That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

Today, we're joined by the incredibly talented Jessica Rothe , best known for her breakout role in Happy Death Day and its sequel, her scene-stealing turn in La La Land , and her lead in the musical remake Valley Girl . In this episode, Jessica shares the raw, real stories from her journey—like being told early on to "go home, curl your hair, put on makeup, and come back" for a CW medical show aud...

Longing vs. Curiosity — The Energy Behind Your Auditions In this solo episode, Alyshia explores a subtle but powerful shift that can transform your acting career: moving from longing to curiosity . If you've ever found yourself stuck in the "why hasn't it happened yet?" spiral, this episode will give you a fresh perspective. Longing keeps you waiting. Curiosity gets you creating. You'll learn: The...

In today's episode, Embeth shares the extraordinary journey that shaped her voice as a storyteller—from her upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa to her unexpected entry into acting through a university drama program. She reflects on being discovered in a play by a William Morris agent, catching Spielberg's attention through a TV movie, and ultimately choosing to pause her career to raise a fam...

Today's episode with Benjamin Charles Watson kicks off with the fascinating cultural shock of auditioning in Canada versus the bustling scene in Los Angeles. Watson opens up about his anxiety during in-person auditions and how embracing self-tapes became his secret weapon for success, including booking major roles like Duster , Designated Survivor , and The Killing . Watson breaks down his auditio...

Today's episode features an insightful and inspiring conversation with actor Nathan Mitchell , whose compelling performances in hit shows like The Boys and Ginny & Georgia have earned him a devoted following. Mitchell opens up about the craft behind the characters, sharing how techniques like Meisner and deep script analysis help him bring authenticity to each role. From managing the demands of ju...

In today's episode, Hollywood legend Ed Begley Jr. shares the unforgettable audition that changed his career trajectory. Originally reading for a minor role on the groundbreaking series St. Elsewhere , Ed didn't land the part he auditioned for—but his performance made such an impression on the writers that they created the role of Dr. Peter White , making him a series regular. It's a testament to...

Today, we're incredibly excited to chat with rising star Aparna Brielle , whose career took flight just as the acting industry underwent one of its biggest transformations: the self-tape revolution. From her early move to Los Angeles from Oregon to her breakout role as Sarika on NBC's A.P. Bio , Aparna has built a dynamic and diverse career—navigating everything from offbeat comedy to high-octane...

Today we're joined by actor Bobby Naderi, whose path from Iran to college basketball athlete to working actor in Hollywood is anything but typical. Bobby shares how a drama class unexpectedly launched his acting career, ultimately leading to standout roles in films like Argo , Bright , and The Beekeeper . Bobby reflects on everything from his nerve-wracking first audition to a pivotal moment stand...

In this episode, actress Justine Lupe shares her path from performing as a kid in Denver to training at Juilliard. She opens up about how Juilliard shaped her craft, building the confidence and resilience that would carry her through a career filled with bold, offbeat roles. Lupe discusses her roles in shows like Younger , The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel , Mr. Mercedes , and Succession , explaining her...

What happens when an actor stops waiting for the phone to ring—and starts building the damn set themselves? In this inspiring and action-packed episode, Alyshia sits down with actor, writer, and podcaster Matt Del Negro ( City on a Hill , Scandal , The Sopranos, Mayor of Kingstown ) to dive deep into what it really takes to get your own project off the ground. From brainstorming with trusted colla...

In today's episode, we're joined by the powerhouse that is Edwina Findley Dickerson—an award-winning actress, author, and all-around force of nature. From her early days training at Duke Ellington, Tisch, and Yale to her breakout role on The Wire , Edwina has carved out a career grounded in purpose, vision, and faith. She shares how a seemingly side gig teaching stress management unexpectedly beca...

The actor-for-hire model is on pause — and no, it's not your agent's fault. In this fiery solo episode, Alyshia breaks down the current state of the entertainment industry, where "name value" trumps talent and originality is buried under a mountain of reboots. So what now? You stop waiting. You start creating. Alyshia shares why now is the moment to write your story, pick up a camera, and learn ho...

Get ready to be inspired by the brilliant Lolo Spencer — actress, advocate, and game-changer. You may know her as Jocelyn in The Sex Lives of College Girls , from the award-nominated Give Me Liberty , or the heart-wrenchingly funny Bob Trevino Likes It . But Lolo's journey didn't start in Hollywood — it began with a rebellious YouTube channel (Sitting Pretty) created as an escape from corporate li...

Today we're joined by actress Vella Lovell, whose path to the screen began with a childhood dream of Juilliard—sparked by a Babysitters Club character—and eventually led her to the school not once, but twice. Vella currently stars opposite Joel McHale in Fox's Animal Control , returning for its third season in 2025. She previously starred alongside Ted Danson and Holly Hunter in Mr. Mayor , earnin...

In this episode,  Yellowjackets and The Originals actor Steven Krueger takes us on the unexpected journey from aspiring lawyer to full-time actor and, more recently, director. He opens up about the turning point when he realized he didn't want to be a lawyer — he wanted to be James Spader on Boston Legal — and how a brutally honest producer's advice shifted his mindset from "dabbling" in acting to...

Get ready for the first-ever Audience Audition Tales on That One Audition ! Host Alyshia kicks off this brand-new series, handing the mic to the real MVPs — the listeners. This week's spotlight features Christy St. John, who lands a Netflix Christmas movie with an audition that took a wildly unexpected turn, and Adena Artale, who proves that even a Zoom disaster can turn into a win. Packed with la...

In today's episode actor Jon Beavers takes us through his unconventional journey, building a career without formal training, learning by doing, and soaking up knowledge on set. Jon talks about his breakout on Nickelodeon's The Fresh Beat Band , a gig that turned into a rockstar-like tour, and how it became paid training in front of the camera. From there, Jon shares the tough-love casting feedback...

🎭 In this episode, Alyshia and Anna LaMadrid (co-founders of The Bridge for Actors)shares insights and practical advice for actors navigating the current transitional phase in the entertainment industry. They address the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, understanding industry corrections, and leveraging community support. The episode emphasizes the need for actors to diversify their...

In this incredibly insightful episode, Alyshia chats with the exceptionally talented Christine Tremarco, an actress with over 30 years of experience in the industry. We dive into her remarkable career—from her early discovery in a school play at the age of 14 in Liverpool, which unexpectedly led to her first professional role in Australia, to most recently being offered her latest role in Netflix'...

In this episode, Alyshia unpacks the standout moments from Emmy-nominated actress and director Ashley Jones ' interview — from navigating fast-paced soap sets to the truth about what directors actually look for in a self-tape. You'll hear powerful takeaways on: The mindset that keeps long-running shows alive How Ashley balanced pregnancy on set The one note that will change your taping game Why ac...

In today's episode, Ashley Jones shares hard-won advice from her career, including starring in over a thousand episodes of daytime television. From self-tapes and Zoom auditions to the fast-paced world of soaps, she offers practical tips on memorization, finding emotional depth, and staying present in the moment. Ashley also opens up about her transition into executive producing and directing, rev...

🎭 In this episode, Alyshia shares how a bold audition story from Kim Coates — recorded 11 years ago and yesterday — changed the way she approaches auditions and helped her book work by breaking the rules with purpose . We dive into how borrowing from others' bold choices can unlock your own creative freedom, and why the unseen work is what truly gets you seen. Plus, it's officially #SelfTapeMay —...

Today we have the incredible Kim Coates joining us for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable career. From his early days on Broadway to becoming a fixture in 90s blockbuster films like The Last Boy Scout , Kim shares fascinating audition stories, including the time he landed a role in The Wonder Cabinet by auditioning with his back to the room. He delves into his transition to television,...

Today, we're joined by the incredibly talented Dewayne Perkins, a true multihyphenate who has carved his own path in Hollywood. From his early days in theater to sketch comedy and improv at Chicago's The Second City, Dewayne's passion for performance led him to writing and stand-up, ultimately shaping his journey as both a creator and actor. Dewayne shares his audition story of having to audition...

Today's episode features a candid and insightful conversation with actress Arienne Mandi, diving into the highs and lows of her acting journey. Mandi shares the serendipitous story of landing a manager at the mall and the hustle of building a career with guest star roles that led to series regular roles on The L Word: Generation Q and The Night Agent . She discusses the differences between self-ta...