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

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by actor and star of Disney’s Snow White, Jason Kravits. With over 100 film and TV credits to his name, Jason has been seen on shows such as ABC’s The Practice, The Big Bang Theory, Only Murders in the Building, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Gilmore Girls, and Friends, amongst others.  Hassiem and Jason discuss t...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by actor, comedian, photographer, graphic designer, and social media guru: Ace Anderson. Hassiem and Ace discuss why actors need a presence on social media, the tips and tricks for going viral, and how we all have influence over the course of our careers. 

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by Luna Sofia Miranda, one of the stars of this year’s winner for the Academy Award for Best Picture, Anora.  Hassiem and Luna discuss the challenges she faces in the industry working as a stripper and an actor, the process of shooting Anora and winning at the Academy Awards, and the myths of success that...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by stage and screen actor Lana Young who has appeared in numerous projects such as The Blacklist, WandaVision, Bull, and who in 2023 received an NAACP Award nomination for her work in the Netflix film, A Jazzman’s Blues.  Hassiem and Lana discuss how there’s no such thing as running out of time as an acto...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by actor, narrator, and voice-over artist Josh Innerst to discuss the world of recording narration for audio books. Hassiem and Josh discuss working outside of New York and Los Angeles, the process of breaking into voice over and audiobook work, and why it’s sometimes more important to prioritize one’s pe...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by the producer Becky Morrison. Becky is the founder and CEO of The Light, a New York-based production company, and also a producer on the upcoming documentary film, “Safe Sets: Dying to Work in the Film Industry,” which is currently playing the US Film Festival circuit. Hassiem and Becky discuss the alar...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by actor and entrepreneur Farrell Parker! Farrell is a DC-based actor and theater artist who has performed at the Kennedy Center and the Wooly Mammoth Theater Company, among others. She is the founder of Artist Tax Prep - a tax preparation services for artists dedicated to eliminating the panic and stigma...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by stage and screen actor, Jeorge Bennett Watson! Jeorge’s credits include HBO’s The Wire, Marvel’s Luke Cage, Blue Bloods and dozens of regional and off-Broadway credits! Hassiem and Jeorge discuss his process of approaching a text, how he attracts abundance in his personal and artistic life, and why qui...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by our youngest guest to date, Ethan Cole Sharp, one of the stars of the Academy Award-nominated film, Nickel Boys! Hassiem and Ethan discuss starring in an Oscar-nominated film, the three questions he asks himself to get into character, the influence of Chadwick Boseman on his career, and the challenges...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by Erica Jensen, the acclaimed casting director and owner of Calleri Jensen Davis Casting. Erica has been involved with casting numerous Broadway and off-Broadway productions such as The Piano Lesson with Samuel L. Jackson and The Elephant Man with Bradley Cooper as well as many films and TV shows such as...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by Pepi Sonuga, star of the Netflix’s The Six Triple Eight. Hassiem and Pepi discuss the portrayal of Black History on the screen, Tyler Perry and his quick shooting style, and why it’s important for every actor to make a name for themselves.  New Episodes drop every Tuesday!  The Actor’s Instrument is a...

Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, we are honored to welcome the incredible legend of stage and screen, Stephen McKinley Henderson! Recently inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame, Stephen’s has been a working actor for decades. The star of Alex Garland’s “Civil War,” Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird,” and Kenneth Lonergan’s “Ma...

Don’t miss Adrienne in Joy Behar’s “My First Ex-Husband” now until February 23rd at the MMAC Theater! Welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by the incredible, award-winning stage and screen actress, Adrienne C. Moore. Most recognized for her NAACP Image Award-nominated role as Black Cindy on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” for which she...

Welcome back to The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by the award-wining headshot photographer, Leslie Hassler! Leslie Hassler is one of the industry’s premiere headshot photographers - having photographed celebrities such as Idris Elba, Jason Sudekis, and Greta Gerwig! You may also recognize her work as she photographed Hassiem in the cover art for The Actor’s Instrument! Le...

Welcome back to The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by the incredible Traci Elaine Lee, currently dazzling audiences in the Broadway sensation The Great Gatsby! Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Traci brings her immense talent to the stage as both an ensemble member and understudy for Broadway stars Eva Noblezada and Samantha Pauly. Before joining Gatsby, Traci performed in the or...

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem is joined by Ana Yi Puig, star of the Disney+ series Goosebumps! While Ana is known for her role in the Netflix feature Senior Year and for her work on Bull, FBI: International, and the 2021 reboot of Gossip Girl, Goosebumps marked Ana’s first outing as a series regular, starring alongside Justin Long, Isa Briones, and Rachael Harris. She currentl...

Happy New Year and welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode Hassiem is joined by Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy to uncover why so many artists struggle to set and achieve their goals every year. The group discuss the strategies needed to shift your mindset, build practical systems, and create actionable steps to achieve your goals on and thro...

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem welcomes Tony Award-winning producer Jordan C. Medley for a discussion on the challenges and triumphs of life in the producing world. As a producer, Jordan recently won a Tony Award as part of the producing team for Broadway’s Merrily We Roll Along with Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez. Additionally, he is the Principal Consult...

On this episode of The Actor's Instrument, we welcome actor Kevin Kilner, whose career has taken him from regional theater stages to iconic Hollywood sets. With credits like Home Alone 3, Smart House, and House of Cards, Kevin reflects on nearly 40 years in the business, offering a candid look at the highs and lows of a life acting. We explore his thoughts on the evolution of the entertainment ind...

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem sits down with triple-threat performer Kylie Victoria Edwards, whose career has been soaring post-strike. From guest-starring on FBI: Most Wanted and FX’s American Sports Story to pursuing her education in Paris, Kylie shares her inspiring journey of choosing herself, balancing her ambitions, and embracing a “no regrets” mindset. They discuss how...

On this episode of The Actor's Instrument, Hassiem sits down with the talented Louis Cancelmi, known for his roles in series like Billions, A Murder at the End of the World, and most recently in HBO’s The Penguin, where he played Gotham mob boss Rex Calabrese. Considered “one of the best crime figure actors in recent memory,” according to Men’s Health, Louis is also celebrated for his film work in...

Why is it so hard to land an agent these days? On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem welcomes Victoria Kress, a veteran talent agent with over three decades of experience shaping the careers of stars like Anna Kendrick and Regina Hall. Navigating the challenges of the post-strike industry, Victoria shares her honest perspective on why landing an agent has become tougher than ever, the...

On this special holiday episode of The Actor's Instrument, Hassiem sits down with Broadway actor Lizzy Brooks to discuss how to navigate those inevitable holiday dinner questions like, “So, how’s that acting thing going?” They also discuss the grind of auditions, the importance of not compairing success, and ways to keep your artistic well full. New Episodes drop every Tuesday!  The Actor’s Instru...

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem sits down with visionary playwright and director Robert O’Hara, known for his provocative and boundary-pushing works like “Slave Play”, “Bootycandy”, and his new play “Shit. Meet. Fan.”  O’Hara opens up about his journey as an artist, his passion for unflinching storytelling, and how his personal experiences as a Black queer creator informs his wo...

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem welcomes performer Elijah Ahmad Lewis for a candid discussion about life as a touring artist. With credits from Motown the Musical to Ain't Too Proud, Elijah shares what it’s really like to live on the road, from maintaining his voice and health to finding family among his castmates. He opens up about the discipline required to perform eight shows...