, dig into our Practical series: tactical solo episodes full of actionable tips and tools to help you work smarter, stay inspired, and build the acting career you actually want.

🎭 Hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with insider intel, actor tools, and behind-the-scenes truths from the heart of the industry. You got this. Keep going!

Stop guessing. Start submitting smart.

Want a legit acting agent? Here's how to actually get one — and keep them. In this Part 2 deep dive of The Working Actor NYC Podcast, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood break down what really works when it comes to landing great representation in today’s industry.

Now that your materials are ready (headshot, resumé, reel, website), what’s next? We walk you through the submission process — how to get your work in front of the right agents, at the right time, in the right way. No more sending your career into the void.

Plus: how to maintain a great relationship with your rep once you’ve signed, and how to recognize the red flags that might mean it’s time to move on.

🎭 The Working Actor NYC is your go-to resource for honest, real-world insight into building a career in acting. Every other Monday, catch our co-hosted Podcast episodes — packed with candid stories and laughs — and on alternating Mondays, dig into our Practical series: tactical solo episodes full of actionable tips and tools to help you work smarter, stay inspired, and build the acting career you actually want.

🎭 Hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with insider intel, actor tools, and behind-the-scenes truths from the heart of the industry. You got this. Keep going!

Getting a good agent isn't luck - it's strategy.

In this first half of our two-part deep dive, we're breaking down what it really takes to land a legit agent—and what you need to know before you even hit "send" on that email.

We’re covering:

• What agents can and can’t do for your career
• Patrick’s real-life stories from both Hollywood and New York
• The exact materials you’ll need to stand out: headshots, resumés, reels, and websites

Whether you're just starting out or need a serious materials refresh, this episode has you covered—with Benjamin and Patrick’s signature humor and honesty.

📌 Part 2 drops August 18th, where we’ll tackle the science of submissions: how to get your materials in front of the right people at the right time, build strong relationships with your rep, and know when it’s time to walk away.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss it!

Ever walked out of an audition sweating bullets and replaying every word in your head? Same. Let’s fix that.

In this episode of The Working Actor NYC, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood break down the real, messy, very human anxiety that comes with being a working actor—and what we actually do about it.

We cover 14 practical coping strategies that have helped us (and countless friends) navigate: 🎭 Post-audition silence and uncertainty 💰 Financial instability when your next gig isn’t lined up 🔍 The endless, soul-crushing comparison game …and all the other wild curveballs that make actor life both amazing and anxiety-inducing.

With honesty, humor, and a few decades of collective experience, we share how to keep your sanity, stay creative, and keep moving forward—even on the hard days.

If you’ve ever thought, “Is it just me?”—spoiler: it’s not. And you don’t have to white-knuckle it alone.