Reed Birney played Uncle Vanya at SoHo Rep in 2012 in a translation by Annie Baker, with a cast that also included Michael Shannon. He joined us in December 2021 to discuss the character in depth. You’ll hear Reed and I talk about: his ideas going into Chekhovwhat he discovered and connected with about the roletrusting the scriptchallenges in the productionand playing trapped characters We also learn lots more about Reed in our lightning round with a couple special New York questions! This episode marks our third installment in our Chekhov series as we focus on Reed playing the role of Uncle Vanya. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out two most recent episodes of our Vanya workshop and Libby Appel’s Q&A. I suspect you’ll have an even deeper appreciation of and curiosity for the works of Chekhov. This episode also concludes Season 5, which began way back in March! We’ve released a dozen episodes this year, from interviews to workshops to text work and Q&A’s. Thank you to everyone listening and I hope you’ve enjoyed this season as much as I have. I’d love to hear below if you have a favorite episode, guest, or moment. I’m also excited to share that we just passed 40K downloads and the show regularly appears in the top 100 of arts podcasts around the world!  Reed and I first spoke on the podcast back in Season 2 about his life and career. He has over 130 credits on stage and screen over the past 45 years. He is a Tony Winner for The Humans, a Tony nominee for Casa Valentina, and you can see him in the film Mass (now streaming on Hulu and elsewhere), HBO’s Succession, Apple’s Home Before Dark, and currently in theaters in The Menu with Ralph Fiennes. He also just closed a production of Chester Bailey with his son Ephraim at Irish Rep in New York. This guy just keeps working! -- Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

This is a wonderful follow up to our Chekhov workshop from last episode with an even deeper discussion with the director! You’ll hear Libby and I talk about what she looks for in auditions, what she expects in rehearsals, her inspirations, what things went well, what scared her, and yes, we have another lighting round! Libby Appel is the author and translator of Five Chekhov Plays, the former Artistic Director for Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Indiana Repertory Theatre, and former Dean of Cal Arts Theatre. It was a great honor that she gave so much of her time to both the workshop and this Q&A. Gaining insight into “the other side of the table” is always valuable and few directors have accomplished as much as Libby, so I’m sure it’ll be a fun and very informative hour for you.  Learn more about Libby @ theworkslibbyappel.com  -- Get your FREE copy of the guide "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" - plus you'll receive 2 other bonus guides with lessons and wisdom from professional actors! See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

We have our first workshop scene NOT from Shakespeare, and there’s a great reason! From October 2021, we present a deep dive into the first half of Act 2 from Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya with director Libby Appel - who wrote the translation along with our dramaturg! Uncle Vanya - excerpt of Act 2 DIRECTOR: Libby Appel (Q&A)DRAMATURG: Allison HorsleyVOICE: Ursula MeyerPROFESSOR: Alberto Isaac (interview)SONYA: Deidrie HenryMARINA: Jully LeeVANYA: Howard LederYELENA: Sara Mountjoy-PepkaASTROV: Corey Hedy One final thing I’ll leave you with before we get to it is that Sara mentions toward the end that Libby asks such great questions, which is really the basis of any deep work, creative or otherwise. What questions do you need to be asking yourself, and as an actor, how far are you willing to push yourself to find answers? Fantastic work after only a few weeks of rehearsals; listen in to the cast and director continue to discuss the process. Part of The Rehearsal Room series. Prefer to watch the session? Find it here on YouTube!   Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. --- The WAJ podcast is designed to show you HOW the work is done, WHAT the realities of the working actor life are like, and to share all the different ways actors have come to this career. There is no one path and no single answer. We want to learn from all of those further down the road, to shorten the learning curve and to discover what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to having a lifelong career as an actor.

Geoffrey has played Dogberry twice, at very different times in his life, and finds it's a fascinating character to dissect. He first performed it as a student at Amherst College and then again at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. You’ll hear Geoffrey and I talk about rehearsals, preconceived ideas, and discoveries. How to ground characters that seem eccentric, bizarre or over the top, and how to trust yourself and the script. He’ll talk about working on roles that people think are “funny” and dealing with any sense of obligation an actor might have to be comical. And as some of these guests have been mentors to me and perhaps even to some of you (even by listening to these conversations), you’ll hear a defining conversation in Geoffrey’s life with a mentor about this very role. Plus, don’t miss the lighting round where you’ll learn even more about Geoffrey! -- Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

We have another “all pro” group—all the actors in the scene are professionals, so the work has been so fun and rich! Our dramaturg Philippa said that she found it so mind-blowingly good how fully the actors and director jumped into this scene, that it’s not something she usually experiences—and I don’t think I could have said it better myself. In the scene today, Silvius tries in vain to get an answer from Phoebe regarding her love. Rosalind chides Phoebe about her treatment of Silvius and Phoebe ends up falling in love with “Ganymede” (which is, of course, Rosalind in disguise as a man). After Rosalind departs, Phoebe convinces Silvius to bring a letter to this Ganymede, and Silvius is delighted to do so. As You Like It - Act 3, Scene 5: “Sweet Phoebe” DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Dennehy (listen to our interview)DRAMATURG: Philippa KellySILVIUS: James Newcomb (listen to our interview)PHOEBE: Erika RolfsrudROSALIND: Meaghan Boeing Fantastic work in Shakespeare's As You Like It from May 2021. After only a few weeks of work, the cast and director continue to work on and discuss the process. Part of The Rehearsal Room series. Prefer to watch the session? Find it here on YouTube! -- Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Today’s guest grew up on a tiny island in the Caribbean, studied fashion and dance in New York, often felt like she never had the right background or training, and yet found success in several careers. Veralyn Jones is an award-winning actress who has been working professionally for over 30 years across theatre, film and TV. She has worked at The Denver Center, South Coast Repertory, Mark Taper Forum, The Kirk Douglas Theatre, and internationally at LaScala Theatre in Stockholm, Sweden.   Click here for full show notes and links. Become a Patron to get exclusive access and discounts. Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" --- The WAJ podcast is designed to show you HOW the work is done, WHAT the realities of the working actor life are like, and to share all the different ways actors have come to this career. There is no one path and no single answer. We want to learn from all of those further down the road, to shorten the learning curve and to discover what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to having a lifelong career as an actor.

Today’s guest grew up in the Philippines, fell in love with movies as a kid, found validation through acting, pursued his master’s degree, got fired from a big break, and still has been working for over five decades! Alberto Isaac has been working for 50+ years across theatre, TV, and film. In addition to regional theatre gigs across the country, he has enjoyed a long association with East West Players, joining them shortly after that company started, and also found success as a director and playwright there.     Click here for full show notes and links. Become a Patron to get exclusive access and discounts. Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" --- The WAJ podcast is designed to show you HOW the work is done, WHAT the realities of the working actor life are like, and to share all the different ways actors have come to this career. There is no one path and no single answer. We want to learn from all of those further down the road, to shorten the learning curve and to discover what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to having a lifelong career as an actor.

Today's guest started in the theatre at a very young age, felt adrift and wasn’t exactly sure what he’d do as a young man, and ended up working for years at some of the best theatres in the country. Jamie Newcomb has performed in over 60 Shakespeare plays and 75 other productions. He worked for 14 seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, is a founding company member of Shakespeare & Company, and was an inaugural company member of The Denver Center Theatre, where he remained for 7 seasons.   Click here for full show notes and links. Register for Acting the Role: The Macbeth's with Susan Angelo and Bo Foxworth Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" --- The WAJ podcast is designed to show you HOW the work is done, WHAT the realities of the working actor life are like, and to share all the different ways actors have come to this career. There is no one path and no single answer. We want to learn from all of those further down the road, to shorten the learning curve and to discover what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to having a lifelong career as an actor.

Marcelo shares how he approaches a voiceover audition for a video game. We look at what direction and description is initially provided and then how to use your instincts to create your own performance rather than going for an impersonation. You’ll hear the actual audition Marcelo sent in and we also get into dealing with rejection and booking jobs. Click here for full show notes and links.   More... Learn about Acting the Role: The Macbeth's with Susan Angelo and Bo Foxworth Become a Patron - save 10% on workshops Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script"

Marcelo was born in Argentina, moved to LA at a young age, felt very lost with his career, almost quit after his first TV role, and eventually booked a job that changed his life. Plus, we get a quick look at Marcelo’s process with a voiceover audition for a video game, and you’ll hear what he sent in! It was fascinating to hear about the many ups and downs, and all the relationships, mentors, and teachers who helped him along the way. We covered a LOT of ground, so get ready for a very full ride. A lot of laughs too.   Click here for full show notes and links. Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" --- The WAJ podcast is designed to show you HOW the work is done, WHAT the realities of the working actor life are like, and to share all the different ways actors have come to this career. There is no one path and no single answer. We want to learn from all of those further down the road, to shorten the learning curve and to discover what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to having a lifelong career as an actor.

Elizabeth shares her approach to working on Shakespeare, which includes what the number of syllables can tell you, the thought igniter exercise, the first question to ask, and more. Plus we chat about the difference in performing a monologue in an audition vs a show. Learn more about our April Shakespeare workshop with Randall Duk Kim and Annie Occhiogrosso Macbeth's dagger speech (Act 2, Sc 1) Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable As this which now I draw. [He draws his dagger.] Thou marshal’st me the way that I was going, And such an instrument I was to use. Mine eyes are made the fools o’ th’ other senses Or else worth all the rest. I see thee still, And, on thy blade and dudgeon, gouts of blood, Which was not so before. There’s no such thing. It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes. Now o’er the one-half world Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse The curtained sleep. Witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate’s off’rings, and withered murder, Alarumed by his sentinel, the wolf, Whose howl’s his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his design Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth, Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear Thy very stones prate of my whereabouts And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives. Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. [A bell rings.] I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell.   Click here for full show notes and links. Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script"

We discuss her very humble beginnings, her dad Brian Dennehy and his career struggles, deciding her family was a priority, working even more when she was pregnant, and helping other actors. Plus, we get another mini-Shakespeare class where Elizabeth dives into a piece from Macbeth! She’s been an audition coach for years, and has also helped many students with their college auditions, so you’ll definitely want to check this out!   Click here for full show notes and links. Get your copy of "Keys the Pro's Use to Unlock Any Script" --- The WAJ podcast is designed to show you HOW the work is done, WHAT the realities of the working actor life are like, and to share all the different ways actors have come to this career. There is no one path and no single answer. We want to learn from all of those further down the road, to shorten the learning curve and to discover what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to having a lifelong career as an actor.

We're back for Season 5 of The Working Actor's Journey! We've got five more amazing interviews headed your way over the coming months; you'll hear: coming to America storiesthe realities and hardships of working in New York and LAand what it's like with parents who were in the biz. Professional actors speak about feeling adrift, lack of confidence, and full blown-panic attacks. These guests have had the chance to look back and to see what's worked, what hasn't, and what to embrace about their path. Be sure to subscribe to find out who are guests are and to hear so much more. Regular listeners may be able to identify the voices, as all of these guests have been part of our workshop series and almost all of them were totally new to me, so it was very exciting to learn all about them! Get your copy of "10 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Working!" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. --- The WAJ podcast is designed to show you HOW the work is done, WHAT the realities of the working actor life are like, and to share all the different ways actors have come to this career. There is no one path and no single answer. We want to learn from all of those further down the road, to shorten the learning curve and to discover what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to having a lifelong career as an actor.

For today’s episode, we’re bringing you the second half of the Repertory workshop featuring Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night In the fist scene: Viola (as Cesario), is on her way to see Olivia, and encounters first the Fool Feste and then Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. Olivia, meeting Cesario, sends the others away and declares her love. Then in our second scene - Malvolio, who (according to the mischievous letter he received) is dressed with yellow stockings and is smiling grotesquely, appears before an astonished Olivia. Thinking him insane, Olivia puts him in the care of Sir Toby, who decides to treat him as a madman by having him bound and put in a dark room. Toby also decides to deliver Sir Andrew’s challenge to Cesario in person in order to force the two of them into a duel. Terrified, they prepare to fight. Our cast includes... Act 3, Sc 1: FESTE – Garrett Botts VIOLA – Sara Mountjoy-Pepka OLIVIA – Michele Schultz SIR TOBY – Jamal Douglas SIR ANDREW – Janet Greaves Act 3, Sc 4: VIOLA – Michele Schultz OLIVIA – Sara Mountjoy-Pepka MARIA – Erika Rolfsrud MALVOLIO and SIR ANDREW – Janet Greaves SIR TOBY – Jamal Douglas FABIAN – Garrett Botts DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Swain DRAMATURGS: Gideon Rappaport and Philippa Kelly VOICE COACHES: Ursula Meyer and Scott Ferrara. Prefer to watch the session? Find it here on YouTube! Join us for Comedy of Manners in the Rehearsal Room ONLINE with director Brendon Fox - sessions begin February 3rd! Registration for Actors open through Sunday, January 23rd - grab your spot here. Plenty of room for virtual audience too. --- Get your copy of "10 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Working!" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. --- The WAJ podcast is designed to show you HOW the work is done, WHAT the realities of the working actor life are like, and to share all the different ways actors have come to this career. There is no one path and no single answer. We want to learn from all of those further down the road, to shorten the learning curve and to discover what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to having a lifelong career as an actor.

For today’s episode, we’re bringing you the second half of the Repertory workshop featuring Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night The first scene includes almost everyone at Olivia’s house, some great exchanges with the Fool, and then the meeting of Olivia and Viola, who is disguised as Orsino’s servant Cesario. Then the following scene has Orsino with Viola (disguised) who expresses her love for Orsino through a story about “Cesario’s sister.” This was actually the second presentation we did, though these two scenes come first chronologically in the play, so that’s why you’re hearing this part first. Don’t worry - you didn't miss anything. Our cast includes... Act 1, Sc 5: MARIA – Janet Greaves FESTE – Sara Mountjoy-Pepka OLIVIA – Michele Schultz MALVOLIO – Jamal Douglas SIR TOBY – Garrett Botts VIOLA – Erika Rolfsrud Act 2, Sc 4: ORSINO – Garrett Botts FESTE – Michele Schultz VIOLA – Sara Mountjoy-Pepka DIRECTOR: Brendon Fox DRAMATURGS: Gideon Rappaport and Philippa Kelly VOICE COACHES: Ursula Meyer and Scott Ferrara. Prefer to watch the session? Find it here on YouTube! --- Get your copy of "10 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Working!" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. --- The WAJ podcast is designed to show you HOW the work is done, WHAT the realities of the working actor life are like, and to share all the different ways actors have come to this career. There is no one path and no single answer. We want to learn from all of those further down the road, to shorten the learning curve and to discover what helps and what doesn’t when it comes to having a lifelong career as an actor.

OK, there is a lot going on with this scene, so let’s attempt to summarize! Queen Elizabeth and the Duchess of York (Richard’s mother) are grieving over their children and grandchildren. Former Queen Margaret secretly watches, and then comes forward to share they are not the only ones who’ve suffered. King Richard is passing by with his army, and the Duchess gives him a piece of her mind. Finally Richard is alone with Elizabeth and begins to talk with her about her daughter—also named Elizabeth—and the plans Richard has for her. So buckle in! Richard III - Act 4, Scene 4: “Teach me how to curse mine enemies” DIRECTOR: Liz SwainDRAMATURG: Gideon RappaportMARGARET: Veralyn JonesRICHARD: Michael KirbyDUCHESS: Maggi VeltreELIZABETH: Morgan Ring Fantastic work in Shakespeare's Richard III from May 2021. After only a few weeks of work, the cast and director continue to work on and discuss the process. Part of The Rehearsal Room series. Prefer to watch the session? Find it here on YouTube! -- Get your copy of "10 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Working!" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

In this scene, Hamlet’s friends from school, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, have just arrived and the King and Queen ask them to find out what’s going on with Hamlet. A short while later, Hamlet enter reading and is greeted by Polonius before Ros and Guil join us. DIRECTOR: Gigi BerminghamDRAMATURG: Gideon RappaportHAMLET: Kwana MartinezPOLONIUS: Seth David MitchellROSENCRANTZ: Max HerzfeldGUILDENSTERN: Danielle Reliford Fantastic work in Shakespeare's Hamlet from May 2021. After only a few weeks of work, the cast and director continue to work on and discuss the process. Part of The Rehearsal Room series. Prefer to watch the session? Find it here on YouTube! -- Get your copy of "10 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Working!" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

This is the final section of the play right to the end. As Bassanio, Gratiano, and Antonio all return home after the trial with Shylock, Portia and Nerissa decide to play one final trick on their partners. And it’s important to remember this is actually the first time Antonio—who is such close friends with Bassanio—meets Portia (as herself, not the disguised lawyer). DIRECTOR: Brendon FoxDRAMATURG: Philippa KellyBASSANIO: Marcelo TubertPORTIA: Amber ScalesNERISSA: Aubrey SaverinoANTONIO: Ross HellwigGRATIANO: Sara Mountjoy-Pepka Fantastic work in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice from May 2021. After only a few weeks of work, the cast and director continue to work on and discuss the process. Part of The Rehearsal Room series. Prefer to watch the session? Find it here on YouTube! -- Get your copy of "10 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Working!" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

A fantastic scene workshop from Shakespeare's As You Like It from April 2021. After only a few weeks of work, the cast and director continue to work on and discuss the process. Part of The Rehearsal Room series. In this scene, we first meet Rosalind and Celia, and have only recently learned that Rosalind’s father has been banished by Celia’s father, the Duke. The two women attempt to dissuade Orlando from wrestling Charles, and Rosalind and Orlando are visibly affected by each other. DIRECTOR: Geoffrey Wade (also covering for Duke)DRAMATURG: Gideon RappaportROSALIND: Janet GreavesORLANDO: Jamal DouglasCELIA: Whitney WakimotoLE BEAU: Madeleine PersonDUKE FREDERICK: Danny Fulkerson Prefer to watch the session? Find it here on YouTube! -- Get your copy of "10 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Working!" See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

A fantastic scene workshop from Shakespeare's King John from February 2021. After only a few weeks of work, the cast and director continue to work on and discuss the process. Part of The Rehearsal Room series. This is the very opening of the play—where we learn of the conflict over the throne between England and France, and then there is a dispute between two brothers brought before the King. One of the brothers (the Bastard) resembles King John’s older brother Richard and that young man is given a choice. DIRECTOR: Gigi BerminghamDRAMATURG: Gideon RappaportKING JOHN: Marcelo TubertQUEEN ELINOR: Madeleine PersonBASTARD: Ross HellwigCHATILLON/ROBERT: Corinna Christman Prefer to watch the session? Find it here on YouTube! -- Click here to register for our new workshop - Acting the Role: LADY MACBETH with Susan Angelo - begins October 11th! Spots for actors and audience, though space is limited. -- Get your FREE copy of 10 Ways to Stop Worrying and START WORKING! See additional content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.