Offstage Acting

Two actors, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum, talk with other actors and discuss "everything acting!"

🎙️ Ep 056 | Kenneth Jay: From Backstage Patience to Onstage Presence 08/26/2025

🎙️ Ep 056 | Kenneth Jay: From Backstage Patience to Onstage Presence Today’s guest is Kenneth Jay, a seasoned Canadian actor with decades of experience across theatre, film, and television. Known for his dedication to craft and his deep respect for storytelling, Kenneth has built a career that bridges continents and philosophies. In this inspiring and laughter-filled episode, hosts Todd Kramer and Jay Reum chat with Kenneth about the unique discipline of being an understudy, the art of preparation without certainty, and why truth is always at the center of performance. Kenneth shares his journey from Ottawa to Ryerson Theatre School, his surprising connection to Stanislavski’s lineage, and how collaboration, language, and identity shape the actor’s path. This conversation is both thoughtful and funny — weaving in the joys, struggles, and revelations of a life lived for the stage. Actors will find wisdom, humor, and a reminder of why we do what we do. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Opening 04:20 – Strapless workouts and silliness 07:00 – PunchTrack: a DAW for narrators 11:00 – Introducing Kenneth Jay 13:00 – Kenneth’s showreel and career highlights 16:40 – Growing up in Ottawa, moving to Toronto 18:20 – Ryerson Theatre School and Stanislavski connection 23:30 – Why Kenneth chose theatre over academics 27:00 – The first spark: Robin Hood in grade school 30:00 – Falling in love with Shakespeare 35:10 – The joy and craft of understudying 41:00 – Personal truth inside every performance 47:20 – Collaboration, colleagues, and connection 52:00 – Longevity in the acting industry 57:00 – The gift of language and expression 01:01:30 – Identity and performance 01:05:00 – Laughs, stories, and lessons learned 01:10:00 – Advice for young actors 01:15:00 – Closing thoughts with Kenneth 💬 Join the Conversation What resonated with you in Kenneth’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tag us on socials with your takeaways! 🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW 🎧 Full Podcast & More: 🤩 Facebook: 📸 Instagram: 🌍 Kenneth Jay IMDb: 💫 TODD: 💫 JAY: 📣 Hashtags #acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #act #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #KennethJay #Stanislavski #understudy #theatre #actorsjourney #truthinacting /episode/index/show/d9377ff9-3325-4c5d-8f50-6e88a048762c/id/37998265

🍿15 | 28 Years Later (2025) — Rage Reborn or Redundant Retread? • OFFstage ONscreen 07/31/2025

🍿14 | F1 (2025) — Full Throttle or Full Flop? • OFFstage ONscreen 07/17/2025

🎙️Ep 055 | Kym Jackson: How To Hustle Into Hollywood and The Secret Actor Society 07/15/2025

🎙️Ep 055 | Kym Jackson: How To Hustle Into Hollywood and The Secret Actor Society Today’s guest is Kym Jackson — Aussie actor, author, and co-founder of the Secret Actor Society. Kym’s journey spans continents and platforms: she launched her career onstage in Australia, made the leap to Hollywood, and hasn’t stopped working since. You’ve seen her on Criminal Minds, NCIS: LA, This Is Us, and SWAT — or in films like Snitch, Iron Sky, and We Bury the Dead. But acting is just one facet of her creative powerhouse. In this episode, Kym opens up about navigating the business with grace and grit — from managing self-tapes and raising a family to launching an actor-focused education platform. She talks coaching, casting, demo reels (the good, the bad, and the too-long), and how she landed a dream pilot that never made it past COVID. It’s a goldmine of insight for any working actor. FREE CLASS AT SAS: https://secretactor.com/pages/free-journey-4b ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Opening 02:45 – Todd & Jay intro banter: heatwaves and actor gigs 07:00 – Welcome Kym Jackson: Aussie beginnings 11:20 – Big credits and global acting career 15:30 – Life in Atlanta with husband Andrew Steele 18:15 – Acting with a kid: family-work balance 22:00 – Demo reel critiques: what works and what’s too much 27:40 – Secret Actor Society: the backstory 32:00 – Coaching actors through pandemic pivots 37:15 – Casting insights: reel length, slates, and self-tapes 42:10 – Building a searchable video knowledge base 47:20 – “The pilot that got COVID-canceled” 51:40 – How to brand yourself as an actor 56:10 – Real talk: career dry spells and mental health 1:01:00 – Keeping up with changing industry norms 1:06:30 – Working with agents & managers 1:10:00 – Tips for international actors in LA 1:14:50 – The value of video coaching and templates 1:19:30 – Rapid-fire questions: auditions, fails & lessons 1:25:10 – Reflecting on Secret Actor Society’s growth 1:29:45 – Todd’s nerd-out moment: structured actor tools 1:34:00 – Jay’s favorite rants & actor myths 1:39:10 – Kym on future dreams and helping actors 1:44:20 – Jay & Todd wind down the convo 1:47:10 – Final takeaways and gratitude 1:50:20 – Outro and what’s next 💬 Join the Conversation What resonated with you in Kym’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tag us on socials with your takeaways! 🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW 🎧 Full Podcast & More: 🤩 Facebook: 📸 Instagram: 🌍 Kim’s Instagram: 🌍 Secret Actor Society: 💫 TODD: 💫 JAY: 📣 Hashtags #acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #act #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #SecretActorSociety #selftapes #demoReels #actingcoach #castingdirectors /episode/index/show/d9377ff9-3325-4c5d-8f50-6e88a048762c/id/37412775

🍿13 | Final Destination: Bloodlines — Unlucky Sequel or Bloody Good Fun? • OFFstage ONscreen 07/03/2025

🎙️Ep 054 | BONUSODE: Motivation for When You’ve Got None 07/01/2025

🎙️Ep 054 | BONUSODE: Motivation for When You’ve Got None Today’s episode is a little different — it’s just Todd and Jay, mic’d up and mood-swinging their way through one of those actor chats that starts with “I’m not feeling it” and ends with “okay, I’ve got a little fire back.” In this candid bonus conversation, Todd and Jay explore the ebb and flow of motivation in an actor’s life — why it disappears, how to rediscover it, and the tools they’ve each developed to stay (or get back) on track. From inner drive to outer community, yoga hacks to time-blocking, and even the occasional black hole of self-doubt, this is a brutally honest and refreshingly funny reflection on the ups and downs of creative energy. Whether you’re smashing auditions or stuck in the “meh,” this episode is for every actor who's ever felt a little lost in the grind. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Opening 01:40 – “I’m just not feeling it today” 03:00 – Losing motivation and why it happens 05:15 – Why actors need inner motivation 07:40 – Jay’s “bliss-based” discipline hack 10:30 – Todd on how the body seeks pleasure 13:20 – No money, no validation — just love of the work 15:45 – The unpredictable nature of actor life 17:30 – Yoga, chakras, and the motivation pyramid 20:10 – Balancing survival with creative readiness 22:30 – The curse of missed opportunities 24:00 – Todd’s big casting miss while abroad 26:00 – Community as a motivator 28:00 – Why Todd got active in the union 29:40 – Surround yourself with other actors 31:00 – Jay’s take: finding inner motivation 33:10 – Community vs. discipline — which drives you? 35:30 – Creating purpose from within 38:00 – Tangible tips for everyday motivation 40:00 – Rebuilding your tribe post-pandemic 42:00 – Inner food vs. outer support 44:30 – Why actors need both solo and ensemble energy 46:00 – Wrap-up and final thoughts 💬 Join the Conversation What resonated with you in this BONUSODE? Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tag us on socials with your takeaways! 🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW 🎧 Full Podcast & More: 🤩 Facebook: 📸 Instagram: 💫 TODD: 💫 JAY: 📣 Hashtags #acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #act #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #motivation #innerdrive #actorcommunity #selfdiscipline #creativeblock /episode/index/show/d9377ff9-3325-4c5d-8f50-6e88a048762c/id/37235155

🍿12 | MI: The Final Reckoning (2025) — Is This the Final Cruise? • OFFstage ONscreen 06/26/2025

🍿11 | Gene Hackman — A Career Like No Other • OFFstage ONscreen 06/20/2025

🎙️Ep 053 | Brendan McNamara: From Child Roles to Casting Roles 06/10/2025

🍿10 | Last Breath (2024) — Edge-of-Your-Seat Thriller or Deep Sea Snooze? • OFFstage ONscreen 05/29/2025

🍿09 | The Brutalist (2024) — Art-House Triumph or Architectural Overkill? • OFFstage ONscreen 05/22/2025

🎙️Ep 052 | Alexa Morden: Actor, Advocate & Voice of the 98% 05/20/2025

🍿08 | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2024) — A Rom-Com Revival or Rewrite We Didn’t Need? • OFFstage ONscreen 05/15/2025

🍿07 | September 5th (2024) — Intimate Indie or Missed Opportunity? • OFFstage ONscreen 05/08/2025

🎙️Ep 051 | Kezia Burrows: Welsh-Born, RADA-Trained, Game-Changing Actor 04/22/2025

🎙️ Ep 050 | 50th Episode Spectacular! 🎉 04/15/2025

🍿06 | Babygirl (2024) — Seductive Cinema or Shallow Shock? • OFFstage ONscreen 03/20/2025

🎙️ Ep 049 | Jason Baughan: From The Old Globe to Side Global, It's a Games of Roles 03/18/2025

🎙️ Ep 049 | Jason Baughan: From The Old Globe to Side Global, It's a Games of Roles Today’s guest is Jason Baughan - a classically trained actor whose journey from the West End stage to directing cinematic storytelling in major video games is nothing short of epic. In this episode, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum welcome the multi-talented Jason Baughan (yes, that’s “Baughan,” not “Bourne”) for a spirited dive into his career evolution. Trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Jason started with a love of Shakespeare and a West End run in the Olivier-winning Sunny Afternoon, where he went from guitar player to live stage drummer in front of 900 people. Eventually, burnout pushed him toward a surprising pivot — directing voice performance in major video games like Assassin’s Creed and The Witcher. Jason talks about why actor-directors bring something special to the booth, how storytelling works differently in games, and why leaving the stage wasn’t a step back but a step toward something new. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Opening 02:00 – Jay’s packing panic for India 04:30 – Todd’s amateur dramatic debut 06:10 – Jason Baughan or Jason Bourne? 07:45 – Baughan’s Guildhall roots 09:00 – Theatre life and Olivier wins 10:40 – Playing drums live on West End 12:30 – Burnout and career redirection 14:15 – The “Sunny Afternoon” cast switch 16:00 – What makes a good show sour 17:50 – Discovering voice direction 19:10 – Skills actors bring to directing 21:00 – Working on Assassin’s Creed 22:30 – The Witcher voice secrets 24:40 – Directing performance in games 26:20 – Why story matters in gameplay 28:00 – Loving the collaborative process 30:30 – Actor-director dynamics 32:15 – Jay and Jason’s past projects 34:00 – Todd’s accidental name flub 35:10 – Why Jason still calls himself an actor 36:40 – Getting real about identity shifts 39:00 – Final thoughts and actor wisdom 💬 Join the Conversation What resonated with you in Jason’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tag us on socials with your takeaways! 🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW 🎧 Full Podcast & More: 🤩 Facebook: 📸 Instagram: 🌍 Jason Baughan 🎭 IMDb: 🎙️ Twitter: 🎮 Side Global: 💫 TODD: 💫 JAY: 📣 Hashtags #acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #act #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #videogames #voiceacting #gamedevelopment #actingcareer #Shakespeare #AAAgames #Guildhall #AssassinsCreed #TheWitcher /episode/index/show/d9377ff9-3325-4c5d-8f50-6e88a048762c/id/35729930

🎙️ Ep 048 | Rob Cairns: From Oxford Stage to Audio Page - Why He Walked Away from Acting 03/11/2025

🎙️ Ep 048 | Rob Cairns: From Oxford Stage to Audio Page - Why He Walked Away from Acting Sometimes an actor goes through all of the training and all of the courses and pays all their dues and does very well and enjoys the education and the process… and then steps out into the bright lights of the industry with all its mechanisms and professional trappings, takes a long look around and says: “Meh. You know what? I don't think this is for me. I don't love it.” And today, Todd Kramer and Jay Reum talk to just such an actor. His name is Rob Cairns. But don't worry about good old Rob—he’s landed on his feet. Rob trained at UEA and the Oxford School of Drama, dove deep into the craft, and came out the other side with clarity: the acting life wasn’t his forever path. Instead, he pivoted into a life behind the mic—becoming an audiobook producer and founding Voice Reel London, where he now helps actors and voice artists craft high-quality showreels and narration work. Jay and Todd recently collaborated with Rob on an audiobook project, and in this episode, they talk all things training, transitions, self-awareness, and sound waves. It’s a real look at how one actor stepped back from center stage—and found a new way to perform. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Opening 03:00 – When actors realize acting isn’t “it” 06:30 – Rob’s acting training and Oxford journey 10:00 – The “smart quitter” mindset 13:00 – What drama school really prepares you for 15:30 – Jay and Todd’s training comparison 18:30 – From actor to audio engineer 22:00 – Founding Voice Reel London 26:00 – Creating voice reels for today’s industry 30:00 – Todd’s audiobook adventures 33:00 – The joys and pains of audiobook narration 36:30 – Rob’s pivot during COVID 40:00 – The audition disillusion 43:00 – Are you cut out for the actor life? 46:00 – Measuring passion vs. practicality 49:00 – What Rob loves about sound production 52:00 – Todd & Jay riff on zodiacs & Aries vibes 56:00 – “Manifesting” your own creative pivot 59:00 – Final thoughts from Rob 💬 Join the Conversation What resonated with you in Rob’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tag us on socials with your takeaways! 🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW 🎧 Full Podcast & More: 🤩 Facebook: 📸 Instagram: 🌍 Rob Cairns: 💫 TODD: 💫 JAY: 📣 Hashtags #acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #act #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #voiceover #audioproduction #dramaschool #actorpivot #oxfordschoolofdrama #voicereels #audiobookproduction #careerchange #voicereellondon #creativecareer /episode/index/show/d9377ff9-3325-4c5d-8f50-6e88a048762c/id/35609330

🍿05 | Maria Callas (2024) — Diva, Drama, and a Daring Performance • OFFstage ONscreen 03/06/2025

🍿04 | A Complete Unknown (2024) — Is Bob Dylan Finally Getting His Due? • OFFstage ONscreen 02/27/2025

🎙️ Ep 047 | Nathan Osgood: Stage Vet, Jazz Cat, Voice Chameleon 02/25/2025

🎙️ Ep 047 | Nathan Osgood: Stage Vet, Jazz Cat, Voice Chameleon Today’s guest is Nathan Osgood, a boundary-blurring actor, voice artist, and jazz musician whose career spans decades and dimensions. Todd Kramer and Jay Reum dive into a lively, layered chat with Nathan, whose life has taken him from East End pubs to Broadway, BBC editing suites to Cyberpunk 2077, and Soho jazz clubs to West End stages. Adopted by a Native American G.I. and raised by a Cockney mum, Nathan’s unique upbringing shaped a chameleon-like versatility that’s made him a standout across mediums. They cover everything from the "hurry up and wait" grind of film sets, to the jazz trio that’s been packing out London pubs for years. With stories about Meryl Streep, Cillian Murphy, and narrating Mark Twain, Nathan keeps it both hilarious and heartfelt. Whether you're a theatre purist, a VO nerd, or someone who just wants to stay creatively lit, this one’s for you. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Opening 03:00 – Meet Nathan Osgood 05:30 – Born British, Raised Mohawk-Cockney 08:00 – From Film Editor to Full-Time Actor 11:30 – Early Acting Days and Big Stage Breaks 14:20 – Jazz Life on the Side 17:00 – Broadway, West End, and the National 20:00 – What Actors Really Remember From Set 24:00 – The Long List of Collaborators 28:30 – Audiobooks and Accents Galore 31:00 – Winning the Earphones Award 34:00 – Lego Star Wars and Cyberpunk Cameos 37:00 – Life as a Voice Actor 40:00 – Mentoring the Next Gen of Performers 43:00 – The Grit and Grind of Staying in the Game 47:00 – Balancing Jazz, Acting, and Family 50:00 – Soho Sets and Sunday Rehearsals 53:00 – Dialects and Character Play 56:00 – Why the Work is Always the Reward 59:00 – Advice for Lifelong Creatives 💬 Join the Conversation What inspired you about Nathan’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tag us on socials with your takeaways! 🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW 🎧 Full Podcast & More: 🤩 Facebook: 📸 Instagram: 🌍 Nathan Osgood: 💫 TODD: 💫 JAY: 📣 Hashtags #acting #actingpodcast #actor #actors #act #actorslife #ToddKramer #JayReum #OffstageActing #voiceacting #jazzguitar #broadwayactor #cyberpunk2077 #audiobooknarrator #marktwain #lego #sohojazz #nathanosgood #creativecareer /episode/index/show/d9377ff9-3325-4c5d-8f50-6e88a048762c/id/35407970

🍿03 | Nosferatu (2024) — Haunting or Just Hollow? • OFFstage ONscreen 02/20/2025

🎙️Ep 046 | Isaac González Rossi: From Miami Heat to Hollywood Cool 02/11/2025

🎙️Ep 045 | Tim Otis: 100 Commercials and Counting 02/04/2025

🎙️Ep 045 | Tim Otis: 100 Commercials and Counting Tim Otis is an actor who has appeared in countless film and TV projects and has done - get this - a staggering 100 commercials. Well, when both your father and stepfather were actors from Hollywood’s golden age, chances are you'll end up somewhere in the entertainment industry. But Tim’s path is far from typical. Based in Prague, he’s also a sought-after DJ, longtime radio presenter, vinyl purist, and passionate advocate for addiction recovery. He’s a dad, a husband, a brother to fellow actor Ted Otis Jr., and (fun fact) the son of an heiress to the Listerine fortune - maybe that's why he always ends up playing some kind of medical professional...? In this episode, Todd Kramer () and Jay Reum catch up with their old friend to hear stories from a life lived boldly across stages, sets, and DJ booths. Tim reflects on the commercial grind, navigating the Czech casting scene, growing up on Hollywood backlots, and how he's found purpose beyond the camera. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Opening 02:10 – Tim Otis intro & career teaser 04:30 – Saving a life at a VO agent party 08:00 – Training for whitewater rescue 11:00 – DJ days in Prague's hottest clubs 13:30 – Booking work in early 2000s Eastern Europe 15:20 – Life as “the commercial guy” 18:00 – Being the CEO, doctor, or clipboard guy 20:40 – Prague’s casting scene then vs now 23:15 – A hundred ads and counting 25:00 – Family legacy: growing up with Clifford David 28:10 – A stepfather’s warning: “The rejection business” 30:00 – Commercials, radio, and vinyl passion projects 33:20 – Loving radio & broadcasting 36:00 – Self-tapes vs in-person castings 38:20 – Regional advice: Prague, Budapest, Sofia 41:10 – Tim’s first acting gig story 43:00 – Day jobs and sustaining the creative hustle 45:30 – A journeyman actor’s mindset 48:00 – Gratitude, preparation & faking confidence 50:30 – Shoutouts, memories, and mutual admiration 52:00 – Outro & final thoughts 💬 Join the Conversation What resonated with you in Tim’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tag us on socials with your takeaways! 🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW 🎧 Full Podcast & More: 🤩 Facebook: 📸 Instagram: 🌍 Guest Links: 💫 TODD: 💫 JAY: /episode/index/show/d9377ff9-3325-4c5d-8f50-6e88a048762c/id/35108940

044: RICARDO CAMACHO - Theatre Director and Co-Founder of Teatro Libre in Bogotá Colombia 01/14/2025

043: BONUSODE - “BEYOND” • Happy New Year! from the Offstage Acting Podcast with Todd Kramer 12/31/2024

🎙️ Ep 042 | Stephen Wickham: Santa By Trade, Actor By Craft. Every Day Is Christmas 12/17/2024

🎙️ Ep 042 | Stephen Wickham: Santa By Trade, Actor By Craft. Every Day Is Christmas Ho ho hold on to your caps boys and girls, gather round and meet Stephen Wickham, the UK's one-and-only Real Santa. His beard is so real, so lush, so downright jolly that it has its own fan club (with Jay as the self-appointed, president). Stephen doesn't just play Santa. He is Santa. No, really. Just don’t ask about the reindeer. The insurance premiums are enough to make an elf cry. But here's the twist. When he’s not climbing down chimneys or listening to your child ask for a the latest iPhone, Stephen is an actor. A proper actor. We’re talking 40 years of stage-and-screen credits, Christmas commercials, and roles where he wasn’t even required to say "Ho ho ho" (although we bet he did anyway). So join Todd Kramer and Jay Reum as they dive headfirst into Stephen’s Santa-shaped life. They’ll unwrap the myths, sip the eggnog, dodge the tinsel, and discover how one man turned a casting brief into a full-blown sleigh ride of a career and find out how one man makes a living playing Father Christmas when all he ever gets paid in is milk and cookies. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Opening 02:00 – Santa crashes the intro 03:30 – Meet Stephen Wickham 05:10 – Becoming the UK’s real Santa 07:30 – Commercials, movies, and holiday magic 09:45 – Early acting days and first tours 12:15 – Working with Bill Kenwright 14:30 – The beard is real 15:50 – Getting cast in Mrs. Brown's Boys 17:20 – Embracing the Santa niche 19:10 – Acting versus Santa gigs 21:40 – Playing the "big guy" roles 23:00 – Childhood inspirations and early performances 25:30 – Life on the road with Joseph 28:00 – The craft of repetition and performing 30:15 – Actor grind: travel, trains, and tinsel 32:00 – Family legacy in film industry 34:20 – From Darth Vader to Father Christmas 36:30 – The real Santa’s website 38:00 – Joy in performance 40:00 – Audience reactions and holiday spirit 42:00 – Staying grounded and grateful 44:00 – Closing thoughts from Santa 💬 Join the Conversation What resonated with you in Stephen’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments — or tag us on socials with your takeaways! 🔗 CONNECT & FOLLOW 🎧 Full Podcast & More: 🤩 Facebook: 📸 Instagram: 🌍 Guest: 💫 TODD: 💫 JAY: /episode/index/show/d9377ff9-3325-4c5d-8f50-6e88a048762c/id/34465660

041: LAURENCE BOUVARD - Actor • Offstage Acting Podcast with Todd Kramer 12/10/2024

040: DAVID FELLOWES - Actor • Offstage Acting Podcast with Todd Kramer 11/26/2024

Offstage Acting

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