In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, Senior Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day.
Thu, April 10, 2025
Finn Wolfhard
Finn Wolfhard joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his feature-directing debut, the slasher-comedy "Hell of a Summer." He also digs into his feelings about "Stranger Things" coming to an end and what Hollywood often gets wrong about writing for Gen Z. ... Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ ... Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli
Thu, March 27, 2025
Kit Connor
Kit Connor joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the A24 Navy SEAL ensemble "Warfare" and his recent Broadway debut in "Romeo & Juliet." He also digs into how he's aiming to get better as a performer with every role, and what he thinks about life after his breakthrough project, Netflix's "Heartstopper." ... Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ ... Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli
Wed, March 12, 2025
Samara Weaving
Samara Weaving joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to dig deep into her journey from Australian soap star to horror movie favorite. She also discusses her busy upcoming slate, from "Borderline" to the highly-anticipated "Ready or Not" sequel. ... Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ ... Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli
Thu, February 27, 2025
Daisy Ridley
Daisy Ridley joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to dive deep into her career, from musical theater school beginnings to her life-changing "Star Wars" experience and recent work like "Magpie" and "Cleaner." Ridley also discusses the challenge of returning as Rey to the "Star Wars" franchise for the confirmed project directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. ... Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ ... Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli
Thu, February 13, 2025
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her intense preparation to play opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's "Maria." She also dives deep into her approach to performing, her feelings toward fame, and her advice to anyone looking to explore their creative side. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann
Thu, January 30, 2025
Demi Moore
Demi Moore joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her Oscar nominated role in Coralie Fargeat's "The Substance," her evolution as a performer, and how she stays grounded through the highs and lows of an acting career.
Thu, January 16, 2025
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her remarkable, SAG Award-nominated performance in Gia Coppola's "The Last Showgirl." Anderson also discusses her acting training with renowned coach Ivana Chubbuck and feeling like the "new kid in town" during awards season. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann
Thu, January 02, 2025
Javier Bardem
Javier Bardem joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his chilling performance in 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' as well as recent projects like 'Dune: Part 2' and 'Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.' Bardem also dives into his philosophies toward acting and how he's developed such a wide-ranging résumé of roles. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann
Thu, December 26, 2024
Jodie Comer + Jeff Nichols (ScreenCraft Summit)
Bonus episode! Jodie Comer and her "The Bikeriders" writer-director Jeff Nichols join Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast for a conversation recorded as part of ScreenCraft's 2024 Winter Writers Summit. The duo discusses the "rules" of screenwriting and acting (and when to break them), as well as the ideal creative partnership between actor and writer/director.
Thu, December 19, 2024
Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his extraordinary performance in "The Brutalist." He also talks about his earliest acting memories, how he's evolved over the years, and his candid thoughts on balancing acting as an art form and a job. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann
Thu, December 12, 2024
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor + RaMell Ross (ScreenCraft Summit)
Bonus episode! Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and her "Nickel Boys" writer-director RaMell Ross join Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast for a conversation recorded as part of ScreenCraft's 2024 Winter Writers Summit. The duo discusses the unorthodox creative process on "Nickel Boys" and their synergy as director and actor.
Thu, December 05, 2024
Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his remarkable performance in Luca Guadagnino's "Queer." The former James Bond star also discusses his earliest theater memories, his approach to character building, and why he finds it difficult to discuss acting. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann
Thu, November 21, 2024
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the whirlwind experience of playing Elphaba in Jon M. Chu's "Wicked" adaptation. She also talks about her chemistry with co-stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, the wild 48 hours of her first audition, and the mechanics of telling a story through song. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Suzy Woltmann, Kasey Howe
Thu, November 07, 2024
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her back-to-back performances in "The Outrun" and "Blitz." The four time Oscar nominee also gets candid about the arc of her career, her best and worst experiences with directors, and why she is determined to step behind the camera herself. This episode is sponsored by MetroPlusHealth.
Thu, October 24, 2024
Naomi Scott
Naomi Scott joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her incredibly committed performance in 'Smile 2.' The actor also dives into her unique process, passion for music, and the myths around working on a horror set. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe
Thu, October 10, 2024
Katherine Langford
Katherine Langford joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her West End run as Sally Bowles in "Cabaret." The actor gives a behind the scenes look at her memorable opening night and the prep for her professional stage debut. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe
Thu, September 26, 2024
Kathryn Hahn
Kathryn Hahn joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the entire arc of her career, from her earliest days auditioning in New York to leading the Marvel Cinematic Universe series "Agatha All Along." She also digs into the chemistry with co-star Aubrey Plaza that makes the Disney+ show work so well. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe
Thu, September 12, 2024
Gaten Matarazzo
Gaten Matarazzo joins Backstage's "In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast" to discuss the pressure, dread, and joys of filming the fifth and final season of "Stranger Things." He also breaks down what it was like to make his Broadway debut at the age of 9, as well as his feelings on joining the "Star Wars" franchise with "LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.” This episode is brought to you by Metro Plus Health. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe
Thu, August 29, 2024
Rudy Pankow
Rudy Pankow joins Backstage's "In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast" to discuss how he works on his craft while filming Netflix's hit series "Outer Banks" and rehearsing for his starring role in "Romeo & Juliet" at the American Repertory Theater. Pankow also dives into why aspiring actors need to seek out great writing and his thoughts and what his career will look like when "Outer Banks" comes to an end. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe
Thu, August 15, 2024
Walton Goggins
Walton Goggins joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to look back at his earliest days in the industry and detail the bold decisions that led to his eclectic career. Goggins also discusses how he became The Ghoul in Amazon's adaptation of "Fallout."
Thu, August 01, 2024
Richard Gadd & Jessica Gunning
Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning join In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the emotional highs and lows of bringing the Netflix stalking series to life. The duo also break down the dynamic ending (spoilers ahead!) and why they're determined to keep the show a one-season sensation. "Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe"
Thu, July 18, 2024
Casting Director Kate Rhodes James ("House of the Dragon," "Gladiator II")
Kate Rhodes James joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss how she assembled the cast of HBO's epic "Game of Thrones" prequel, "House of the Dragon." She also offers her best advice for actors looking to stand out, talks about what it's like to be Ridley Scott's go-to casting director, and reveals what made Paul Mescal perfect for "Gladiator II." "Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe
Thu, July 04, 2024
Maika Monroe
Maika Monroe joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss Osgood Perkins' 'Longlegs' and the surreal experience of meeting Nicolas Cage in-character as the film's title serial killer for the first time on set. She also discusses the surprising success and impact of her 2014 breakout, 'It Follows,' and what made her agree to do the upcoming sequel, 'They Follow,' ten years later. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe
Thu, June 20, 2024
Hiroyuki Sanada
Hiroyuki Sanada joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss 'Shogun,' how he broke out in Hollywood, and why he wants to pave the way for a new generation of actors. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 06, 2024
Tom Hiddleston
Tom Hiddleston joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his entire MCU arc as the god of mischief, Loki—from his first audition to the enigmatic ending of "Loki" season 2. "Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 23, 2024
Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast for a masterclass on comedy. She also discusses season 2 of "Loot" and her return to Studio 8H to host "Saturday Night Live." Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 09, 2024
Jessica Lange
Jessica Lange joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her Tony nominated performance in Paula Vogel's "Mother Play," taking on challenging material after 50 years in the industry, and why she feels freerer than ever in her work. *This episode is sponsored by LAMDA (lamda.ac.uk) --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 25, 2024
Melissa Barrera
Melissa Barrera joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the arc of her career, the theater-like quality of shooting the horror feature "Abigail," and her renewed sense of purpose after being let go from the "Scream" franchise. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 11, 2024
Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the lessons she's learned about acting (and life) over her 25-year career. She also digs into her performance in Netflix's "Ripley" alongside Andrew Scott. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 28, 2024
Dan Stevens
Dan Stevens joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," his earliest days doing Shakespeare with Rebecca Hall, how he feels about persistent James Bond rumors, and much more. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 14, 2024
John Bradley
John Bradley joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss what he learned about acting (and life) during his eight-season run on "Game of Thrones," and how he's using those lessons on David Benioff and D.B. Weiss' new Netflix series, "3 Body Problem." --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 29, 2024
Geraldine Viswanathan
Geraldine Viswanathan joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss starring in Ethan Coen's solo directing debut 'Drive-Away Dolls," her chemistry with Margaret Qualley, and replacing Ayo Edebiri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, "Thunderbolts." --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 15, 2024
Lily Gladstone
Lily Gladstone joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her Oscar nominated performance in Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" and the historic Oscar nomination that came with it. Gladstone also looks back at her acting training and explains the various techniques that make her the performer you see on screen. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 01, 2024
Elizabeth Debicki
Elizabeth Debicki joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her journey to Hollywood success, from training at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne to learning on-camera acting from Baz Luhrmann and playing Princess Diana on ‘The Crown.’ --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 18, 2024
Emma Stone
Emma Stone joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the insecurities, doubts, and ultimately triumphs of playing the undead Bella Baxter in Yorgos Lanthimos' "Poor Things." Stone also dives into the arc of her entire career, from the Valley Youth Theatre in Arizona to the Oscar stage. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 04, 2024
Taraji P Henson
Taraji P. Henson joins In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast to discuss taking on the role of Shug Avery in “The Color Purple,” putting ego aside to audition, and the approach to performing that’s served her well over a three-decade career. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 21, 2023
Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his haunting role in "All of Us Strangers," his playful approach to performing, and how he defines chemistry with co-stars like Paul Mescal. ___ Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 07, 2023
Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti joins In the Envelope: The Actor's podcast to discuss his Oscar buzz-y role in "The Holdovers," reuniting with director Alexander Payne, and how he's changed as a performer over the years. We also get to the bottom of why, exactly, the 1989 slasher "I, Madman" is listed as Giamatti's debut credit on Wikipedia. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, November 23, 2023
Emerald Fennell
Emerald Fennell joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her sultry sophomore feature, "Saltburn," starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi. Fennell also dives into how she gets such unique performances from actors, and why she has high hopes for the future of original cinema. "I think we're ready to be close to each other again," she says. "If everything before was about scale and an emotional distance, when you look at all the movies this year, they're very much about how we relate to each other." --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, November 09, 2023
Nia DaCosta
The Marvels" director Nia DaCosta joins In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss what it's really like to make an MCU movie and how she gets unique performances from her actors on a blockbuster set. "The biggest thing is realizing I can do it and also realizing how hard it is," DaCosta says. "But that's the way films are supposed to be hard, because the work itself of trying to make the best thing is rigorous. That's the thing I'll take away the most, the confidence that I can actually kind of do anything. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 26, 2023
James Monroe Iglehart
Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart joins In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast to discuss leading back to back musicals with ‘A Wonderful World’ and Broadway’s ‘Spamalot’—and why he’s not taking his busy schedule for granted. “I never want to get too big for my britches. I never want to think, 'that's right, I deserve this. I'm booked all the time,’ “ Iglehart says. “I want to appreciate this time, because there were moments where I wasn't booked at all and no one knew who I was. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 12, 2023
Constance Wu
Constance Wu joins In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast to tell us about playing her dream role of Audrey in the Off-Broadway revival of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Wu also dives deep into her life in the theater, as well as the mindset that got her to where she is. “The second that I think ‘this is my process and this is how I do it,’ that’s the second that I know I’m in trouble,” she says. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 28, 2023
Yuri Lowenthal
Yuri Lowenthal joins ‘In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast’ to tell us how he’s racked up more than 200 video game voice acting credits, including his biggest role: Sony and Insomniac’s Spider-Man. Yuri also details why, even with the ups and downs of the industry, his voiceover career has given him longevity as a performer. “You want to be a working actor,” he says. “You don't want to just be known for something and then forgotten.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 14, 2023
Leslie Odom Jr.
On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Odom Jr. takes us behind the scenes of his Broadway homecoming in “Purlie Victorious,” the Tony winner’s first time on stage since “Hamilton.” “Theater as a whole really is fighting for its place on the American stage, for its usefulness and its value to us. But it feels as necessary and as valuable as ever before to me,” Odom Jr. says. “So this company [in “Purlie Victorious”] is going to fight the good fight. We literally couldn't have a better text, we couldn't have better themes. We will have our work cut out for us, but I think we're set up to follow through with our intention.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 31, 2023
Sebastian Stan (From the Vault)
In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast” is looking back at one of our favorite guests—Emmy nominee and the MCU’s Winter Soldier himself, Sebastian Stan. (Originally released April 2022) -- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 24, 2023
Casting Director Eric Dawson ('Dahmer—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story')
Casting director Eric Dawson is almost as responsible for Ryan Murphy’s vast TV empire as, well, Ryan Murphy himself. Along with his partners Robert J. Ulrich and Carol Kritze at Ulrich/Dawson/Kritzer Casting, Dawson has been in the audition room with Murphy since the late 1990s; he’s cast “Glee,” every season of “American Horror Story,” and, most recently, ‘Dahmer—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,’ which earned him his eighth Emmy nomination. On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Dawson explains the intricacies of a Ryan Murphy audition room, the challenges of sifting through hundreds of self tapes to find the perfect Dahmer, and how the creative team landed back on their first choice of Evan Peters. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 17, 2023
Alex Brightman
Alex Brigthman is no stranger to diving headfirst into Broadway shows based on beloved titles—after all, he’s a two-time Tony nominee for leading roles in “School of Rock” and “Beetlejuice.” But his latest project is in a bigger boat altogether. “The Shark Is Broken,” a new play that opened August 10th, captures the behind-the-scenes turmoil of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster, “Jaws.” Co-written by Ian Shaw—who also stars as his father, Robert—the show sees Brightman donning the sweater of 70s-era Richard Dreyfuss alongside Colin Donnell as Roy Scheider. “You can't turn your head in any city without seeing some [“Jaws”] shirt, hat, license plate. So I know that's a big deal, and the added pressure for me is that I'm playing the one person who's still alive who has a chance to see it,” Brigthman tells us. “ ‘Pressure’ is the right word, but it's not a pressure that terrifies me. It's interesting, and I'm always excited about doing new things. This version of a new thing is like tight-rope walking with somebody's child.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Brightman gives us a glimpse of his intensive character-creation process, as well as a backstage look at the most emotionally fraught moment in “The Shark Is Broken.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 03, 2023
Ayo Edebiri
*This interview was conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike* Ayo Edebiri is everywhere in 2023, a year that includes five film roles, appearances in eight TV series, and her first ever Emmy nomination for playing sous-chef Sydney in Hulu’s “The Bear.” So it’s taken a bit to get used to the downtime she’s in now, thanks to careful planning (plus concurrent strikes by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA). Either way, she needed the space to, in her words, “be a human being.” “It feels so trite but it's the most crucial thing,” she says. “Any [artist] who is so consumed with making things, making things, making things, there's no reserve in the well. There's no real life in you.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Edebiri explains her journey from stand-up stages and writers rooms to a packed performance schedule, as well as how she feels about taking on her biggest project yet—the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie “Thunderbolts.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 20, 2023
Rose Byrne
On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Byrne guides us through her acting career, from getting rejected from drama school to her busy 2023, which includes two Apple TV+ series—Francesca Delbanco and Nicholas Stoller’s “Platonic” and Season 3 of Annie Weisman’s “Physical,” premiering August 2—plus a return to horror in Patrick Wilson’s “Insidious: The Red Door.” Editor’s note: This interview was conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 06, 2023
Ben Platt
Ben Platt really loves live theater—and now, that passion for the stage is on full display in “Theater Camp,” the Christopher Guest-inspired mockumentary Platt co-wrote with longtime friends and collaborators Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, and Noah Galvin. Platt also co-stars alongside Gordon, who also co-directed with Lieberman. The film is a real labor of love, with its spotlight shining directly on the importance of spaces like theater camps for any young mind with an interest in the arts. For Platt, working with the movie’s extensive cast of kid actors was a lesson all its own. “It just reminds you why you're doing this in the first place, and what instilled a deep enough love of something that you were willing to be in a business that isn’t the easiest or most stable, or is certainly quite an anxiety-provoking lifestyle to choose,” Platt told us. “The purity of their excitement to be there, their raw talent and willingness to jump in—and also how deeply they looked up to all of us, and were listening to us—it makes you take a lot of responsibility and pride in the kind of artists and professionals that you are, and that you want to inspire them to be.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Platt explains what theater can teach every actor, and what making “Theater Camp” taught him about himself. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 22, 2023
Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams found her dream job in the Apple TV+ dramedy “Shrinking”—and now she wants to ensure the next generation of performers has that same opportunity. “When I'm acting, and I'm doing a good scene, and I feel like I'm in my bag, quote unquote, it feels like flying,” Williams tells us. “I feel very comfortable when I'm acting on a really good job. I'm like, oh, I'm so lucky, this is why I do this. But there's so many barriers to get to that. I'm a very lucky anomaly, and I think a huge majority of actors have a lot of barriers to get there.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Williams dives deep into her improv background, working alongside Harrison Ford, and the importance of mental health awareness for actors. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 08, 2023
Natasha Lyonne
Natasha Lyonne has generative AI on the mind. “I would say almost at all times,” the star and executive producer of Rian Johnson’s “Poker Face” tells us. “I am agog that that is not the headline conversation on everyone's minds, considering it's so obviously about to change the world so radically for all of us, in all of our fields, so quickly.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Lyonne explains how she’s “fighting the good fight” to keep the ideals of classic cinema alive in projects like “Poker Face.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 25, 2023
Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey is quickly becoming a household name talent thanks to hits like “Game of Thrones” and “The Last of Us.” It was only recently, though, that they admitted they might just be able to make a career out of this. “I used to say to people when they asked what I did, I'd say, ‘Oh I do acting,’” Ramsey tells us. “That eventually shifted to me saying, ‘I'm an actor.’ It's such a tiny little change in language, but it really feels different.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Ramsey takes us behind the scenes of ‘The Last of Us,’ shares their acting secrets, and gets candid about how they’re feeling headed into season 2 of the HBO apocalypse drama. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 11, 2023
Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer scored a Tony nomination for Suzie Miller’s ‘Prima Facie,’ the one-woman show in which she plays a barrister, Tessa, whose sense of self is upended by a sexual assault. It’s an astonishing, 100-minute whirlwind where Comer doesn’t leave the stage once. To watch her take audiences on that journey night after night, it’s easy to forget that Comer—best known for TV thriller “Killing Eve” and Ridley Scott’s “The Last Duel”—is also making her Broadway debut. “When I took on this role, I didn't know how I was going to do it, truth be told. And I think that was a huge draw,” Comer tells us about accepting the role when it debuted on the West End in 2022. “I was completely in awe. I thought, how will I ever execute this? I was really interested in that journey of: how do I get from where I am now, having no idea how I'm going to do it and struggling to imagine it, to performing this eight nights a week?” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Comer dives deep into how that journey took shape and the realities of carrying a Broadway show on your back eight shows a week. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 27, 2023
Haley Lu Richardson
Haley Lu Richardson, best known for playing Gen Z poster-child Portia in “The White Lotus” season 2, has been angling to dance in a musical for at least 12 years. “I've been putting this out into the universe since I was 16. That's my biggest dream, for sure,” Richardson tells us. (She’s currently “talking to people about it,” she adds. There are “ideas circulating.”) That desire isn’t just a throwback to Richardson’s days as a dancer before she transitioned to acting—it’s an extension of how she still approaches performing. “The thing I love about acting the most is the thing I love about dancing the most. It’s this thing that comes from your soul; it’s just such a vulnerable, abandoned thing,” she says. “The first time I really felt like I was acting was actually through dance. Now when I think about, what is my [acting] process? It is such an internal thing. It’s in my body, it’s listening to music.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Richardson makes a few more discoveries about her own acting process, gets candid about the reaction to her “White Lotus” character, and reveals the iconic script she once turned down. This episode is sponsored by Voice123, the first online marketplace for voice actors with over 30,000 projects of all genres flowing through annually. Got a creative project you’d like to bring to life? Download our free step-by-step guide at voice123.co/intheenvelope to successfully find the right voice for your projects! Hire a voice actor by signing up at voice123.com for a free account and posting your projects today! --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Addit
Thu, April 13, 2023
Charlie Day
Charlie Day is the co-creator of TV’s longest-running live-action sitcom, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” the voice of Luigi in the box office hit “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” and writer-director of the star-studded new comedy “Fool’s Paradise.” And he wants any creatives looking to emulate that success know that the doubt never goes away—you just have to use it. "You're gonna be filled with self doubt. Because you're not a mathematician; there's no equation at the end of your work where you're going to say, ‘oh great, it equalled nine. I knew it,’” Day says. “You have to come up with your own equation, and say ‘purple plus blue plus John Malkovich plus Jon Brion equals nine for me. Now I feel satisfied.’ It's just a series of risks you have to take. But that's why you do it, right?” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Day takes us through his creative process both in front of and behind the camera. This episode is sponsored by Voice123, the first online marketplace for voice actors with over 30,000 projects of all genres flowing through annually. Got a creative project you’d like to bring to life? Download our free step-by-step guide at voice123.co/intheenvelope to successfully find the right voice for your projects! Hire a voice actor by signing up at voice123.com for a free account and posting your projects today! -- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 30, 2023
Intimacy Coordinators
The role of intimacy coordinator is a relatively new one in the entertainment industry; at its core, it's designed to make sex scenes on set and stage safer and more comfortable for the actors involved. While the professionals shaping this position come from different backgrounds and have adopted their own unique approaches, the origins of intimacy coordination lie in a desperate need that went unfulfilled for far too long. “I did a call out, I think it was on Facebook, and I just said, ‘please send me your experience with intimate scenes. I want the good, the bad, the ugly,’” says intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot (“Bridgerton”). “My inbox was just flooded, absolutely flooded. And I think all of them were negative. Every single person who had written in had a negative experience.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, we sat down with Talbot and fellow intimacy coordinators Alicia Rodis (“And Just Like That…”), Mia Schachter (“Blindspotting”), and Nisha Ahuja (“Never Have I Ever”) to discuss how this up-and-coming role is changing sex scenes for the better. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 16, 2023
Jessie Mei Li
How did Jessie Mei Li go from teaching assistant to West End alum and lead of Netflix’s “Shadow & Bone” in just a few short years? Besides a bundle of talent (always helps!), the young actor comes equipped with a laser focus on what they want. “When I feel like I'm on the right path, it's almost like you're not going to stop me from doing it,” Li tells us. “When I got the part in 'Shadow & Bone,' I was like, 'well yeah, that feels right to me.' I don't think it comes out of arrogance, I think I'm very good at feeling when something feels right. I'm not afraid, in that moment, to go for it.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Li takes us behind the scenes of the Netflix fantasy series’ season 2 return and explains how co-star chemistry has made grueling production days smoother. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 02, 2023
Stephanie Hsu
Stephanie Hsu is a newly minted Oscar nominee—one of 11 historic nods for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” the madcap multiverse epic with a primarily AAPI cast. But for the NYU Tisch graduate, this recognition from the Academy is far more than a personal milestone. “Ever since I was coming up in New York, I was taught that anytime you have a voice, you have to use it for good,” she says. “That doesn't mean the art has to be wholesome. But you have to really know why the story is being told. Especially because I was often one of so few people who looked like me who got in through the door, I always felt like every opportunity was an opportunity to bring ten other people alongside me… I will continue, always, to carry the responsibility and the beautiful chance to bring other people into the fold. I'm very humbled that I get to be one of the people who does that.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Hsu takes us through the journey that got her here—from experimental theater in New York to originating Broadway roles and traversing different dimensions in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 16, 2023
Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser was never really that far away—but when you’re as beloved as he was, any retreat at all feels like a loss. Luckily, the actor is back in a major way with Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale,” a role that earned him his first Oscar nomination, and a renewed sense of self. “I know how wanting this profession can make people become… it can really change your brain chemistry to turn you into a different person that you maybe weren't anticipating,” Fraser says. “I wanted to make sure that I had a strong sense of identity. And that always came from feeling like I was comfortable in my own skin." In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Fraser explains all the ways he’s changed as an actor—and as a person. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 09, 2023
Paul Walter Hauser
Anyone familiar with Paul Walter Hauser from lighthearted romps like “Cobra Kai” and “Cruella” might be surprised to learn his performance in the Apple TV+ true crime series “Black Bird'' is genuinely one of the most unnerving in recent history. But for Hauser, taking on the role of serial killer Larry Hall—which has earned him Golden Globes and Critics Choice wins to go with a SAG nomination—was simply a matter of leveling up. "I really liken my acting to like how Dave Grohl talks about music, like you can be classically trained or you can just suck and then get good,” he tells us. “I don't think I ever sucked sucked, but I definitely wasn't where I am now. I think it's trial and error and you just absorb and you do. I think what I lacked in craft and sort of performance intellect I had in recklessness and fearlessness.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Hauser takes us behind the scenes of his chilling performance and what it taught him about acting—and himself. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 02, 2023
Ke Huy Quan
Ke Huy Quan found instant success as a child actor with “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “The Goonies”—and then he stepped away for decades, unsure if he’d ever return. Now? Quan is an Oscar nominee for the role of Waymond Wang in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” just one of 11 nominations for the universe-hopping A24 action-comedy. "I've waited more than 30 years for this. Don't give up. That opportunity will come knock and you just have to be ready,” he says. “When it does, you have to pour your entire heart and soul into it. I hope people can hear my story and know if it can ever happen to me, it can happen to you. You just have to be patient." In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Quan walks us through his entire inspiring journey back to acting, the doubts along the way, and what’s next for his improbable comeback. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 19, 2023
Barry Keoghan
Barry Keoghan woke up the morning after his first Golden Globes ceremony—where his latest project, “The Banshees of Inisherin,” took home three wins—to learn that “Banshees'' had also nabbed five Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations, including a supporting actor nod for himself. But even as a newly crowned awards season favorite, the native of Summerhill, Dublin always seeks to remember his roots. "I always want to hold on to some rawness. Hold on to that rawness,” he advises fellow actors. “That's what the truest form is; the purest form. Hold on to whatever that is, that untrained thing that you're doing." In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Keoghan gets candid about his unlikely road to Hollywood, his roles in films like “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” “Eternals,” and “The Batman,” as well as the surprising story behind his emotional scene in “The Banshees of Inisherin.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 05, 2023
Olivia Cooke
Olivia Cooke just had the biggest year of her career, thanks to HBO’s hit “Game of Thrones” spinoff, “House of the Dragon.” Part of creating her standout performance as Alicent Hightower was accepting not every part of her process would line up exactly with the massive amount of fan expectations surrounding the show. “Whatever layers I try to give the character in order to make a more nuanced performance… ultimately it’s not going to please everyone,” she says. “But that’s just what I have to do in order to give a decent, honest performance. I have to imbue it with just things that justify the characters, actions and emotions. And those might not necessarily be in the original text, or even in the scripts.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Cooke brings us behind the scenes of “House of the Dragon,” explains the layers she added to Alicent, and shares her mindset as she gears up for season 2. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 22, 2022
Austin Butler
Austin Butler is building Oscars buzz for his lead performance in “Elvis”—the peak of an inspiring journey that started with background and one-line roles in children’s TV. "I look back on Nickelodeon shows or Disney things that I did, and... even though my skill wasn't there, I still had a mentality of wanting to give the energy of if I was gonna go make ‘Raging Bull,’ '' he says. “I just kept that sort of fierce dedication towards trying to find more truth." In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Butler dives deep into that same fierce dedication he brought to “Elvis,” how he’s preparing for “Dune: Part Two,” and what he’s learned from Denzel Washington, Quentin Tarantino, and Baz Luhrmann. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 08, 2022
Eddie Redmayne
Eddie Redmayne is an Oscar, Tony, SAG, and Olivier Award winner because he puts in the work. Whether it’s a “Cabaret” revival, the massive “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, or quiet true crime character studies like “The Good Nurse,” the actor always finds his character in the preparation. “The more you can go and just gain insight into what [the role] is, the more ideas you can come with on the day,” he says. “Whether it’s props or costume, I try to get ahead of all that. So there’s always something surprising on the day. You only have such a limited period on camera to find ideas, so it’s good to have some sort of runway.” On this episode on In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Redmayne explains what he learned from the major roles in his career, including blockbusters like “Jupiter Ascending” and his subtler turns in “The Theory of Everything” and “The Danish Girl.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, November 24, 2022
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe has a simple explanation for how she became an eight-time Grammy nominated musician, activist, sci-fi writer, and an actor in buzzy awards films and the highly-anticipated “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” “I have clones,” Monáe says. “All of my clones go out, and they are representatives for the many things that I put my heart and my spirit into. Sometimes things don't go as planned, but that is life, and so I welcome all the highs and the lows and the peaks and the valleys.” She’s kidding. Or is she? In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, we unlock the mystery of Monáe’s multifaceted output, from turns in Oscar players like “Moonlight” and “Hidden Figures” to her enigmatic role in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, November 10, 2022
Aubrey Plaza
Aubrey Plaza has played a Marvel mutant, a social media-obsessed cyber stalker, an underground credit card scammer, and Aaron Burr. Understandably, she’s a bit tired of all these characters getting painted with the same brush. “Soon I'm going to get into the world of prosthetics… where I change my nose and my hair so people can just completely forget that it's me,” she says. “I'm always surprised that when I do something new, there's always that one person who says, 'there she goes, doing the Aubrey Plaza thing again.' I only have my own instrument to work with. Anyway, I sound bitter, but I'm not. But I am always surprised that people use 'deadpan' to describe some things that I've done. It just feels a little reductive. But that's my journey.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Plaza takes us even deeper into that journey, including her creative process for ‘Emily the Criminal’ and ‘The White Lotus,’ as well as what to expect from Francis Ford Coppolla’s ‘Megalopolis’ and the MCU’s ‘Agatha: Coven of Chaos.’ --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 27, 2022
Jonathan Majors
Jonathan Majors is a Netflix Western hero; the Big Bad of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; the most formidable opponent to sit across from Michael B. Jordan in the “Creed” series. He is, in other words, extremely cool. But one of the secrets to his success, he says, is how deeply uncool he can be about his craft. “It’s okay to care. That’s one of the things that really gets me about actors; about us,” he says. “Sometimes there’s this devil may care attitude. ‘I’ll get to it when I get to it.’ The truth of the matter is, you care more about this thing than anything else in the world and it scares you to death. You can act cool about it. I don’t act cool about it at all. It is what I love the most.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Majors dives deep into the process that led him to Kang the Conqueror, “Creed III,” and beyond. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 13, 2022
Ewan McGregor & Ethan Hawke
Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke have nearly 200 acting credits combined, with four Oscar nominations and an Emmy win thrown in there, and yet neither actor had worked together until this year’s “Raymond & Ray.” For Rodrigo García’s small-scale black comedy, the two veteran actors found an instant on-set spark, the key to a great performance. “If you feel like somebody's not on your side on set, it's really difficult. You don't feel safe,” says McGregor. “So it's really important, as actors, to allow each other to feel safe and to know that you're there for them, they're there for you. Then you can achieve anything really.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, McGregor and Hawke discuss the wonders of a collaborative creative process and why you should never ask actors about finding chemistry with a scene partner. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 29, 2022
Ana de Armas
Ana de Armas is already well on her way to superstardom—but playing Marilyn Monroe in “Blonde” has put her right in the center of the cultural conversation, from awards chatter to the film’s controversial take on the life of an icon. For de Armas, however, the only thing that really matters is the next great role. “To me, all I'm doing is working,” she says. “The expectation of something changing, or the thought that this dramatic thing in your life is going to happen and now people are going to see you in a different way—very quickly I understood that's just not something I want to look forward to, or pay attention to.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, de Armas breaks down what it takes to maneuver a “big break” while delivering her breathtaking “Blonde” performance— from her first day on set to the night she said goodbye to Marilyn. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 15, 2022
Diego Luna
Returning to the “Star Wars” franchise in the Disney+ series “Andor” presented a morbid challenge for Diego Luna—portraying a character whose death he already played in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” But Luna found the process creatively invigorating, like finding new pockets in an old jacket. “It's like approaching a historical piece, when you know an event happened or a character existed,” the actor says. “But now a film or series is going to tell you what you don’t know.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Luna takes us through his entire acting journey, from his unorthodox entry into the world of Mexican theater to his ambitious re-entry into “Star Wars.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 01, 2022
Xolo Maridueña
Xolo Maridueña is right on the edge of superstardom. The fifth season of his massively popular “Karate Kid” sequel series, “Cobra Kai,” crane-kicks its way on to Netflix on September 9th; after that, the young actor sets his sights on the debut of “Blue Beetle,” the DC Comics superhero movie that marks a massive leap forward in his career. All in all, you’d forgive him for being pretty excited—but Maridueña is taking this one step at a time. “There's always got to be room to grow,” he says. “You have to be constantly expanding. I hope this is just the beginning.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Maridueña takes us inside the trajectory of a rising star, to the bittersweetness of “Cobra Kai” season 5 to the invaluable lessons learned from leading his own DC Comics movie. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 18, 2022
Robin Thede
Robin Thede makes it look easy. And as with most great comedians, that sense of effortlessness stems from decades of discipline, setbacks, and perseverance. “My [training] was just being a student of all the different types [of comedy], and learning and being fascinated by, like: Holy shit, how do they come up with those jokes?” she says. “A lot of people think you’re just funny in your head, and then it comes out. No. These people work so hard to craft these jokes, and they work them over and over and over.” On this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Thede walks us through the comedy odyssey that led her to creating and starring on HBO’s groundbreaking “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” which garnered five 2022 Emmy nominations for its third season. This episode is brought to you by HBO Max. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 11, 2022
Matthew Macfadyen
You’d have to be fearless to thrive in the fiery ensemble of HBO’s hit drama ‘Succession,” which is probably why Matthew Macfadyen just earned his second Emmy nomination for doing just that. “[Actors] can always find something to blame,” he says. “But it's actually just fear of committing and jumping in and doing the scene; saying the words, and looking the other person in the eyes, and playing the scene." In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Macfadyen breaks down how to be a breakout performer, even in a show that’s all breakout performances. This episode is brought to you by HBO Max. -- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 04, 2022
Kaitlyn Dever
Kaitlyn Dever credits the 2013 indie drama “Short Term 12,” in which she plays a troubled teen dealing with self-harm, as the project that completely altered the way she looked at her acting career. “It was really an incredible realization,” she says. “You can not only love acting and doing the job, but also being a part of something that has real impact.” Since then, the actor has made a habit of bringing often-overlooked characters to life on-screen, from a queer high-schooler in “Booksmart,” to a sexual assault survivor in “Unbelievable,” to her Emmy-nominated portrayal of an Oxycontin-addicted coal miner in “Dopesick.” On this episode of “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast,” Dever takes us through the highs and lows of her evolution from promising child actor to Emmy-award frontrunner. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 21, 2022
Special Edition: 4 Experts Talk Great Accent Work
As an actor, learning any new accent seems daunting—but throw in regional dialects, tonality, and the performance itself, and it starts to feel impossible. Luckily, we’re here to help. “I basically say, learn the notes so that you can play the music,” says dialect and acting coach Denise Woods. “And acting is playing the music. But you got to know the notes. It frees you.” On this episode of “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast,” we sat down with Woods, as well as dialect and accent coaches Rebecca Gausnell, Bob Corff, and Paul Meier, for a lesson on learning any accent—from the physicality of your mouth to training your ear to hear the rhythms of your character’s hometown. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 07, 2022
Jenny Slate
Jenny Slate always believed she’d be an actor. “It really does feel like the same type of belief like, ‘One day I'll fall in love,'” she says. “And you can't imagine the person's face, you can't exactly know how you'll get there but you really know there's a possibility, an option for it.” In this episode of “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast,” Slate walks us through the highs and lows of her entire journey to fulfill that possibility—from finding confidence in stand-up comedy to returning in 2022 to the role of “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,” a tiny stop-motion character she first introduced to the world in 2010. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 23, 2022
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo is that rare artist who moves seamlessly between theater, television, and film. But it only looks easy these days because he’s been a dedicated student of the acting trade for decades. “It all goes back to having respect for this craft,” he says. “And being a craftsman first. It's never been about fame. It's always been about respect.” In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Domingo guides us through all the places his craft has taken him, from his early days on stage to scene-stealing performances in ""ZOLA,"" ""Fear the Walking Dead,"" ""Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,"" and the HBO hit “Euphoria.” Brought to you by HBO Max. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 16, 2022
Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci has been the face of on-screen oddballs and outsiders for the past 30 years—but her fight to keep playing those characters has been an uphill struggle. "I think we're at the point...generally as an audience, where we can find characters interesting that we don't see ourselves in, at all," Ricci says. "You don't have to see yourself in somebody to be fascinated, interested, or root for someone. I'm really happy we're at that place, because I really spent years arguing that point." In this episode of "In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast," Ricci takes us through the twists and turns of her career, all the way up to Showtime's dark drama, "Yellowjackets," for which she's earning Emmys buzz for the role of unhinged show tunes enthusiast, Misty. Brought to you by HBO Max. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 09, 2022
Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint was unsure who he was as an actor and artist after the seven-film “Harry Potter” series came to an end. “I started realizing that somewhere along the line there was a huge sacrifice I'd made. I'd lost something,” he says. Then he remembered a piece of advice from fellow “Potter” alum, the late, great Alan Rickman: Go and do theater. “I think it's really important, when you've been from where I'd come from—this huge machine that started to define me—to feel the fear [of theater],” Grint says. “I felt very human again.” In this episode of “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast,” Grint walks us through the twists and turns of his magical, unlikely career—from the marathon auditions that landed him his “Harry Potter” role, to the uncertainty of his post-franchise life, to the artistic resurgence that led him to M. Night Shyamalan’s eerie Apple TV+ drama, “Servant.” Check out the episode, and watch all episodes of M. Night Shyamalan’s drama series “Servant” on Apple TV+. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 02, 2022
Adam Scott
Adam Scott is one of the funniest screen presences of the past decade. But the road to becoming the sitcom stand-out we know and love was anything but an overnight success. ""I had friends in school who I graduated with who, from the very start, said 'oh, no, I don't want to do this or that.' Kind of turning their nose up at certain things,” Scott says. “And I was always of the mind of, 'I'm going to do anything and everything. I just want to get in front of the camera or get on stage and do anything.' And I did, for a long time."" In this episode of “In the Envelope,” Scott walks us through the highs and lows of his entire career, from early roles in movies like “Hellraiser: Bloodline,” to comedic breakouts “Party Down,” “Step Brothers,” and “Parks & Recreations,” all the way up to his dynamic dual-sided turn in Apple TV+’s “Severance.” Brought to you by UCLA's Professional Programs at the School of Theater, Film & Television. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 19, 2022
Hugh Jackman + Sutton Foster
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are two of the biggest names in Broadway history, currently starring in one of the most beloved musicals ever, “The Music Man.” For the Tony nominated duo, keeping each performance fresh means ignoring their own icon status and focusing on the present. “Sometimes, it's easier to fall back on things you know work,” Jackman says. “It's a fine balance. At times you're like, 'ah, I don't know what's happening with this scene.' Then you find it, then you lose it. It's excruciatingly beautiful, and I love that about the process.” In this episode of “In the Envelope,” Jackman and Foster break down their secrets to Broadway success, from finding small character moments to building a community backstage. “That's the gift of doing a show for an extended period of time—you get this opportunity to grow with it,” says Foster. Brought to you by UCLA's Professional Programs at the School of Theater, Film & Television. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 05, 2022
John Cena
John Cena already knows what you’re thinking—he’s heard it in every audition and meeting for the past 25 years. “You can’t deny a first impression,” he says. “That’s why it’s been very difficult for me to try and seek out new levels of performance. You walk into a room, even if you’re in a suit, at 230 pounds everybody’s like: ‘Nope.’ You can only fit so many lanes.” In this episode of ""In the Envelope,"" the pro wrestler turned movie star walks us through every step of navigating those narrow lanes on his way to blockbuster franchise success. From selling out arenas in the WWE to the on-screen failures that motivated him in the lead-up to joining the DC Universe and ""Fast & Furious"" franchise, Cena breaks down how he always tries to find—and subvert—the motivations of any persona he plays. ""“If the ‘why’ is simply, I need you to be big, that’s OK. That’s cut and dry,"" he says. ""But if you’re willing to peel off more, and we can get to the core of why [the character] is so physically fit, then you can have some substructure. Then you can really wow people.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 21, 2022
Sebastian Stan
Sebastian Stan still remembers the piece of acting school advice that fueled him through his early career all the way up to where he is today. “Bring the day with you to work, or to the audition, or to the meeting,” he says in this episode of “In the Envelope.” “You're on the subway, you're running late, you're trying to get to the audition, and then someone bumps into you and you spill coffee, and you're pissed off…you might as well just own it. Then you're starting from an honest place.” One of the most versatile performers working today, Stan has made a career out of balancing blockbusters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with ferocious smaller-scale character work. The actor followed up an appearance in the biggest box office success in history, “Avengers: Endgame,” with an admirable streak of electric—and occasionally stomach-churning—roles in dark dramas and thrillers like the cannibal potboiler “Fresh” and Hulu’s pitch-black true-story comedy “Pam & Tommy.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 07, 2022
Joseph Gordon Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt really, really wants you to understand how little you need Hollywood to be an artist. “If you want to pursue a career, that’s great. Do, that too,” he says. “But don’t let that interfere with the real pursuit. The real pursuit is your creative pursuit, and it’s one that happens inside of yourself.” The Emmy-winning actor/creator digs deep into the artistic process in this episode of “In the Envelope,” which touches on everything from the joys of editing to the complex lessons you can learn from your IMDB page. A consistent creative force for three decades and counting, Gordon-Levitt got his start in Robert Redford’s “A River Runs Through It,” followed shortly afterward by six seasons of the sitcom “Third Rock from the Sun.” Since then, he’s appeared in blockbusters like “Inception” and “The Dark Knight Rises,” game-changing rom-coms like “500 Days of Summer,” and TV dramas like his latest project, Showtime’s “Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 24, 2022
94th Academy Awards Special
"In the Envelope" returns to its awards season roots with a special episode devoted to the 94th Academy Awards. Host Vinnie Mancuso and Backstage Managing Editor Ben Lindsay break down their hopes, wishes, and predictions for this year's biggest categories. Can Jane Campion take home best director and best picture for "Power of the Dog?" Is "The Lost Daughter" the best film of 2021? Why was Nicolas Cage's performance in "Pig" not nominated? We dive into all these questions, as well as looking back at our favorite Oscar-nominated "In the Envelope" guests over the years. Listen in for anecdotes + acting advice from Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jessica Chastain, Rebecca Ferguson, and more. Brought to you by UCLA's Professional Programs at the School of Theater, Film & Television. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Vinnie Mancuso - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 10, 2022
Troy Kotsur
Troy Kotsur is a study in perseverance. The Arizona native spent years honing his craft on stage at the National Theatre of the Deaf and the Deaf West Theatre in Los Angeles—all the while wondering if Hollywood could ever fully embrace a deaf actor. “It's almost like a hair in my beard, just this one hair, and that represents the opportunities that I was given,” he says. But that drive—or “stubbornness,” as he himself puts it—has finally paid off on a historic level. For his role in writer/director Sian Heder’s “CODA,” Kotsur has been the one constant of this year’s awards season, snagging wins at the Gotham Awards, the SAG Awards, and Independent Spirit Awards on the road to the 94th Academy Awards, where he is nominated for best supporting actor. A win would mark the first for a deaf male actor, and just the second for a deaf actor ever behind the trailblazing footsteps of Kotsur’s “CODA” co-star, Marlee Matlin. In this “In the Envelope” episode, Kotsur walks Backstage through every stage of his winding journey, from the lessons learned from live theater, to a brief pitstop in the “Star Wars” galaxy, to the significance of his belated “CODA” breakthrough. Along the way, he offers invaluable advice to all actors—deaf or hearing—on the power of on-screen silence, scene partner eye contact, and never giving up. Read Backstage’s cover story Matlin, here: https://bit.ly/35Lhhcb This interview was conducted with the help of ASL interpreter, Justin Maurer. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Tue, February 22, 2022
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman has delivered decades of riveting work on stage and screen. The actor and producer takes Backstage behind the thoughts and emotions that have characterized her meteoric career, from losing herself in books as a child to understanding the sacrifices required of hardworking artists as an adult. Her advice to fellow creators is to stay in touch with “that young mind,” as she says. “Don’t let that older experience of life take that away. That would be the thing that I carry. And I have no idea why! I still get the goosebumps, I get the adrenaline, I get the nervousness, I get the elation, I get the waiting for the call.... That is still such a huge part of who I am.” An Emmy, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, and Academy Award winner, Nicole first became a Hollywood mainstay with “Dead Calm” and “Days of Thunder” before starring in modern classics like “Eyes Wide Shut,” “Moulin Rouge!” and “The Hours.” Among the projects of her production company, Blossom Films, are TV hits “Big Little Lies,” “The Undoing,” and “Nine Perfect Strangers.” She’ll next star in Robert Eggers’ “The Northman,” and is now Oscar– and SAG Award–nominated for her work as Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin’s biopic “Being the Ricardos.” Read Backstage’s cover story with her co-star, Javier Bardem, here: https://bit.ly/3IorvNX This episode is brought to you by Amazon Studios’ “Being the Ricardos. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 17, 2022
Reese Witherspoon
One of Hollywood’s most prolific figures working today, Reese Witherspoon has created unforgettable female characters onscreen—and offscreen, with her award-winning media company Hello Sunshine. From Tracy Flick to Elle Woods to Madeline Martha Mackenzie, few actors have as many household names in their body of work as Reese does. How does she approach such roles? “It’s almost like being an anthropologist,” she tells Backstage. “You are studying contemporary behavior and how people interact and then applying it to character.” And her advice for fellow artists is evergreen: “You’re never gonna lose anything by trying. So dare greatly.” An Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA, and Academy Award winner, Reese began appearing in commercials at a young age in Tennessee, taking odd jobs in film production before dropping out of school to pursue acting. She broke out in “The Man in the Moon,” “Cruel Intentions,” and “Election” before starring in the “Legally Blonde” films, “Walk the Line” as June Carter Cash, “Wild” as Cheryl Strayed, and more. Reese has since pioneered female-led stories on TV, producing and starring on “Big Little Lies,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” and Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show,” where her performance as Bradley Jackson is nominated for two 2022 SAG Awards. This episode is brought to you by HBO. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 10, 2022
Melanie Lynskey
How has Melanie Lynskey persevered in the entertainment biz and become one of its most compelling screen actors? Through a combination of hard work, passion for the craft, and learning—often the hard way—that originality trumps imitation. Rather than striving to deliver what the industry might want, she’s guided by a principle other working artists can live by: “There’s one me. As soon as I learned that lesson, things got a lot easier for me.” Melanie had an improbable career breakout, cast in her feature film debut as a teenager in Peter Jackson’s “Heavenly Creatures.” From working and studying in her native New Zealand, to eventually appearing to American audiences on “Two and a Half Men,” she’s steadily risen through Hollywood’s ranks, appearing in “Ever After,” “Coyote Ugly,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Hello I Must Be Going,” “Togetherness,” and “Mrs. America.” Now, she’s earned SAG ensemble award recognition for Netflix and Adam McKay’s Oscar-nominated “Don’t Look Up,” plus a Critics’ Choice Award nod for her buzzy work on Showtime’s hit drama “Yellowjackets.” Read up on the 2022 Oscar nominations here: https://bit.ly/3GAetv0 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 27, 2022
Jared Leto
There’s a lot that goes into what Jared Leto calls “immersive” (rather than method) acting. The Academy Award winner is well-known for his full-bodied screen transformations, and here reveals his thinking behind them—even though each has involved a completely organic approach, borne out of an obsessive curiosity around characters. Jared’s top tip for working actors? Don’t ask for permission to take risks and embrace failure. “Everyone’s got their process,” he says. “People should explore and experiment—you’re artists. Be bold, be brave, break some shit. And never, ever apologize for it.” Born in Louisiana and a student of visual art and filmmaking in Washington D.C. and New York City, Jared moved to Los Angeles in 1992 with only a couple hundred dollars to his name. After breaking into Hollywood with “My So-Called Life” and starring in “Prefontaine,” “Requiem for a Dream,” “Panic Room,” “American Psycho,” and more, he took a years-long break from acting to focus on writing and producing music with his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars. Then, his performance in “Dallas Buyers Club” earned accolades aplenty including an Oscar, followed by equally acclaimed work in “Suicide Squad” as the Joker, “Blade Runner 2049,” “The Little Things,” and now, Ridley Scott’s SAG Award–nominated “House of Gucci.” Jared will next star in Marvel and Sony’s “Morbius” and the Apple TV+ miniseries “WeCrashed.” Read more of his thoughts on acting here: https://bit.ly/3FUpI0U --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 13, 2022
Kayvan Novak
Actor, writer, director, and voiceover artist Kayvan Novak became a combination of all those things through plenty of trial and error. And it was the errors and rejections that ultimately taught him about his artistic skills and tastes—but also his own personality, on and off camera. “It was through the endless nos, the brick walls, that forced me to change my approach and forced me to think out of the box,” he tells Backstage. “Thank God all those people said no to me, because it kind of made me who I am.” Kayvan is best known for his Critics’ Choice Award–nominated performance as vampire Nandor the Relentless on FX’s mockumentary “What We Do in the Shadows” from Jemaine Clement. A BAFTA TV Award winner for “Fonejacker,” the British prank call comedy he created and starred in, he’s also appeared in “Syriana,” “Four Lions,” last year’s “Cruella,” and “Toast of Tinseltown.” To read about the recently announced Screen Actors Guild Awards, head over to backstage.com: https://bit.ly/34EBUpr --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 06, 2022
Alia Shawkat
Award-winning actor and producer Alia Shawkat broke out in Hollywood as a teenager, which proved to be both blessing and curse. Like any struggling artist, she’s had to challenge the industry’s preconceptions as well as her own, folding each new endeavor into her evolving artistic philosophy. She has several rules pertaining to acting: One is to watch everything you appear in, but only twice. Another is to reassess what you want out of your craft and career every few years. “You have to keep falling in love with it,” Alia says. “There’s a timing and a luck to this. And then just perseverance.” The California–born Alia became a breakout child actor, on first “State of Grace” and then as Maeby Fünke on the long-running, SAG Award–nominated “Arrested Development.” She has appeared on “Drunk History,” “Transparent,” and “Broad City,” and starred in “Whip It,” “The To Do List,” “The Final Girl,” “Blaze,” “Duck Butter,” and “Animals.” Alia produces the TBS-to-HBO Max mystery series “Search Party,” starring as Dory Sief for five hilarious seasons, the last of which premieres Jan. 7. She also stars in Aaron Sorkin’s Amazon Studios film “Being the Ricardos” as “I Love Lucy” writer Madelyn Pugh. This episode is brought to you by HBO. For January 2022 TV recommendations, head over to backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3mVrhoF --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 30, 2021
Michael Keaton
Before Michael Keaton became the chameleonic screen star he is today, he intuited that the life of a performer is full of uncertainty. So taking risks, as first a stand-up comedian and then an actor, became a key part of his artistic mission. “I told myself, you’re never gonna know if you can do this until you just try to do it,” he remembers. “I certainly had many moments of going: Oh, boy. This is a nervous time. I’m not feeling too secure right now. But desperation will kill you.” In his podcast interview, Michael reveals the thinking behind his characters—big and small, brashly comedic and quietly dramatic—and explains why actors must pursue the truth, both in their performances and in life. A Pennsylvania native, Michael has repeatedly reinvented himself in big-screen projects, from his breakout in “Night Shift” all the way to playing Bruce Wayne in Tim Burton’s “Batman,” a role he is reprising in the upcoming “The Flash” and “Batgirl” movies. His background in theater and as production assistant on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” led to iconic roles in “Mr. Mom,” “Beetlejuice,” and more, and he’s received accolades for “Spotlight,” his Academy Award–nominated “Birdman,” and last year’s SAG Award winner “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” This year he starred in the Netflix film “Worth” and on Hulu’s limited series about the opioid epidemic, “Dopesick,” as Dr. Samuel Finnix. Check out Backstage’s cover story with “Dopesick” co-star Rosario Dawson here: https://bit.ly/3mCvaia --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lin
Thu, December 16, 2021
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage became one of the most prolific film performers of his generation thanks to a philosophy other actors can live by: “Work as much as you can,” he says. “Good or bad, fall on your face or stand up—but get so in tune with your instrument that you know it so well, that you know when it’s working or when it isn’t working.” The actor-director-producer reveals all in his podcast interview, from the ongoing mission to find “eclectic” roles, to the keys to great on-set collaboration and tricks of the trade stretching back over four decades. Born in Los Angeles in a family of artists and filmmakers (including aunt and uncle Talia Shire and Francis Ford Coppola), Nicolas realized on-camera performance was an art form upon seeing James Dean on the big screen. He starred in “Moonstruck,” “Raising Arizona,” “Vampire’s Kiss,” “Honeymoon in Vegas,” “The Rock,” “Face Off,” “National Treasure,” “Mandy,” and much more. Along with Oscar-nominated work in “Adaptation” and his leading actor Oscar win for “Leaving Las Vegas,” he’s earned SAG, Golden Globe, and BAFTA recognition, and has just earned a Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Michael Sarnoski’s film “Pig,” from distributor Neon. Among his upcoming projects, Nicolas will play himself in “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Karen Jenkins - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 02, 2021
Ruth Negga
Ruth Negga has had a clear mission statement since her early days as an actor: “What I wanted as an artist was to sort of shift things—disrupt, maybe,” says the Irish star, illuminating for listeners the nuances of her creative process. Curiosity and quiet introspection are key ingredients, she says, and fellow actors should find their particular means of inspiration. “Acting isn’t just a job for me. It’s a soul vocation. It’s something that I think is helping me understand myself, my place in the world, and others.” Born in Ethiopia, raised in Ireland, and schooled in London, Ruth studied stage acting at the Samuel Beckett Centre at Trinity College Dublin. Her breakout film roles in “Capital Letters,” “Isolation,” and “Breakfast on Pluto” led to theater and TV work on both sides of the Atlantic, including “Personal Affairs,” “Shirley,” and AMC’s “Preacher.” She then won accolades aplenty including an Academy Award nomination for playing Mildred Loving in “Loving,” and led an acclaimed production of “Hamlet” in the titular role. This year she’s earned a Gotham Award nod for her work in Rebecca Hall’s adaptation of “Passing,” and up next she’ll make her Broadway debut in “Macbeth” and play Josephine Baker on the big screen. Check out her “Passing” co-star Tessa Thompson on backstage.com here: https://bit.ly/3G5GLxm --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, November 18, 2021
Beanie Feldstein
Beanie Feldstein, a theater kid through and through, now finds herself a veritable film and TV star. While the approach to stage and screen might differ, her philosophy is always the same: her most inspired work stems from bonding with collaborators who can’t help but become family. “Every opportunity is going to fill you up in certain ways and deplete you in certain ways,” she says. “I always just feel like I can go my deepest and do my best if I know the people around me.” Born in Los Angeles in a family of Hollywood professionals (including brother Jonah Hill), Elizabeth Greer a.k.a. Beanie grew up performing community theater and studying at the Stagedoor Manor theater camp before attending Wesleyan University. Her breakout roles in “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” and the SAG-nominated “Lady Bird” led to an award-winning turn opposite Kaitlyn Dever in Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart,” as well as “How to Build a Girl” and guest appearances on “The Simpsons,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “What We Do in the Shadows.” This year she portrayed Monica Lewinsky and produced FX’s “Impeachment: American Crime Story,” and starred in A24’s adaptation of “The Humans” from Stephen Karam. Up next, Beanie will feature in the years-long filming of Richard Linklater’s “Merrily We Roll Along” and return to Broadway, after “Hello Dolly!”, to play Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” this spring. This week in Backstage Magazine and online, check out the Emerging Talent Portfolio—for a glimpse of the stars of tomorrow: https://bit.ly/3wV6Snk --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherloc
Thu, November 11, 2021
Caitríona Balfe
Once Caitríona Balfe made the leap from modeling back to her original dream of acting, she began studying the craft and working her way toward leading roles. In commercials, web series, and eventually on the big screen, she developed on-camera instincts that became her basis of approaching both auditions and creating characters. Caitríona’s work demonstrates how important it is for actors to have confidence in their unique charisma. “Sometimes the reason you’re cast is because there’s something innately within you that you can bring to the role,” she says. “If you kind of let your instincts lead you, then that’s also a really great place to go.” Trained as a model in her native Ireland and then around the world, Caitríona made an uncredited appearance in “The Devil Wears Prada” before moving to Los Angeles and starring in “H+: The Digital Series,” “Money Monster,” “Ford v. Ferrari,” and more. Her breakout role as Claire on the Starz series “Outlander,” adapted by Ronald D. Moore from the hit Diana Gabaldon novels, has earned her dozens of international awards. The actor-producer-activist now stars in Focus Features’ “Belfast,” a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age period piece from writer-director Kenneth Branagh. For a glimpse of the “Outlander” audition that secured Caitríona her Hollywood breakthrough, head to backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3EXpBS4 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, November 04, 2021
Mike Mills
Mike Mills is a screenwriter and director, but could be considered first and foremost an actor’s collaborator. Not only have his films produced some of the most naturalistic performances in recent memory, he’s the kind of filmmaker who follows actors’ leads, singing their praises at every step of the page-to-screen process. “Whatever feels real and alive to them, that’s where I’m gonna go,” he says in this revealing interview. He also grapples with the mysteries inherent in filmmaking: “As a director-writer person, one would think you know everything about your movie...and you don’t.” With a background in visual art that transitioned to music videos, Mike is best known for his award-winning feature films “Thumbsuckers,” “Beginners,” and “20th Century Women.” He’s turned elements of his life into autobiographically inspired stories, including the newly released “C’mon C’mon” from A24, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, and Woody Norman. In this episode, Jack is joined by Backstage senior staff writer Casey Mink to shout out recent features on other award-winning directors: https://bit.ly/3k710Cq --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 28, 2021
Jessica Chastain & Oscar Isaac
Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac go way back. They’ve reunited several times onscreen since meeting in the halls of the Juilliard School of Drama. Jessica calls acting “a way of getting to know myself on a deeper level.” For Oscar, the approach must be “expressive and not communicative—not getting too caught up with some idea that I want an audience to feel or to think.” The two reveal to Backstage many of the technical tricks up their sleeves, and provide their fellow artists plenty of inspiration. Jessica, who mounted mini theater productions growing up in Northern California, is two-time Academy Award nominee for “The Help” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” She’s led “The Tree of Life,” “Interstellar,” “The Martian,” “Molly’s Game,” Broadway’s “The Heiress,” and this year, Searchlight Pictures’ “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” which she produced with her company Freckle Films. Oscar, born in Guatemala and raised in Miami, acted and performed music onstage before moving to New York. He’s earned awards for his work in “Balibo,” “Ex Machina,” “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Show Me a Hero,” the three latest installments of “Star Wars,” and “Hamlet” at the Public Theater. This year, he stars in Warner Bros’ “Dune” and Focus Features’ “The Card Counter,” which notched him a Gotham Award nomination. Together, Jessica and Oscar have co-starred in the 2014 film “A Most Violent Year” and now lead and executive produce HBO’s critical hit “Scenes From a Marriage,” adapted and updated by Hagai Levi from the Ingmar Bergman limited series. To read more about their work, check out backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3nDQi79 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Wat
Thu, October 21, 2021
Corey Hawkins
Corey Hawkins’ training at the Juilliard School of Drama, and background in singing in church, set him on the path toward becoming what he calls “a well-rounded artist”—and he has a Tony, Emmy, and two SAG Award nominations to show for it! Speaking to Backstage, his go-to resource during post-grad years in New York City, Corey offers fellow actors plenty of valuable advice, particularly when it comes to auditions. “To go into a room and literally just have an opportunity to act, or sing, or dance, or do whatever you do, you get to showcase that and share it with somebody for that little bit of time. And that’s a joy.” Born in Washington, D.C., Corey made his Broadway debut in “Romeo and Juliet,” which was followed by an award-winning revival of “Six Degrees of Separation.” After a Hollywood breakthrough in “Non-Stop,” he appeared on “The Walking Dead,” “24: Legacy,” and “Survive,” plus in “BlacKkKlansman,” “Kong: Skull Island,” and as Dr. Dre in “Straight Outta Compton.” This year is Corey’s most impressive yet, starring on the big screen as Benny in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s movie musical “In the Heights” and as Lord Macduff in Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” opposite Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. For resources and advice on performing Shakespeare, check out backstage.com: https://bit.ly/2Z5bEC7 Read about the newly formed Juilliard Black Alumni Association, of which Corey is a founder, here: https://bit.ly/3AXHaza --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 14, 2021
Rebecca Ferguson
Rebecca Ferguson has combined backgrounds in music, dance, short films, and soap operas in her native Sweden to become one of today’s most versatile and compelling screen stars. From life advice (“Lay your own path and have other people follow you!”) to technical secrets (she gets into character by creating a silhouette), her “In the Envelope” interview has endless value for artists at any level. “It’s a really, really difficult job and it takes a lot of time,” she says of an acting career. “The more you get to know yourself, the more grounded you can be in this world of scrutiny.” After dabbling in various performing arts, Rebecca earned a Golden Globe nod for playing Elizabeth Woodville in the BBC’s “The White Queen,” which launched her into a screen career on both sides of the Atlantic. Tom Cruise cast her in the “Mission Impossible” films as Ilsa Faust, and then came “Despite the Falling Snow,” “Florence Foster Jenkins,” “The Girl on the Train,” “Life,” “The Greatest Showman,” the award-winning “Doctor Sleep,” and this year’s “Reminiscence.” She now stars in Denis Villeneuve’s big-screen adaptation of sci-fi epic “Dune,” from Warner Bros., as the powerful Lady Jessica. Rebecca will next appear in “Mission: Impossible 7” and produce and star on the AppleTV+ series “Wool.” As Backstage gears up for Screen Actors Guild Awards season, brush up on the best and buzziest films to come: https://bit.ly/3FIzHrn --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 07, 2021
Alessandro Nivola
Alessandro Nivola’s career trajectory is proof that artists, especially actors, must continue to adjust ambitions and dream big. On first the stage and then the screen, Alessandro carved out a character actor niche, morphing into roles “very unlike” himself, as he tells Backstage. “It’s part of staying alive, always having new cravings and goals and longings.... One has to battle those feelings on some level and try and feel grateful for what you have.” A Boston native who studied acting at regional theaters and as an undergrad at Yale University, Alessandro fulfilled his dreams of a stage career as a young adult, award-nominated for his Broadway debut opposite Helen Mirren in “A Month in the Country.” After watching his theater peers cross over to Hollywood, he did the same with “Face/Off,” and appeared in “Laurel Canyon,” “Junebug,” “Selma,” “A Most Violent Year,” “The Wizard of Lies,” “Disobedience,” and in many more character roles. Tony-nominated for “The Elephant Man” and a SAG Award winner for “American Hustle,” he also runs the company behind “Doll & Em” and “To Dust,” King Bee Productions, with his wife, actor Emily Mortimer. Alessandro now stars as Dickie Moltisanti, one of his first leading roles, in Warner Brothers’ new prequel to “The Sopranos” from David Chase, “The Many Saints of Newark.” Read more about the buzzy film at backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3a3CbSo --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 30, 2021
The State of Theater Today
In an extra-special (and long-overdue) discussion episode, Backstage’s senior staff writer Casey Mink and industry news writer Diep Tran join Jack to discuss the state of the theater industry in 2021. On the heels of the 74th Tony Awards finally presented Sept. 26 after almost two years of uncertainty on Broadway and beyond, this team of experts is asking and answering many of the questions on the minds of thespians everywhere: How exactly did COVID-19 affect the live performing arts, and what role do vaccinations play going forward? How has the state of New York City theater changed, from the pandemic’s disruption to now? What are the facts and resources that casual listeners and diehard Broadway fans alike need to know? Many such resources are being covered by our editorial team, so for up-to-date reporting on the theater industry’s gradual reopening, head to backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3zXx2ps To read about the 2021 Tony Awards honoring the Broadway of 2019–20, including top winners “Moulin Rouge!” and “The Inheritance,” click here: https://bit.ly/3zTYMLB --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 23, 2021
Ken Jeong
Actors and comedians at any level can study Ken Jeong’s trajectory through the entertainment industry—particularly those breaking into it later in life, as he did at age 37. The fact that he’s also a licensed physician who left a career in medicine to pursue the arts makes him truly one of a kind. Naturally, Dr. Ken is something of an expert on balancing work and life, approaching any venture with a student’s mentality, and infusing personal experience into scripted and unscripted projects alike. “It really boils down to passion,” he tells his fellow performers. “A career, like your life, is a series of moments.” After growing up and studying medicine in North Carolina, while also dabbling in improv and stand-up, Ken committed to acting full-time upon his breakout role—as a doctor—in “Knocked Up.” More Judd Apatow films followed, and Ken stole the show in the “Hangover” trilogy, the comedy “Community,” his writing and producing debut “Dr. Ken,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” multiple voiceover projects, a comedy special, and much more. He’s now known as a panelist on Fox’s award-winning “The Masked Singer” and host of “I Can See Your Voice.” Read more about the unscripted competition hit on backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3nXRSCJ In this episode, Jack also recaps the notable highlights from the recently aired 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards, a ceremony like no other: https://bit.ly/2XPY459 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 16, 2021
Richard E. Grant
How many actors can claim they launched a thriving screen career by playing a washed-up, unemployed actor? That distinction belongs to Richard E. Grant, whose road from cult classic “Withnail and I” to an award-winning oeuvre began with what he calls a “fuck you” attitude. From tips on playing drunk to his instinctive acting techniques (hint: they involve a character’s sex life), Richard has plenty of advice for his fellow performers. His thoughts on forging a career in the arts are evergreen: “Never give up. If you feel that it is something that you’re compelled to do, you will know that. And if it’s not, then don’t waste your time and energy because there are too many people that want it more than you do.” Born in the Protectorate of Swaziland, now Eswatini, Richard performed onstage as a child and studied at the University of Cape Town. After landing the titular role in Bruce Robinson’s “Withnail and I” thanks to casting director Mary Selway, he amassed onscreen credits in the UK and Hollywood, collaborating with Steve Martin, Robert Altman, Winona Ryder, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Julian Fellowes, and more. He wrote and directed the semi-autobiographical film “Wah-Wah,” starred in “Spice World,” “Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Star Wars,” and earned an Academy Award nomination for “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” Richard has recently lent his talents to the Disney+ series “Loki” and Amazon Studios’ musical “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.” Check out his conversation with co-star Max Harwood on backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3nCUmX4 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitli
Thu, September 09, 2021
Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon can give a quietly nuanced supporting turn—or flat-out steal the show—all in service of whatever story he’s helping tell. What are the secrets to his endlessly compelling performances? “Usually if you want to have a career in this business, it’s gonna involve doing a lot of things that scare you, and at first may seem unwise,” he tells Backstage. “But you just have to be willing to take those risks, I guess.” Although wary of putting a name to his techniques or giving ironclad, how-to advice to up-and-coming artists, Michael does so with clarity and generosity. With roots in Kentucky and Illinois, Michael got his start on Chicago stages, collaborating with Tracy Letts and founding A Red Orchid Theatre. His theater work eventually led to a Broadway career, including a Tony nomination for “Long Day’s Journey into Night,” while his on-camera work went from appearances in “Groundhog Day” and “8 Mile” to star turns in “Kangaroo Jack,” “99 Homes,” “Take Shelter,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Man of Steel,” “Midnight Special,” “Elvis & Nixon,” “The Shape of Water,” “Knives Out,” and Academy Award nominations for supporting roles in “Revolutionary Road” and “Nocturnal Animals.” The actor-producer-musician can now be seen as grieving family man Napoleon Marconi on Hulu’s TV adaptation of “Nine Perfect Strangers” from David E. Kelley and Nicole Kidman. Also in today’s episode: Kasey Howe once again joins Jack to preview the year’s upcoming film festivals and awards. Get ready for an exciting season over at backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3ndnQdT --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support:
Thu, September 02, 2021
Inside CAA & Arraygency
Talent agents: What do they do? What do performers at all career levels need to know about their central function in the entertainment industry ecosystem? And, of course, how does one reach representation, and therefore opportunity? “In the Envelope’s” latest deep-dive on a particular aspect of the biz features interviews with first Shauna Perlman of Creative Artists Agency, then both Jason Rodriguez and Ricardo Sebastián of the recently launched Arraygency. CAA is one of Hollywood’s oldest and biggest agencies, managing A-list actors along with writers, directors, hosts, sports and music stars, and other creatives. Shauna Perlman got her start at United Talent Agency before eventually coming to CAA and representing the likes of Rachel Brosnahan, Anthony Ramos, Teyonah Parris, Sebastian Stan, and Henry Winkler. One of her many points to talent looking for representation? Representation is on the lookout for talent. “Putting out the work is everything, keep staying focused on that,” she advises. “And you will find the team that is meant to be helping you on your journey.” For more on CAA, visit our Call Sheet: https://bit.ly/3DDjy5u Arraygency, a talent agency founded by actor-dancer Jason Rodriguez (star of FX’s “Pose”) and manager-entrepreneur Ricardo Sebastián, is an initiative focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion “to better meet the needs of BIPOC, Queer and Trans creatives in the entertainment industry,” per www.arraygency.com. “There’s space for all of us to be successful and to create a life that’s meaningful,” Ricardo tells Backstage. “That’s why we’re focusing on creating a community.” Jason’s advice for his fellow performers is to define artistic goals, remember that success is subjective, and optimize your work for an industry newly focused on hearing from minority voices: “We want to do things differently, where we’re preparing our talent for when they walk into work, but also preparing the work for our talent.” For resources and reading on acting agents, Backstage has you covered: https://bit.ly/3kNcwlJ --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.
Thu, August 26, 2021
Julianne Nicholson
Julianne Nicholson’s impressive Hollywood career is the result of both magnetic on-camera charisma and a commitment to only playing roles that speak to her on a deeper level. In this insightful interview, Julianne reminisces about early auditions, pulls back the curtain on the many acting techniques she puts to use, and walks the line between optimism and realism that being a working actor requires. “Experience goes a long way,” she tells Backstage. “And life! Life gives you more things to draw from. And I expect that will keep happening as I go.” Hailing from Massachusetts, Julianne spent her young adult years modeling and waitressing in New York City, eventually finding the right acting class and committing to a life in the arts. A feature film debut in “Curtain Call” led to TV characters on “Ally McBeal,” “Masters of Sex,” “Boardwalk Empire,” and a lead role on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” On the big screen, she’s starred in “Kinsey,” “Tully,” “Black Mass,” “Novitiate,” “I, Tonya,” “Togo,” and “August: Osage County,” for which she earned awards recognition. Julianne is currently nominated at the 2021 Emmy Awards for her work on HBO’s limited series from Brad Ingelsby and Kate Winslet, “Mare of Easttown.” To read more about that show, click here: https://bit.ly/3DcUjqg --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 19, 2021
Giancarlo Esposito
Giancarlo Esposito can speak at length about his strategy for navigating a career in the arts, but what it all boils down to is quite simple: “Do what means something, and then don’t be exclusive.” As first a child actor doing musical theater, then a voiceover and radio artist (Backstage magazine in hand), then as an award-winning scene-stealer onscreen, Giancarlo has pursued every role with the kind of passion required to persevere in such a fickle industry. “Your intention is proved out over time,” he tells his fellow artists. “If you feel like you’re connected to that gift, then pursue that, whatever that is.” Born in Copenhagen and raised in Manhattan, Giancarlo spent his teenage years in Broadway musicals, then turned a radio and television communications degree at Elizabeth Seton College into a screen career. His Hollywood breakout came courtesy of Spike Lee in “School Daze,” then “Do the Right Thing,” “Mo’ Better Blues,” and “Malcolm X,” as well as “Taps,” “The Usual Suspects,” “Ali,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Revolution,” “Okja,” and last year’s “Unpregnant” and “Star Girl.” He’s recently dominated prestige TV, earning five Emmy Award nominations—including this year as Moff Gideon on Disney+’s “The Mandalorian” and, most famously, as Gus Fring on AMC’s “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul”—and has appeared on Netflix’s “Dear White People,” Epix’s “Godfather of Harlem,” and Amazon’s “The Boys.” To read more of Giancarlo’s wisdom, head over to backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3m7FL5f -- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Ben
Thu, August 12, 2021
2021 Emmy-Nominated Casting Directors
What should actors know about a casting director’s job? And what is pursuing a career in casting like? Today’s episode, featuring an intro from Jack and Christine and two interviews with award-winning CDs, pulls back the curtain on the gut-based and logistical processes involved in, as Emmy nominee Ellen Lewis puts it, the “creative collaboration with a director and/or writer to cast actors that will fill the world that they are envisioning.” And there’s plenty of advice for auditioners, as fellow 2021 Emmy-contending CD Avy Kaufman reiterates her empathy and respect for actors: “It’s gotta be so hard to walk into a room with a stranger, give one take or maybe two takes.... Know your material, do the best you can. And good luck.” Avy Kaufman has cast some of your favorite films and TV shows, from “Brokeback Mountain,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Garden State,” “Lincoln,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” to “Billions,” “The Alienist,” “High Fidelity,” and “The Stand.” She’s earned Primetime Emmy Awards for casting “Damages” and “Succession,” and is now nominated a sixth time for HBO’s “Mare of Easttown,” the hit limited series from Brad Ingelsby and Kate Winslet. Ellen Lewis is the CD behind such classics as “Hannah and Her Sisters,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “A League of Their Own,” “Forrest Gump,” and most Martin Scorsese pictures including “Goodfellas,” Casino,” “The Departed,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “The Irishman.” She won Emmy Awards for her work on “Boardwalk Empire” and “Angels in America,” and is currently nominated for the fifth time for Netflix’s limited series from Scott Frank, “The Queen’s Gambit.” For in-depth interviews with top CDs (including Avy and Ellen), browse Backstage’s “In the Room” column: https://bit.ly/3CK2Wsj --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement:
Thu, August 05, 2021
Rosie Perez
You may be surprised to learn the confident, charismatic Rosie Perez still gets nervous on set. “Everybody gets nervous,” says the actor, dancer-choreographer, and activist. “Not everyone admits it.” As she explains in great detail to her fellow artists, persevering in the entertainment industry means taking one’s craft seriously, overpreparing yet staying flexible, and learning how to rise above or even use nervousness—“finding the champion spirit within those butterflies.” Rosie has become an icon in her hometown of Brooklyn and beyond, since dancing on “Soul Train,” breaking out in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” and earning Emmy nominations for directing and choreographing “In Living Color.” She’s starred on Broadway, scored an Academy Award nomination for “Fearless,” and turned in memorable onscreen roles over the years: from “White Men Can’t Jump,” “Untamed Heart,” and “The Counselor” to “The Take,” “Pineapple Express,” “Bounty Hunters,” “Rise,” “Birds of Prey,” and more. She’s now up for her first Primetime Emmy Award for acting, as Megan Briscoe on HBO Max’s comedy “The Flight Attendant.” Check out producer-star Kaley Cuoco’s cover story here: https://bit.ly/3xpgi9o --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 29, 2021
Brett Goldstein
Actor, writer, and comedian Brett Goldstein has made, by his own admission, “loads of stuff that no one’s watched.” As he explains to Backstage, breakthrough successes in the biz are always the result of unseen projects, rejections, and persistent hard work. Now that his latest, “Ted Lasso,” is an Emmy-dominating hit, Brett is reminding himself of what truly matters and passing that onto his fellow artists. “The fame and success and awards should never be the aim. The aim should be: Are you enjoying the making of the thing?” Brett got his start in fringe theater shows and stand-up stages in his native England, starring on “Derek,” “Hoff the Record,” and “Adult Life Skills,” for which he won a British Independent Film Award. He created shorts that became the film “SuperBob,” the AMC series “Soulmates,” and more, and ended up collaborating with Catherine Tate on “Catherine Tate’s Nan” and with Bill Lawrence on a pilot, the latter leading him to “Ted Lasso.” The hit Apple TV+ comedy, co-created by and starring Jason Sudeikis, hired Brett as first a writer and then as aging football captain Roy Kent, roles that have earned him a Writers Guild Award, ensemble SAG Award nomination, and now Primetime Emmy nod. Stay tuned for Backstage casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella’s update, which includes covering the recent changes to Actors’ Equity Association membership: https://bit.ly/375N44z --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 22, 2021
Jeff Bergman (a.k.a. Bugs Bunny & More)
Jeff Bergman is a legend in the voiceover industry, particularly when it comes to cartoon animation. The first actor to replace Mel Blanc as the voice of Bugs Bunny and other Hanna-Barbera characters, Jeff has tips for fellow actors on recreating iconic animated characters—“I’m trying to capture the essence of the memory that I have, and maybe it’s the memory that you have,” he reveals—plus getting your foot in the industry’s door, keeping your voice healthy, and paying attention to what ignites your passion as an artist. In addition to Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and many other Looney Tunes, Jeff has also lent his voice to “The Flintstones,” “The Jetsons,” “JellyStone,” “Despicable Me” and “Batman” films, and Showtime’s animated satire “Our Cartoon President” as Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Alongside LeBron James, he now stars as Bugs and other voices in “Space Jam: A New Legacy” from Warner Bros and HBO Max. If you’re looking for “Space Jam”–inspired acting gigs now casting on Backstage, here’s your chance, do your dance: https://bit.ly/3zobHFK -- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - www.facebook.com/backstage - www.twitter.com/backstage - www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 15, 2021
Cecily Strong
Like many of today’s hardworking actor-writer-comedians, Cecily Strong knows how to give the exact creative advice that aspiring artists need to hear. The longtime “Saturday Night Live” cast member has thoughts on telling inclusive stories in Hollywood today, being in the moment on set, and embracing the ups and downs of the biz. “How easy is it to just feel bad about yourself and just feel so beaten up?” she points out. “Keep your chin up and know that your path may look different—your path should look different.” Raised in Chicago and a student of theater before comedy, Cecily has been Emmy Award–nominated two years in a row for helping make NBC’s “SNL” must-see TV. A scene stealer in “Ghostbusters,” “The Boss,” and many animated and sketch series, Cecily is now paying homage to classic movie musicals as producer and star of Apple TV+’s new original musical series from Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, “Schmigadoon!” Tune in also for a recap of the 2021 Emmy nominations, and read up on them here: https://bit.ly/3xMga4W --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 08, 2021
Charlotte Nicdao
It was a rejection, following a promising audition, that pushed Charlotte Nicdao to pursue the life of an actor. “I was devastated,” she remembers. “I was like, how am I this upset about this thing that’s not even my job?” In her native Australia and stateside, she has committed to the highs and lows of an on-camera career: weathering auditions of all kinds, growing her skillset as a comedic performer, and holding onto that early passion. After starring in “A gURLs wURLd” as a teenager, Charlotte appeared on the series “Camp,” “Please Like Me,” “Content,” and in short films, voiceover animation, and “Thor: Ragnarok.” The actor-musician-podcaster now stars as video game engineer Poppy Li opposite Rob McElhenney on his hit Apple TV+ workplace comedy “Mythic Quest.” Watch our recent panel featuring the cast of “Mythic Quest,” part of the first-ever BackstageFest, here: https://bit.ly/3ywejkr Stay tuned for tips and leads for Australian actors looking to break through, and check out advice on backstage.com by starting here: https://bit.ly/3dV2lJe --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 01, 2021
Riley Keough
Riley Keough could be considered an authority on how actors can avoid judging their characters. The indie film star, who has held onto a lifelong dream of playing fascinating, liberated women on camera, reveals the different creative processes she uses to connect with such roles: “I don’t know if you need to love your character.” But, she adds, “When you’re playing somebody, you have to try and find empathy for them.” Growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by entertainers (including her mother Lisa Marie Presley), Riley worked as a model before debuting in “The Runaways” and breaking out in “Mad Max: Fury Road.” She’s starred in “It Comes at Night,” “The Lodge,” “The Devil All the Time,” worked with Steven Soderbergh in “Magic Mike,” “Logan Lucky,” and Season 1 of “The Girlfriend Experience,” and earned a Spirit Award nomination for “American Honey.” Riley now plays Stefani, a chaotic stripper, in A24’s Sundance hit “Zola,” adapted by writer-director Janicza Bravo and writer Jeremy O. Harris from an infamous Twitter thread. Stay tuned for Riley’s advice on portraying intimacy onscreen, as well as Christine McKenna-Tirella’s tips on ensuring safety and comfort on set. And check out Backstage’s recent panel featuring TV intimacy coordinators: https://bit.ly/3ApyJO2 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 24, 2021
Neil Patrick Harris
How has Neil Patrick Harris been able to thrive in so many areas of the entertainment biz? “I don’t like resting on my laurels,” he tells Backstage, detailing the twists and turns of a career that has enabled him to consistently surprise audiences. Those hoping to avoid pigeonholing and play a variety of roles should listen closely to Neil’s advice, both practical and philosophical. “Being able to challenge myself, and keep growing in different ways.... It’s a long game.” Since his early breakout as a child actor in “Clara’s Heart” and leading the medical dramedy “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” Neil has become a producer, author, awards ceremony host, and activist (and magician!). The New Mexico native has nailed comedies including the “Harold & Kumar” films, “How I Met Your Mother,” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” musicals including “Rent,” “Company,” and “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” and darker fare including “Gone Girl” and Russell T. Davies’ recent Channel 4 and HBO Max limited series “It’s a Sin.” He’s earned a Tony Award for “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” five Emmy Awards for “Glee” and hosting the Tonys, and much more. Neil now appears on the Channel 4 and HBO Max limited series “It’s a Sin,” and will next serve as judge on “Australia’s Got Talent: Challengers & Champions” and star in “Matrix 4.” This episode is brought to you by HBO. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 17, 2021
Queen Latifah
Someone as prolific and consistently stellar as Queen Latifah needs no introduction. At every surprising turn of her career as an actor, musician, and producer, she’s used an exacting work ethic and irrepressible enthusiasm to inspire women like her. “There were no blueprints for a lot of what I was doing,” she says of her beginnings in the music and filmmaking industries. How has she persevered for so long? “You have to fail,” she advises. “I, luckily, was thrown out there in enough things to fail and cry and get up and fail and cry.” After blazing trails as one of the first women in jazz-rap at age 17, Queen Latifah refused pigeonholing in the biz, getting her start onscreen in Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” and Will Smith’s “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” She’s since starred in “Living Single,” “Set It Off,” “Bringing Down the House,” “Chicago,” “Last Holiday,” “Hairspray,” “Bessie,” “The Wiz Live,” “Girls Trip,” “Star,” “Flint,” “The Little Mermaid Live,” and “Hollywood,” earning an Emmy Award, three SAG Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and an Academy Award nomination. She now produces CBS’ action-drama “The Equalizer,” on which she stars as Robyn McCall. This episode is brought to you by HBO. Stick around for Backstage casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella’s breakdown on taking headshots: https://bit.ly/2U7V028 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 10, 2021
Nicola Coughlan & Phoebe Dynevor
Despite their distinct training backgrounds and character construction techniques, “Bridgerton” stars Nicola Coughlan and Phoebe Dynevor agree on plenty when it comes to acting. It’s a fickle business, for one, and no matter where an actor is in their career trajectory, self-doubt remains part of the journey. “You have that fear where you go, I don’t think I know how to act anymore!” says Nicola of each new job. “You’ve got to make bold, interesting choices,” advises Phoebe. “Be bold!” Nicola studied at drama and improv schools in England and her native Ireland before getting her big break onstage in “Jess and Joe Forever,” followed by ITV Encore and Hulu’s drama “Harlots” and the hit Channel 4 and Netflix comedy “Derry Girls.” Phoebe began as a child actor on the drama “Waterloo Road,” then starred on “Dickensian,” “Snatch,” and now TV Land and Paramount+’s “Younger.” As Penelope Featherington and Daphne Bridgerton, respectively, Nicola and Phoebe are part of the SAG Award–nominated ensemble of Netflix’s period drama “Bridgerton,” adapted from Julia Quinn’s novels by Shondaland and showrunner Chris Van Dusen, now filming its highly anticipated second season. Also joining this week’s episode is Backstage’s industry news contributor Diep Tran, whose feature on the creation of “Bridgerton” you can read here: https://bit.ly/3g5rYIQ --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 03, 2021
Maya Erskine & Anna Konkle
Writer-actors always make for insightful interviews, but that’s particularly true for Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, who write, produce, edit, and star as middle school–aged versions of themselves on Hulu’s Emmy-nominated cringe comedy “Pen15.” Together they shed light on their “creative ESP” as collaborators, their distinct page-to-screen process alongside director Sam Zvibleman, and how to overcome the self-doubt inherent in a Hollywood career—especially for women onscreen. “I have permission to be free and wild and sort of unapologetic,” says Maya of playing a 13-year-old. Anna agrees: “I’m so grateful that we got the opportunity to just be characters with zero sex appeal. Zero!” After meeting at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Maya and Anna set out to create their own opportunities in the biz, starting with the web series “Project Reality.” Maya also stars in ""Plus One,"" “Betas,” “Casual,” “Wine Country,” and the upcoming “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” while Anna has appeared in “Rosewood,” “Baskets,” and “Together Together.” Read more about the Gotham Award–winning “Pen15,” which will continue its second season this fall, here: https://bit.ly/3wVEqR0 And in this week’s Backstage casting insider segment, Christine McKenna-Tirella addresses a frequently asked question: How does one pursue a career in casting? --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Tue, May 25, 2021
Misha Green & Jurnee Smollett
What makes for an ideal collaboration between actors and behind-the-camera talent? Misha Green and Jurnee Smollett, the respective creator-showrunner and star of HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” have plenty of insights into maximizing creativity and trust on set. “You gotta have an environment in which the ‘captain’ has created a level of safety, a level for you to fail big,” says Jurnee. “We’re going towards the same goal, which is the truth of this character,” adds Misha. “And we’re both fearless in that.” Before “Lovecraft Country,” the supernatural horror drama adapted from novelist Matt Ruff’s riff on H. P. Lovecraft, Misha and Jurnee worked together on the hit WGN thriller “Underground.” As a writer-director-producer, Misha is also the creative force behind “Helix” and the upcoming “Cleopatra Jones” and “Tomb Raider 2.” For more insight into her craft, check out Misha’s Meet the Maker feature: https://bit.ly/3hSEXiE Jurnee began her career as a child actor, on “On Our Own” and “Full House,” then broke out in “Eve’s Bayou,” “The Great Debaters,” “Friday Night Lights,” and last year’s “Birds of Prey.” For her work as Leti on “Lovecraft Country,” Jurnee earned a Critics Choice Super Award and an ensemble SAG Award nomination. Read her recent Backstage cover story here: https://bit.ly/3wwPiEP --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 20, 2021
Ryan O’Connell & Punam Patel
Ryan O’Connell and Punam Patel join the podcast together this week to discuss advocating for oneself as an artist, giving voice to communities underrepresented in entertainment, and their hit Netflix comedy, “Special,” which just premiered its second season. The two Emmy-nominated actors provide relatable advice to performers and writers looking to make their mark in Hollywood—confidently. “You can trust your own instincts no matter where you are in your career,” says Punam. “Just [believe] that you deserve to be there,” adds Ryan. Chasing a childhood dream of becoming a TV writer, the California-born Ryan turned the blog writing of his 20s into a memoir, “I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves,” which Jim Parsons optioned through That’s Wonderful Productions. “Special,” which premiered as a 15-minute Emmy-nominated sitcom inspired by Ryan’s life as a gay man with mild cerebral palsy, made its way through development as Ryan wrote for the series “Awkward,” “Daytime Divas,” and “Will & Grace.” Punam, who was the only actor auditioned for the role of Ryan’s coworker and friend Kim on “Special,” studied journalism and theater in Florida, then comedy in Chicago, before moving to Los Angeles and booking “Kevin From Work,” “Time For Bed With Punam Patel,” the upcoming “I Love This for You,” and more. Next week, be sure to check out BackstageFest: a virtual celebration of the year’s best and buzziest TV! Visit join.backstage.com/backstagefest to RSVP. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Lou
Thu, May 13, 2021
Ethan Hawke
Actor, writer, director, and all-around storyteller Ethan Hawke is an advocate for truthfulness in both art and life. Although wary of giving advice, he provides plenty in his thoughtful “In the Envelope” interview: get out of your head and into your gut, study the work of artists you admire, use auditions as opportunities to exceed your comfort zone, and more. The more holistically one approaches a career in the arts, he says, the better. “But more essential to that is, most of us are only as good as our opportunities. And when the opportunities aren’t there, you have to search for ways to articulate your love...to make your imagination manifest.” Born in Texas and raised in New York and New Jersey, Ethan has been producing intensely honest work since his teenaged breakout roles in “Explorers” and “Dead Poets Society.” He’s appeared before or behind the camera in “Reality Bites,” “Gattaca,” “The Hottest State,” Blumhouse Productions films, “First Reformed,” “Blaze,” and “Tesla,” to name a few. One of the few artists to be Academy Award–nominated for both acting (for “Training Day” and “Boyhood”) and writing (for “Before Sunset” and “Before Midnight,” two of several collaborations with fellow filmmaker Richard Linklater), Ethan is also a Tony-nominated New York theater veteran, arts philanthropist, and political activist. This year he starred in the New Group’s “Waiting for Godot” and produced, co-wrote, and earned a SAG Award nod as John Brown on Showtime’s limited series “The Good Lord Bird.” Read his 2018 Backstage cover story here: https://bit.ly/3eGQm2K --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Ad
Thu, May 06, 2021
Renée Elise Goldsberry
While best known for her Tony Award–winning Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway musical “Hamilton” and its Disney+ filmed version, Renée Elise Goldsberry has played a significant array of roles across screen, stage, and music industries. “I’ve been around long enough to have had so many versions of my career,” she tells Backstage, providing key advice on how artists—particularly women—can truly have it all. “You just have to have the audacity to show up and try some of these things.” Raised in Texas and Michigan and trained in first theater at Carnegie Mellon University, then in jazz studies at USC’s Thornton School of Music, Renée got her start in the biz on “Ally McBeal” and as musician-star of the film “All About You,” followed by a two-time Daytime Emmy–nominated run on “One Life to Live.” Since landing on Broadway in “The Lion King,” she’s lived in New York City, working onstage in Shakespeare productions, “The Color Purple,” “Rent,” “Good People,” and “Hamilton,” onscreen in indie films, “The Good Wife,” “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” “Altered Carbon,” and now, Meredith Scardino’s new musical comedy on Peacock, “Girls5Eva.” Check out our recent Actor’s Toolkit, full of advice on manifesting your dream acting career, on Backstage’s YouTube page: https://youtu.be/dgKqznTSgIU --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 29, 2021
TIME’S UP
Today’s “In the Envelope” episode takes an in-depth look at safety and parity in the entertainment industry, and in particular an organization leading that conversation. We’re honored to be joined by Tina Tchen, president and CEO of TIME’S UP: https://timesupnow.org Created in 2018 partly in response to sexual assault allegations in Hollywood and its resulting #MeToo movement, TIME’S UP Now and the TIME’S UP Foundation advocate for “a society free of gender-based discrimination in the workplace and beyond.” Amid our country’s ongoing reckoning of discrimination and systemic inequity within multiple industries, TIME’S UP has partnered with other causes and charities to dismantle what are essentially interconnected issues: workplace harassment and abuse, pay disparities, employee rights, and more. Donate or get involved here: https://timesupnow.org/take-action “The real goal here is to create workplaces where [sexual harrassment or discrimination] doesn’t happen in the first place...to really work for safe, fair, and dignified work for everyone,” says Tina, an award-winning lawyer who served in Barack Obama’s presidential administration and co-founded the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund, which has provided thousands of sexual harassment victims with legal counsel. In this interview, she speaks to why safety and parity are linked in Hollywood and beyond, diversity at the recent Oscars and #TimesUpGlobes movement, the allegations against producer Scott Rudin, and what steps toward progress both individuals and companies can take. Casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella also joins Jack to highlight Backstage’s work facilitating inclusivity in our casting process, plus tips for actors on red flags in auditions and what to do about them. Our customer service team can always be reached at customers@backstage.com or 1-917-725-6367. For more resources and actionable advice, read our guide on sexual harassment in the industry: https://bit.ly/32WIjs5 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Bro
Thu, April 22, 2021
Amber Ruffin
Now is a particularly exciting time to talk to Amber Ruffin, an improvisation-trained comedy performer and writer whose talent, perseverance, and upbeat charm have led to her own late night variety series. Peacock’s “The Amber Ruffin Show” allows the multihyphenate host to both indulge in the silliest comedic premises and cover current events with a refreshing directness otherwise rare in late night television. Her advice to fellow creators and comedians is to take risks, have no shame, and be prolific. “You have to have a pile of work that you can point to and go, ‘I can do this and here’s the proof.’ ” Amber grew up a theater kid in Omaha, Nebraska, before training in improv and sketch comedy at Boom Chicago Amsterdam, the iO Theater, and the Second City. She’s appeared on Comedy Central’s “Drunk History,” written for awards show specials and series including “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” and in 2014 became the first Black woman to write for a network talk show on NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” which has earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations. Browse backstage.com for advice on comedy and improv here: https://bit.ly/3eneeHt --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 15, 2021
Film Independent & the Spirit Awards
As this year’s film awards season nears its conclusion, we’re diving deep into one of its most fabulous, and essential, ceremonies: the Film Independent Spirit Awards! Founded in the 1980s as the Independent Feature Project/West by producers looking to foster cinematic visions outside of Hollywood’s traditional studio system, Film Independent offers year-round resources, programming, and events—all for filmmakers, by filmmakers. The Spirit Awards honoring small-budget indie artistry, usually held each year just before the Oscars on the beach at Santa Monica, will air its 34th ceremony April 22 in a special virtual presentation hosted by Melissa Villaseñor: https://bit.ly/3sm8UsL “Our mission is quite simple,” Film Independent president Josh Welsh tells Backstage. “We champion creative independence in visual storytelling. We support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision.” A former actor who began at the organization as a volunteer, Josh is the perfect guide to all things Film Independent and the Spirit Awards, the evolving state of the indie industry, and practical career advice for writers, directors, and performers alike. This episode also features a check-in with Backstage’s Kasey Howe, and of course a dose of storytelling inspiration from Christine McKenna-Tirella. To read up on the Spirit Awards, head over to backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3sg5mIA --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 08, 2021
Andra Day
Singer-songwriter-turned-award-winning actor Cassandra Monique Batie goes by Andra Day—a stage name inspired by one of her biggest influences, Billie Holiday. It feels meant to be, then, that Andra’s recent Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination are for her portrayal of the iconic musician in Hulu’s “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” adapted for the screen by Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Lee Daniels. From singing and dancing as a child in San Diego to being discovered by Stevie Wonder and collaborating with Spike Lee and Common, the Grammy- and Daytime Emmy–nominated Andra has now joined the ranks of musical leading ladies with Academy Award nods for their feature film debuts (including Julie Andrews, Barbra Streisand, and Diana Ross—also as Billie Holiday in “Lady Sings the Blues”). “It is okay that feelings will come up,” she says to her fellow artists. “Show up anyway in the midst of those feelings.” Read more about “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” here: https://bit.ly/31SdhRN Stay tuned as always for handy audition tips from your Backstage casting insider! This episode is brought to you by UCLA’s Professional Programs at the School of Theater, Film & Television: https://professionalprograms.tft.ucla.edu/ --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 01, 2021
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Attention, SAG-AFTRA members! We’re dedicating this episode to a deep dive on the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, your guild’s 501(c) non-profit organization. Board members Sharon Lawrence and Jason George are here to check in on the state of the biz in 2021, offer advice to their fellow working actors, and remind union and non-union artists alike of the resources, programming, and aid the Foundation offers. From the award-winning children’s literacy series Storyline Online to over $6 million and counting in COVID-19 relief, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation “is dedicated to helping performers reach their highest heights while always landing firmly on their feet,” per their official site: https://sagaftra.foundation. Sharon Lawrence, Second Vice President of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, is a SAG Award winner and four-time Primetime Emmy nominee, for “NYPD Blue” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” and has starred on “The Ranch,” “Shameless,” “Dynasty,” and the upcoming series “Rebel.” Jason George, a Foundation board member and chair of the diversity advisory committee, is a Daytime Emmy nominee for “Sunset Beach,” and can be seen on “Eli Stone,” “Mistresses,” and as Dr. Ben Warren on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Station 19.” Stay tuned for Christine’s advice for actors looking to join SAG-AFTRA, and visit backstage.com for more: https://bit.ly/3fs7UAJ -- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 25, 2021
Bill Camp
Often referred to as one of the best “character” actors around, Bill Camp memorably appears—or often disappears—into countless supporting roles, and can be counted on to give a truthful, compelling performance each time. His “In the Envelope” interview sheds light on how to do so, from heightening material onstage or onscreen to harnessing the power of imagination and sense memory. “I’m recalling from memories all the time,” Bill says of his character work. “I am content.” Raised in Massachusetts and eventually trained at regional theaters and the Juilliard School, Bill has worked for years on New York City stages, garnering an Obie Award for “Homebody/Kabul” and Tony nomination for “The Crucible.” Within the last decade, he’s built a prolific body of screen work, including on series “Manhattan,” “The Leftovers,” “The Looming Tower,” and an Emmy nod for “The Night Of,” as well as films “Lincoln,” “12 Years a Slave,” “Birdman,” “Love & Mercy,” “Jason Bourne,” “Molly’s Game,” “Wildlife,” “Vice,” “Joker,” “News of the World,” and the upcoming “Passing.” He is now SAG Award–nominated for his work as Mr. Shaibel on Netflix’s hit limited series “The Queen’s Gambit.” This episode is brought to you by HBO. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Tue, March 23, 2021
Daniel Kaluuya
Daniel Kaluuya is now a two-time Academy Award–nominated actor, in 2018 for his breakout in “Get Out” and this year for playing the assassinated Black Panther Chairman Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which has also earned him SAG Award, BAFTA film, and Golden Globe recognition. The electrifying stage and screen star takes us into the depths of his subconsciousness, describing the process that goes into building such characters: “I’m using who I am to show you who I’m not.” Born in London and trained in theater improvisation since childhood, Daniel starred on, and wrote two episodes of, the U.K. hit teen series “Skins.” Working his way up from sketch comedy and short films to “Sucker Punch” on the West End to Channel 4 and Netflix’s “Black Mirror,” Daniel has now worked with the likes of Jordan Peele in “Get Out,” Ryan Coogler in “Black Panther,” Steve McQueen in “Widows,” and Melina Matsoukas and Lena Waithe in “Queen & Slim.” This episode is brought to you by Warner Bros.’ “Judas and the Black Messiah.” Stay tuned also for an internationally focused update from casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella. And read Backstage’s Meet the Maker feature with Oscar-nominated “Judas and the Black Messiah” writer-director Shaka King here: https://bit.ly/3tInFaw --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 18, 2021
Daveed Diggs
Daveed Diggs is best known for his Tony Award–winning portrayals of Marquis de Lafayette and President Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway musical “Hamilton,” released last year as a TV film on Disney+ and garnering Daveed a SAG Award nomination. Here, the singer-rapper-songwriter and actor-writer-producer reveals much of his creative philosophy to Backstage—a publication he used to read in the early, blissfully uncertain days of his career. His advice: “Be fully creative and really experiment with things, and then learn what your process is.” Born in Oakland, California, and studying theater at Brown University, Daveed joined early versions of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” after scraping by with regional stage gigs and Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s choreopoem “Word Becomes Flesh.” He’s collaborated with an eclectic array of musicians, including his experimental hip-hop group Clipping, and writer-performer Rafael Casal, with whom he wrote, produced, and co-starred in the award-winning 2018 film “Blindspotting.” Daveed also leads TNT’s dystopian drama “Snowpiercer” and this year starred as Frederick Douglass on Showtime’s miniseries “The Good Lord Bird” and in Disney’s “Soul.” He’s appeared on ABC’s “Black-ish,” Netflix’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” and AppleTV+’s animated “Central Park,” and will next be seen in the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” Check out Daveed answering our Backstage 5 actor questionniare here: https://bit.ly/3r0oeuC Also joining Jack on this episode is Elyse Roth, Backstage’s senior editor, to discuss the takeaways from the 2021 Oscar nominations: https://bit.ly/2P26GB5 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Desi
Thu, March 11, 2021
Backstage’s Casting Experts Talk Audition Trends
With the entertainment industry still in flux due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we at Backstage want to keep actors and storytellers informed on the latest trends—and how they can best pursue their craft in 2021. Our ""In the Envelope"" casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella has assembled an international panel of experts from the Backstage casting team to do just that. Joined by Backstage’s vice president of casting Luke Crowe, voiceover casting specialist Sonja Smith, UK casting specialist Hannah Williams, and L.A. casting specialist Christina Kleppinger, Christine leads a deep-dive discussion on the latest Backstage updates, audition trends as evidenced by our casting notices, and advice for artists at all career levels. “We all feel passionate about giving as much opportunity and information to both creators and actors as possible,” Christine says. If you’re navigating a life in the arts amid this uncertain time, let this conversation guide and inspire you. To read more about the pandemic and helpful resources, click here: https://bit.ly/2OKilEt --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, March 04, 2021
Nicole Beharie
In both navigating her impressive career and approaching the acting craft, Nicole Beharie has never given less than 100%. In this fun and forthright conversation, she delves into her artistic process, which differs from role to role but ultimately entails an earnest examination of her proximity to a character. And through it all, Nicole advises, you have to love acting and be clear on why you love acting. “Sometimes you end up with a few scratches and bruises,” she says of life in the biz. “But when you’re on an adventure in your life, and you’re ready for it, then that is what it is.” A South Carolina native and Juilliard School graduate, Nicole broke into Hollywood with a starring role in the film “American Violet,” going on to lead the network drama “Sleepy Hollow” and appear in “Shame” and “42,” and on “Black Mirror” and “Monsterland.” Her work as Turquoise Jones in last year’s indie from Channing Godfrey Peoples, “Miss Juneteenth,” earned Nicole a Gotham Independent Film Award and Spirit Award nomination for leading actress. In honor of Women’s History Month, check out Backstage’s round-up of buzzy female feature directors here: https://bit.ly/3bZwntG --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 25, 2021
Delroy Lindo
Throughout a stage and screen career spanning decades, Delroy Lindo has intentionally set out to play the widest possible variety of characters. “I want to be able to encompass different human beings,” explains the actor, detailing the ebbs and flows of his career on this week's episode of “In the Envelope.” Delroy’s advice is balanced between optimistic encouragement and no-nonsense realism. It is inevitable that a life in the arts will bring dry spells, he says, but “don’t be dissuaded by the trauma of being told ‘no.’ Because at some point you will be told ‘yes,’ just as I was.” Born in London, raised in Canada and the U.S., and trained in San Francisco, New York City, and regional theaters, Delroy has pursued performing since his elementary school Nativity play. He’s appeared onscreen in “Soul of the Game,” “The Cider House Rules,” “Get Shorty,” and “The Chicago Code,” earned a Tony nomination for “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” and currently stars on CBS All Access’ legal drama “The Good Fight.” After working with Spike Lee in the 1990s in “Malcolm X,” “Crooklyn,” and “Clockers,” Delroy reunited with the Oscar-winning writer-director in last year’s Netflix hit “Da 5 Bloods,” earning him Critics’ Choice Award and SAG ensemble nominations. This episode also features an update from Backstage L.A. casting specialist Christina Kleppinger, as well as casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella’s advice on survival jobs: https://bit.ly/3bxJ12S --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 18, 2021
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
If you’re an auditioning actor, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has a strange but effective tip for you: wear mismatched socks. “It takes the pressure off of trying to be perfect,” says the Emmy-winning star, who has many other practical tips for his peers. The former architect’s rigorously methodical approach to both his career and craft is proof that there’s no one path to success in the entertainment industry. Read his 2016 cover story here: https://bit.ly/37pg7AD Born in New Orleans, raised in the Bay Area, and studied at UC Berkeley and the Yale School of Drama, Yahya broke into the biz just after graduate school on the Netflix series “The Get Down.” His roles since have run the gamut from musicals like “The Greatest Showman” to action hits “Aquaman” and “Watchmen,” and he’ll next star in the upcoming sequels to the “Matrix” franchise and “Candyman.” Yahya is currently SAG Award–nominated as part of the cast of Aaron Sorkin’s Netflix film “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” in which he plays real-life activist Bobby Seale. This episode is brought to you by HBO. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, February 11, 2021
Black Voices in Hollywood
Happy Black History Month! As part of Backstage’s ongoing mission to provide platforms for BIPOC storytellers and amplify inclusive stories, we’re presenting a very special podcast episode for Black and non-Black listeners alike. Echoing questions the arts community has faced with particular urgency over the last year, “In the Envelope” has asked recent guests about the state of the biz: How do Black actors and creators navigate the entertainment industry today? How can white people leverage their privilege and allyship in creating a more inclusive Hollywood? What should individual artists of all backgrounds do to instigate systemic change? Prentice Penny, Aldis Hodge, Bob the Drag Queen, Rashida Jones, Justin Simien, Simone Missick, Jonathan Majors, and Janet Mock gave us frank answers to these questions and more. For Black listeners, there’s plenty of actionable advice on working in the biz; for non-Black listeners, we hope these conversations provide perspective, reflection, and a call to action. As Prentice says in a previously unaired clip, fighting for authentic representation and ending discrimination in Hollywood isn’t solely the responsibility of people of color: “It should be on the system to fix the system.” Check out coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement here: https://bit.ly/3a7QWo9 Joining this week’s Backstage casting insider segment is Destiny Lilly, New York theater casting director and advocate for actors and artists. To read our interview with Cicely Tyson, the late trailblazer and icon, click here: https://bit.ly/2LuCehm --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional supp
Thu, February 04, 2021
Emma Corrin
Emma Corrin is best known as the SAG- and Golden Globe Award–nominated star of Peter Morgan’s Netflix drama “The Crown” Season 4, where she took on the daunting role of Lady Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales. As the breakout star points out, there’s something inherently effortful in the term “breakout”—Emma earned the part of Diana after a rigorous, years-long process, first serving as a reader in the audition room, doing extensive research, and at one point being spontaneously asked to sing. “It was really important for me that anything I replicated, like her head tilt, or her voice, or the way she waved, or the way she held herself, was justified,” she says of building this character from the inside out. Born in Kent, England, and trained all over the country including at the University of Cambridge, Emma has been single-mindedly focused on acting, performing onstage, making voiceover gigs her side job, and practicing on-camera work with self-taped auditions. In addition to “The Crown,” she’s appeared on the Epix series “Pennyworth” and in the 2020 film “Misbehaviour.” Stay tuned after the interview for Christine McKenna-Tirella’s casting and reading recommendations, which include Backstage’s many features on “The Crown”: https://bit.ly/36B6fU4 And read up on the 2021 SAG Award nominations here: https://bit.ly/3pMyvL7 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 28, 2021
Aldis Hodge
If you’re a performer who has recorded a self-taped audition over 300 times, Aldis Hodge is your craft and career guru. An actor and entrepreneur since childhood, Aldis has risen through the ranks of Hollywood and made thoughtful, intentional choices on- and off-screen (including resisting Black stereotypes). “Put that hustle in,” he advises fellow artists. “I find the true professionals to be more dedicated and more motivated now than they were when they started. Because they realize how much hard work it takes to get there.” Aldis moved around often as a kid, with military parents who were supportive of his artistic mission. After booking bit parts and studying at the Art Center College of Design, he earned his big break on TNT’s “Leverage,” going on to star in “Straight Outta Compton,” the SAG Award–winning “Hidden Figures,” WGN America’s “Underground,” “Black Mirror,” “Clemency,” “What Men Want,” “The Invisible Man,” and now, Showtime’s “City on a Hill.” Catch him next starring as athlete-actor Jim Brown in Amazon Studios’ film “One Night in Miami” from director Regina King. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Studios. For more on “One Night in Miami” and its Spirit Award–winning cast, check out our interview with casting director Kimberly Hardin: https://bit.ly/36ezDzq --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 21, 2021
Olivia Cooke
Inspired to try acting at a young age and single-mindedly focused on it ever since, Olivia Cooke has appeared in some of the most acclaimed film and TV projects of the last decade, reinventing herself on screen each time. Her “In the Envelope” interview is a crash course in several key tricks of the trade: accent work, self-tape advice, even the nuances of crying. Inhabiting a character inside and out, she says, requires selfless collaboration and detailed backstories. “Otherwise, you’re coming in as you and you’re wearing funny clothes.... You’ve got to convince yourself.” Hailing from Oldham, Greater Manchester, Olivia acted onstage in youth theater groups before booking BBC miniseries “Blackout” and “The Secret of Crickley Hall.” After not being accepted to drama training programs, she focused on screen work, breaking out in “The Quiet Ones” and, across the pond, the “Psycho” prequel series “Bates Motel.” She’s starred in “Ouija,” “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” “Thoroughbreds,” “Ready Player One,” “Vanity Fair,” and recently, “Pixie,” “Little Fish,” and Darius Marder’s Gotham Award–winning film “Sound of Metal.” Next she’ll lead the “Game of Thrones” prequel series “House of the Dragon.” For more, read Olivia’s 2018 Backstage cover story: https://bit.ly/2NtUNDf This episode is brought to you by Amazon Studios. For more on “Sound of Metal,” check out the interview with star Riz Ahmed over at Backstage.com: https://bit.ly/2Ku7BrS --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Tue, January 19, 2021
Sarah Paulson
Narrowing down an actor’s artistic philosophy to one all-encompassing statement can be tricky, especially if that actor is the prolific, terrific Sarah Paulson. But if there’s a credo guiding her creative decisions throughout such a remarkable career, it’s this: “I only think about what is truthful.” (She also offers a second pro tip for working actors: use Backstage!) Sarah began acting onstage in New York City before graduating high school, making her screen debut on “Law and Order” and climbing Hollywood’s ranks all the way to an Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award. She’s delivered compelling work in “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Game Change,” “12 Years a Slave,” “Carol,” “Blue Jay,” “American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson,” “Glass,” “Mrs. America,” and Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s “American Horror Story” anthology, in which she’s played upwards of 10 characters. Sarah now executive produces the Netflix drama “Ratched,” starring as Nurse Mildred Ratched, and recently led Hulu’s Aneesh Chaganty thriller “Run.” For more advice from Sarah, read about how she memorizes lines: https://bit.ly/2XUcwWk --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 14, 2021
Paul Bettany
Given his wide array of screen roles, it makes sense that Paul Bettany would approach each character with dramatically different processes. By zeroing in on the tricks of the trade that always help, and the techniques he’s picked up over a decades-long career, Paul provides “In the Envelope” listeners several key takeaways. For example: actors should determine what they can and cannot control, whether that’s on set or in the audition room. “The thing that I could control and could promise to be,” he says, “is the most prepared person walking in.” Born in England and trained at the Drama Centre London, Paul worked onstage for years before Brian Helgeland helped launch his Hollywood career. Breaking out first in the U.K. in “Gangster No. 1” and then the U.S. in “A Knight’s Tale,” Paul has transformed himself again and again, in films like “A Beautiful Mind,” “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” “Dogville,” “Wimbledon,” “The Da Vinci Code,” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” He plays Frank, a gay man returning to his conservative family, in Alan Ball’s Amazon Studios feature “Uncle Frank,” and leads the new Disney+ Marvel series “WandaVision,” reprising his role as Vision from the “Avengers” movies. For more on the MCU, check out our interview with Marvel casting director Sarah Halley Finn: https://bit.ly/35GGnFW Stay tuned to hear casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella’s post-audition advice! And if you’re looking for TV performances and premieres like “WandaVision” to watch, click here: https://bit.ly/38Lg1UY --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha
Tue, January 12, 2021
Rashida Jones
Joining Backstage at the very end of 2020, Rashida Jones invites listeners to both look back at her wandering journey through the biz and anticipate what’s to come in 2021. The actor has had her finger on the industry’s pulse since also finding her voice as a writer-producer-director-activist, and offers as much valuable insight into the state of Hollywood today as she does audition advice. “The truth is,” she tells fellow artists, “you only become great when you’re yourself.” Rashida grew up in Los Angeles surrounded by entertainers (including parents Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton), but didn’t begin auditioning until after Harvard University. After attempting a New York City theater career, she broke out on “Boston Public,” “The Office,” and “Parks and Recreation,” then led the series “Angie Tribeca,” her screenplay debut “Celeste and Jesse Forever,” and award-winning documentaries. Rashida stars on Kenya Barris’ Netflix sitcom “#blackaf,” and in Sofia Coppola’s AppleTV+ awards-contending film “On the Rocks” opposite Bill Murray. To see more of this season’s leading actor contenders click here: https://bit.ly/3nFyypY --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 07, 2021
Carey Mulligan
As a teenager, Carey Mulligan wrote letters to filmmakers asking for advice on breaking into the biz. After tepid responses, and rejections from U.K. training programs, her determination paid off with a screen debut in 2005’s “Pride and Prejudice” and stage performances in her native London. In her “In the Envelope” interview, Carey reveals the intricacies of her creative process in the years since, including how to protect her own emotions from those of her characters. “I’m just really interested in playing women that feel real,” she says of all her film, TV, and theater roles. “And I’m fascinated by this idea of the ‘unlikable’ woman.” Carey broke into Hollywood with her Oscar-nominated, BAFTA Award–winning work in “An Education,” going on to star in “Never Let Me Go,” “Drive,” “Shame,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Mudbound,” “Wildlife,” and onstage in “The Seagull,” “Skylight,” and “Girls & Boys.” In 2021, she leads Netflix’s “The Dig” and is the producer-star of Focus Features’ acclaimed feminist thriller from Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman.” Read her 2018 Backstage cover story here: https://bit.ly/2JRtpNZ Stay tuned for Christine McKenna-Tirella’s advice on making New Year’s resolutions! And read the latest from Secret Agent Man: https://bit.ly/2MFRwQJ --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 31, 2020
Julia Hart
Aspiring writers and directors should take a page out of Julia Hart’s book: don’t wait to tell your story. And if that story experiments with or outright subverts filmmaking genres by centering those typically underrepresented on screen, all the better. “What I find exciting and interesting as a filmmaker is finding new ways to tell old stories about different people,” she says, taking us inside her writing, casting, and directing processes. A New Yorker who for years taught high school and wrote screenplays on the side, Julia made the leap to full-time artist after her 2014 feature “The Keeping Room” ended up on Hollywood’s Black List. With her husband, writing partner, and film producer Jordan Horowitz, Julia has brought to the big screen her directorial debut “Miss Stevens,” superhero riff “Fast Color,” this year’s Disney+ teen musical drama “Star Girl,” and Amazon Studios’ hit “I’m Your Woman,” a 1970s-set crime noir starring Rachel Brosnahan. Check out her Meet the Maker feature on “I’m Your Woman” here: https://bit.ly/3aPpyfo Kicking off this New Year’s Eve episode are podcast team members Jack Smart, Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Benjamin Lindsay, and Samantha Sherlock shouting out their favorite film and TV performances of 2020! McKenna-Tirella also provides a recap of the year in Backstage, including all newly added features and resources available to working artists. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 24, 2020
Simone Missick
For inspiration on how to empower yourself as an actor—a profession that doesn’t usually feel empowering—listen to “All Rise” star Simone Missick’s advice: “So many more actors would be so much happier with the process of going to work, the process of auditioning, which is another part of work, if we recognize the power that we do have to advocate for ourselves.” That includes advocating for actors’ safety, particularly when filming amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A Howard University graduate originally from Detroit, Simone appeared Off-Broadway and in bit TV and film roles before breaking out as Marvel’s first black female superhero, Misty Knight, on Netflix’s “Luke Cage.” She recently starred as a bounty hunter on Season 2 of Netflix’s sci-fi venture “Altered Carbon,” and now leads Greg Spottiswood’s CBS legal drama “All Rise” as L.A. County Superior Court judge Lola Carmichael. Read everything you need to know about COVID-19 resources for artists here: https://bit.ly/2KrDocU --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Fri, December 18, 2020
Dialect Coaching 101
How can actors master dialects? How important is it for a performer, in an audition or after booking a job, to have specific regional accents in their skill set? Among the many resources available to actors looking to expand their craft, dialect coaching is a growing field of study that most of today’s successful actors have undertaken. This “In the Envelope” episode, featuring experts Barbara Rubin and Jerome Butler, serves as an introduction to the ins and outs of dialect training. Check out more on accents on backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3aqQx0m Barbara Rubin hails from South Africa and works as a dialect coach and theater director in New York City. She’s recently coached actors in the Williamstown Theatre Festival on Audible, is the associate director of Broadway’s “Girl From the North Country,” and has been helping stars (including Julia Garner, Daniel Radcliffe, Samira Wiley, and Jennifer Hudson) incorporate accent work into their craft for years: https://barbararubin.net Jerome Butler is based in New York City, where he trained as an actor at the Juilliard School. He uses dialect coaching to support the artistic processes of working actors in film, TV, and theater (including private clients Jonathan Pryce, Robert Downey Jr., Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ellen Burstyn, and others). Jerome is the founder of Dialect Coaches Corner, a website providing online tools for performers, executives, and fellow educators: https://dialectcoachescorner.com --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 17, 2020
Dialect Coaching 101
How can actors master dialects? How important is it for a performer, in an audition or after booking a job, to have specific regional accents in their skill set? Among the many resources available to actors looking to expand their craft, dialect coaching is a growing field of study that most of today’s successful actors have undertaken. This “In the Envelope” episode, featuring experts Barbara Rubin and Jerome Butler, serves as an introduction to the ins and outs of dialect training. Check out more on accents on backstage.com: https://bit.ly/3aqQx0m Barbara Rubin hails from South Africa and works as a dialect coach and theater director in New York City. She’s recently coached actors in the Williamstown Theatre Festival on Audible, is the associate director of Broadway’s “Girl From the North Country,” and has been helping stars (including Hilary Swank, Julia Garner, Terrence Howard, and Jennifer Hudson) incorporate accent work into their craft for years: https://barbararubin.net Jerome Butler is based in New York City, where he trained as an actor at the Juilliard School. He uses dialect coaching to support the artistic processes of working actors in film, TV, and theater (including private clients Jonathan Pryce, Robert Downey Jr., Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ellen Burstyn, and others). Jerome is the founder of Dialect Coaches Corner, a website providing online tools for performers, executives, and fellow educators: https://dialectcoachescorner.com --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, December 10, 2020
Hugh Grant
Throughout his over 30 years in the biz, Hugh Grant has evolved through different phases, defining an era of romantic comedies before subverting expectations with the character-driven parts he’s always preferred. “I’d much rather have a silly voice, a funny haircut, and a funny walk,” he says, revealing the intricacies of his character-building process and how it’s changed since his 1990s Hollywood breakthrough. In particular, Hugh advises listeners on how to make each take fresh and believable: “On film, you have to mean it.” A London native and Oxford student, Hugh dabbled in writing and performing sketch comedy before giving acting a go on stages all over England. After film and TV work, including an award-winning turn in “Maurice,” he auditioned for and booked “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” which became the highest-grossing British movie in history and earned Hugh a Golden Globe Award. His streak as a romantic lead continued with “Sense and Sensibility,” “Notting Hill,” “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “About a Boy,” “Two Weeks Notice,” “Love Actually,” “Music & Lyrics,” and more. Returning to the industry after a politically active hiatus, Hugh earned acclaim for work in “Florence Foster Jenkins,” “Paddington 2,” and the Emmy-nominated “A Very English Scandal.” This year he pivots again, in Guy Ritchie’s film “The Gentlemen” and David E. Kelley’s HBO limited series opposite Nicole Kidman, “The Undoing.” Listen to our interview above, and click to read his 2018 Backstage cover story here: https://bit.ly/3qFGsT7 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Ben
Thu, December 03, 2020
John Boyega
Starstruck by cinema since childhood and then trained on London stages, John Boyega was always meant to be an actor. Recently the “Star Wars” star also became a producer, forming the U.K. production company Upperroom Entertainment Limited. In this interview about his creative processes, John reveals how to transform into a character until you hardly recognize yourself onscreen, as well as his best philosophy for fellow working artists: navigating the biz is about “being present, consistently staying a fan of cinema...and trying to find what specifically motivates you.” After training in multiple London theater programs, John broke into the film industry with sci-fi romp “Attack the Block,” and was launched to superstardom as Finn in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and its two sequels. He’s also appeared in “Imperial Dreams,” “Detroit,” and “Pacific Rim: Uprising,” which he produced. In “Red, White and Blue,” one of the films in Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology series now on Amazon Prime Video, John plays real-life British cop Leroy Logan. U.K. casting specialist Hannah Williams also joins Jack to discuss all things Backstage on the other side of the pond. For info on how to get cast there, check out her guide: https://bit.ly/39Cfs0K --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, November 19, 2020
Jonathan Majors
Jonathan Majors approaches every performance with a “tabula rasa,” or blank slate, mentality. “You do so much work creatively, emotionally, physically, spiritually, to prepare for the role,” he says. “But then when you get there, it’s go time.” And only with a strong foundation of training and life experience—knowing one’s craft and oneself—can “go time” be achieved on set. Raised in Texas and discovering theater as a creative outlet while a teenager, Jonathan studied acting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Yale School of Drama. Since his big Hollywood break on the limited series “When We Rise,” he’s appeared in films “Hostiles,” “White Boy Rick,” “Out of Blue,” “Captive State,” “Gully,” “Jungleland,” and the award-winning “The Last Black Man in San Francisco.” This year he starred in Spike Lee’s Netflix film about Black Vietnam war soldiers, “Da 5 Bloods,” and led Misha Green’s HBO horror drama “Lovecraft Country” as Atticus “Tic” Freeman. Read more of Jonathan’s words here: https://bit.ly/36RFI46 Working actors should also stay tuned for audition prep tips from our casting insider, who also recommends Backstage’s guide on auditioning: https://bit.ly/3nGlK3j --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, November 12, 2020
Justin Simien
Writer-director-editor-producer Justin Simien believes all working and aspiring storytellers should have an artistic mission statement guiding them. Know thyself and know the industry, he advises, and stay in touch with the inherent joy of the creative process. “You should be thinking about the marketplace, you have to,” he tells listeners. “Most importantly, do you. Be clear about what that means.” A student of theater in Houston and film in Los Angeles, Justin seeks to bring typically underrepresented Black and LGBTQ perspectives to the screen. He worked in social media and publicity before filming a crowdfunded concept trailer for what would become his breakout at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival: the critically acclaimed “Dear White People,” now also developed into the ongoing hit series on Netflix. Justin’s new film from Neon and Hulu, “Bad Hair,” is a horror comedy about an evil weave featuring an all-star cast. Check out his podcast, “Don’t @ Me,” here: www.justinsimien.com/podcast For tips on creating a mission statement, stay tuned for this episode’s Backstage casting insider segment and click here: https://bit.ly/3koKNFO Check out more advice from a life coach on Backstage’s The Slate here: https://bit.ly/38ywWul And don’t miss this week’s print issue on the state of the industry today: https://bit.ly/3ngXOmO --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe,
Thu, November 05, 2020
The 2021 Awards Season Preview
We’re dedicating this week’s episode to the 2021 awards and festival season—perhaps the strangest one in Hollywood history! Jack is joined once again by Backstage’s executive director of media Kasey Howe to discuss how COVID-19 has shifted film and guilds awards’ schedules, what the 2020 Emmys can teach us about advertising trends and remote campaigning, and whether virtual film festivals will affect what we consider an Oscar contender this year. Casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella then provides thoughts on networking amid a pandemic, tips for optimizing social media communication, and her favorite current casting opportunities for Backstage users. Check out casting director Melanie Forchetti’s YouTube Live on marketing yourself during these uncertain times here: https://bit.ly/3mPjOFd --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins - Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 29, 2020
Bob The Drag Queen
Actor, producer, podcaster, comedian, and activist Caldwell Tidicue is best known as his drag persona Bob the Drag Queen, winner of reality competition “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 8. The heightened gender expression of drag, which encompasses many different skills and performance styles, has proved Bob’s gateway into the entertainment industry. “No one is going to cheer for you harder than you have to cheer for yourself,” he tells fellow artists. Born in Georgia and trained as a theater artist, Bob set off to pursue acting and comedy in New York City and was inspired to join the queer nightlife community after seeing “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the show that launched him into the mainstreamin 2016. He’s acted on HBO’s “High Maintenance” and “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” Netflix’s “The Tales of the City,” appeared in films “Rough Night” and “A Queen for the People,” and in Berkeley Rep’s “Angels in America,” and produces music videos, podcasts, and stand-up specials. In 2020 he was co-host and consulting producer on HBO’s Emmy-nominated reality hit “We’re Here” and co-created the first annual Black Queer Town Hall. Want to follow in his footsteps? Read about how to get cast on “Drag Race” here: https://bit.ly/35OLG5A Stay tuned also for Backstage casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella’s listings of the week, plus advice on identifying casting scams: https://bit.ly/3jwOau0 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli - Design: Mark Stinson, C
Thu, October 22, 2020
Julie Taymor
Julie Taymor is a legendary multidisciplinary artist, with inspirations so varied it becomes difficult to classify her. Identifying primarily as a director, she’s also written, produced, composed music, and designed her celebrated stage and screen productions. Her advice for fellow storytellers: embrace limitations, combine mediums, travel the world, and “find something that you’re really, really passionate about.” Julie won directing and costuming Tony Awards for her screen-to-Broadway adaptation of Disney’s “The Lion King” (the highest-grossing entertainment title in box office history), and earned acclaim for film adaptations of “Titus” and “The Tempest,” “Across the Universe,” and “Frida,” which earned her an original song Oscar nomination. The Massachusetts native began as the youngest member of the Boston Children’s Theatre, the first of many companies and education programs, including mime studies in Paris, filmmaking in New York City, mythology and folklore at Oberlin College, and dance, mask work, and puppetry in Japan and Indonesia. Her new Roadside Attractions film “The Glorias” stars Julianne Moore and Alicia Vikander as feminist icon Gloria Steinem. Check out Backstage’s guide to becoming a director here: https://bit.ly/3mhjaA5 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 15, 2020
Voiceover Advice From the Pros
Continuing our commitment to spotlighting the voiceover industry today, this week’s episode is throwing it back. Hear advice-filled excerpts from the “In the Envelope” archive featuring legendary voice artists Hank Azaria, Pamela Adlon, and Maya Rudolph—all winners of the voiceover performance Emmy Award—plus insights into recent trends from VO expert Jamie Muffett and Backstage casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella. All this craft and career advice may inspire you to get involved in the industry! Check out the links below to channel that inspiration into a voiceover career. Read Backstage’s 101 guide to all things voiceover: https://bit.ly/315UQJh Last month was a record-breaking month for voiceover casting calls on Backstage: https://bit.ly/3lQUBcV And check out Sound Stories, our new competition challenging you to write, cast, record, edit, and submit a story fully told through sound: https://bit.ly/2FCpdj2 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, October 08, 2020
Eva Noblezada
Everyone has a different path to success in the biz. Eva Noblezada was launched to musical theater superstardom at age 17 when her performance at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, a.k.a. the Jimmys, earned her the lead role in the West End revival of “Miss Saigon.” Before she could finish high school in North Carolina, Eva was navigating the joys—and high-pressure demands—of pursuing a childhood dream at the highest level. This candid interview includes plenty of advice for young and early-career artists: “I am very grateful to have had that inner voice that I listened to...I did know how to say no.” Eva has received Tony Award nominations for leading actress in a musical for both her Broadway appearances: 2017’s “Miss Saigon” and 2019’s Grammy Award-winning “Hadestown.” She now stars, and sings, in writer-director Diane Paragas’ hit Sony Pictures film “Yellow Rose,” the story of an undocumented Filipina teen turning trauma into country music. This episode is brought to you by The UNC School of the Arts’ School of Drama: www.uncsa.edu/drama Listen also to Christine McKenna-Tirella’s advice for young actors considering college, plus a round-up of casting listings. For a sample of the advice and resources listed in Backstage’s college guide, click here: https://bit.ly/2SAjyN5 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St.
Thu, October 01, 2020
How to Use Backstage to Launch Your Career
“In the Envelope” listeners are in for a treat this week, as Jack is joined by Christine McKenna-Tirella, Backstage’s casting specialist, to give an update from the jobs market on Backstage: virtual auditions, profile-building options, and other insider tips that prospective subscribers may not know about casting, particularly amid an unpredictable 2020. “I want you to feel prepared, I want you to feel like you can put your best foot forward and that you can really launch your career—even in a pandemic,” says Christine, who has nine years of experience in the casting industry and used Backstage during her early acting days in New York City. She will be updating listeners every week going forward, with a “Backstage casting insider” segment covering everything from what’s currently casting to how to harness the inspiration “In the Envelope” provides and turn that into success. If you’re a working artist with questions, reach out to Backstage via our social media or email at igotcast@backstage.com! Haven’t signed up for Backstage yet? Start here: https://www.backstage.com/subscribe/ --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 24, 2020
Highlights & Trends of the 2020 Emmy Awards
For a very special discussion of the 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards, Backstage is joining forces with Gold Derby! Following the Sept. 20 Jimmy Kimmel–hosted telecast, Jack asks Chris Beachum and Tom O’Neil, both experts from the awards prediction and news site, for their candid analysis of both results and the ceremony itself. Chris Beachum is the Managing Editor of Gold Derby, where he’s hosted thousands of interviews with contenders and advised studios and networks on award campaign strategy. Tom O’Neil is Gold Derby’s Editor, Founder, and President, creating the site in 2000 to give film, TV, theater, and music fanatics a platform to make their own predictions in award races. Chris and Tom join “In the Envelope” to offer insights into the 2020 Emmy Awards’ telling trends: why “Schitt’s Creek” could pull off a historic comedy sweep, how “Succession” compares with other winning drama series, the vote-splitting effect or lack thereof, and more. Plus, all three experts weigh in on their favorite moment from the unusual ceremony, as well as the essential role awards shows play in the industry. Read Backstage’s recap of the Emmys ceremony: https://bit.ly/33NVxY1 Visit Gold Derby at www.goldderby.com! --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 17, 2020
Showrunners Ben Sinclair & Prentice Penny
What does a TV showrunner do? More to the point, how many other tasks does a TV showrunner tend to take on? What is their relationship to actors? In today’s deep dive episode, Ben Sinclair of “High Maintenance” and Prentice Penny of “Insecure” reveal the creative and logistical processes of keeping a hit show...running! Writer-director-editor-actor Ben Sinclair became a pioneer of short form content alongside Katja Blichfeld by developing a community of filmmakers around “High Maintenance.” First a hit Vimeo web series, then as of 2016 a half-hour anthology series on HBO, “High Maintenance” features snapshots of modern New York City life, each episode featuring Ben as a cannabis courier known only as The Guy. Ben’s critically acclaimed work has earned him a Writers Guild of America Award. Multihyphenate Prentice Penny got his start in Hollywood writing on the hit sitcom “Girlfriends,” before contributing to the writers’ rooms on, and often producing episodes of, “Scrubs,” “Happy Endings,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” and more. He is the showrunner and executive producer of HBO’s hit “Insecure,” created by and starring Issa Rae, now nominated for eight 2020 Emmy Awards including outstanding comedy series. Prentice also wrote and directed the acclaimed Netflix film “Uncorked.” For more on showrunners and their advice, check out Backstage.com: https://bit.ly/33yDl4J --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watk
Thu, September 10, 2020
Nicole Byer
Nicole Byer just made history. The actor, writer, comedian, and podcaster is the first Black woman Emmy-nominated for outstanding host of a reality program, for her hilarious work on the Netflix baking competition “Nailed It!” Trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and Upright Citizens Brigade, Nicole knows a thing or two about pounding the pavement in the biz. “Everybody starts at zero,” she reminds her fellow performers. “Just know that you earned it. If you didn’t earn it, it would have gone to somebody else.” Born in New Jersey with dreams of achieving superstardom, Nicole broke into the comedy scene as one of the most popular commentators on MTV’s “Girl Code.” She’s since written on UCB sketches and series and acted on “Pursuit of Sexiness,” “Party Over Here,” “Loosely Exactly Nicole,” and in guest and voiceover TV roles, including recently “The Good Place” and “Tuca & Bertie.” This year she released her book, “#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl’s Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini.” Nicole is also a podcaster, from “Best Friends” with Sasheer Zamata, to “Newcomers” with Lauren Lapkus, to “Why Won’t You Date Me?” Check out Backstage’s picks for this season’s Emmy-worthy moments: https://bit.ly/2RcWvr7 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, September 03, 2020
Aidy Bryant
Actor-writer-comedian Aidy Bryant’s philosophy when it comes to her industry is to create the work she likes—even if no such work exists yet. Born in Phoenix and trained in comedy at Chicago’s The Second City, she has turned her uniqueness into both a guiding light and, against all odds, a thriving career. “If you’re not getting the parts that you want,” she advises, “it’s up to you to make it.” Since 2012 Aidy has been stealing the show every week as a cast member on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” which has earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She’s also made appearances on “Girls,” “Portlandia,” “Horace and Pete,” “I Feel Pretty,” and the animated “Danger & Eggs,” and now writes, executive produces, and stars on the groundbreaking Hulu comedy “Shrill,” adapted from Lindy West’s book of the same name. To read more, check out Aidy’s Meet the Maker feature: https://bit.ly/32ScCQ5 --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 27, 2020
2020 Emmy-Nominated Casting Directors
Casting directors have a special position within the entertainment industry, matching talent and roles on dozens of projects at once. Actors, of course, want to understand those on the other side of the audition table: What are casting directors looking for, and what exactly do they do? Three Emmy Award nominees for casting, and Senior Editor Elyse Roth, join the podcast to answer those questions and more. Cindy Tolan is the winner of five Artios Awards and an Emmy for her work in casting. Her career spans New York theater, TV, and film, from “Avenue Q” and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” to “Flight of the Conchords” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” to “Straight Outta Compton,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” and the forthcoming “West Side Story” movie. Cindy is currently Emmy-nominated again for Amy Sherman-Palladino’s Amazon Prime Video comedy “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” Season 3. Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas are celebrating a 20-year partnership at their award-winning casting company Bialy/Thomas & Associates. Sharon is known for casting “Rudy,” “Point Break,” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” while Sherry got her start on the film “Contact.” Together, they’ve cast Broadway and Los Angeles theater, indie and blockbuster films, and TV hits including “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “The Walking Dead,” “Barry,” “The Righteous Gemstones,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “The Act.” The seven-time Emmy nominees are now in contention again, for both Liz Feldman’s Netflix comedy “Dead to Me” and Bruce Miller’s Hulu drama “The Handmaid’s Tale.” This episode is brought to you by HBO. To read more advice from casting directors, check out Backstage’s “In the Room” features: https://bit.ly/3jf424A --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting C
Thu, August 20, 2020
Maya Rudolph
Acting, for Maya Rudolph, “comes with a suit of armor and allows me to protect my little, sensitive insides.” The comedian, musician, and all-around performer reflects on the childhood influences that inspired her artistry; by pretending to be other people, she empowers herself to explore different energies and vulnerabilities. When it comes to creating characters, as she’s done for years in animated roles and on “Saturday Night Live,” that empowerment is a joyful process. Maya booked her childhood dream job of “Saturday Night Live” in 2000, after working as a costume assistant and studying comedy at the Groundlings in L.A. She’s stolen the show in “Away We Go,” “Bridesmaids,” “Wine Country,” and films by her partner Paul Thomas Anderson, and produced and starred on “Maya and Marty” and “Forever.” At the upcoming Emmy Awards, Maya is nominated three times: for her voiceover work on Netflix’s “Big Mouth” as the hormone monstress Connie, and her guest appearances on NBC’s “The Good Place” as The Judge and on “Saturday Night Live,” where she’s returned to play vice presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 13, 2020
Cord Jefferson & Damon Lindelof
Like any good collaborators, co-writers Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson can find common ground despite drawing from different inspirations. One similarity they share may be familiar to artists in any field: imposter syndrome. As the two tell Backstage, great screenwriting requires overcoming such self-doubt achieving agency in one’s career by churning out first drafts. Another tip: get off Twitter. Damon is an Emmy-winning writer and showrunner, known as the creator of the hit series “Lost” and “The Leftovers,” as well the writer of films “Cowboys & Aliens,” “Prometheus,” “Tomorrowland,” and more. Cord is a journalist-turned-screenwriter with 2020 Writers Guild of America Awards for “Succession” and “The Good Place.” They are Emmy-nominated together this year in the limited series writing category for HBO’s “Watchmen,” their sequel to, and radical re-imagining of, the beloved comic book of the same name. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, August 06, 2020
Nancy Cartwright
When it comes to voiceover, says Nancy Cartwright, “you can’t really make any mistakes.” The television legend, best known for her longtime work as Bart Simpson, here gives listeners a crash course on breaking into the biz as a voiceover talent—plus many words of inspiration. Whether you’re curious about voice acting or an artist wondering how to navigate the ongoing industry shutdown, this interview covers it all. Born in Ohio and mentored by Daws Butler in the art of voice acting, Nancy is the voice behind Bart Simpson and other characters on the world’s longest-running sitcom, Fox’s “The Simpsons.” She’s also appeared on “The Animaniacs,” “Kim Possible,” “Rugrats,” “The Replacements,” and more, turned her autobiography, “My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy,” into a one-woman play, and wrote and produced the film “In Search of Fellini.” For “The Simpsons,” Nancy won the voiceover performance Emmy Award in 1992, and is in contention again this year. Check out Backstage’s coverage of all things voiceover here: https://bit.ly/3i9hExR --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Tue, August 04, 2020
The 2020 Emmy Award Nominations
In this special discussion episode, Jack is joined by Backstage’s social media specialist Katie Minard and senior staff writer Casey Mink to chat the 2020 Emmy Award nominations: gut reactions ranging from gratifying to frustrating, Emmy trends both typical and unusual, and what the Sept. 20 ceremony might have in store for us. Will the Television Academy vote for new streamers Disney+ and Apple TV+, and how much might Netflix win? Are there categories that deserve another look, or new ones to introduce? And what about the pandemic? This lively, insightful conversation from three TV-watching experts (you can follow them on Twitter @JackSmartWrites, @KatieMinard, and @Casey_Mink) will help you brush up on all things Emmy. To read about the Emmy nominations, click here: https://bit.ly/3fu31mW --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 30, 2020
Jean Smart
Jean Smart has the kind of craft and career advice only an actor with her breadth of experience could provide. Since her early days studying theater in her home state of Washington, there’s little the three-time Emmy Award-winning actor hasn’t taken on, avoiding pigeonholing and receiving constant critical acclaim. Case in point: her recently Emmy-nominated work as Laurie Blake on HBO’s Damon Lindelof limited series “Watchmen.” As she puts it, “Who knew at this stage of the game I was going to become an action hero?” Jean’s breakout role as the naive Charlene Frazier on “Designing Women” was followed by “Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story” as the titular serial killer. In addition to Emmy-winning work on “Frasier” and “Samantha Who?,” she’s stolen the show on “24,” “Fargo,” “Legion,” in “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Garden State,” and “A Simple Favor,” on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” and much more. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 23, 2020
Zoë Kravitz
Zoë Kravitz has developed a philosophy toward auditions that any actor facing the prospect of rejection can adopt for themselves. “The truth is, you were always right or you were never right,” says the actor-model-musician, reflecting on her recent experience on the other side of the audition room table. The daughter of Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz, Zoë grew up surrounded by artists, and has plenty of advice, from navigating the artistic life in general to her specific creative process, to pass along. Since her film debut at age 17 in “No Reservations,” Zoë has appeared in indies “Beware the Gonzo” and “Yelling to the Sky,” blockbusters “Divergent,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and “Fantastic Beasts,” and on “Californication.” This season she returned to star on HBO’s Emmy Award-winning “Big Little Lies,” and executive produced Veronica West and Sarah Kucserka’s Hulu adaptation of the classic rom-com “High Fidelity,” playing the gender-flipped leading role of Rob. She will next star as Catwoman in “The Batman.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 16, 2020
Eugene Mirman & John Roberts
If voicing a character on a hit animated sitcom is your idea of a dream job, let this deep dive into both voiceover and comedy be your guide. Eugene Mirman and John Roberts, both voice actors on Fox’s Emmy Award winner “Bob’s Burgers,” join us to map out how they broke into the biz and offer advice for those looking to do the same. Their paths were different but their advice is the same: create and test out the material that best showcases your talent. Loren Bouchard’s animated family comedy “Bob’s Burgers” has run for 10 delightful seasons, featuring Eugene as son Gene Belcher and John as matriarch Linda Belcher. Eugene is also known for his work on “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” “Flight of the Conchords,” and “Delocated,” and for the alternative standup comedy he has helped turn into a movement. John, a musician as well as theater and commercial actor, made a name for himself writing and performing in popular web sketches. Check out eVocation, the upcoming virtual conference devoted to the business of voiceover: https://www.vocationconference.com/ --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 09, 2020
Ana Fabrega & Julio Torres
The hilarious Ana Fabrega and Julio Torres take a serious approach to comedy, a philosophy echoed in their advice for other writers and performers: do what you like, and only what you like. “Creatively, if it’s not fun, stop doing it,” says Julio. “You should be enjoying what you’re doing at all times,” agrees Ana. The two comedians are the co-creators and stars, along with Fred Armisen, of HBO’s “Los Espookys,” the Spanish-language comedy following a group of friends who launch a business specializing in supernatural horror services. Ana starred on and wrote for “The Chris Gethard Show” and is featured on “At Home With Amy Sedaris,” while Julio served as a writer on “Saturday Night Live” and last year released the HBO special “My Favorite Shapes.” This episode is brought to you by HBO. To hear more about “Los Espookys,” check out Julio’s interview with costume designer Muriel Parra on Backstage’s The Slate: https://bit.ly/3gEfWnd --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Wed, July 08, 2020
Rob McElhenney
Rob McElhenney’s credo has always been “make what you want to see.” It’s the advice the actor-writer-producer keeps coming back to in this inspiring interview, which spans Rob’s childhood in Philadelphia, the bit-by-bit process by which he became a TV creator and star, and the audition philosophy his fellow performers should keep in mind. Best known as Mac on FXX’s long-running “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” which he co-created and co-produces with Glenn Howerton, Rob was and still is inspired by the format of classic sitcoms. Alongside Charlie Day and Megan Ganz, he is now the co-creator, as well as writer-director-star, of AppleTV+’s comedy “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet,” a workplace sitcom set in a video game studio. This episode is brought to you by AppleTV+. Check out this year’s roundup of actors who are long overdue to win Emmy Awards: https://bit.ly/3iPls8G --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Fri, July 03, 2020
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Gugu Mbatha-Raw has proven herself a chameleonic star of stage and screen. Since studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, appearing on London stages and TV series, and then breaking out with her British Independent Film Award-winning turn in the feature film “Belle,” the actor-activist has dazzled in everything from period dramas to sci-fi adventures. In episode #100 of “In the Envelope,” Gugu opens up about the artistic processes she relies on—including using music, accents, and even scents—to get into character. Gugu has starred in “Larry Crowne,” “Undercovers,” “Beyond the Lights,” “Concussion,” “Miss Sloane,” “Black Mirror: San Junipero,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Cloverfield Paradox,” “A Wrinkle in Time,” “Fast Color,” “Motherless Brooklyn,” and this year, on AppleTV+’s drama “The Morning Show” as Hannah Shoenfeld and in the film “Misbehaviour” as Miss World pageant winner Jennifer Hosten. This episode is brought to you by AppleTV+. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, July 02, 2020
D’Arcy Carden
D’Arcy Carden is proof that breaking through in the biz usually requires years of studying the craft of acting, practicing resilience amid rejection, and getting by with survival gigs. After graduating from Southern Oregon University and moving to New York City, D’Arcy was “equal parts delusional and also confident,” she says. She knew the odds of making it as a professional actor and held onto the dream anyway. She is now best known as Janet, the cheerful virtual assistant of the afterlife, on four seasons of Mike Schur’s beloved NBC comedy “The Good Place.” Around the same time she was enduring countless auditions for that job, she was cast on HBO’s award-winning Bill Hader hit “Barry.” D’Arcy also appeared on “Broad City,” “Other People,” and shorts and other comedy projects with the Upright Citizens Brigade. This episode is brought to you by HBO. To keep up with changes to the 2020 Emmy Awards, which begin their nominating window today, click here: https://bit.ly/3giimYw --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Tue, June 30, 2020
Hailee Steinfeld
Superstar Hailee Steinfeld had the biggest of big breaks at age 13, when she earned an Academy Award nomination for the Coen brothers’ “True Grit,” opposite Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. Her thriving career ever since, both as an actor and singer-songwriter, is the result of a childhood obsession with playing other people—and, with her family’s support, managing realistic expectations. “Every time I walk onto a set for the first day I feel like I know nothing,” she reveals. “And I hope that feeling never goes away.” An Oscar nominee for “True Grit” and a Golden Globe nominee for “The Edge of Seventeen,” Hailee has taken on a wide variety of roles in the last decade, starring in “Ender’s Game,” “Romeo and Juliet,” the “Pitch Perfect” movies, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” and “Bumblebee.” Her newest challenge is executive producing Alena Smith’s Peabody Award-winning comedy “Dickinson” from AppleTV+, and leading the series as a particularly irreverent Emily Dickinson. This episode is brought to you by AppleTV+. To read about the 2020 Peabody Awards, click here: https://bit.ly/2VwDW3K --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 25, 2020
Keegan-Michael Key
Keegan-Michael Key combined his early passion for both theater acting and Bugs Bunny to become the stage and screen presence, and sketch comedy genius, he is today. Not long after COVID-19’s industry shutdown, he chatted with Jack about the state of the biz, training on Second City stages, and where improvisation and scripted writing overlap. “Just figure out how to help solve the problem,” he advises his fellow artists. “All anybody here is thinking about is, how do we make the project the best thing it can be?” The actor-writer is best known for his work on “MadTV” and opposite Jordan Peele on their Emmy-winning variety sketch show “Key and Peele.” Keegan-Michael now hosts National Geographic’s “Brain Games,” and has starred on and Off-Broadway, on “Playing House,” “Friends From College,” in feature films “Keanu,” “The Predator,” “Dolemite Is My Name,” and in countless voiceover roles. This episode is brought to you by National Geographic’s “Brain Games.” To check out Backstage’s coverage of film and TV crew jobs, click here: https://bit.ly/3hYb4Lh ---- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Tue, June 23, 2020
Michelle Dockery
Although likely best known as Lady Mary Crawley, Michelle Dockery seems to reinvent herself in compelling role after compelling role, proving there’s little she can’t do. The English stage-to-screen star has learned how to harness nerves in auditions, avoid over-preparing for a role, and channel vulnerability into her characters. “You walk on every day feeling vulnerable,” she says. “We’re all just holding hands and jumping in and seeing what happens.” Trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in her hometown of London, Michelle turned her breakout role in the National Theatre’s production of “His Dark Materials” into a steady career of on-camera work in the U.K. and U.S., earning three SAG Award wins and four Emmy nominations. From Lady Mary in Julian Fellowes’ hit series “Downton Abbey” and its 2019 feature film, to “Anna Karenina,” “Good Behavior,” “Godless,” “The Gentlemen,” and now Mark Bomback’s “Defending Jacob” from AppleTV+, it seems there’s little she can’t do. This episode is brought to you by AppleTV+. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 18, 2020
Zoey Deutch
Actor-producer-activist Zoey Deutch has turned her lifelong obsession with the craft into a succession of fascinatingly varied characters—prepared, as she reveals in this soul-baring interview, with an arsenal of actorly tricks including improvisation, animal work, and more. “It sounds so silly and it sounds so weird,” she says of her process, “but so much of it is just getting out of your head and doing something that feels so out of your comfort zone.” The child of director Howard Deutch and director-star Lea Thompson, Zoey began studying acting long before her first gig as a teenager on the Disney Channel. She’s appeared in “Everybody Wants Some!!”, “Rebel in the Rye,” “Set It Up,” “Zombieland: Double Tap,” and Netflix’s “The Politician,” and produced and starred in indie film “The Year of Spectacular Men” and this year’s “Buffaloed.” Check out Backstage’s guide to self-care and mental health here: https://bit.ly/2YbKhmJ --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Tue, June 16, 2020
Mark Duplass
Film and TV writer, producer, director, musician, and actor Mark Duplass has made a name for himself in super-low-budget, naturalistic, independent projects, and forged a path for others to do the same. In this podcast’s 100th interview, he outlines many of the obstacles facing aspiring filmmakers and his techniques to overcome them: “I am very encouraging of embracing limits—and if you don’t have that many limits, self-imposing them.” Mark and Jay Duplass’ production company, Duplass Brothers Productions, has brought such critically acclaimed indies to the screen as “The Puffy Chair,” “Baghead,” “Safety Not Guaranteed,” “The One I Love,” “Creep,” and more recently, HBO’s “Room 104” and Netflix’s “Paddleton” and “Horse Girl.” Mark has also starred on “The League,” “Togetherness,” “Goliath,” and now, AppleTV+’s hit drama “The Morning Show” as Chip Black. This episode is brought to you by AppleTV+. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 11, 2020
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo’s acting dream has expanded since her childhood in England: from her breakout turn in the London-to-Broadway revival of “The Color Purple” musical to her meteoric rise in Hollywood, she has lived in “a state of newness probably every day,” she says in this intimate, insightful interview. “If it feels like I’m slightly walking on a tightrope every time, having to rebalance myself, then that’s where the learning comes.” After earning the Tony Award and a Daytime Emmy Award for “The Color Purple,” Cynthia made her film debut in Steve McQueen’s “Widows” and Drew Goddard’s “Bad Times at the El Royale.” This year she earned dual Academy Award nominations, for original song and leading actress, as Harriet Tubman in Kasi Lemmons’ “Harriet,” then starred as Holly Gibney on HBO’s adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Outsider” and as Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s now-delayed “Genius: Aretha.” To read more, check out her Backstage cover story: https://bit.ly/3cSkJzk This episode is brought to you by UCLA’s Professional Programs at the School of Theater, Film and Television. --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, June 04, 2020
Yvonne Strahovski
Yvonne Strahovski has been working in film and TV, voiceover, and on Broadway, ever since what she thought was a temporary trip from her home in Australia to the U.S. This interview offers a glimpse at her creative process across multiple mediums, and offers specific tips on both craft and career. In her experience, not booking roles is such an integral part of being a working actor, “I don’t even know if rejection is a good word...it’s just part of the exercise.” After her breakout leading role in the hit show “Chuck,” Yvonne has starred on “Dexter,” “24: Live Another Day,” “The Astronaut Wives Club,” and now ABC’s drama “Stateless.” For three seasons she’s brought Margaret Atwood’s dystopia Gilead to life as Serena Joy on Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a role that has earned her nominations from the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and Primetime Emmys. To read Backstage’s statement of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, click here: https://bit.ly/2MnXZMO --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Wed, June 03, 2020
Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Raphael Bob-Waksberg is a writer, comedian, voice actor, and pioneer of animated series. “I still feel like I don’t know what I’m doing,” he admits in this candid interview covering the voiceover industry, career advice, and more. “I’ve kind of freed myself of the expectation that I ever will.” Raphael teamed up with illustrator and production designer Lisa Hanawalt to create and produce Netflix’s “BoJack Horseman,” the Emmy-nominated, Annie Award-winning tragicomic satire about a Hollywood has-been horse. He is also the co-creator, with Kate Purdy, of the Amazon animated series “Undone,” and producer of Netflix’s “Tuca and Bertie.” To read more, check out Backstage’s recent feature on “BoJack Horseman” here: https://bit.ly/3cqfN4v --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit our list of resources: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 28, 2020
Sarah Snook
Working actors everywhere can take Sarah Snook’s advice to heart, particularly when it comes to the many rejections that follow auditions. This in-depth interview reveals the actor’s approach to both her career and character-building process, which involves finding their vulnerability and where it overlaps with her own. “You’re afraid of revealing yourself? You’re meant to as an actor.” Sarah is likely best known as the fabulously ruthless Siobhan “Shiv” Roy on Jesse Armstrong’s Emmy-winning drama “Succession” from HBO. She’s worked in theater, TV, and film in the U.S. and her native Australia, including in “Sisters of War,” “Predestination,” “The Dressmaker,” and “Jessabelle,” winning two Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards. After hearing her advice about self-taped auditions, read Backstage’s guide to self-taping: https://bit.ly/3dmnhqB --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Tue, May 26, 2020
Dan Bucatinsky
Writer, producer, actor, and advocate Dan Bucatinsky has created his own opportunities in pursuit of becoming a self-described Hollywood “hyphenate.” Since his post-college days (auditioning through Backstage!) he has taken a multifaceted approach to the biz, allowing dreams to evolve and pivoting whenever necessary. His philosophy, both in the entertainment industry and as a father, husband, and human being, boils down to an essential question: “What are the variables that I can control and what are the variables I can’t control?” One of Dan’s first big breaks came from writing and starring in the gay romantic comedy film “All Over the Guy.” His résumé also includes everything from executive producing “The Comeback” and “Web Therapy” with Lisa Kudrow, to writing the memoir “Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight?” to winning an Emmy Award for his performance on Shonda Rhimes’ “Scandal,” and he now stars on ABC’s comedy-drama “The Baker and the Beauty.” --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 21, 2020
Laura Linney
Three-time Oscar nominee, four-time Tony nominee, and four-time Emmy Award winner Laura Linney is known for her technical prowess and innate humanity in film, theater, and television—three mediums she approaches distinctly when building characters. Growing up the daughter of a playwright and realizing early just how much there is to learn about acting, Laura studied theater history before joining the Juilliard School and focusing on her mission to “make some tiny contribution to something that had been going on for centuries before me.” Star of “Tales of the City,” “You Can Count On Me,” “Wild Iris,” “Kinsey,” “Frasier,” “John Adams,” “The Savages,” “The Big C,” and 12 Broadway shows including this year’s solo show “My Name Is Lucy Barton,” Laura has for three seasons played the deceptively dangerous Wendy Byrde on Netflix’s crime drama “Ozark” opposite Jason Bateman. Read her Backstage cover story here: https://bit.ly/36jsAUS We also check in with Benjamin Lindsay, Backstage’s managing editor, for an update on virtual content offerings in The Slate: https://bit.ly/3cRTXaS --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 14, 2020
Janet Mock
From activism to autobiography to screenwriting, producing, and directing FX’s “Pose,” there’s not much Janet Mock can’t do. “Head first, experience first,” she says, is how she journeys through both Hollywood and life. When Ryan Murphy offered the chance to lend her voice to a trailblazer of a series featuring transgender and queer characters, Janet gave herself a crash course in becoming a writer-director-producer—and can now pass on that knowledge to other aspiring multihyphenates. Janet worked as a journalist and correspondent in digital media before her bestselling memoirs “Redefining Realness” and “Surpassing Certainty” led her to television and film. She became the first trans woman of color to write and direct a TV episode, on “Pose,” and now also executive produces the Netflix mini-series “Hollywood.” Check out Backstage coverage of “Pose” here: bit.ly/3dII7Qt For coverage of COVID-19 including advice and resources, click here: bit.ly/2WxUFVj --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, May 07, 2020
Mishel Prada
Mishel Prada went from being turned down by agents (the Dominican-American actor was told they already had an “ethnically ambiguous person on their roster”) to the leading role of Emma Hernandez on “Vida,” the Starz drama from writer-producer Tanya Saracho. In this advice-filled interview, Mishel reveals the approach to both the entertainment industry and life—even, or especially, amid a global pandemic—that can earn actors their big break. TV audiences may also know Mishel from the Emmy-nominated “Fear the Walking Dead: Passage,” or currently on the CW’s hit “Riverdale.” To read more, check out her Backstage cover story: https://bit.ly/2WwYXLq Our feature on “Vida” and “Stranger Things” casting director Carmen Cuba can be found here: https://bit.ly/2yqP6Ph --- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Looking to get cast? Browse Backstage casting listings: https://www.backstage.com/casting/ Check out Backstage’s community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0 Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 30, 2020
Nathan Lane
Nathan Lane, renowned for his impeccable comedic timing and stage presence, is proving to be one of those legends who can make any material come to life. “It’s like going into battle,” he says of his approach to the craft, which he’s been honing in theater, commercials, TV, and film for over 40 years. In this interview, Nathan reflects on the influences and advice that has guided him, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic’s current impact on the entertainment industry. Audiences likely know Nathan from “The Birdcage,” as the voice of Timon in “The Lion King,” guest star of “Modern Family,” or “The Producers” movie. His performance in “The Producers” musical, as well as “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and the recent “Angels in America” revival, have earned him three Tony Awards out of six nominations and over 20 Broadway credits, in addition to six Primetime Emmy nods, two Golden Globe nods, and a SAG Award. He now stars as a tough-talking detective in Showtime’s new series from John Logan, “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.” -- Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, April 23, 2020
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning has been acting her entire life, growing up on screen in both indie darlings and mainstream blockbusters. In fact, it’s her imaginative inner child guiding her through both the biz and our ongoing coronavirus crisis today. Listen in for insights on how she stays in touch with creativity, brings such specificity to her characters, and acts in the moment. We also check in with Briana Rodriguez, Backstage’s editor in chief, for an exciting update on our virtual, community-driven opportunities! Since first appearing alongside her sister Dakota Fanning in “I Am Sam,” Elle has starred in “Super 8,” “Ginger & Rosa,” “20th Century Women,” “The Beguiled,” “Teen Spirit,” and as Princess Aurora in Disney’s “Maleficent” and its sequel. This year she appears in the Netflix film “All the Bright Places” and comes to TV as both executive producer and the leading role in Hulu’s new historical romp from Tony McNamara, “The Great,” as a young Catherine the Great. Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ -- Subscribe and listen to In the Envelope: - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis
Thu, January 30, 2020
Jonathan Pryce
Award-winning actor Jonathan Pryce has built a career of fascinating, varied characters, from his breakout in “Brazil,” the first of many collaborations with Terry Gilliam, to hits like “Evita,” “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “Game of Thrones.” Born in Wales, trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, and winning two Tonys and two Oliviers for his level of craftsmanship onstage, the legendary star is now nominated for his first Academy Award (finally!), recognizing his leading role as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio a.k.a. Pope Francis in Netflix’s “The Two Popes.” -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Thu, January 16, 2020
Billy Crudup
Billy Crudup has long been both a leading man and character actor of stage and screen, appearing on Broadway, with four Tony nominations and a win to his name, and films including “Almost Famous,” “Spotlight,” and “Jackie.” The native New Yorker studied communication at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, eventually developing a philosophy about performance valuing process over results. He’s currently nominated for a slew of accolades, and won a Critics’ Choice Award, for his fascinatingly zany work as a television executive on Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show,” created by Jay Carson and starring and produced by Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. This episode is brought to you by HBO. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Tue, January 14, 2020
Joey King
Joey King has been acting, and passionate about acting, since her first acting job: in a Life cereal commercial. At only age 20, she’s already been nominated for Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe Awards—all as the real-life Gypsy Rose Blanchard in Hulu’s limited series “The Act” opposite Patricia Arquette. She had her breakout leading role as Ramona Quimby in “Ramona and Beezus,” and has appeared in “Crazy Stupid Love,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” “The Kissing Booth,” and much more—and given her knowledge of and commitment to her craft, she’s only getting started. This episode is brought to you by HBO. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Tue, January 07, 2020
Kathy Connell
We have an extra special episode today! Kathy Connell has been the executive producer of the Screen Actors Guild Awards since founding it 26 years ago, and heads up national programming for SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood’s biggest guild. A former actor herself with plenty of craft and career advice, Kathy joins the podcast to talk about what went into creating an awards show exclusively for on-camera talent—and to remind working SAG-AFTRA members to vote for their favorite film and television performances in the SAG Awards, held Jan. 19! -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Thu, January 02, 2020
Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd has charmed and cracked up audiences in everything from his breakout in “Clueless” and “Wet Hot American Summer” to Judd Apatow’s comedy classics, “Friends,” “Role Models,” and much more. The Kansas City-born, theater-trained actor, screenwriter, producer, and philanthropist is probably best known as Scott Lang in Marvel’s “Ant Man” and its sequel, which he co-wrote. This year, in addition to box office champion “Avengers: Endgame,” Paul has landed a well-deserved a Golden Globe nomination for Netflix’s Timothy Greenberg comedy, “Living With Yourself,” in which he takes on the challenge of acting opposite a clone of himself. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Mon, December 30, 2019
The 2020 SAG Award Nominations
Capping off a year of terrific acting and looking ahead to an exciting awards season, we’re back with another discussion episode. Jack Smart and Benjamin Lindsay of Backstage’s editorial team break down this year’s Screen Actors Guild Award nominations and more: which individuals and ensembles made the cut, where we stand with both television and film awards races, and who were our favorite performers of 2019. Happy New Year! -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Thu, December 05, 2019
Tony Shalhoub
A mastercraftsman of the stage and screen, Tony Shalhoub is the winner of two SAG Awards, a Golden Globe, four Tony Award nominations with one win for “The Band’s Visit,” and four Primetime Emmy Awards—one this year for his hilarious Abe Weissman in Amazon’s Amy Sherman-Palladino comedy “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Born in Michigan and educated at the Yale School of Drama, the American Repertory Theater, and on and off Broadway, Tony then broke out on screen in the sitcom “Wings,” procedural classic “Monk,” and dozens of hit films. Although he hesitates to give acting or life advice, what he does provide is pure listening gold. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Prime Original “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Tue, December 03, 2019
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Da’Vine Joy Randolph is having a breakthrough moment playing an actor having a breakthrough moment. The Pennsylvania native and Yale School of Drama graduate portrays the real-life Lady Reed in Netflix’s film “Dolemite Is My Name,” directed by Craig Brewer and starring Eddie Murphy as blaxploitation comedian Rudy Ray Moore. Tony-nominated for “Ghost the Musical” and determined to work in theater, television, and film, Da’Vine objects to the notion that artists need to stay in their respective lanes: “What if I want the whole highway?” This episode is brought to you by Universal Pictures. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Tue, November 26, 2019
Tim Blake Nelson
What is a character actor? Tim Blake Nelson, the supporting star of everything from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” to “The Incredible Hulk” to the title role in “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” has specific advice on how to work consistently in Hollywood. The Oklahoma native and Juilliard alum also generates his own work a writer-director-producer, helming “The Grey Zone,” “Leaves of Grass,” “Anesthesia,” and “Socrates.” This year, Tim stars as the shiny-masked Looking Glass on Damon Lindelof’s adaptation of “Watchmen” on HBO, and makes memorable appearances in Amazon Studios’ “The Report” and Warner Brothers’ upcoming “Just Mercy.” -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Thu, November 21, 2019
Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu has become an award-winning artist and A-lister by nature of her attitude: she loves both the craft and career sides of acting. Born in Queens and schooled at the University of Michigan, Lucy took every theater job available to her—despite a dearth of Asian-American roles—until her breakout on the sitcom “Pearl.” She then earned an Emmy nomination for her work on “Ally McBeal,” and starred on the big screen in everything from “Charlie’s Angels” to “Kill Bill” to the SAG Award-winning “Chicago” to last year’s “Set It Up.” For the past seven years the actor-director has played Joan Watson on CBS’ Sherlock Holmes procedural “Elementary,” and can now be seen as the fabulously domineering Simone Grove in Marc Cherry’s CBS All Access drama “Why Women Kill.” -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Tue, November 19, 2019
Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton was fresh out of drama school when he went through a rigorous audition process for the lead role in action comedy “Kingsman: The Secret Service”—a task the young actor relished, since he loves auditioning. Raised in Wales and bit by the acting bug as a teenager in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Taron trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before going on to play several real-life figures on the big screen, in “The Testament of Youth,” “Legend,” “Eddie the Eagle,” and this year’s “Rocketman,” the dazzling Paramount Pictures musical with Taron singing in flashy finery as a young Elton John. This episode is brought to you by Universal Pictures. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Thu, November 14, 2019
The 2019–20 Awards Season Preview
We’re back for another deep dive into Hollywood’s awards races! Jack Smart and Kasey Howe of Backstage’s awards team highlight this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, Emmy results, and performances to keep an eye on during this 2019–20 film and guild awards season. Who will emerge as frontrunners at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globes, Academy Awards, and more...? -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media Manager: Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe
Tue, August 27, 2019
Jonathan Van Ness
Growing up in rural Illinois with dreams of launching an empire as a hairdresser, Jonathan Van Ness has achieved that goal and then some. He left the midwest for Los Angeles and broke into the online comedy world with the now Emmy-nominated Funny or Die web series “Gay of Thrones,” a recap of “Game of Thrones” filmed in his hair salon. He produces the interview podcast “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness,” has dabbled in writing, stand-up comedy, ice skating, and gymanstics, all while experiencing the whirlwind rise to reality TV fame as the grooming expert on “Queer Eye,” Netflix’s award-winning reboot of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” Looking for fabulous inspiration? Jonathan has advice for aspiring entertainers, content creators, and pretty much everyone. Brought to you by HBO. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Thu, August 22, 2019
Laverne Cox
Award-winning triple threat, producer, and activist Laverne Cox has earned three guest actress Emmy nods for Jenji Kohan’s Netflix prison drama “Orange Is the New Black.” As the first openly transgender performer to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy, the first openly trans woman to win a Daytime Emmy for her special “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” and broadcast TV’s first trans lead in CBS’ “Doubt,” Laverne has been blazing trails since her early days dancing in Mobile, Alabama and studying acting in New York City. She played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again,” and can be seen on “The Mindy Project,” “Dear White People,” and countless upcoming projects. Special thanks to Oriella St. Louis! -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Tue, August 20, 2019
Anna Chlumsky
Anna Chlumsky has received six consecutive supporting comedy actress Emmy nominations as Amy Brookheimer on HBO’s award-dominating political satire “Veep,” from Armando Iannucci, David Mandel, and producer-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Breaking into the industry as a child star in “My Girl,” Anna didn’t come around to the idea of pursuing acting passionately until after a much-needed hiatus at the University of Chicago and in the publishing industry. Then she was inspired by Mercedes Ruehl onstage and eventually began training, working off-off-Broadway, and appearing on camera again. Her number one piece of advice, in acting or in life: tell the truth. Brought to you by HBO. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Katie Minard - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Tue, August 13, 2019
The 2019 Emmy Awards
Join us for another deep-dive episode of “In the Envelope,” this time with an eye on the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards! Jack Smart is joined by Backstage senior editor and fellow TV fanatic Elyse Roth for a dissection of all things 2019 Emmys: Which TV industry trends might affect the race? Which of our favorite series and performances deserve attention from the Television Academy? And which will win...? -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Thu, June 20, 2019
Seth Meyers
A fixture of late-night TV, specifically at the headquarters of NBC, Seth Meyers is the host of the acclaimed “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” With roots in Illinois, Michigan, and New Hampshire, Seth studied comedy in Chicago and Amsterdam before auditioning for “Saturday Night Live” in 2001, where he worked for 13 years as a performer, head writer, and “Weekend Update” host. Aspiring comedians, writers, hosts, and actors alike should not miss this interview—recorded in Seth’s “Late Night” offices on the eighth floor of 30 Rockefeller Center. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Tue, June 18, 2019
Debra Messing
A reigning member of TV royalty, Debra Messing is a leading comedy actress Primetime Emmy Award winner for NBC’s “Will and Grace.” Her performance as Grace Adler, from 1998 to 2006 and now in its revival since 2017, has also earned her Golden Globe, SAG, and other nominations aplenty. Known also for “Ned and Stacey,” “The Starter Wife,” “Smash,” “The Mysteries of Laura,” and her work in feature films and on New York stages, Debra has valuable advice for actors looking to advocate for themselves—as she has done from the very beginning of her fabulous career. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Thu, June 13, 2019
Heléne Yorke
Heléne Yorke (pronounced “huh-LAY-nuh york”) is well known to Broadway audiences for “Bullets Over Broadway” and “American Psycho,” and is now cracking up TV audiences in her breakout TV role: as the aimless Brooke Dubek in Comedy Central’s “The Other Two,” from Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider. She joins us to talk about her post-audition routines, living in the moment, and her hard-won ability to embrace the rejection and uncertainty in her profession. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Tue, June 11, 2019
William Jackson Harper
Actor William Jackson Harper went from his native Dallas to Santa Fe to the stages of New York City, following his passion for playing fascinating, sometimes oddball, characters. Just before catching his big break in TV, he was reevaluating his career, weighing its many rejections against that passion. Then he joined NBC’s inventive Michael Schur comedy about the afterlife, “The Good Place,” as the neurotic Chidi Anagonye, a performance that has earned him a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination and Emmy buzz. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Thu, June 06, 2019
The 2019 Tony Awards
Join us for an “In the Envelope” first: our in-depth look at awards contenders! Jack Smart is joined by Backstage senior staff writer Casey Mink for a discussion on everything you need to know about the 2019 Tony Awards and what’s on Broadway today: Which productions and performances are the favorites (and our personal favorites) at the upcoming ceremony? And what do this year’s Tony nominations say about the state of theater today? Tune in for the full scoop. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Wed, June 05, 2019
Jez Butterworth
Award-winning writer-director Jez Butterworth has come across the pond from his native London to stun Broadway audiences with plays like “Jerusalem” and “The River,” and now this season’s Tony-nominated family epic about The Troubles in 1981 Ireland, “The Ferryman.” In this fascinating peek at his writing process—and how ideas for stories chase him down—Jez ponders and untangles the many mysteries of theater-making, providing crucial advice on how to do it. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Thu, May 30, 2019
Lilli Cooper
Raised in New York City and its theaters, Lilli Cooper became a Broadway star at age 16 in the original cast of “Spring Awakening.” She’s worked on and off Broadway, played Elphaba in “Wicked” and Sandy Cheeks in last season’s “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and is now nominated for her first Tony Award in David Yazbek and Robert Horn’s musical adaptation of “Tootsie” (as working actor Julie, the role that won Jessica Lange an Oscar). Lilli joins the podcast for a frank conversation about the literal blood, sweat, and tears that theater requires. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Tue, May 28, 2019
Celia Keenan-Bolger
The incandescent Celia Keenan-Bolger is one of New York’s most respected actors and community activists. Originally from Detroit, she’s been nominated for four Tony Awards: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Peter and the Starcatcher,” “The Glass Menagerie,” and now Aaron Sorkin’s acclaimed adaptation of the Harper Lee classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” in which she plays Scout Finch. Celia joins Backstage to talk about epiphanies onstage, how not to “compare and despair,” and the state of Broadway—and America—today. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Mon, April 15, 2019
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is best known as Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer on the fantasy hit “Game of Thrones” from David Benioff, D. B. Weiss, and author George R. R. Martin. His performance on the award-winning HBO series, now launching its buzzy final season, has earned him SAG and Emmy nominations. Nikolaj also advocates for gender equality and climate change awareness as an ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, and has starred in movies, TV series, and stage productions in and outside his native Denmark. He has plenty of insights on how to navigate theater training, auditions and meetings, and a career that’s full of rejection. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - www.facebook.com/backstage - www.twitter.com/backstage - www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Editor-in-Chief: Rawaan Alkhatib - Social Media Manager: Francis Ramos - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Lauren Routt, Samantha Sherlock, and Kasey Howe
Mon, April 01, 2019
Timothy Simons
Timothy Simons is nothing like his character on “Veep”—well, except for the generous use of profanity. Growing up a class clown in rural Maine, Tim worked in theater and commercials before cracking up TV audiences as Jonah Ryan, one of the lovably horrible politicians on HBO’s Emmy-winning comedy created by Armando Iannucci and starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The valuable career advice he shares in this interview includes everything from red carpet posing to how to cope with a devastating, lifelong addiction to acting. -- For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Editor-in-Chief: Rawaan Alkhatib - Social Media Manager: Francis Ramos - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Lauren Routt, Samantha Sherlock, and Kasey Howe
Thu, February 21, 2019
André Holland
André Holland has turned in quietly powerful and honest performances in “42,” “Selma,” his leading role on the Stephen King-inspired Hulu series “Castle Rock,” and more. From his early days of studying theater and using Backstage, to his breakout in Steven Soderbergh’s “The Knick” and Barry Jenkins’ Oscar-winning “Moonlight,” the Alabama native has excelled at following his gut to stellar projects and collaborators. He now leads the new Netflix film “High Flying Bird,” a sports drama from screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney filmed entirely on an iPhone by Soderbergh, with a story suggested by André himself. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Editor-in-Chief: Rawaan Alkhatib - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock
Thu, February 14, 2019
Regina Hall
Regina Hall has proven she’s one of today’s shrewdest and funniest on-screen performers, from her early days pounding the pavement using Backstage, to her work in films like “Love & Basketball,” the “Scary Movie” franchise, and the biggest comedy of last year, “Girls Trip.” She’s now starring in the hilarious new Showtime series “Black Monday,” created by Jordan Cahan and David Caspe, and is proving to be a master at quietly breaking audiences’ hearts, as she does in Andrew Bujalski’s Magnolia Pictures indie “Support the Girls,” a performance that’s earned her a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination and NYFCC Award for leading actress. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ SUBSCRIBE and listen to ""In the Envelope"" on: - iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz - Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C - Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD - Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk - SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw Follow Backstage and ""In the Envelope"" on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast Special thanks to... - Host: Jack Smart - Producer: Jamie Muffett - Editor-in-Chief: Rawaan Alkhatib - Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt - Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins - Additional Support: Kasey Howe
Fri, January 11, 2019
Elsie Fisher
At only age 15, Elsie Fisher has pearls of wisdom aplenty in this interview, recorded amid a whirlwind of a breakthrough year. As socially awkward middle schooler Kayla Day in writer-director Bo Burnham’s feature debut “Eighth Grade” from A24, she’s been nominated for over a dozen awards, including a Golden Globe, and won the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor. Elsie has plenty of advice for kid actors and their parents navigating Hollywood, and speaks candidly about her anxiety and self-awareness. “If you wake up every morning and you wanna act, you’re an actor,” says the young star. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ Follow Backstage and "In the Envelope" on social media: - https://www.facebook.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/backstage - https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope - https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Thu, January 10, 2019
Natalie Portman
Award-winning actor, producer, director, and activist Natalie Portman is one of Hollywood’s brightest talents. She burst onto the scene as a pre-teen in “Léon: The Professional” and “Mars Attacks!” and has been fighting for the projects and causes she believes in ever since. You may know her from the “Star Wars” prequels, “Anywhere But Here,” “Garden State,” “Closer,” “V for Vendetta,” her Oscar-winning “Black Swan,” “A Tale of Love and Darkness,” and “Jackie,” or for her advocacy work with the #TimesUp movement and more. This year proved to be another fascinating chapter in the Natalie Portman filmography, leading Alex Garland’s Paramount Pictures sci-fi thriller “Annihilation” and playing a damaged pop star in Brady Corbet’s NEON drama “Vox Lux.” Her advice for a career in the arts? Figure out what you’re obsessed with and go after it! For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, January 08, 2019
Amandla Stenberg
Amandla Stenberg plays Starr Carter in 20th Century Fox’s “The Hate U Give,” the big-screen adaptation of Angie Thomas’ young adult novel inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Amandla got her start in the biz early, playing Rue in “The Hunger Games” and working as a model, musician, and even comic book co-writer. Also, at only 20 years old, she’s the voice of an activist generation, using her platform to advocate for women, African Americans, the LGBTQ community, and other minorities. We’re so thrilled to welcome her at this early stage of her world domination. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Thu, December 06, 2018
Nick Kroll
Nick Kroll appears in some of Hollywood’s funniest recent projects—films like “A Good Old Fashioned Orgy,” “Adult Beginners,” “The House,” TV shows including “Cavemen,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “The League”—and for creating “The Kroll Show,” starring on Broadway alongside John Mulaney in their web series–inspired “Oh, Hello,” and now, the Netflix animated puberty comedy “Big Mouth,” co-created with Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett. Nick provides us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of writing and starring in the hit series, and preaches the gospel of creating your own work. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, December 04, 2018
John Krasinski
John Krasinski is best known for his Jim Halpert on the award-winning “The Office,” but as this in-depth interview suggests, he’s as much a writer-director-producer as a comedic star. Inspired by his arts education at Brown University and the National Theater Institute, he’s starred in “Leatherheads,” “Away We Go,” “13 Hours,” collaborated on “Promised Land” and “Manchester by the Sea,” and helmed “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men,” “The Hollars,” and now, the Paramount Pictures horror hit “A Quiet Place,” co-starring his wife, Emily Blunt. John also currently produces and leads the Amazon thriller series “Jack Ryan,” which means he is having quite the year. Brought to you by Universal Pictures. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Thu, November 29, 2018
MJ Rodriguez
Triple threat MJ Rodriguez, born and raised in New Jersey where she got her big break in an Off-Broadway production of “Rent,” got an even bigger break last year when she was cast as Blanca, mother of the House of Evangelista, in FX’s drama “Pose” from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals. She leads the largest cast of transgender actors in the history of scripted TV, recreating the world of queer culture in 1980s New York City. MJ joins the podcast with advice on practicing patience and blazing trails in the biz. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, November 27, 2018
Zoe Kazan
You may know Zoe Kazan from the feature film she wrote and starred in, “Ruby Sparks,” or for her performances on and Off-Broadway, in last year’s “The Big Sick,” and on the miniseries “Olive Kitteridge,” which earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination. This year she’s both the writer and producer behind IFC Film’s “Wildlife,” directed by her partner Paul Dano, and one of the stars of the Coen brothers’ Netflix western, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” And she’s got never-before-heard advice from both sides of the audition room table. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, November 20, 2018
Lucas Hedges
In 2018 Lucas Hedges stars in three buzzy films—“Boy Erased,” Joel Edgerton’s retelling of Garrard Conley’s gay conversion therapy memoir; “Mid90s,” Jonah Hill’s skateboarding indie; and “Ben Is Back,” an addiction drama written and directed by his father Peter Hedges—plus on Broadway in “The Waverly Gallery” by Kenneth Lonergan, who penned his Oscar-nominated “Manchester by the Sea” role. Earning an ensemble SAG Award ensemble for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” and the distinction of counting Frances McDormand, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Julia Roberts among his on-screen parents, the 21-year-old actor joins us to reflect on his whirlwind of a career breakthrough. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
Thu, November 15, 2018
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Actor and activist Maggie Gyllenhaal has turned in striking and thought-provoking work in her every film role, from “Donnie Darko” and “Secretary” to “Sherrybaby” and “The Dark Knight.” She earned a Primetime Emmy nomination and won a Golden Globe for the miniseries “The Honourable Woman,” and has an Oscar nod for her supporting role in “Crazy Heart.” This year she’s both producer and star of HBO’s “The Deuce” and the new Netflix film “The Kindergarten Teacher,” excellent examples of Maggie’s fascinating “tightrope walk” of an artistic process. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Thu, August 23, 2018
Darren Criss
First a viral hit in a college “Harry Potter” parody musical, then a breakout triple threat on “Glee” and Broadway, and now Emmy-nominated for playing an assassin, Darren Criss is one of today’s most charismatic and versatile storytellers. Playing the lead role of 1990s spree killer Andrew Cunanan in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” the second season of Ryan Murphy’s anthologized FX hit “American Crime Story,” Darren dug deep into the darkest parts of his own psyche—and managed to find, as he always does, a common humanity. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, August 21, 2018
Ron Cephas Jones
Ron Cephas Jones is proof that success in the entertainment biz, with patience, perseverance, and passion, can be achieved at age 60. After years of studying acting and jazz, scraping by with odd jobs in New York and Los Angeles, and balancing both fatherhood and downtown theater artistry, Ron is now Emmy-nominated a second time for NBC’s Dan Fogelman drama “This Is Us,” where he is beloved by fans as the poetic William Hill. The acting guru is looking back on an impressive career on both stage and screen—and is also clearly just getting started. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Thu, August 16, 2018
Betty Gilpin
Raised by actors and inspired by theater of the absurd at Fordham University in New York, Betty Gilpin is a performer full of surprises on both stage and screen. Her self-professed “gravitas Barbie clown” instincts are on full display in Debbie Eagan aka Liberty Belle, her character on Netflix’s 1980s female wrestling hit “GLOW,” a role that has earned Betty her first Emmy nomination for supporting actress in a comedy. For advice on how to manage expectations when a dream role is within reach, don’t miss this interview. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, August 13, 2018
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross is a vocal advocate for equality and representation in Hollywood, a three-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee for leading actress in a comedy series, and a role model who positively radiates inspiration. All combined, she makes an ideal guest on a podcast featuring awards contenders giving both life and career advice. She joins us to talk about Kenya Barris’ ABC family sitcom “Black-ish,” the importance of sending thank you notes, and the best advice she could give: work toward finding your own, truest self. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Wed, June 20, 2018
Sean Hayes
Chances are you know the final guest of this season of the podcast as the hilarious Jack McFarland on NBC’s hit sitcom “Will & Grace.” The beloved character not only earned Sean Hayes an Emmy and four SAG Awards, it put an out gay man on network TV, making inroads for LGBT media representation. After almost a decade off the air, “Will & Grace” has returned as funny and outrageous as ever, and Sean must rely on instincts homed in his native Chicago as a music director and comedian, during his Tony-nominated “Promises, Promises” run, and in countless other roles. Sean also develops entertainment as part of his company Hazy Mills Productions, meaning he has plenty of advice from both sides of the audition table. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, June 18, 2018
Niecy Nash
Niecy Nash loves Backstage, and the feeling is mutual. With her background in theater and her years of pounding the pavement to carve a place for herself in Hollywood, the multi-hyphenate talent has all the audition advice an aspiring actor could ever need. Known for her hilarity on “Reno 911!” and “Scream Queens,” her Emmy-winning hosting gig on “Clean House,” and her quietly dramatic, Emmy-nominated tour de force on “Getting On,” Niecy now plays the leading role of Desna Simms in TNT’s fabulous crime dramedy “Claws,” which recently began its second season. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, June 15, 2018
Cristin Milioti
You can’t pigeonhole Cristin Milioti as a performer—she’s made sure of it. Proving she can do everything from earning a Tony nomination for Broadway’s “Once” to taking on the title role in “How I Met Your Mother,” the actor-writer-musician has plenty of advice for artists trying to reconcile passion with what the industry requires. Now, after memorable turns in “Wolf of Wall Street,” “30 Rock,” “A to Z,” and more, Cristin leads a buzzy episode of Netflix’s “Black Mirror,” Charlie Brooker’s sci-fi-horror anthology series, in the dream-come-true role of a kickass female hero. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Wed, June 13, 2018
Edgar Ramirez
Star of “Carlos,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” “Hands of Stone,” and more, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Edgar Ramirez has worked as an activist and political journalist, both in his native Venezuela and abroad. This season on the small screen he starred in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” Ryan Murphy’s latest FX miniseries exploring the 1997 murder of the titular fashion mogul, a role to which Edgar brought his intellectual curiosity and nuance. His advice on transforming into a character? Do your homework. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, June 11, 2018
Hayley Atwell
Thanks to her analytical approach to acting, Hayley Atwell inhabits characters brilliantly on both stage and screen. Training as a performer in her native London before breaking into Hollywood as Peggy Carter in Marvel’s “Captain America: The First Avenger,” she’s worked with some of the best, in “Brideshead Revisited,” “The Duchess,” “Black Mirror,” “Conviction,” and more. She now stars as Margaret Schlegel in Kenneth Lonergan and Hettie Macdonald’s miniseries adaptation of “Howards End” on Starz, making E.M. Foster’s tale of class conflict in early 20th century England resonate in the 21st century. Brought to you by Starz’s “Howards End.” For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, June 08, 2018
Evan Rachel Wood
Evan Rachel Wood began working in theater before becoming a child star on screen, with a Golden Globe-nominated breakout in “Thirteen.” Starring in films ranging from “Across the Universe” to “The Wrestler,” and TV series including “Mildred Pierce,” Evan has now taken the lead in Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy’s hit sci-fi-western-thriller “Westworld” on HBO. Her multilayered performance as the awakened android Dolores Abernathy, which in Season 1 earned her recognition from the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and Emmy Awards, comes from embracing the unknown amid the show’s signature twists and turns. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Wed, June 06, 2018
Noah Schnapp
At only age 13, Noah Schnapp has already voiced Charlie Brown in “The Peanuts Movie,” worked with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg on “Bridge of Spies,” and, of course, starred in one of today’s biggest pop culture phenomenons: Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” Season 2 of the Duffer brothers’ supernatural ’80s thriller featured Noah’s haunted Will Byers front and center, launching the SAG Award-winning actor into the spotlight—all while juggling self-taped auditions and homework. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, June 04, 2018
Brandon Victor Dixon
Although well-known in the Broadway community for years of stage work—recently as Aaron Burr in “Hamilton” and for his Tony-nominated performances in “The Color Purple” and “Shuffle Along”—Brandon Victor Dixon became a breakout star in front of a much larger audience this Easter as Judas in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” on NBC. Brandon also created WalkRunFly Productions, making him a Tony-winning producer, as well as an ideal interviewee on this podcast. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, June 01, 2018
Pamela Adlon
Pamela Adlon is an actor, producer, director, and screenwriter, and on her autobiographically inspired FX series “Better Things,” she does all that things and more, last year picking up the Emmy nomination for leading actress in a comedy. Known also for her work in “Californication,” Pamela is a six-time Emmy nominee and one-time winner for voiceover performance on the animated hit “King of the Hill.” And whether it’s on camera or in the recording studio, she’s as brilliant as she is hilarious. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Wed, May 30, 2018
Henry Winkler
One of the most beloved presences on and off the small screen for almost 50 years, Henry Winkler is a director, producer, and bestselling author as much as he is a performer. After achieving ubiquity thanks to “Happy Days,” where he for years he played “The Fonz,” the coolest guy on TV, Winkler had to reinvent himself, working hard to identify exactly what he wanted in Hollywood. He’s collaborated with the likes of Adam Sandler, Mitch Horowitz, and now, on HBO’s dark comedy “Barry,” with co-creators Alec Berg and Bill Hader. He stars opposite Hader as Gene Cousineau, a revered and borderline-fraudulent acting teacher—the perfect role for a comedic genius with decades of insight into this industry. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, May 28, 2018
Gina Rodriguez
Gina Rodriguez is an actor, producer, and director, best known for her astonishing work as the titular role in The CW’s “Jane the Virgin.” Jennie Snyder Urman’s telenovela-inspired romantic roller coaster, one of today’s only series featuring a Latina lead, won Rodriguez a Golden Globe Award for best actress in a TV comedy. She’s also known for her film work in “Filly Brown” and “Annihilation,” her activism and philanthropy, and her aptly named company, I Can and I Will Productions. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, May 25, 2018
DeWanda Wise
DeWanda Wise plays the singular Nola Darling in the Netflix hit “She’s Gotta Have It,” adapted for episodic TV by the one and only Spike Lee, whose 1986 film about this sexually woke Brooklynite artist put him on the map as a filmmaker. But Wise, whose approach to art combines studiousness with something more spiritual, wasn’t intimidated during her audition for the part; as she proved to Lee, she can more than roll with the punches. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Wed, May 23, 2018
Mandy Moore & Milo Ventimiglia
Kicking off our season of Emmy Award contenders are the leads of network TV’s biggest drama: Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia! When they first auditioned for Dan Fogelman’s “This Is Us,” neither could have predicted that the series would have millions reaching for their tissue boxes weekly. Two heart-tugging seasons in as Rebecca and Jack Pearson, Moore and Ventimiglia have worked to establish a real family—both onscreen and off. The SAG Award-winning actors each joined Backstage to chat about how to create a respectful environment on set, ground emotions fully in the moment, and navigate the biz. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, May 21, 2018
Denise Gough
Denise Gough is one of the most exciting up-and-comers working on London and New York stages today. After a sensational breakout performance in Duncan MacMillan’s “People, Places & Things,” the Irish actress booked the role of Harper in the National Theatre’s timely revival of Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America” directed by Marianne Elliott. She earned Laurence Olivier Awards for both shows—now with a Tony nomination for the record-breaking Broadway transfer of “Angels,” will she follow that up with another big win...? For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, May 18, 2018
Alex Newell
Star of the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of “Once on This Island” and emerging LGBTQ pop icon Alex Newell joins Backstage to discuss music and acting, longevity and survival, and gratitude and humility. Newell got his start with a video audition for “The Glee Project,” winding up with both a recording contract and a recurring role on Ryan Murphy’s “Glee” as one of the first trans characters on network TV. Despite being ridiculously young for such success and such talent, Newell is also, as this fabulous interview suggests, wise beyond his years. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Wed, May 16, 2018
Lindsay Mendez
Tony Awards season is upon us! Theater’s highest honors will be handed out June 10, so Backstage has invited onto the podcast some of this Broadway season’s most exciting performers. Up first is Lindsay Mendez, Tony-nominated for her irresistible Carrie Pipperidge in the current revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel” directed by Jack O’Brien. Along with her versatility as an actor and sensational singing voice, Mendez co-owns and runs Actor Therapy, a musical theater master-class series in New York—making her a fountain of actorly wisdom.
Sat, February 24, 2018
Willem Dafoe
Few actors’ résumés offer as much variety as Willem Dafoe, an on-screen presence who seems unclassifiable—it’s simply not enough to dub him “chameleonic” or “versatile.” Just look at his three Academy Award nominations, a triptych of deeply felt acting: 1986’s “Platoon,” 2000’s “Shadow of a Vampire,” and now this year’s “The Florida Project” from A24. Written and directed by Sean Baker, the critical darling stars Dafoe as the manager of a rundown motel in Florida, just out of reach of Walt Disney World. On this final leg of the 2018 Oscars race, we are thrilled to welcome a true cinematic legend to the podcast. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, February 23, 2018
Betty Gabriel
Betty Gabriel is the brilliant star of Universal Pictures’ “Get Out,” the comedy-horror-satire hit from the now Academy Award-nominee Jordan Peele. As the mysterious maid Georgina, she blew audiences away with one particularly disturbing scene involving her repeating the word “no”—and established for the former delivery worker her big break as an actor. The game-changing “Get Out” has won its fair share of accolades throughout this film awards season, and is up for four Oscars, including Best Picture. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, January 19, 2018
Gary Oldman
Although you are likely aware of Gary Oldman, you may not appreciate his astonishing range. His habit of disappearing completely into onscreen roles is evident in everything from the “Harry Potter” and “Dark Knight” film franchises, to his Oscar-nominated performance in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” to villainous turns in “Léon: The Professional,” “The Fifth Element,” and “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” Now he’s winning awards for bringing to life Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Focus Features’ “Darkest Hour,” Joe Wright’s WWII thriller. Listen in for his advice on process, accent work, and recovering from rejection. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Wed, January 10, 2018
Kumail Nanjiani
Before last summer, Kumail Nanjiani was best known as the hilarious Dinesh on HBO’s “Silicon Valley.” But then his autobiographical comedy feature, Amazon’s “The Big Sick,” became a commercial and critical smash. Co-written alongside his wife Emily Gordon and retelling the story of her medically induced coma amid their early courtship, “The Big Sick” stars Kumail as an earlier version of himself—a struggling comedian from an overbearing Pakistani family—and somehow blends elements of cultural and generational conflict, hospital drama, and romantic comedy. Kumail joins Backstage to discuss his writing process and the role entertainment plays in today’s political climate. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, January 05, 2018
Patrick Stewart
In addition to being one of the industry’s most powerful and prolific actors, Patrick Stewart has a voice of pure gold. Listen to the Olivier-, Emmy-, Golden Globe-, and SAG Award-nominated knight, best known for “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and the “X-Men” film franchise—including last year’s 20th Century Fox awards contender “Logan”—chat about audition advice, giving characters life, and the similarities between the Royal Shakespeare Company and science fiction. We are honored to welcome the one and only Sir Patrick Stewart. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, December 08, 2017
Tatiana Maslany
All of Tatiana Maslany’s creativity comes from leaning into the unlikeliest or most challenging of circumstances and simply responding, “Yes.” The 2016 Emmy winner for BBC America’s sci-fi thriller “Orphan Black,” in which she portrays around a dozen different clones, often acting and reacting opposite herself, rises to every challenge by turning fear and uncertainty into inspiration. After this summer’s series finale, Tatiana is in high demand; she stars opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in the Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions feature “Stronger,” David Gordon Green’s Boston Marathon bombing biopic. Listen to the actor’s thoughts on nerdiness, taking classes, and roller skating to auditions. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, December 05, 2017
James Franco
Whether you know James Franco from his comedic collaborations with Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow, his Oscar-nominated work in “127 Hours,” or even his poems and paintings, chances are your impression is only a piece of the overall puzzle of his artistry. The multi-hyphenate has zipped from Broadway to the director’s chair to the classroom, and it wasn’t until recently he slowed down to focus on a select few current projects: HBO’s 1970s New York drama “The Deuce,” and A24’s “The Disaster Artist,” directed by and starring James as eccentric auteur Tommy Wiseau of “The Room,” one of the most notoriously bad films in Hollywood history. In the midst a promising awards season, James gives us a glimpse at his artistic process and his mind-blowing work ethic. Brought to you by A24’s “The Disaster Artist,” in theaters December 8. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, December 01, 2017
Keala Settle
For some, the acting profession is a calling that can’t be avoided. Keala Settle, beloved Broadway star of “Waitress,” “Les Misérables,” and her Tony Award-nominated “Hands on a Hardbody,” is one such performer; ever since a fortuitous road trip to a “Hairspray” tour’s open call, her stunning voice and magnetic presence have illuminated a series of intricately soulful stage roles. Now with a big-screen breakthrough as the Bearded Lady in 20th Century Fox’s upcoming “The Greatest Showman,” a movie musical starring Hugh Jackman as P. T. Barnum, Keala is about to win over film audiences as well. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, November 28, 2017
Allison Janney
There’s a reason Allison Janney has more acting statuettes than she knows what to do with. The seven-time Emmy winner—for “The West Wing,” “Masters of Sex,” and CBS’ current hit comedy “Mom”—possesses a natural intelligence, curiosity, and wicked sense of humor that have lent themselves to a staggering variety of stage and screen roles. Her astonishing career now includes an Oscar-contending performance in Neon’s “I, Tonya,” the Craig Gillespie- and Steven Rogers-helmed biopic in which she plays Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding’s eccentric mother LaVona. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Wed, November 22, 2017
Leslie Odom Jr.
This week we get to be in the room where it happens. Leslie Odom Jr. helped launch the Broadway production of “Hamilton,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s record-breaking musical sensation, winning last year’s Tony Award for Leading Actor in the process. A triple threat with roots that can be traced back to an open call for “Rent” listed in Backstage, Leslie is now a bona fide movie star, appearing in the buzzy big-screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” from Kenneth Branagh. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Wed, November 15, 2017
Richard Jenkins
Ready for more interviews from the frontlines of Hollywood’s acting races? We kick off Season 2—and an exciting film awards season—with an in-depth chat with Academy Award nominee and Primetime Emmy winner Richard Jenkins. Steadily working his way into audiences’ hearts with decades of fascinating, empathetic performances, the stage and screen legend now utilizes his organic approach to acting in Fox Searchlight Pictures’ “The Shape of Water,” the new sci-fi period piece from Guillermo del Toro. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, August 28, 2017
Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Anthony Anderson
On this season finale episode, we are joined by TV comedy royalty. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has just about every conceivable award for her astounding work, including seven acting Emmys for “Seinfeld,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” and of course the hit HBO political comedy “Veep,” in which she stars as the hapless, foul-mouthed Selina Meyer. Anthony Anderson, nominated for this third consecutive Emmy as patriarch Dre Johnson in ABC’s family sitcom “Black-ish,” grew into the comedy legend he is today thanks to his working actor mother and a philosophy of single-minded determination. Jack and Jamie (and a surprise special guest!) bid farewell to the 2017 Emmy season. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, August 25, 2017
Brian Tyree Henry
Up-and-coming actor Brian Tyree Henry is perhaps best known for playing an up-and-coming rapper on Donald Glover’s award-winning FX comedy “Atlanta.” His first Emmy nomination is for his guest role as a Memphis crooner on Dan Fogelman’s NBC hit family drama “This Is Us.” The rising star chats about how to maintain a sense of self, handle loss, and find the joy. Bonus: Emmys trivia! For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, August 22, 2017
Regina King
Backstage’s favorite Emmy-winning acting guru, Regina King is one of the greatest on-camera performers working today. She traces her trajectory from child star to actor-director with serious chops, and reveals the intricacies of the techniques that led to her three consecutive Emmy nominations (and two wins) for John Ridley’s ABC anthology drama “American Crime.” For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, August 18, 2017
Judith Light & Kathryn Hahn
In this extra-special, extra-long episode, we are joined by two Emmy-nominated stars from Jill Soloway’s groundbreaking Amazon dramedy “Transparent.” Judith Light, a Tony- and Daytime Emmy-winning legend who keeps breaking our hearts as Shelly Pfefferman, draws inspiration from the LGBTQ community and advises actors to seize the opportunity to serve. Kathryn Hahn, a longtime scene-stealer whose shattering performance as Rabbi Raquel Fein differs from her work on Soloway’s other Amazon series, “I Love Dick,” gives a hilarious interview covering everything from the nuances of religion to survival jobs. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, August 15, 2017
Carrie Coon
This interview with Carrie Coon covers both how to act in the present moment and the practicalities of budgeting and cooking. The star of HBO’s “The Leftovers,” now receiving her first (of many!) Emmy nominations for Season 3 of FX’s “Fargo,” shares the techniques and philosophies that launched her from regional repertory theater to Broadway to critical darling. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, August 11, 2017
Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright—Emmy and Tony winner for “Angels in America,” currently Emmy-nominated for HBO’s sci-fi western “Westworld,” and guru of stage and screen techniques—stops by the studio to share his wisdom on auditioning, stage fright, the importance of listening, loss, and more. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, August 08, 2017
Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk, the renowned writer, producer, comedian, and 12-time Emmy nominee, stars in AMC’s drama “Better Call Saul,” Peter Gould and Vince Gilligan’s sequel to “Breaking Bad.” He joined us to shed light on his many successes, various influences, and how writing inspires his transformation into Saul. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, August 04, 2017
Jackie Hoffman
Jackie Hoffman is a theater and comedy legend (and hilarious interview)! Now TV fans are appreciating her talents too: On FX’s fabulous limited series “Feud: Bette and Joan,” the Emmy nominee plays Mamacita, housekeeper to Jessica Lange’s Joan Crawford. You’ll never guess what inspires her acting.... For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, August 01, 2017
Ann Dowd
Backstage has returned with another run of episodes featuring contenders in the 2017 Emmy race! Ann Dowd, a first-time—and two-time—Emmy nominee for her roles on eerie, disturbing, but wildly imaginative TV dramas, Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and HBO’s “The Leftovers,” has wisdom to spare for early-career actors. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, July 11, 2017
BONUS: How to Become an Emmy-Winning Actor
This extra special bonus episode of Backstage’s “In the Envelope” gathers never-before-heard career advice from Bryan Cranston, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria, casting director Amanda Lenker Doyle, and more. It’s the podcast version of a how-to guide on becoming a better, more successful actor! For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Fri, June 23, 2017
Freida Pinto, Amy Brenneman, & Jay Duplass
As Emmy nomination voting closes, Backstage interviews three of this year’s talented awards contenders: Freida Pinto of Showtime’s politically charged mini-series “Guerilla,” Amy Brenneman of HBO’s masterfully mysterious drama “The Leftovers,” and Jay Duplass of Amazon’s revelatory comedy “Transparent.” Brought to you by HBO. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Thu, June 22, 2017
Carly Chaikin & Thandie Newton
This week’s (extra fabulous) episode features actors from two of the grittiest and most riveting series on the small screen. Thandie Newton is an award-winning actor and activist, always on the lookout for on-camera roles that enable her to merge those two identities. Little did she know HBO’s cowboys-and-robots drama “Westworld” would provide such an opportunity. Carly Chaikin of USA’s award-winning “Mr. Robot” also joins us for a candid discussion of the nuances of casting, auditioning, and navigating the TV industry. Brought to you by HBO. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, June 19, 2017
Bryan Cranston & Alan Yang
On a special behind-the-scenes episode of “In the Envelope,” we are joined by none other than Walter White! With 14 Emmy nominations and 6 wins, Bryan Cranston knows a thing or two about navigating the craft and business of acting. In fact, the new drama he co-created and produced, Amazon’s “Sneaky Pete,” was inspired by his last acceptance speech. Backstage also sat with Alan Yang, who with Aziz Ansari creates and produces the wonderful Netflix comedy “Master of None,” last year’s winner of the comedy series writing Emmy. Brought to you by HBO. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, June 12, 2017
Elisabeth Moss & Hank Azaria
What does it take to win an Emmy? This week we ask a six-time nominee and six-time winner! Elisabeth Moss is as talented as she is prolific, from AMC’s “Mad Men” to Sundance Channel mini-series “Top of the Lake,” and now the producer-star of Hulu’s dystopian drama “The Handmaid’s Tale.” And the revered Hank Azaria, longtime star of Fox’s “The Simpsons” and the new IFC comedy “Brockmire,” has plenty of wisdom for working actors. Brought to you by HBO. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Mon, June 05, 2017
Andrew Rannells & Aubrey Plaza
The first time Andrew Rannells worked in television was a scene-stealing guest appearance on Lena Dunham’s HBO comedy “Girls.” Now upgraded to series regular and campaigning for an Emmy, Rannells tells Backstage how he approaches acting on stage and screen. Meanwhile, the equally charming Aubrey Plaza joins us to chat about her insane supervillain role in the FX superhero drama “Legion.” Brought to you by HBO. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
Tue, May 30, 2017
Claire Danes & David Harbour
Claire Danes is a three-time Emmy-winning actor and star of Showtime’s long-running “Homeland.” David Harbour stars in last year’s Netflix hit “Stranger Things.” We chatted with both about their best acting advice, how they build their characters, and all things awards. Brought to you by HBO. For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage Facebook: facebook.com/backstage Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting
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