That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

Today's episode features the magnetic Kelli Garner, an actress whose career took off at just 14 and never stopped surprising. A California native, Kelli made her film debut with Mike Mills before being selected by Martin Scorsese to play Hollywood ingénue Faith Domergue in The Aviator opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. From there came a whirlwind of back-to-back films and unforgettable performances in La...

In this Wednesday Wisdom, Alyshia Ochse explores how to manage fear, stay present, and activate your inner monologue in ensemble work. Inspired by Roman Zaragoza ( Ghosts ), this episode breaks down why curiosity, actionable thoughts, and emotional specificity make your performance magnetic — even in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. Learn how to: Navigate fear of "not being enough" on set Kee...

As a second-generation performer, Román Zaragoza was immersed in the industry from just six months old and quickly came to understand the realities of an actor's life. We dive deep into how his intensive theater work, especially his time at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), kept him grounded and provided him with humbling, world-class ensemble training. Román details the entire process of boo...

When you "play the plan" of a scene, you lose the truth that makes your work magnetic. In this Wednesday Wisdom, Alyshia Ochse breaks down how mirror neurons prove that what you feel on screen isn't the point — it's what the audience feels that matters. Inspired by her conversation with actor Mark Pellegrino , Alyshia explores why curiosity, actionable thoughts, and emotional specificity ignite bo...

Today we sit down with the incredible journeyman actor Mark Pellegrino , who after four decades in the business continues to embody what it means to be a true working actor. Mark shares unforgettable audition stories, including his famously bold move of performing a seven-page monologue that earned him one of the greatest compliments of his career and led to booking A Murder of Crows . He also rec...

Today's guest, Wynn Everett, is riding an incredible professional wave, having booked five shows this year. She takes us through her early years studying theater in Georgia, then landing a five-year job running the green room at Good Morning America —where she met everyone from bestselling authors to First Ladies and Hollywood stars. Those connections would later prove invaluable. Wynn reflects on...

Notes aren't criticism—they're invitations. In this episode, Alyshia shares how to stop chasing "doing it right," why feelings can mislead you, and how to treat casting adjustments as chances to discover something new. THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS : For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com . And don't forget to snap and po...

In today's episode, we sit down with the legendary William Stanford Davis, the Emmy-winning actor who's stolen scenes (and hearts) as the unforgettable Mr. Johnson on Abbott Elementary . From his roots in St. Louis to chasing standup comedy in Los Angeles, William's path to Hollywood is as inspiring as it is unexpected. He opens up about breaking into the industry, the lessons he learned from ment...

This week on That One Audition , Alyshia unpacks why actors often ask the wrong questions in auditions. Story always comes before "teller," and authenticity lives in the script itself. Learn how to build the house before decorating it — and why giving yourself to the story is what makes casting lean in. THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS : For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, si...

Today, we're thrilled to catch up with an actor who truly embodies the "malleable" spirit of our industry, Brandon Jay McLaren . Since our last conversation in 2021, Brandon has been on an incredible run on hit shows like The Rookie , Snowfall , and The Cleaning Lady . Brandon shares how he masterfully juggled shooting Snowfall and The Rookie simultaneously, even requiring a wig transformation. Pl...

In this episode, Alyshia dives into the trap of relying too heavily on character breakdowns—and why it can sabotage your auditions. Casting directors aren't looking for someone to play at the breakdown; they're looking for the actor who brings the puzzle piece they didn't know they needed. Using Katherine LaNasa's Emmy-winning performance in The Pitt as a powerful example, Alyshia shares how ignor...

Today we sit down with Sheila Carrasco, who brings "Flower" to life on the hit CBS comedy Ghosts . After earning her BFA at NYU, she spent three years self-producing plays without an agent before pursuing an MFA at Harvard's American Repertory Theater, where she honed her comedic skills and character work. That path led her to the Groundlings' famed Sunday Company, where she found her voice and si...

Today's episode offers a special glimpse into The Practice Track Membership , where actors not only train but also get the rare perk of connecting directly with industry professionals. In this conversation, our members had the chance to sit down with comedian, writer, and actor Michael Strassner , whose path into Hollywood is as unexpected as it is inspiring. Michael shares how a simple Instagram...

Ravi Patel returns to the podcast with a wide-ranging, candid conversation about a career that refuses to fit into a single lane. Since his last appearance, Ravi has been everywhere—from Animal Control and Ghosts (where he's now a consulting producer) to new documentaries, a musical, and even Special Forces: World's Toughest Test . Ravi shares how he's learned to thrive in "chaos with poise," bala...

Casting directors don't actually know what producers want at the start of the process — they're sending in  choices to help define the role. So if you're trying to "play what they want," you'll end up too vague to stand out. In this episode, Alyshia shares why specificity and authenticity are the keys to landing in the selection pile, why breakdowns are written for reps (not you), and how to stop...

Imagine moving to LA and just nine months later, finding yourself auditioning for, and landing, a role in the biggest movie ever , Top Gun ! Chicago native, Jack Schumacher, will take us through his "ignorant bliss" audition process for Top Gun and the surreal moment he learned Tom Cruise was watching his audition tape. He also shares the excruciating, six-month audition saga to win the role of "Y...

In this episode, "What if casting wasn't about rejection — but about  selection ?"In this solo episode, Alyshia shares a powerful reality check on how to approach your auditions with authenticity, confidence, and story-driven choices that make you the answer casting directors are searching for. Learn how to: Casting directors don't respond to "performed" acting — they respond to authenticity. This...

From pre-med at Columbia to a Tony nomination on Broadway, Gabby Beans has carved out one of the most unique journeys in the industry. She shares how she navigated early setbacks (including being dropped by her first big manager) to build her career from the ground up with fearless off-Broadway work. That perseverance has more than paid off: Gabby earned a Tony Award nomination for her Broadway de...

Description: 🎭 Actors often feel their biggest obstacle is themselves—but what if that's just a limiting belief? In this episode, Alyshia talks with Melanie Curtis and Mark Collin , two world-class coaches who help people dissolve self-doubt and rewire the subconscious patterns holding them back. With expertise in trauma-informed healing, nervous system work, NLP, Reiki, and more, Melanie and Mar...

From the vibrant streets of Belize to the soundstages of Hollywood, Arlen Escarpeta has built a career defined by resilience, versatility, and heart. His path took him from performing arts schools to his first role on Boston Public and eventually to booking the "game-changer" American Dreams , where he learned to balance art with business and the importance of teamwork and human connection. In thi...

Get ready for a truly insightful conversation with the incredible Jolene Purdy! After seeing her at a recent in-person audition, Alyshia immediately called her agent and declared, "I just met this actress—I swear to God she's gonna get it!" From that moment, she knew Jolene had to come on the podcast. In today's episode, you'll hear behind-the-scenes stories like that shared audition, where Jolene...

In this episode, the industry is shifting — fast. Casting directors are under pressure, opportunities are shrinking, and actors are feeling the heat. In this power-packed solo episode, Alyshia breaks down exactly what's happening in casting right now and how you can stay sharp, focused, and ready for the roles that are out there. If you've been self-taping into the void, wondering what stands out...

This episode, we're following the wildly talented Courtney Taylor down her own self-made "yellow brick road." From her early days in Philly to a practical pivot to criminal justice and sociology in Delaware, acting wasn't always on Courtney's radar. But thanks to her movie-loving dad and a growing passion for performance, she eventually found her way to an agent—and a Marvel audition that changed...

Today we dive into the remarkable journey of a crossover star Mariana Treviño, whose path defies convention and proves that an actor's career is as personal as it is unpredictable. Mariana shares how her love for the craft—not money or fame—drew her in, from early days in New York to an organic rise to stardom back in Mexico. A breakthrough role in musical theater shifted her mindset from acting f...

Today, we're thrilled to welcome back a truly special guest—one of only three returning guests in our show's history—the incredible actor Alain Uy. Since his last appearance in January 2021, Alain's career has soared, with standout roles in The Cleaning Lady , Power IV, and most recently Ballard . But here's the twist: despite this impressive success, Alain candidly admits to quitting acting multi...