That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

This Wednesday Wisdom is not going to be a monologue but a dialogue (with actress Nyaling Marenah) to help understand, forgive and give rise to a new language and awareness when addressing selection/casting in our industry. "They went diverse/ethnic..." how many times has this explanation been given for not getting the part? This podcast exists so we could learn, share, listen and understand the p...

Today I sit down with television and film actress, Broadway star, and singer-songwriter, Jasmine Cephas Jones. Introduced into the world of entertainment by her father, actor Ron Cephas Jones, and her mother, jazz singer Kim Lesley, Jasmine went to school for the performing arts starting in middle school . She spent many years studying voice at LaGuardia High School in New York City as well as thr...

Today's guest is a big believer in second chances. You may recognize him as Detective Ray Abruzzo in the brand new Starz's series High Town, or from AMC's Rubicon, or maybe the award-winning mini-series The Pacific. James Badge Dale is an actor who's worked through the high and low levels of this game, turning him into an endlessly interesting, authentic, and raw storyteller. He's truly an example...

How are the casting directors handling the new climate? Where are they finding new talent? These are questions I thought needed to be looked at in this episode to help us navigate and prepare for the next steps of coming out of the pandemic to make our art. Jaimie Beebe grew up in the Midwest, making her way out to Los Angeles to pursue a career in production. She is a film and TV Casting Director...

In today's episode, we're chatting with actor, director, producer, and host Michael Urie whose early desire to become a drama teacher carved an unexpected path to his breakout role in ABC's UGLY BETTY. From growing up in Texas, making movies with G.I. Joes, to winning the John Housman Award at Julliard, his journey shows tenacity, trust, and uncanny comedic instinct. In this episode, he shares the...

In time of "process" and "reflection" how do you stay calm and trust what you are inspired to create will manifest through you? Today is a discussion of staying calm and collected in this crisis moment to calm your spirit and linger in the unknown. How do you trust and use this time wisely (as in to not attack yourself). Is it possible to TRUST in this moment? Follow your JOY! LINKS : Please subsc...

Today we sit down with Atkins Estimond and in his world timing is everything. Atkins hit the Atlanta scene right at the beginning of its boom as a regional market. Self-taping his way to every role. If you're considering starting your acting career in Atlanta or making a move there this is the episode for you. In this interview we pull back the curtain on the Atlanta market and get specific about...

"The key to being an actor is to make sure you remember live." - Peter Hall The privilege of speaking to Rebecca Hall yesterday allowed me to peak into a world in which what you "do" doesn't represent you. Living your life gives breath, perspective and insight into "what you do". Acting is just one facet of what you do in living. Living will infuse so much of your art. Stop waiting to live your li...

Today's guest has been around the arts her entire life. She is the acclaimed and generously creative British actor, writer, director and producer Rebecca Hall. Many of us first saw her in Christopher Nolan's The Prestige and soon after starring in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Rebecca witnessed early on what an artist's life could be. Her first on screen appearance was in the TV mini-ser...

Actress, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur Caitlin Crosby knows a thing or two about inspiring others. She began writing songs with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds in high school and subsequently signed to his label, Arista Records. Growing up in Hollywood and working in the entertainment industry inspired Caitlin to launch the campaign LoveYourFlawz to support those dealing with body image issues, wit...

Today's guest is an actor, writer, director, and producer. She is none other than Sarah Wayne Callies, best known for portraying Lori Grimes on AMC's record-breaking series The Walking Dead. Sarah's made an unforgettable impression on audiences worldwide by bringing complex and powerful female characters to life on screen. Her appreciation for these dynamic roles began long before she was a series...

The orgy is happening now" a quote that won't leave my mind from Leonardo Nam's episode. We are LIVING in a pandemic and we must live the life before we can process how we are doing. I am encouraging you to explore and observe your own human behavior in this pandemic so you can strengthen your art. Live life and observe it so you can pull from your own life lived to deepen your exploration of the...

Today I sit down with Simone Missick an actress truly led by spirit. This kick-ass woman is no stranger to walking in faith and trusting the process. When she booked her breakout role of Misty Knight in Marvel's Luke Cage for Netflix she had only a handful of co-stars to her resume. She admits to struggling with self-doubt about choosing a life path as an actor. Her focus is on her inner journey o...

#SelfTapeMay is now a thing. Today we chat with Anna LaMadrid from Put Me on Self Tape to discuss the PMO workout and how we can help you elevate your self tapes to the next level. The industry is changing and self-tapes are becoming more and more the norm. How can you stay competitive in this field and still have fun? Well…we got a little something for you to get YOU ready to book when That One A...

Today, I am joined by the transformative talent that is Leonardo Nam. Over the course of the next hour, you will hear how Leo found his way as a young actor growing up in Australia, how he relentlessly hustled in NYC, and how he built the career of his dreams, starring in shows like Westworld and working with the Duplass Brothers on Room 104. Whether he's auditioning for Hamlet still wearing his r...

Anthony Meindl is an award-winning director, writer, actor, acting coach, entrepreneur, author and inspirational speaker. As an acting teacher, he has the largest scene study studio in Los Angeles and has schools in 9 other cities around the world: New York, London, Vancouver, Toronto, Atlanta, Santa Fe, Sydney, Chicago, and Copenhagen. He's known for revolutionizing a more modern understanding of...

Today we sit down with actor Tom Pelphrey. What began as a sports injury, from a very short-lived high school football career, and a friend subsequently suggesting he try out for the school play, a perfect storm of influences and awakenings (and the power of encouragement) made Tom realize that he was good at something for the first time in his life—his natural aptitude on stage eventually launche...

Today I wanted to circle back to the great quote from Maz Jobrani's interview. The more specific you can be in your work the more relatable you will be. Curating a body of work or a character with a specific belief system in mind will garner you more reliability with an audience whether in an audition room or standing up on stage as a stand up comedian. Do not be afraid to lean into the voice that...

Today I sit down with Maz Jobrani , an Iranian born comedian, best known for his comedy specials Immigrant, The Axis of Evil and his role as Fawz in Superior Donuts. Maz details how creating a career in show business doesn't always have to be all or nothing. He shares how he maintained a day job while building his career and the importance of creating his own work. This entrepreneurial actor and c...

It is hard living in unprecedented times. Today, we are being transparent around this time in our creativity. In this episode, you'll hear how to evaluate if you need to pause or be productive during this time. How to stay grounded, compassionate with ourselves during a pandemic and the key tools to keep you healthy and in the flow during challenging times.   Short Film competition : We are select...

Today's guest fits the perfect + poignant mold for our 50th episode -With thick-skin, an optimist's heart and a realist's mind, the incomparable Michelle Monaghan will tell us how being championed by her parents in a town of 700, mentored by Frances McDormand in the North Country and ending up on Constantine's cutting room floor gave her the courage, confidence and opportunity to make every missio...

How are you managing your fear in your auditions and in your life? Today we discuss different physical and mental tactics to help navigate your FEAR and bring you into the present moment. Short Film competition : We are selecting 3-5 shorts to produce with a mentorship program from past guests of TOA. Deadline : April 15, 2020 Submission : Send scripts to hello@alyshiaochse.com LINKS : Please subs...

Todays guest has over 100 film and TV credits to her name and a career that began with roles in repertory theatre in Portland, Oregon, and ultimately lead her to Los Angeles where she discovered improv and sketch comedy and became a member of The Groundlings. She shares how her experiences doing improv in LA prepared her for the rest of the business, including joining the cast of SNL for one seaso...

Social Distancing is allowing you the space to create if you choose! Today I am sharing all different online platforms to help you nourish and assist you into "creating" new stories! Short Film competition : We are selecting 3-5 shorts to produce with a mentorship program from past guests of TOA. Deadline : April 15, 2020 Submission : Send scripts to hello@alyshiaochse.com LINKS : Please subscribe...

Merle was born in Okinawa, Japan to a mother of Korean and Japanese descent and an African-American father serving in the U.S Force. Growing up in Nebraska,but not into football, Merle didn't know where she fit. A friend encouraged Merle to choose drama as a study because she was told it was "easy". Little did Merle know that the drama department would be the community she had been longing for and...