The Actor's Instrument: Tools for the Long Game with Hassiem Muhammad

What does it take to build a thriving acting career outside of New York or L.A.? In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with award-winning stage actor Cody Nickell to explore life and work in the D.C.–Maryland–Virginia (DMV) theater scene. Cody shares his journey from New York auditions to finding consistency and creative fulfillment in D.C.’s growing regional m...

 This week on The Actor’s Instrument, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor, host, and model Andrea Laing to explore what it’s really like to build an acting career in Atlanta — the “Hollywood of the South.” Andrea shares her journey from broadcast journalism to performing in hit shows like Atlanta, Pain Hustlers, NCIS: New Orleans, and Yule Log. She opens up about navigating the entertainmen...

Actor Jeff Parker shares how he built a 35+ year career in Chicago theater, film, and TV—proving you don’t have to live in LA or NYC to succeed. From Goodman Theatre to network shows, Jeff reveals the realities of working actors in regional markets and why presence is the ultimate tool on stage and screen. Jeff shares his journey from Los Angeles to Chicago, what makes the Windy City one of the mo...

In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument: Tools for the Long Game, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with Camila Cano-Flavia, a rising star of stage and screen. From Broadway productions like Network, Patriots, and the upcoming Punch, to appearances on hit shows including Law & Order: SVU, The Blacklist, Blue Bloods, and For Life, Camila shares the realities of building a sustainable career as an a...

In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument: Tools for the Long Game, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor Callum Adams (FBI, City on a Hill, The Blacklist, BritBox’s I Jack Wright) for a candid conversation about building a sustainable acting career across continents. Callum shares his journey from growing up in Scotland and Vermont to training in London and working in both the U.S. and the U...

Broadway star Caro Daye Attayek joins host Hassiem Muhammad on The Actor’s Instrument to share her inspiring journey from Elon University to her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! (Revival). In this episode, Caro opens up about life on national tours like Hairspray and Aladdin, her unique path as a swing and ensemble performer, and the lessons she’s learned about individuality, resilience, and trusting...

In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument: Tools for the Long Game, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor Darius Jordan Lee (Dexter: Resurrection, The Last OG, Power Book II, Will Trent, Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway) to talk about his incredible journey from the stage to the screen. Darius opens up about his breakout year, landing his recurring role as Lance Thomas on Showtime’s Dexter: Resurr...

Should you get an MFA in acting—or not? 🎭 Actor Devin Kessler (Godfather of Harlem, A24’s Crystal Lake) joins host Hassiem Muhammad on The Actor’s Instrument to talk about her path from UNC School of the Arts to NYU’s MFA program, and how grad school shaped her career. Devin opens up about the value of training, navigating auditions, and what it means to be an “artistic citizen.” If you’ve ever w...

In this episode, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with Jason Thinger of the Jim Carnahan Casting Office — the powerhouse behind Broadway hits like Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunset Boulevard, Moulin Rouge, and more. Jason discusses winning back-to-back Tony Awards, how to avoid common pitfalls in musical theater auditions, insights i...

What does it really take to be a successful producer in Hollywood? In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, host Hassiem Mohammed sits down with studio film & TV producer Alec Chorches (FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, FBI: International) for a deep dive into the world of producing. From overseeing post-production on CBS’s hit FBI franchise to collaborating with directors, casting teams, and visual effect...

Want to book more roles, grow your network, and work with top reps? Talent manager ChiChi Anyanwu shares insider tips on agents vs. managers, networking, and staying proactive so you can stand out in Broadway, film, and TV. In this episode, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with powerhouse talent manager ChiChi Anyanwu, founder of CHI Talent Management, whose clients have lit up Broadway (MJ the Mus...

We’re kicking off Season 4 with a huge announcement: The Actor’s Instrument has officially joined the Next Chapter Podcasts network! Next Chapter is a theater-centric podcast platform with over 10 million downloads — and they’re now the co-producers and distributors of this show! This new partnership will help us reach a wider audience and give me more time to focus on what matters most: creating...

Welcome back to another season of The Actor’s Instrument. In the season premiere, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with 2025 Tony Award winner Francis Jue (Yellow Face, Pacific Overtures, Thoroughly Modern Millie) for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation. Francis discusses his emotional Tony win, the importance of representation & honoring Asian American pioneers in theater, and vulnerabili...

Before we launch into Season 4 with a brand-new interview and a major announcement (dropping next week!), we’re closing this chapter with one more look back at some of the most impactful insights ever shared on the show. This week’s compilation features 10 phenomenal performers, each offering a glimpse into the mindset, work ethic, and heart it takes to succeed in this industry. 🎭 Featuring: Step...

As we gear up for some exciting changes to the show (announcement coming in just two weeks!), we’re continuing our anniversary celebration with another powerful compilation episode—this time focused on self-promotion and content creation. In this episode, we revisit standout moments from three creatives who’ve built major platforms by owning their voice online: 📱 Kalissa Persaud (Google Pixel Bra...

What separates working actors from the rest? In this powerful compilation episode, we dive into the 10 key traits that consistently show up in the journeys of some of today’s most inspiring performers. Featuring candid clips and career gems from past interviews, you’ll hear directly from: Brandon Michael Hall (Poker Face) 1:09-4:22 Siddiq Saunderson (Wu-Tang: An American Saga) 4:23-5:37 Charlotte...

To celebrate two incredible years of The Actor’s Instrument, we’ve curated a special episode featuring the most insightful, inspiring, and actionable moments from five of our most popular casting director interviews. In this compilation, you'll hear wisdom from: Erica Hart (00:51-4:19) on navigating auditions with confidence Tiffany Little Canfield (4:20-11:05) on competition in the industry Erica...

We’re celebrating two years of The Actor’s Instrument with a very special anniversary episode—and this time, the script gets flipped. Acclaimed actor Lana Young (Bull, WandaVision) takes over the mic to interview our very own host, Hassiem Muhammad. In this raw and revealing conversation, Hassiem opens up about his journey from reenacting cartoons in a crowded South Carolina living room to becomin...

Less than 1% of aspiring actors will ever land a speaking role on television—and today’s guest is in that elite club 20 times over. Actress and educator McKenna Kerrigan joins host Hassiem Muhammad to share her hard-won insights into building a sustainable, fulfilling TV career—without losing the joy. From the challenges of crafting compelling self-tapes to embracing the “short film” mindset, McKe...

In this soul-stirring episode of The Actor’s Instrument, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor, model, and creative entrepreneur Andrew D. Manning (Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) for a candid conversation about resilience in the face of rejection, reinvention during dry spells, and staying grounded when the industry gets loud. Andrew opens...

What really happens behind the scenes of your favorite shows? In this episode, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with Sienna Lorraine, a writer’s assistant at Lionsgate who has worked on Netflix’s No Good Deed, The Upshaws, Survival of the Thickest, and STARZ’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Currently working on Origins—a spinoff of a spinoff in the Power universe—Sienna gives us an unfiltered, insi...

Welcome back to The Actor’s Instrument! This week, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor and SoulCycle instructor Bryce Michael Wood, currently starring as Theo in the Off-Broadway revival of Ceremonies in Dark Old Men alongside the legendary Norm Lewis. From Division I track at Notre Dame to national stages and network TV, Bryce opens up about his path to acting, the power of side hustles, a...

The entertainment industry is evolving fast—and traditional stardom is no longer the only path to success. In this episode of The Actor's Instrument, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor and content creator Kalissa Persaud (aka Long Tan and Handsome) to explore what it means to thrive as a performer in the age of social media. Kalissa shares how she built a following of nearly 200,000 across...

In this powerful episode of The Actor's Instrument, host Hassiem Muhammad welcomes back stunt performer and coordinator Wadi Jones (credits include Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Power Book I & II) to dive deep into the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. From the Academy Awards finally recognizing stunt design as an official category to the long-term effects of the SAG-AFTRA strike...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor's Instrument! In this episode, host Hassiem Muhammad welcomes the multitalented Michael Goodfriend — actor, writer, director, and head of scripted fiction at Next Chapter Podcasts. From the stages of Korea to the studios of Sirius XM, Michael’s journey bridges classic theater and modern audio storytelling. Together, they discuss Michael’s rich backgroun...