Criminal Minds

Kirsten Vangsness on That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

Kirsten Vangsness
Kirsten Vangsness 1920 960 Alyshia Ochse

Kirsten Vangsness has been widely known as the bespectacled-brainy-tech-kitten Penelope Garcia on the CBS hit drama “Criminal Minds” (and its spin-off “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” and “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders”). She has long been a fan favorite, beloved for her vibrant personality and quirky style. Most recently “Criminal Minds” was re-imagined for Paramount+ and picked up for its second season on the streamer, making that a grand total of 17 seasons and counting for the iconic series. Kirsten has been a staple in homes across the world for over 18 years. Alongside starring in the series, she has co-written five episodes for the procedural series, including the series finale, alongside showrunner Erica Messer.

Kirsten was selected to present her one-woman show, “MESS,” and ensemble production of “Cleo, Theo and Wu” on the international stage at the prestigious 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of her FEMPIRE series. Her collection of shows cultivate power within the feminine self on a stage, and empower others to find their light and create opportunities for all women to shine.

She has enjoyed a long and varied career, which includes being a longtime member and former president of Hollywood’s Theatre of Note’s Artistic Board. Her stage work has garnered the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Natalie Schafer Award for best emerging comic actress, the 15 Minutes of Fem Best Actress Award, and a Garland Award for best actress for the West Coast premiere of Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig at the Geffen Playhouse.

Kirsten is originally from Porterville, CA and graduated from California State University, Fullerton. She currently resides in Los Angeles, and can currently be seen weekly on her Youtube show: Kirsten’s Agenda.

Resources

LINKS:
CREDITS: 
  • Criminal Minds
  • Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
  • Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior
  • Stuck
  • Dave Made a Maze
  • Kill Me, Deadly
  • Diani & Devine Meet the Apocalypse
  • The Chicago 8
  • LAX
  • Phil of the Future
THAT ONE AUDITION’S LINKS:

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EPISODE CREDITS:
  • WRITER: Erin McCluskey
  • WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
  • ASSISTANT: Elle Powell
  • SOCIAL OUTREACH: Alara Ceri

090: Beau Garrett
090: Beau Garrett 1500 750 Alyshia Ochse

Broaden Your Community and Keep the Faith

Beau Garrett is an American actress and model born in Los Angeles, CA and grew up in Topanga Canyon where she rode horses and was a competitive equestrian. She began her career appearing in GUESS advertisements in the late 1990s after being discovered by an Elite modeling agent at age fourteen. She first appeared on TV in the hit show Entourage in 2004 and made her feature film debut in the horror film Turistas (2006). She later portrayed Captain Raye in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) and Gem in Tron: Legacy (2010).

Garrett would later appear as a regular on the television series Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (2011) with Forest Whitaker. She played Phoebe in the hit Bravo series Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce and In 2017 she signed onto the ABC series The Good Doctor.

Tune in

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Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“If you have expectation, it’s gonna burn you. The thing you think is gonna be the thing isn’t the thing.”

“There really is no small role…you feel like you’re small all the time, but you’re not. These roles matter.”

047: Rebecca Field
047: Rebecca Field 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

Rebecca Field is an actress and director best known for her roles as Lacey on Lifetime’s “The Client List,” starring alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt, Janet on the ABC drama “October Road,” and her portrayal as Jane Gould in “Criminal Minds.” She had a recurring role on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Kittens in a Cage.” Field has guest starred on numerous television shows, including TNT’s “Hawthorne,” “NCIS: LA,” “Castle,” “Mike & Molly,” “Drop Dead Diva,” and “Monk.” Most recently, she guest starred in David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks,” and “Movie Nights.” Be sure to watch Rebecca in the upcoming Gus Van Sant film “Don’t Worry He Won’t Get Far On Foot,” starring Joaquin Phoenix as John Callahan, and “A Star Is Born,” with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.

In this conversation we hear how she protects herself as an actor and champions for herself, how she found her agency and her confidence, and how hypnotherapy and a vision board helped land her first series regular on ABC show “October Road”.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

 

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“Go big or go home. Either get there and do it big or don’t bother doing it at all.”

“I do think there is a fine line between being like overly obsessive and hounding agents every five seconds, or just being an advocate for yourself and for your own career and staying on top of things.”

“When it’s your coverage and your turn, also, go for it. Take your moment, and do the great things you know you’re capable of.”

 

Videos:

037: Bodhi and Jenna Elfman
037: Bodhi and Jenna Elfman 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

A wonderful, hilarious “Looking Back” episode with the KICKING & SCREAMING PODCAST duo and married couple Jenna and Bodhi Elfman as they describe the audition where they first met and Bodhi’s successful pick-up line. Jenna Elfman then shares her most memorable audition where she took the opportunity to kiss George Clooney even though the scene didn’t call for it. Bodhi reminisces about his unforgettable meeting with the Coen brothers and the audition that will haunt him forever.

Currently, Jenna and Bodhi Elfman have a hilarious R-rated podcast called Kicking and Screaming where they candidly discuss love, marriage, and annoyance. Jenna is working on the upcoming season of FEAR OF THE WALKING DEAD.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“Kicking and Screaming by Jenna and Bodhi Elfman is filmed, R-rated podcast all about love, marriage and annoyance…not in that order.”

“My motto is that I enjoy life. I think there’s kind of a simplicity to that way of thinking.” Jenna Elfman

“I like the way you make me laugh.” Jenna Elfman

“This is the girl I’m going to marry.” Bodhi Elfman

“I knew I wasn’t going to get the movie, so I thought a kiss would be appropriate to kiss George Clooney.” Jenna Elfman

“I will probably never have an opportunity to be in bed with George Clooney, so I wonder if I can weave a kissing moment into this scene.” Jenna Elfman

“Jenna and I met at a callback for a Sprite commercial audition and I knew this is the girl I am going to marry.” Bodhi Elfman

“I gave her the best line I could think, ‘You look exactly like my girlfriend, can I have your headshot?’…” Bodhi Elfman

VIDEOS:

035: Toni Trucks
035: Toni Trucks 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse
Toni Trucks started early in this business of acting, dancing and singing with a goal in mind…to be on Broadway.  But how she achieved that goal came with a tenacious spirit and openness of saying yes to opportunities placing her in front of the decision makers.  This interview will inspire you to say YES to all opportunities and teach you how to manifest your dream job.  Toni gives practical insight on how to handle disappointment in the predictably unpredictable industry.  The Organized Actor Book has taught Toni how to effectively take control of her business and stretch each year as an artist.  Toni has been working as an actress the majority of her life and shares intimate details of some of her most successful auditions to how she handles heartbreak and ego.
Toni Trucks is currently a series regular on the hit CBS show SEAL TEAM.  She is best known for her work in the Showtime series BARBERSHOP, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN-PART 2, FRANKLIN & BASH, and MUSIC & LYRICS.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“Alliteration is key.”

“Toni Trucks, TT, everyone always told me you’re either a wrestler or a striper.”

“I started working right away because I was very tenacious.”

“I would do one new thing a year, that was always my goal.”

“That’s the exciting thing about theater, every gets in there and you’re having this experience as a family.”

“I was really in the habit of learning things very quickly.”

“I had not seen the movie Barbershop before my audition.”

“I call Pat McCorkle every year on the anniversary of the Barbershop audition and thank her.”

“I wrote myself a letter that I was suppose to open if I didn’t get the part.”

“It was hard because in the moment you feel so big but it is appropriate to make yourself feel a little small.”

“It was like who was going to win the lottery.”

“If its meant for you, it will be there for you.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“Even though I was a lead on a TV show, I couldn’t break myself out of the mindset of hustle.”

“As a performer we are predictably unpredictable.”

“Prepare for the worst because you know you can always handle the best.”

“When I didn’t have lines in Twilight, it re-invigorated my appetite for lines. It reminded me of what I wanted.”

“Mirror work; manifesting the things that you want.”

“I can’t tell you how and I can’t tell you when, but everything is going to be okay.”

“Your work saves you.”

“Trusting what is yours will come to you.”

“You are an actor, you are the sum of your experiences.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“If you love your job and your craft more than you are uncomfortable, press on!” | CLICK TO TWEET

 

VIDEOS:

026: Sean Carrigan
026: Sean Carrigan 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

Sean Carrigan is a former professional boxer turned stand-up comedian, actor and producer. Sean has appeared in numerous films, television shows and commercials, including the television movie, “Call Me Crazy,” starring opposite Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and directed by Ashley Judd. He has guest starred in the series, “Modern Family,” “The Closer,” “Hart of Dixie”, “The Event” and “The Young and the Restless.” Carrigan appeared in the Tyler Perry film, “Single Mom’s Club,” where he played the love interest of Wendy McClendon-Covey, and in the romantic comedy “Strangely in Love,” directed by Sundance Award-winning director Amin Matalqa.

Sean is also a comedian and co-founder of the production company Woodhead Entertainment, which focuses on original shorts, branded media and feature films. With Woodhead Entertainment, Carrigan contributes as both a producer and actor. His comedic performance as Brett Favre in the viral parody hit, “Brett Favre: Rise – What should I do?” gained over 4 million online views and has garnered him great reviews. Carrigan can be seen doing stand-up comedy all over Los Angeles and in other cities in the US and Canada.

Currently, Sean is Stitch on “The Young and the Restless” and Coach Rafferty on the Critics Choice Nominated hit Netflix original show “American Vandal”.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“Put Down My Boxing Gloves and Picked Up My Heart. How Comedy Led Me To embrace my failures.”
“Stand up comedy turned my acting career around and changed my life.”
“Doing stand up comedy gave me a different way to look at things. I was able to laugh at my failures.”
“Read Steve Martin’s book BORN STANDING UP and learned that he had bombed thousands of times. There was something inside me that said I had to try.” | CLICK TO TWEET
“I have this need to get on stage and be heard.”
“There is something about this thrill or rush, you either win big or get your ass beat.” | CLICK TO TWEET
“No matter what, you have to be easy to work with and bring something to the table.”
“There is no experience like EXPERIENCE.”
“Get up on stage and know that you are going to bomb.”
“In Stand Up, you have about 30 seconds to a minute to let the audience understand that they can trust that you know what you are doing.” | CLICK TO TWEET
“I don’t censor myself but I try to stay true to what is me.”
“I’m good at making fun of myself.”

 

VIDEOS:

024: Brianna Brown
024: Brianna Brown 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

Minnesota-born Brianna Brown began acting in elementary school and local community productions. After high school she journeyed to Hollywood to pursue an acting career full-time. She snagged a part in the pilot show for Judd Apatow’s quirky, fondly remembered series Freaks and Geeks. From there she got parts in several theatrical features, mostly comedies, and in 2004 secured a part in Spider-Man 2. She worked steadily over the next few years, playing everything from a farmer’s wife to a killer of zombies (Night of the Living Dead 3D), and worked again for Apatow in two more of his comedies, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.

She also kept busy with guest-starring roles on some of the top series on TV, such as CSI: Miami, Without a Trace, Smallville and had a memorable turn as a serial-killing call girl in Criminal Minds. She had a long-running part on the soap General Hospital as Dr. Lisa Miles.

Outside the film industry, she has been involved in giving women the opportunity to empower themselves financially, co-founding the “Green Goddess Investment Club” and starting the organization empowering accountable, goal setting women called THE NEW HOLLYWOOD to “Rise up, Shine Brighter and Give Back”.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

 

Resources

LINKS:

 

QUOTES:

“You couldn’t google how to be an actor when I was teenager.”
“Ignorance is bliss and I had nothing to lose.”
“Having a theater background helped me to not worry about what I looked like. It was about the acting, not looking pretty.”
“How I saw myself and how other people saw me was really different.”
“I felt like my sexuality was a dance.”
“I was coined the best villain on General Hospital.”
“I’m very empathetic and I could feel the pressure of is she going to deliver.”
“I was the network dummy and I wasn’t suppose to get the role.”
“Actors need to wrap their heads around the business of acting monetarily.” | CLICK TO TWEET
“Actors are like stock share, but it’s not personal when you get traded or cashed in.”
“The New Hollywood changes the way women help and support each other.”
“The guide book “Manifesting YOUR Mission” reframes how we see obstacles.”
“Actors need to be smart with their money, making your funds last for a long time.”
“Many actors have limiting beliefs around money and that limits their growth in the business.”
“Get really clear on your WHY. Create on your WHY.” | CLICK TO TWEET

 

VIDEOS:

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ALYSHIA OCHSE

Los Angeles-based actress, bestselling author, host of That One Audition podcast, entrepreneur, & mother.

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