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Natalie Portman

Erin Cummings on That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

085: Erin Cummings (LIVE From LA)

085: Erin Cummings (LIVE From LA) 1500 750 Alyshia Ochse

Discovering Artistic Strength: We Create the Reality We Live In

That One Audition Live from Los Angeles with Erin Cummings.  We dive into the deep and gritty aspects of sex in auditions and on set, being a local hire, getting screwed on contracts, and not wanting to be just good enough.  You want honest and real, this one pulls back the curtain on all the things this industry does to make your head spin and gives you tangible ways to not only survive in it but also thrive in it!

Erin Cummings is a graduate of the University of North Texas, with a degree in Journalism. Cummings began her professional acting career, when she was spotted by an L.A. talent scout, while performing in community theater near Dallas. Cummings later went on to study Shakespeare at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, preparing her for her future roles as “Lady Macbeth” and “Queen Gertrude” in the Santa Susana Repertory Theater Company’s productions of “Macbeth” and “Hamlet”, respectively.

Most recently seen as “Sura”, the Thracian wife of “Spartacus” in the Starz original action-adventure drama series, Spartacus (2010). She also had a recurring role on Matthew Weiner‘s Emmy Award-winning AMC series, Mad Men (2007). She was seen, alongside Martin Lawrence, in Universal Studios’ Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins (2008). On TV, Cummings was a series regular on the second season of Dante’s Cove (2004), on the Here! Network. Her other television work includes a guest lead turn on Cold Case (2003), a recurring role on Dollhouse (2009), and appearances on Nip/Tuck (2003), Star Trek: Enterprise (2001), Threshold (2005) and Charmed (1998).

Erin is the founder of “Mittens For Detroit”, a community initiative whose sole purpose is to collect and distribute new gloves and mittens to children and adults in the city of Detroit.

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Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“We are so lucky as artists because we can create the reality that we live in.”

“As good as it feels to believe the good stuff that people write, if you believe the good stuff you gotta believe the bad stuff, and all of it is bullshit and none of it matters.”

Ian Verdun on That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

083: Ian Verdun

083: Ian Verdun 1500 750 Alyshia Ochse

Today we are chatting with Ian Verdun, an actor and playwright, seen most recently on Freeform’s hit show SIREN. Ian was born and raised right here in Los Angeles, and graduated from Cal Arts where he studied acting, and also used much his time away from the stage writing his own plays. Today, he candidly shares his journey, from struggling to pay for school, to grinding in New York with multiple side jobs, all the way to booking his big break on SIREN.

He generously shares his insight on the expanding diversity dialogue within the industry, how things have changed since he was stuck playing bit parts throughout school, and how, as a storyteller, he feels characters can and should be depicted by artists from every background.

Verdun’s past performances have been described as “brimming with grit and honesty” by Backstage, “quirkily charming” by Variety, and “finely nuanced” by LA Weekly. He has also been hailed by Stage Scene LA as the “brightest stage discovery of 2011”.
Ian continues to cut his teeth on the stages of New York and Los Angeles, along with writing and producing several plays himself. After appearing on ABC’s Last Resort, TNT’s Hawthorne and FOX’s Lucifer, Ian threw his energy into his own television creation, Life’s A Drag. Following years of experiencing the lackluster opportunities for diverse entertainers, Life’s A Drag went on to win a number of awards in the burgeoning web festival circuit, including a special award for recognition in diversity.

 

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Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“All the things we perceive as anger and we perceive as aggression actually come from a place of pain and actually come from a place of vulnerability.”

“You need to take responsibility for your talent. Don’t put that responsibility on other people to recognize that you’re talented…”

VIDEOS:

Ben Lawson on That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

057: Ben Lawson

057: Ben Lawson 1500 750 Alyshia Ochse

This conversation with Ben Lawson is true look inside a working actors highs and lows; how long it can take for a casting director to find that perfect project for you, his first experience on the set of a huge movie, and what it feels like to lose your confidence and then gain it back in spades. Sometimes it might take 6 months in New York City to shift your focus, to unblock the fear around auditioning and booking and trust in your own artistry. This conversation is about the journey in an actors career, not about the destination.

Ben Lawson is an Australian film and television actor best known for his portrayal Damien Rennett in ABC’s “Designated Survivor,” Netflix’s hit series “13 Reasons Why,” as Coach Rick, and “The Deep End.” He has guest starred and featured in various shows, including “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23,” “Grim,” “Billions,” “Modern Family,” iZombie,” “Love Child,” and “Secrets & Lies.” He began his 26 year career in the popular Australian soap opera “Neighbours.”

Tune in

Listen On iTunes

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“The waiting is the hardest part.”

“Something has to shift, so I’m going to shift myself. I got on a plane and went to another city, the only other city in America where you really can properly pursue a career in acting.”

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ALYSHIA OCHSE

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

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