Needed On Set

In this episode, Kenya is joined by the multi-talented Kelly Lauturner. As an actor, writer and lifelong pop-culture enthusiast, Kelly's passion for performance started early, even if it meant crawling around as a dog in a backyard play. Kelly talks about her journey into the world of background, sharing how she balances her part-time work in background acting with a full time career in healthcare...

Kenya welcomes Shameek Cook, a versatile New York-based writer, author, and actor. The conversation begins with Shameek detailing his passionate journey into the world of film and screenwriting, a leap driven by his desire to embrace his true self. He shares the pivotal role of a supportive professor who recognized his gift for writing, and how his writing process continues to grow as he also blos...

Sometimes, what crosses your path may seem accidental, but our guest this week shows us that it just may be a result of staying open to opportunities and utilizing your talents. In this episode, Kenya has the pleasure of welcoming New York-based actor and comedian, Gotham Sharma, who emphasizes the importance of continuous creativity, even during downtime or challenging times such as the writers s...

This week, Kenya is joined by Drea Pierre, an actor based in New York who keeps herself very busy through performing, songwriting and taking care of her mind, body and soul. Drea talks about her start in the music business and how it evolved into on-screen roles. She shares what it was like to land a principal role, and how the experience has been different from background roles for her. Drea and...

It's a spirited episode this week as Kenya welcomes Ira Gamerman, a multi-talented writer, actor and musician. Ira talks about his personal and professional journey, highlighting the transformative growth he's experienced in the acting realm. He also sheds light on the biases faced by background actors and discusses the impact of the strike on mental health and the other various creative outlets a...

In this episode, Kenya is joined by the versatile Amy Fitzgerald, a long-distance runner, social worker, and full-time actor. Amy's transition into acting was driven by a quest for work-life balance while raising young kids. A casting call tailored for runners started her down the trail and led her into the vibrant acting community of the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area. In the con...

It's a fun episode this week as Kenya welcomes Meaghan Beese, an actor, writer, and forever theater kid at heart. Ever since her first Broadway show, Meaghan has been hooked on the world of performance and acting, and she's found a way to make a full time career out of it. In the conversation, Meaghan talks with Kenya about how she got into theater and used her skills to land a role that resulted...

Kenya is joined by Chris Gravely, a Harlem-based actor and aspiring voiceover talent with a passion for all things nerdy and gaming. Chris shares his diverse industry experiences, from stand-in work to BBC documentaries, highlighting the art of becoming different characters and narrating their stories. He talks about his journey into acting, from early background roles to reigniting his career in...

New York based tech professional and side hustler Jeanette Kim likes to embrace life's adventures, whether she jumps into acting and lands on Succession in her first background role, or she's turning vintage vibes into stationery gold. In this episode, she talks with Kenya about the little moments that make background acting all worth it. Acknowledging it's not all sunshine and rainbows, Jeanette...

Renowned actor, accomplished event producer, and world traveler David Negri has spent a lifetime immersed in the captivating narratives of others. Now, a new chapter beckons as he eagerly anticipates sharing his own compelling story. In this week's conversation with Kenya, David opens up about his formative years in the heart of NYC projects, where he was raised as the eldest of three boys by a si...

This week, we get a glimpse into the fascinating world of Bill Dance, a legendary casting director who is also a former Broadway actor and dancer with an impressive resume that includes iconic movies like "A Beautiful Mind," "Fight Club," "Angels & Demons" and "Westworld." In this inspiring episode, Bill shares his journey from acting on screen to casting with an emphasis on background acting, off...

Kenya welcomes the multi-talented New York artist, Mark Benson, a filmmaker, actor, and enthusiastic NYC walker. Mark shares his experiences on popular sets like "Law and Order", "Succession", and "Billions", offering insights on finding his place in the entertainment industry and the importance of following your purpose by first loving your soul. He and Kenya discuss the value of creative express...

We're very thankful Alice Ellis, Casting Director, USC graduate and mom, ended up saying yes to this episode, because it's jam packed with great insider tips and valuable insights. Alice talks with Kenya about why she was initially hesitant to accept the interview and how she overcame her fears. She discusses the nuances between casting for commercials and shows, including the fine line between ba...

This week, Kenya welcomes actor, writer, and podcast host Andrew Benjamin on the show.  Andrew shares how he stumbled into jiu-jitsu through a health and weight loss journey, opening up a new passion in his life for Japanese MMA. He reflects on his early start in acting, highlighting the serendipitous nature of how he entered the acting world despite the challenges of being a college grad. He and...

In this week's episode, casting director, actor, and mom Shauna Earp-Ballinger brings her infectious energy to inspire and uplift actors of all levels. With the attitude of "If you're an actor, own it. Be it. Live it.", Shauna encourages listeners to wholeheartedly embrace their identity and fully commit to their craft, regardless of their role in theater or film, be it primary or background. She...

Meet Car Pelleteri, a Brooklyn native who wears many hats as an actor, visual artist, author, and proud mom. Car passionately shares her lifelong love for acting, which ignited in her during childhood and drove her to pursue her dreams. Kenya and Car bond over the transformative power of healing our inner child, while Car gives us a glimpse into her exciting upcoming projects, including her role i...

Get ready to dive into the world of casting with the legendary Rose Rosen, CSA. Not only is Rose a renowned casting director, but she also hosts a powerful weekly show called "The Craft of Casting." In this episode, Rose sheds light on the relentless hustle and dedicated efforts that casting directors, like herself, put into bringing the best talent to projects. She emphasizes the importance of fo...

Kenya welcomes Katie Timakova, a New Jersey / NYC based talented actress and commercial model. Katie's story is a testament to the power of starting over and following your heart. From her humble beginnings in Russia to her experiences as a shampoo girl, hostess, and even cleaning toilets, Katie reminds us that every step of the journey matters. We discuss the transition from background to princip...

In this episode, casting director and filmmaker Jeff Olan joins us to discuss the ripple effects of the writers strike, the impact of AI on the industry, and how the pandemic transformed the film world. Jeff shares valuable insights on continuous self-improvement, opening doors for opportunities, and the importance of sharpening skills even during industry downtime. Jeff also talks about his backg...

Season 3 is here, bringing a remarkable ensemble of talented actors from New York, sharing their wisdom and stories to help you pursue your own acting dreams and uncover the endless possibilities in background acting. On this episode, host Joergen fills in for Kenya, to extend a warm welcome to Juan Tellez, an experienced actor with an impressive resume in movies, TV, and music videos. Juan candid...

As a dedicated advocate for background casting, Colleen Kenneavy is now using her 14 years of experience to help casting directors embrace new software solutions for their work. She talks with Kenya about the transition from the creative to the technical aspects of casting and the invaluable insights gained from working extensively with diverse communities and professions. Colleen highlights the s...

Whether she's talking with Ben Affleck about mosquitos, casting thousands of extras for a huge blockbuster, or at a town hall meeting standing up for environmental activism, Jodi Purdy-Quinlan is one busy (and sometimes bossy) Boston lady. This week, she joins host Kenya to reveal how she stumbled into casting and to share her insights about her journey from being an actor to a successful casting...

Kenya welcomes Sam Anselmo, Casting Director, Actor, and dog owner. He first shares the fascinating story of getting to Branson, Missouri by way of living in Brazil for seven years, and the acting experience he had while living abroad that still helps him today. Sam talks about launching his own production company, Ozark South Productions, and the lessons he learned from his first film, Pray They...

In this episode, Keema Mingo, a Casting Director, mom, and percussionist, joins Kenya to shed light into the mind of a busy casting director. She explains why you shouldn't waste time on the past and how to embrace the future knowing you probably have more skills than you think. Keema shares how she leveraged the skills she acquired while working in TV news, music videos and commercials to excel i...

In this episode, Kenya welcomes Becca Eisenberg, a cat-loving casting director with more than a decade of experience. At her company Iron Mountain Casting out of Seattle, WA, Becca casts both background and principal roles. Becca speaks about the importance of accessibility as we strive to move towards  true inclusivity, and how she personally was supported by mentors in the early parts of her car...