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stephanie koenig on that one audition with alyshia ochse

Stephanie Koenig
Stephanie Koenig 1920 1080 Alyshia Ochse

Actor, writer, and director Stephanie Koenig (kay-nig), is quickly making a name for herself in the entertainment industry through the dynamic characters she brings to life on screen. This year Koenig can be seen starring in FX’s highly anticipated, brand new comedy series “English Teacher,” created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez. The show follows Evan (Alvarez) a high school English teacher who, along with his fellow teachers, is trying to balance the competing demands of the students and their parents in a world where the rules seem to change every day. Koenig is a standout as Gwen Sanders, an eager, optimistic history teacher who is Evan’s best friend and closest confidant. Koenig also holds writer credits on the series penning episode 102 entitled “Powderpuff.” “English Teacher” is slated to premiere on September 2, 2024 with episodes releasing weekly on FX, while also streaming on Hulu.

Also in television, Koenig starred in the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ limited series “Lessons in Chemistry,” alongside Brie Larson. Based on the bestselling novel by Bonnie Garmus, Koenig shone as Fran Frask, a powerful secretary at Hastings lab who leads personnel with a snarky, know-it-all wit. “Lessons in Chemistry” was met with critical acclaim upon debut, with press calling it “ a wholly enjoyable watch” (Guardian), “enjoyable, gorgeously designed” (Boston Globe), and “undeniably affecting” (Empire). It also proved to be a major awards season contender, earning nominations for Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for TV at the 2024 Golden Globes, Best Limited Series at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, and Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series at the 2024 Emmy Awards. Additional notable acting credits for Koenig include her role in the Paramount+ limited series “The Offer” opposite Miles Teller, in which she portrayed real-life casting executive Andrea Eastman as she helped assemble the iconic cast of “The Godfather,” and HBO Max’s award nominated series “The Flight Attendant.”

Behind the camera Koenig wrote, starred in, directed, produced, and edited the action-comedy parody “A Spy Movie” alongside frequent collaborator Brian Jordan Alvarez, who she will reunite with in “English Teacher.” She is also responsible for the hit short-form series “Stupid Idiots” a television adaptation that was in development at Paramount TV with Michael Sugar and Jonathan Krisel attached to produce. Born and raised in Michigan, Koenig got her start as a performer at a young age in dance competitions, and earned an acting degree from Michigan State University. She is an Upright Citizens Brigade and Groundlings alumna where she honed her craft in comedy, and frequently collaborates with various stalwarts from both.

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EPISODE CREDITS:
  • WRITER: Erin McCluskey
  • WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
  • ASSISTANT: Elle Powell
  • SOCIAL OUTREACH: Alara Ceri
001 Terrence Terrell on That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

Terrence Terrell
Terrence Terrell 1500 750 Alyshia Ochse

Time And Fear Are Liars: It’s Your Timeline

Emmy Award-winning actor, Terrence Terrell, can currently be seen as a series regular on the new Chuck Lorre comedy for CBS, B POSITIVE, opposite Thomas Middleditch (SILICON VALLEY) and Annaleigh Ashford (MASTERS OF SEX). Terrence plays a high-energy, former NFL player who is coping with his fading fame while in dialysis alongside Middleditch. The show premiered on November 5th, 2020 alongside CBS fan-favorites, YOUNG SHELDON and MOM, and reviews praised the “scene-stealing” ensemble cast (THR, Fienberg) reminiscent of Chuck Lorre’s other successful multi-cam hits. The series was recently picked-up for a full season order. Previously, Terrence has appeared on BOSCH for Amazon, ROOM 104 for HBO, BATWOMAN for CW, THE FIRST WIVES CLUB for BET, as well as Issa Rae’s GIANTS, for which he won his Daytime Emmy for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Drama Series” in 2019.

He’s also widely known for his recurring character of “Motaur” on the 2019 & 2020 Progressive commercials. Up next, he can be seen in Jamie Foxx’s feature directorial debut, ALL STAR WEEKEND, playing LeBron James. Terrence will also be writing and directing an animated short, SKIN DEEP, which will tackle mental health, colorism, and what it means for a little Black boy living in this world today through the vehicle of animation. Terrence is partnering with Emmy-winning producer, Anthony Hemingway (THE PEOPLE V. OJ SIMPSON) and Six Point Harness (HAIR LOVE, GUAVA ISLAND), to bring the animated short to life. This story is based off his own dealings with mental health and colorism and is in conjunction with his self-published children’s book series that include titles of BLACKY, THE SHES, THE CROWN KIDS and MY LITTLE BLACK BOOK. The books promote Black beauty, inclusion, and self-love, which are Terrence’s driving forces.

Additionally, in 2019, Terrence began releasing his own music. He currently can be heard across all major streaming platforms and has more music on the way. Terrence is also passionate about mentorship, as he serves as the Head Mentor for Tina Knowles Lawson and Richard Lawson’s WACO Theater and “Angels and Warriors” non-profit organization, which were founded to empower young, underprivileged millennial students to experience and accomplish their dreams in arts and entertainment. Terrence is an extremely talented multi-hyphenate with a joy for life that shines on all he comes in contact with. He currently has many exciting projects in the works.

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“Your recovery as an actor is more important than your rejection.”

“Time is a liar. Fear is a liar. No matter what, you create your own timeline.”

“The only reason it’s scary is because it’s new.”

VIDEOS:

Credits:

  • WRITER: Erin McCluskey
  • SOUND DESIGN: Zachary Jameson
  • WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
  • ASSISTANT: Elle Powell
  • SOCIAL OUTREACH: Bebe Katsenes

073: Chris Geere
073: Chris Geere 1500 750 Alyshia Ochse

Todays conversation is an open, candid, and humorous dialogue with Chris Geere who’s on-screen career began with a Coke Zero commercial in the UK, and ultimately lead him to a series regular role. He talks about getting cut from the final edit of Band of Brothers, how a clever self-tape landed him with an offer to work with M. Night Shyamalan, and honestly shares how even after booking the ever-coveted “series regular role,” he’s finding new depths to what is required of an actor and artist when a life and career changing opportunity comes to an end.

He’s most known for his hilarious and honest portrayal on the hit FXX show, You’re the Worst, as well as his work on Modern Family, After Earth, and in the soon-to-be-released film Detective Pikachu with Ryan Reynolds.

Chris Geere is a British actor born in Cambridge in 1981 and brought up in the Winchester area of Hampshire where his family still lives. He was initially interested in pursuing a career as an artist until a drama teacher encouraged him to play in his school’s production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, whereupon he admits that he was truly bitten by the acting bug. He gained a place at the Guildford School of Acting, winning out over nearly three thousand other applicants. Some time after graduation he had a spell as a bit part player with the Royal Shakespeare Company and since then has become familiar on British television, notably in the school series ‘Waterloo Road.’ In 2017 he moved to the States, appearing in Modern Family and taking the lead in the eccentric comedy drama ‘You’re the Worst.’

 

Tune in

Listen On iTunes

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“I thought of every single audition as “grin and bank it.” If you get the job, you need to think of it in terms of how many months rent is this.”

“I just decided that I’m going to stop trying to be what I think everyone wanted me to be, and just try and be a nice affable person that people would want to work with.”

VIDEOS:

Jackie Seiden on That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

070: Jackie Seiden
070: Jackie Seiden 1500 750 Alyshia Ochse

Today’s guest is a vibrant force of passion and hard work and, for those of you interested in how the world of Broadway works and how it differs from TV and Film, she is a genuine triple threat—From eight shows a week in New York to recurring roles on TV, she’s spent 20 years in this business, putting in the work and thoroughly enjoying every step of the journey.

Jackie Seiden is an actor/singer/writer born in Highland Park, IL. She graduated early Cum Laude from Northwestern University with a Bachelor in Science and a Music Theatre Certificate. After graduating, Jackie moved to New York City and was cast in her dream show, “Hairspray” on Broadway. She was also in the original company of “Good Vibrations” on Broadway, and originated Mary Delgado on the 1st National Tour of “Jersey Boys” along with many other off Broadway productions, tours, regional shows, and worked with greats like Twyla Tharp and Bob Dylan.

After performing as Pinky Tuscadero in Garry Marshall’s production of Happy Days, she moved out to Los Angeles permanently where she met her husband Jason Winer (Director/Producer). Since moving to LA Jackie has worked on many films and television shows (“Jersey Boys” with Clint Eastwood, “New Year’s Eve” with Garry Marshall, ” Jack and Jill,” with Adam Sandler “Christmas Switch,” “The Catch,” “Modern Family,” “Life in Pieces,” etc., and performed all over as a part of the For The Record Live company.

 

Tune in

Listen On iTunes

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“I really believe everyone has talent. It’s just whether or not you have the skin and the tools to deal with the rejection.”

“You don’t know when the next job is coming, you have to trust it’s gonna come. If I told you you’re getting a series regular in twelve months, then the next ten months wouldn’t feel so rough. You just gotta know it’s coming.”

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:

009: Gillian Vigman
009: Gillian Vigman 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

Gillian Vigman deems herself a late bloomer to the acting game, but she has always been an entertainer. She hailed from Second City in Chicago, but didn’t give Los Angeles a try till she was 30 years old. A comedic genius with a self-depricating heart of gold, this woman knows how to make the uncomfortable job of auditioning into a humorous experience for everyone involved. Life has come full circle for Gillian from being taught by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler back in Chicago to now sharing the screen with them. Gillian held down multiple jobs for years to support her craft and find her “special something” that made her stand out from the crowd. Comedy. Life with Gillian is a constant chuckle, even as she journeys down the tragic moments of her career, she does so with such wit and amusement. You don’t want to miss a moment of what might come out of this woman’s mouth. Her story defies the Hollywood idealism of age and success. Her amusing approach to auditions has left an impactful imprint on my heart and to the Hollywood casting gods. Gillian has worked in over 70 television and film projects and countless commercial campaigns. She is most recognizable as “Jack’s wife” in many Jack in the Box commercials and Bradley Cooper’s wife in all the Hangover movies, but also for notable for her membership in the recurring cast of comedians on the sketch series MADtv. Gillian appeared in the critcially acclaimed show Son’s & Daughters, Californication, New Girl, Suburgatory, Parks and Recreation, Dr. Ken, Life in Pieces, and Scrubs.

Gillian currently can be seen in THE HOUSE with Amy Poehler and Will Ferrel, in HBO’s show DIVORCE and new CW show LIFE SENTENCE.

Tune into our interview right HERE

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ALYSHIA OCHSE

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

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