The 98%

The 98% is back! And season 5 is kicking off with a 3 part mini series "From Learning to Earning, A Story of Mistreatment in the Acting Industry."   In the upcoming 5th series of the podcast The 98% has a range of incredible guests lined up, but first Alexa and Katie wanted to delve into an important subject matter that sadly affects many in the profession; abuse and mistreatment in an industry wi...

Get your festive gear on, grab a drink and hunker down for a jam packed Christmas episode including listener stories, some VIA ("very important animal") introductions and a generous helping of classic 98% chat from Alexa and Katie.  We are very excited to be back on the mic, with many new episodes in the bank and/or scheduled to record for a brand new series starting in the New Year! But for now,...

In this episode Katie and Alexa have a catch up and fill you in on what's been happening behind the scenes. Hear about how things have been going for Katie in the writer's chair and why Alexa is feeling like she's stuck in a rut with classic frustrations for the 98% of actors. Grab a drink and pretend you're joining us at the pub for a classic #actorslife chat. It's shit, but we're all bloody bril...

WeAudition have been trailblazers in the world of helping actors and making opportunity more accessible for years now, and have been supporters of the podcast for a long time. In this episode you can hear an abundance of positive stories, inspirational ideas and aspirational hope from co-founder Darren Darnborough as well as finding out how this platform came to be and why it's worth joining! Hera...

In this mini series of The 98%, hear from some actors who have made it their mission to help others, specifically actors in The 98%. In this episode join Alexa, Rob and Elliot as they discuss Flairbox; a global online community of performers that allows talented individuals to perform, connect and be discovered for what matters most – their talent. Hear about how the co-founders have used their ex...

Mic, Concern, Reaction; where Alexa and Katie discuss current goings on in the industry, hot off the press, that specifically relate to The 98% of actors. In this episode, following on from the twitter storm in response to Rufus Norris' comments quoted in a recent article for The Stage, Alexa and Katie chat to Alastair Coomer, head of casting at The National, about the context of the artistic dire...

Join in some festive fun with Alexa, Katie and the return of Philip Joel (aka the King of Panto!) as they relive panto experiences (the illusion of panto may be ruined forever!), shocking celebrity encounters (Brian Blessed did WHAT now?!) and revel in all the holiday and performance delights that pantomime can bring! If you take a sip of your boozy beverage for every time a hilarious or toe curli...

It's time for another round of Mic, Concern, Reaction where Katie and Alexa give their hot takes on current goings on in the industry. This episode was recorded in August so if it seems heavy on the hot takes and light on the 'current'…that's why! The podcasting break was longer than anticipated because of sorting things with the network! ("The network"…check us out!!)  *Trigger Warning* - please...

You know that thing that actors with representation dread? What's it like when it happens, in a pandemic, on Friday the 13th, and the friend you call for support tells you the exact same thing just happened to them? Well, you're about to find out… In this episode of The 98%'s welcome back mini series you'll hear laughs, lamentations, advice and unexpected positivity and understanding in regards to...

The 98% Is BACK ! Instead of doing a full fourth series with a new episode every fortnight you will be getting podcast instalments as mini series', and here is the first! 4 whole episodes all ready for your earholes at once!! This first mini series is a welcome back with Alexa and Katie doing what they do best…sharing some real #actorslife stories, having a giggle, shining a spotlight on parts of...

'Where are they now?' In this episode Alexa and Katie hear from some previous guests of The 98% with their updates and where they've found themselves 18 months into the pandemic. There's wise words, inspiration and relatability jam packed into this episode while still holding on to what The 98% is all about…you are not your CV and there's far more places to find your validity.  - New to The 98%? T...

Alexa, Katie, Scarlett and Cathy recorded this episode in March of 2021. They continue to stand with all who have spoken out, before and since, about abusive behaviour in our industry.  In this collaboration episode between The 98% and Industry Minds, people's experiences of abuse in the arts are given a voice. Please be aware of the subject matter, as this episode covers a wide range of incidence...

As mentioned at the end of Series 3, instead of another full series of The 98%, Katie and Alexa will be back with episodes in new and different formats. So here is the first instalment of "Mic, Concern, Reaction!" where Alexa and Katie share their thoughts, frustrations and hot takes on the current affairs of 98% life. You've probably heard of the happenings being discussed, and in a time where ev...

Here we are again, the end of a series! And a THIRD series at that! All thanks to your support, downloads, shares and solidarity. It's an emotional rollercoaster of a season finale with laughter, impassioned discussion, a bit of emotion and a whole lot of gratitude. If you've enjoyed The 98% and the insight from its incredible guests this series you can give back during the Christmas season for fr...

In the penultimate episode of Series 3 of The 98% Alexa and Katie are joined by Crystal Leaity who shares her journey from seemingly having what every 98 percenter yearns for and why she left it behind to thrive in a new filmmaking venture. Follow Crystal on instagram: crystaleaity TW: Parts of this episode cover and discuss mental health and suicide. If you need support in your personal experienc...

The amazing women behind the Industry Minds podcast, Scarlett Maltman and Cathy Read, join The 98% today to talk about why they started their podcast and subsequent mental health support initiatives and their own journey's with mental health within the creative arts.  Find out more about Industry Minds at:  https://www.industryminds.co.uk Book tickets for the Industry Minds Awards on November 30th...

During lockdown Alexa and Katie hosted a live webinar with performance psychologist Dr Steve Bull (aka Alexa's Dad!) who you may remember from the resilience episode in Series 1. As the current situation is badly affecting performers and creatives, it is especially important to work on mental wellbeing and Alexa and Katie felt it was important to share this webinar with all listeners of The 98%. I...

In this episode on being parents as actors, Alexa and Katie are joined by Joanna Horton and Luke Norris who talk about their experiences of being parents when both in the relationship are actors. Then for the second half Emma Manton returns to The 98% to give some useful information on what helped her logistically when she became a mum, advice for those who are thinking of starting a family, where...

It's the first "Green Room" episode of Series 3! And The 98% is thrilled to have Philip Joel as this episodes guest. Choreographer, performer, teacher, social media serotonin booster and now TV pilot creator! Phil talks to Katie and Alexa about making the transition from performer to choreographer, his most rewarding jobs, the importance of seeking help for mental health, some hilarious moments in...

Lauren Douglin and Simon Lennon join Katie and Alexa in this episode to talk about their experiences of and journeys into being an actor without going to drama school. While there have been 98% podcast guests who did not go through "conservatoire" training, this has never been a specific subject. So grab your headphones and a notebook and get ready to learn from these 2 infectiously positive and h...

In both Series 1 and 2, episode 10 was a time for Katie and Alexa to check in and get back to basics…getting all down and dirty in the business of being brutally honest about #actorslife. And Series 3 is no different!! Life, lockdown, work (or…lack of) and everything in between.  We never thought we'd do a podcast series being 4000 miles away from each other and we are so thankful for your support...

Producers. Actors know that we have to impress them. That they're a vital part of any production, be it theatre or screen...perhaps even the most important person in the room. But what's behind the curtain? Alexa and Katie realised that in all their years of being in the performing industry, they didn't actually know exactly *what* producers do and why they make the decisions they do. But actors s...

Ever wondered what an artistic director of a theatre actually does?! Ever felt too silly to  ask?!  Well...you're not alone. Paul-Ryan Carberry joins the podcast this episode. He is an actor-turned-director and now Artistic Director of Iris Theatre, a theatre company producing work at the world-famous St. Paul's Church in Covent Garden with a mission to produce a fresh and vibrant repertoire of va...

The absolute dream team of casting Sophie Holland and Faye Timby join The 98% for this reinvigorating episode to talk about the ins and outs of how casting works so that actors have a better idea about what goes on behind closed doors. They also discuss where and what they look for in actors, why they relish finding and casting new talent and are generally another lovely reminder that Casting Dire...

For the first time in the history of The 98% this episode is about the craft itself...acting! Andrew McIlroy is this weeks guest and he shares some amazingly useful thoughts, advice and coaching tips for TV/Film auditions and screen acting in general. As one of Vancouver's most notable and esteemed acting coaches, Andrew has vast experience in working as an actor himself as well as a wide range of...