Behind the Curtain: Acting, Auditions & The Entertainment Industry

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, I sit down with award-winning playwright, director, actor, and Artistic Director of Project: Humanity, Andrew Kushnir. We explore Andrew's journey into theatre, what first inspired him to become a storyteller, and how he's built a career creating socially engaged work that resonates with audiences across Canada and beyond. Our conversation dives into Canadian...

Are you an actor, filmmaker, or creative waiting for the perfect opportunity, bigger budget, or industry connection before pursuing your goals? In this episode of Behind the Curtain, we explore why success often comes from creating your own opportunities and how adopting a resourceful mindset can help you move your career forward, no matter where you're starting. Joining me is Taz Garcia—actor, wr...

If you're an actor, filmmaker, creator, or creative entrepreneur trying to understand how PR and media actually work in the entertainment industry, this episode is for you. Public relations can make or break a project, but knowing when to hire a PR firm, how media coverage really works, and what makes a story worth pitching is something most creatives are never taught. This week on Behind the Curt...

Getting an agent is one of the most searched questions in the acting industry, and most of the advice out there is vague, outdated, or written by people who have never actually signed an actor. This episode gives performers at every stage an honest, inside look at what representation actually requires and what most actors are getting wrong. Talent agent Warren Belle of Henharp Management joins me...

Rejection is part of the acting industry, but nobody prepares you for how heavy it really gets. This episode gives actors an honest, unfiltered look at the experiences that rarely get talked about and the mindset it takes to keep going. Actor Pony Nicole Herauf joins me for one of the most open conversations I've had on this show, covering the rejections, the resilience, and the quiet moments that...

Most actors underestimate their voice, and it's costing them in the audition room. This episode gives actors practical tools to build vocal confidence, approach dialect work, and use their instrument as the powerful asset it actually is. Voice and dialect coach Joy Juckes joins me to break down how to find your authentic voice, build confidence as a performer, and use dialect training to expand yo...

If you're an actor wondering whether the sacrifices are worth it, you're not alone, and nobody talks about that part enough. This episode gives working and emerging actors a real look at what pursuing this career actually costs, and what keeps you going anyway. Actor Samantha Brown joins me to share the unglamorous truth about what the pursuit really looks like, the pivots, the moments of doubt, a...

Trying to build an acting career without a clear roadmap is exhausting, and most training programs won't tell you what they're actually preparing you for. This episode gives emerging actors an honest breakdown of what training is really worth and how to build something that lasts. Acting coach and industry veteran Jeff Clarke joins me to talk about what acting training actually prepares you for, h...

If you're an actor feeling stuck, overwhelmed by auditions, or unsure how to actually build a sustainable acting career, you're not alone. So many performers struggle in silence because the entertainment industry often feels confusing, competitive, and hard to navigate without real guidance or honest conversations. In this first episode of Behind the Curtain, I’m introducing the intention behind t...

If you're an actor or creative who's tired of highlight reels and wants honest conversations about what the entertainment industry actually looks like, you just found your podcast. This show exists to give you the real picture, the wins, the hard parts, and the stories nobody else is telling. I'm Anastasia Pioro, and every episode I sit down with actors, casting directors, voice coaches, headshot...