Next Act with Jeff Ornstein

On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with actor and producer Till Wolter to explore a creative journey that spans theater, film, television, motion capture, voice acting, and producing. Till shares how studying at prestigious institutions like NYU Tisch and the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute shaped his craft, why theater remains an essential foundation for ac...

On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with award-winning actor, screenwriter, director, producer, and longtime SAG-AFTRA leader Marc Baron. Marc shares the remarkable story of how encouragement from Dustin Hoffman and Matthew Broderick inspired him to begin creating his own projects, ultimately leading him to develop award-winning screenplays and independent films. From h...

In this episode of Next Act, Jeff Ornstein sits down with Michael "Buster" McMahon, Creative Director, Playwright, and Producer at West Side Dance Center, whose creative journey has taken him from stand-up comedy stages to community theatre productions, public access television, and original radio plays. Michael shares how a passion for storytelling led him to create the Michael Buster M...

What does it mean to keep creating when success doesn't arrive on someone else's timeline? In this episode of Next Act, Jeff Ornstein sits down with Steve Maiselson, founder of YADDA Productions, whose career has spanned acting, writing, producing, documentary filmmaking, and storytelling for more than four decades. From appearing in projects like Die Hard 2, The Sopranos, and Dr. Quinn,...

What does it really take to build a successful acting career? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with Aaron Marcus, a full-time actor, author, mentor, and commercial model who has booked nearly 1,300 acting and modeling jobs over a 40+ year career. Aaron shares his unconventional path into acting, the mindset that helped him overcome rejection, and the lessons he learn...

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with actor Tom McElroy to talk about a life shaped by faith, storytelling, theater, film, and unexpected turns. Tom shares how he moved from ministry into acting, what drew him to the stage, and why performance became more than a career path. He reflects on working in Chicago theater, appearing in productions like Prison Break , Chica...

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with actor Luis Berrio to talk about his unexpected transition from a 24-year career as an NYC detective to building a second act in film and television. Luis shares how a small role in a music video sparked a new passion, why he started acting at 50, and how he learned to handle auditions, rejection, imposter syndrome, and the uncert...

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with Emmy-winning voice actor, actor, and writer Michelle Falanga for an honest conversation about creativity, reinvention, and building a career from unexpected opportunities.  Michelle shares how a chance improv performance at an insurance company launched a decades-long journey into acting and voiceover work, eventually leading to...

What does it really take to walk away from a stable career and step into a creative life? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with Jessica O’Donnell - screenwriter, actor, comedian, and story analyst - who made the leap from finance and higher education into the world of entertainment. Jessica shares how the pandemic became a turning point, giving her the space to final...

What does it take to bring centuries-old stories to life in a way that still moves modern audiences? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with Tim Eliot, an actor, producer, and educator whose work spans HBO, experimental theater, and teaching at NYU. From his early journey through athletics, academics, and the arts, to helping lead groundbreaking work at Krymov Lab NYC,...

What does it take to create television that captures millions of viewers and stands the test of time? On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with Alfred Lawrie, the creative force behind groundbreaking UK television hits including The Jury: Murder Trial , Married at First Sight , The Apprentice , and more. Alfred shares his unexpected journey into television, behind-the-sc...

On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with documentary filmmaker and editor Joe Kowalski to explore the art of storytelling through film. Joe shares the journey from making YouTube videos as a teenager to directing major documentary projects, including the upcoming feature Micronations . They discuss the fascinating world of self-declared countries, why unusual stories of...

On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with June Yoon, a Los Angeles-based Korean bilingual voice actor whose work spans major franchises like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth , Genshin Impact , Solo Leveling , Dead by Daylight , and more.  June shares how he turned a passion for acting into a thriving career, why happiness is his true competitive edge, and how authenticity shape...

What does it really take to build a creative life that lasts? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with filmmaker and storyteller Fred Zara to unpack a journey that spans punk rock stages, indie film sets, and everything in between. Fred shares how growing up in Trenton, New Jersey shaped his perspective on storytelling, why independent film gave him a path that Hollywoo...

What happens when your entire career gets pulled out from under you overnight? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Emmy Award-winning videographer and editor Nick Blanchette shares his unconventional journey from sudden job loss to building a creative career on one of the most unique television productions out there. Nick opens up about filming unpredictable, high-energy reality conte...

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , we speak with Ken Harris, the multi-talented actor, playwright, puppeteer, and AARP Digital Fraud Fighter. Ken shares the story behind his award-winning one-man play, Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard , where he portrays ten diverse characters in a story that honors seniors, low-wage workers, and the human spirit. We dive into his creative process, his e...

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Jeff sits down with Angela Grout  - author, podcast host, producer, and lifelong storyteller whose creative path has taken her from decades in floristry to books, plays, podcasting, and theatrical production. Angela shares how running a flower shop taught her the art of storytelling, time management, and creative intuition. She opens up about the de...

In this captivating episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , host Jeff Ornstein sits down with Lukas Hassel, an award-winning actor, writer, and filmmaker based in New York City. Lukas shares his journey from formal acting training at Trinity College in Dublin to taking control of his career by writing and directing his own projects. We explore his passion for sci-fi and horror genres, the power o...

On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , we sit down with Shannon K. Dunn, a multi-talented actor, writer, and producer with over 35 years in the entertainment industry. From performing in classic films and TV shows like Back to School and Married With Children to creating her own feature films and innovative vertical micro dramas, Shannon shares her journey through comedy, drama, and stor...

Douglas Chang has spent over two decades bringing the performing arts to millions, from Emmy-winning productions like Live from Lincoln Center ’s Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson to PBS specials and cutting-edge dance performances at Montclair State’s PEAK Performances. On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , Douglas shares his non-linear career journey, the “happy accidents” that shap...

In this debut episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein , host Jeff Ornstein introduces the podcast’s mission: to celebrate remarkable individuals who are stepping into new projects and roles that could define their legacy. Drawing on over four decades of experience as a global hotel designer - working with brands like Hilton, Marriott, Kempinski, and IHG, as well as private clients including royal f...