RERUN | Ron Cephas Jones — The Little Moments That Build Into Big Moments
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Release Date: 07/02/2024
AYA CASH: The Power of Being the Underdog
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
In this episode, Alyshia meets with Aya Cash, the unapologetically bold actor and producer currently lighting up HBO Sunday nights in The Franchise. Aya’s journey is packed with industry-defining roles: from her hilarious breakout in FX’s You’re the Worst, which earned her TCA and Critics Choice nominations, to powerful turns in Fosse/Verdon with Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams, The Girl From Plainville opposite Elle Fanning, and The First Lady with Michelle Pfeiffer. Aya talks theater beginnings, not fitting into Hollywood's beauty standard, and seeing herself as an underdog in...
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KAT FOSTER: Reforming Hollywood & Embracing The Unknown
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
In this episode, Alyshia and Kat Foster delve into their shared journey in the performing arts, from their early days in training to the rigors of professional acting. Alyshia admires Kat’s path, noting her transition from NYU’s Tisch School to booking her break-out role in 'Til Death to being 50 minutes late to her first network test. They explore the craft of script analysis and auditioning, the necessity of staying present, and the industry's shift toward self-created content, with Kat emphasizing the importance of authentic storytelling and trusting one's inner compass over external...
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JOHN PATRICK AMEDORI: Acting is Like Jazz
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Welcome to That One Audition! Today’s guest is the multi-talented John Patrick Amedori, a musician turned actor, writer, director. In today's episode Amedori talks about how he approaches acting similar to jazz music. He discusses how he booked his first 2 roles as an 11 year old in Almost Famous and M. Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable by trusting his instincts. Find out why Brad Pitt left production of Almost Famous after watching Amedori's original audition tape for the movie. From acting opposite Blake Lively in Gossip Girl to his breakout role in Netflix’s Dear White People, Amedori has...
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EME IKWUAKOR: Booking Matlock from an Airplane Bathroom & Embracing "You Are Enough"
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Alyshia and Eme Ikwuakor explore his remarkable journey from a seven-month dry spell in acting, during which he feared his reps might drop him, to booking MOONFALL and THE GRAY MAN within just two days. Eme reflects on how a childhood poster of Will Smith in Independence Day inspired him to manifest his dreams of working with industry icons like Roland Emmerich and Halle Berry. He also shares how he nearly turned down an audition for On My Block and how Joe Dispenza’s book Becoming Supernatural transformed his perspective on the industry. Eme recounts unforgettable on-set moments, including...
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STEPHANIE KOENIG: Breaking Into Comedy & Writing Your Own Success
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Welcome to That One Audition! Today’s guest is the multi-talented Stephanie Koenig, a Michigan native who got her start in performance through dance competitions before earning an acting degree from Michigan State University. A comedy veteran, she sharpened her skills at Upright Citizens Brigade and Groundlings, frequently collaborating with some of their biggest names. Koenig’s acting credits span from starring roles in English Teacher and Lessons in Chemistry to notable appearances in The Flight Attendant and The Offer, where she portrayed casting executive Andrea Eastman, helping to...
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RERUN | From Commercials to Prime Time: Brian Thomas Smith's Hollywood Hustle
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
In 2024, Brian Thomas Smith continues to enrich his acting portfolio with notable roles in both television and commercial projects. He's taken on a recurring role in the popular series "United States of Al," adding depth to the character Freddy, Vanessa's new boyfriend. On the commercial front, Smith's presence remains strong with over 100 advertisements to his name, featuring brands like DIRECTV and Budweiser, reflecting his versatility and appeal across different media. His comedic talent, well-loved in roles such as Zack Johnson from "The Big Bang Theory," continues to resonate with...
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RERUN | How to Bring Forth Your Best Creative Self, with Michelle Monaghan
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Today’s guest fits the perfect + poignant mold for our 50th episode -With thick-skin, an optimist’s heart and a realist’s mind, the incomparable Michelle Monaghan will tell us how being championed by her parents in a town of 700, mentored by Frances McDormand in the North Country and ending up on Constantine’s cutting room floor gave her the courage, confidence and opportunity to make every mission…possible. She stars in the Apple TV+ series "Bad Monkey," premiering in August, and is set to appear in the third season of HBO's acclaimed series "The White Lotus," filmed in...
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RERUN | Behind the Curtain: Jennifer Cooper's Mastery in TV Casting & Auditions
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
BONUS EPISODE with Casting Director Jennifer Cooper. A true peak into one of the biggest television casting directors. Currently casting over five major network television series. Casting over 500 episodic shows, Jen knows a two or thing about a good audition or a bad audition. Acting is what got her in the game, casting is what won her heart over. Jen casts for talent and truly spends the time building a partnership with the actor, producer and director. This is the unforgettable journey into Jennifer Cooper's rise in shaping and pushing the boundaries on the revolutionary medium of...
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TOM NOWICKI: Building Longevity as an Actor
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Actor Tom Nowicki hasn't stopped working since the late 80s. With nearly four decades of experience and 160 film and television credits to his name, you've seen Tom in "The Blind Side," "Reptile," "Mr. Mercedes," "Bloodline," "Remember the Titans," "The Punisher," and countless more. You can also catch him in Apple TV+'s recently released series, "Bad Monkey." Based in Florida, Tom shares how he's built a successful career outside of the industry's major markets. We discuss how Tom approaches script analysis on short turnaround auditions, and he shares lessons learned from celebrated actor and...
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AMANDA RIGHETTI: Finding Different Ways into Character
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
For actor Amanda Righetti, her way into character has changed over time. With credits in some of television's biggest hits including "The O.C.", "The Mentalist", "Reunion", "North Shore", "Entourage" and film credits that include "Friday the 13th", "Captain America" and more, Amanda says that she's grown in her craft right alongside this ever-changing industry. In today's episode we discuss holding deals, self-tapes, and how Amanda prepped for her historical role in "Reagan" in just four days. While her approach to character has shifted and deepened over time, she reminds us that technique is...
info_outlineOver the course of a 40 year career, Ron Cephas Jones has built a beautiful body of work ranging from theater in New York City with the Labyrinth Theater Company, to an award winning performance in the NBC television hit, This is Us . Today’s guest has learned the craft purely through experience and now teaches the art of breaking down the script to students at the California Institute of the Arts.
His credits include the role of William Hill in This is Us, Truth Be Told, The Get Down, Luke Cage, Looking for Alaska, Mr. Robot, Low Winter Sun and many more. Today, Ron breaks down his technique for building dynamic characters by shedding light on all those actor terms like “beats”, “transitions”, “specificity” and everything in between. Through it all, whether it was taking odd jobs in New York, or his two Emmy award wins, Ron Cephas Jones has never forgotten what is most important to him: being a father to his Emmy award winning daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and being happy as an artist.
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