The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux
By Courtney Rioux
From side job life to series regular, from costar, guest star, or the lead in the musical...I think every actor in Chicago and the world deserves a whole life. Acting is unlikely to fill your cup 100% of the time, so let's fill it together.
The Whole Artist with Courtney RiouxDec 23, 2020
Negotiating Committee Round Table - SAG-AFTRA 2023 Tentative Agreement
Courtney Rioux and Avis Boone are Co-Hosting this round table discussion with fellow negotiating committee members, Jason George, Shari Belafonte, and Danielle Towne. We cover AI concerns, the process of the negotiations, and the major gains of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Tentative Agreement. Voting ends December 5th at 5 pm PT/7 pm CT/8 pm ET and you can get more info, find your PIN, and vote at https://www.sagaftra.org/contracts2023
Check out Avis Boone's podcast That's How We Role
Using The Creative Process as Therapy Feat. Eddie Mujica
Our guest today is Eddie Mujica. He's a Cuban-American actor, writer, director, and Emmy-winning producer.
In this episode, we talk about his viral videos on TikTok and Instagram, his creative process, auditioning for SNL. We talk about therapy, imposter syndrome, anxiety, and depression. No, it's real. You guys, I swear, it's a really fun episode. We talk about his experience in the writer's room on Zoom and in person, self-care, values, and so much more.
My intro includes information about the SAG-AFTRA 2023 Tentative agreement including info sessions, how to ask questions, and my opinion on how I'm voting as a negotiating committee member!
Check out Eddie's viral videos at: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyOTCTXrXS9/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
And here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJRyTHYpFbxmEm97xB2Psj9nQQzbMAbiy&si=k6LOMq0hZkKM7YDA
Living My Younger Self's Dream feat. Behzad Dabu
Actor Behzad Dabu talks about taking a leap, acting in LA vs Chicago, the actor mindset, the SAG-AFTRA Strike, and more.
Behzad Dabu is an actor, producer, and writer based out of both Los Angeles and Chicago. He grew up in Syracuse, NY, and got his BFA in Acting from Columbia College Chicago, where he also worked after college as the Senior International Admissions Officer; traveling all over the world working with students and their families on creating careers in the arts.
He has worked extensively on stage at some of the best theaters in the country, especially in Chicago, and is a proud company member at TimeLine Theatre Company which presents stories inspired by history that connect with today’s social and political issues.
On-screen, you can see him as REDACTED BC OF THE STRIKE, and on The Lion Guard. He also appeared in episodes of REDACTED; as well as various audiobooks, podcasts, and national commercials.
With a passion for working with playwrights and new play development, he originated the role of 'Amit' in "Samsara" at Victory Gardens Theatre, for which he was nominated for a Jeff Award - Best Actor. He also originated the role of 'Abe' in the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony-nominated play, "Disgraced" which he performed at American Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Berkeley Repertory, Seattle Repertory, and the Mark Taper Forum at Center Theatre Group.
Behzad strives to be a strong advocate for social justice and equality, particularly in regard to representation in the arts and media; and is a founding member of The Chicago Inclusion Project, which seeks to level the playing field and provide resources in the arts for people of color, women, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. He is a skilled audience engagement facilitator and experienced post-show discussion leader.
Behzad is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA.
Intuition and Play through The Artist’s Way Feat. Barbara Howlin
Actor and writer, Barbara Howlin talks about using The Artist’s Way to recover your inner artist, trust your intuition, and heal through play.
Barbara Howlin is a SAG-AFTRA actor & writer who's been guiding creatives for the last decade. She's taught actors at AMAW and various studios around Los Angeles. Barbara is also a Reiki Master guiding people in energy expansion & healing. As founder of The Howling Hive, she leads groups and one-on-one sessions to help us all embrace creative healing for a life of play, ease & exploration.
Get $15 off Barbara's Artist's Way Group with the code WHOLEARTIST!
Freedom through Clarity with Courtney and Bex
Bex Marsh is an Asian-American actor, producer, writer, and former college baller and a producer on The Whole Artist Pod!
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An update post Clarity Session from Bex: "I’ve really been focusing on taking as many mini-day trips as I can since our clarity session. I surprised my partner with a quick trip to the Ojai farmers market in a small mountain town about an hour and a half outside of LA. It was fun, spontaneous, and magical for both of us. It definitely added a “pep in my step” for the following week. I was even inspired to make a quick reel on ig about it! https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxDq_IyLh6I/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg==
What Is For You Is For You Feat. Emmy-Nominated Shantira Jackson
Shantira Jackson is an Emmy-nominated writer/performer based in Los Angeles. She has written for REDACTED FOR THE STRIKE, its spinoff REDACTED, REDACTED Show, and the REDACTED reboot. She's a member of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. In her free time, she likes gardening and going to bed early.
Braving the Unknown: Navigating Big Life and Career Transitions with Self-Compassion Feat. Jaime Kalman Chipko
Courtney and her coach, Jaime, discuss the desire to quit acting or at least take a break. They talk about raising strong, independent children, motherhood, and its challenges, especially in the acting industry. Courtney opens up about where the hell she's been the past two years....trigger warning they talk about pregnancy loss. Jaime reveals being recently diagnosed with ADHD. The title of this episode says it all... Braving the Unknown: Navigating Big Life and Career Transitions with Self-Compassion Feat. The unknown is uncomfortable, let's navigate it together!
We're Back: Strike Update with guest host Bex Marsh
After a two-year hiatus (maternity and bereavement leave) Courtney is back at the podcast! Episode 2 will explain where she's been the past two years, but Episode 1 had to be an update on the strike, didn't it?! #SAGAFTRASTRIKE #SAGAFTRASTRONG
Official updates at: Sagaftrastike.org
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Co-produced by Bex Marsh and Courtney Rioux. Edited by Courtney Rioux.
Special thanks to: Mandy Work for all your help on the episode, and to Dana Black and Tania Richard for your fellow podcaster support group that we have unofficially started.
Patreon.com/wholeartistpod
@courtneyrioux and @wholeartistpod @bexleemarsh
https://entertainmentcommunity.org/how-get-help-and-give-help-during-work-stoppage
Transcript link: https://courtneyrioux.squarespace.com/season-3-episode-1-transcript
The Unicorn Perfect Headshot Feat. Tyler Core (Headshot Photographer)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
Tyler Core contains multitudes. He, fortunately, stumbled into a job he loves: taking actor headshots for the acting community of Chicago. A hearty community of weirdoes lifts him up every day, including his wife, Stephanie, family and loved ones in Indiana, and his makeup artist and Chicago talent-captain, Khaki, of course. If he were composed of emojis: they would be a donut, a salsa dancer, an open mouth, and a red heart. And the fireworks one!
https://www.tylercoreshoots.com/
So You Wanna Know About the Union Feat. Charles Andrew Gardner and Ilyssa Fradin
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
Born and raised on Chicago's south side, SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local President, Charles Andrew Gardner, is an actor, educator, and filmmaker. On-camera credits include The Chi, Chicago PD; films Long Ride Home, Olympia, Noise and Color, Every 21 Seconds, and Holding On; as well as multiple national commercials for brands including Hyundai, Liberty Mutual, Ford, and AT&T. Voice-over credits include Pepsi Co. McDonald’s, Comcast, Walmart, and Dunkin' Donuts. Charles is a company member with TimeLine Theatre Company. In addition to his work on stage and in front of the camera, Charles is an on-camera acting professor at DePaul University, a faculty member at The Acting Studio Chicago, as well as a teaching artist at TimeLine Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre and Goodman Theatre. Charles sits on the Associate Producer board at the Gene Siskel Film Center and is an advisory board member of Creative Cypher.
Ilyssa Fradin is a working SAG-AFTRA actor in and from Chicago. She can be heard on a variety of voiceovers including commercials, corporate narration, interactive games, and promos. She’s also been in a variety of indie and feature films as well as Chicago-filmed TV shows. Joining both AFTRA and SAG on the same day in 1995, she became involved in union service during the commercials strike of 2000. She soon joined the SAG Council as a Local council member. She continued to serve her Branch as VP, then President, and after Merger became VP of the Mid-Sized Locals and co-chair of the CoL (Committee of Locals) for three terms. She currently serves as one of the two National Board reps for the Chicago Local. She has and continues to serve on a variety of Local and National committees. An industry labor advocate, she has been a delegate to the CFL- Chicago Federation of Labor and a member of the IPA (Illinois Production Alliance), WIFChgo, and MFF(Midwest Film Fest).
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chilocalleaders
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Chgosagaftra
https://www.youtube.com/user/SAGAFTRA
https://www.sagaftra.org/chicago
https://www.sagaftra.org/membership-benefits/member-app
Mixing: Henrique Lazary
Music: Blythe Martin Productions
Editing: Courtney Rioux
Assistance: Mandy Work Wetzel
We're All Insecure Feat. Torrey Devitto (Chicago Med)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked.
This week Courtney sits down with Torrey Devitto. Torrey is an actor who is known for the NBC drama Chicago Med (2015-2021), Amy Makes Three (2016) , and the CW television series The Vampire Diaries (2009), among many others.
Born and raised in Huntington, New York, to Mary Devitto & Liberty DeVitto, from the time Torrey was born, she was surrounded by the entertainment industry. For 28 years, her father played the drums for Billy Joel. She spent most of her early years traveling on the road with her parents. She began violin lessons at age six and was in the 4th grade when she had already earned her place as the 4th chair violinist in a New York high school orchestra. She played in the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Florida Youth Artist Orchestra. In 1997, Torrey played on stage with her father at a Terri Binion show in Orlando, earning her first standing ovation.
At 15, she started working in commercials, modeling, and print ads. Her break came when she earned the lead in playwright Lee Blessing's three-woman play Eleemosynary, which was performed at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Torrey moved to Los Angeles, where her career as an actress took off.
Outside work, Torrey has worked with SafeBAE and been a longtime Hospice Ambassador, and also supports PETA and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). She shares, "To most, death is an incredibly scary and taboo idea. Hospice provides a shoulder to lean on... and the important duty of easing the fears and doubts that naturally reside in our minds as we approach the end of our lifetime. There is nothing I am more proud or passionate about than being a part of this work. It is a life-long commitment for me. A passion that I find to be more gratifying than anything I have ever known…”.
Find Torrey online at: ig: @torreydevitto
Torrey’s former acting teacher: Michael Woolson | https://MichaelWoolson.com
Hospice https://www.nhpco.org/
SafeBAE https://safebae.org
Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at: https://www.courtneyrioux.com
Find Courtney on Social Media: https://instagram.com/courtneyrioux
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Special thanks to:
Henrique Lazary for editing and mixing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to https://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
Co-Edited by Courtney Rioux
Abundance and Love Feat. Bex Marsh
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
You are so much more than the last job you booked.
This week Courtney sits down with Bex Marsh. Bex is an Asian American actor, producer, writer, and former college baller. She's trained and performed at the world-renowned comedy theaters in Chicago: iO Chicago, The Annoyance, and The Second City. While in the Midwest, she took part in off-broadway theater, commercials, television, improv, and sketch comedy.
Now in Los Angeles, Bex recently shot a recurring role in the new pilot Strong Tower, co-star roles for CBS's Man With A Plan and Fox's Outmatched, and a supporting role for the film Clemency (starring Alfre Woodard) that just won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance (2019). Also, her comedy short Waterboy, which she co-wrote and starred in, was a finalist in the TBS Just For Laughs Shorts Competition headed by Kevin Hart. Catch her performing improv on the show Asian AF at UCB LA, or on any of America's Best or Ross Dress For Less commercials, or as one half of DUVAL Sketch Comedy for FUNNY OR DIE.
Find Bex on IG, Twitter, and Clubhouse at:
Duval:
Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at:
Find Courtney on Social Media:
Chicago Local Election Facebook Group:
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Special thanks to:
Erick Backus for editing and mixing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
Co-Edited by Courtney Rioux
It's a Hell Yes! Feat. Tiffany Cox
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked. Today Courtney sits down with Tiffany Yvonne Cox. Tiffany is a 1st generation Trinidadian actress, producer, writer, and director. She began her professional career interning at The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. This launched her into the Chicago Theatre scene where she worked with companies such as Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The House Theatre, and The Goodman. After her first TV role on Chicago Fire, she decided to move to LA where she has worked on shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Dead To Me, and several films and national commercials. When not on screen or stage, Tiffany volunteers with non-profit organizations such as CSH Speak Up! where she supports those who have experienced homelessness to share their stories with legislation. She realized bringing minority stories to the forefront was something she could easily create through her art. She began producing her own creative work beginning with the Digital Series COMMUNE. Followed by her directorial debut of a short film called ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. To learn more about Tiffany’s work and projects, check out these links: www.tiffanyyvonnecox.com INSTAGRAM: @tiffany_y_cox Commune The Series: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvfEGj5TF0w3uNMePKhP6jA Black HMU United: http://www.facebook.com/blackhmuunited The Roadside Assistance Workshop http://www.roadsideassistancewkshp.com A safe online retreat to grow and nurture empathy and allyship through reflective conversations and time with your inner voice. -- Tiffany directed and acted in LaDonna's Epiphany Ep. 1 of the Vaccine Vignets featuring Anna Maria Horsford https://vaccinevignettes.com/podcast-item/how-to-avoid-making-bad-choices/ — Catch Tiffany in Artemisia Theatre’s next Podcast play titled RACHEL by Angelina W. Grimke — Release Date of May 26th--- artemisiatheatre.org PGA To Host Panel On “Hair & Makeup Equity” With SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Gersh & Management 360 – Deadline https://deadline.com/2021/04/hair-makeup-equity-panel-may-11-sag-aftra-foundation-gersh-management-360-1234745204/ Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at: www.courtneyrioux.com Find Courtney on Social Media: instagram.com/courtneyrioux ### Special thanks to: Eric Backus for mixing this episode. Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work. Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/ Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com Edited by Courtney Rioux
Collaboration vs. Competition Feat. Lolo & Wendy (Chicago Med)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
You are so much more than the last job you booked.
This week Courtney sits down with Lorena Diaz and Wendy Mateo. They are critically acclaimed sketch comedy writers and actors. As Dominizuelan they’ve been featured in Latina Magazine, Chicago Tribune, and TimeOut NY for their infectious chemistry and comedy. The duo co-created a web series with Fred Armisen (SNL) called The Dominizuelan Consulate. Lolo and Wendy wrote and directed their first short film “Good Mothers” in 2018, since then they have been focused on developing film and narrative content. Lolo and Wendy and directed 2 short films in quarantine, “Sunset 1919” and “Identified”. Diaz and Mateo have teamed up with 6 other partners to build a content creation company, Chicago4Real focused on creating live interactive entertainment on Amazon’s Twitch platform. On your TV, you can catch Lorena in her recurring role as Nurse Doris on NBC’s Chicago MED|FIRE|PD franchise. Wendy is an Artistic Associate of the Lookingglass Theatre and can also be seen on this season of Chicago Med.
Facebook: Lolo and Wendy | Chicago4Real
Instagram: @LoloandWendy | @itslorenadiaz | @itswendymateo | @Chicago4Real_on_Twitch
https://www.twitch.tv/chicago4real
Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at:
Find Courtney on Social Media:
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Special thanks to:
Erick Backus for editing and mixing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
Co-Edited by Courtney Rioux
Wait...Did I Just Join a Cult? Feat. Dr. Janja Lalich
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked.
Today Courtney sits down with researcher, author, and educator, Dr. Janja Lalich, Ph.D.
Dr. Lalich specializes in cults and extremist groups and has worked with current members, former members, and families of members of controversial groups. A former Fulbright scholar, and Professor Emerita of Sociology, Dr. Lalich is the founder and director of the Center for Research on Influence and Control. She has a Master’s in Human Development and a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems. She’s written numerous books, including her most recent one, Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships. The audiobook is coming out soon with Sarah Edmunson, narrating.
Dr. Lalich is a former member of a cult herself, and is in, and produced several cult documentaries including: Heavens Gate, Seduced, The UnXplained, The Lost Women of NXIVM, Explained, Cults and Extreme Belief, and more.
To learn more about Dr. Lalich, visit:
Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at:
Find Courtney on Social Media:
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Special thanks to:
Eric Backus for editing and mixing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions.
Imposter Syndrome Feat. James Vincent Meredith (Fargo, Book of Mormon, Widows)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
You are so much more than the last job you booked.
Today Courtney sits down with actor, James Vincent Meredith. Born in Chicago, raised in Evanston, now residing in Oak Park, James Vincent Meredith is proud to call Illinois and the Midwest his home. Meredithʼs body of work spans film, television, and theater. His feature credits include Widows, the 2018 crime thriller starring Viola Davis, Princess Cyd, and Knives and Skin.
In television, he was a series regular on the fourth season of Fargo as Opal Rackley. He recurred as Barry Vaughn on NBCʼs Chicago Med and Alderman Ross on Boss for Starz, as well as guest star appearances on Proven Innocent and Exorcist (FOX), Shameless (HBO), and Betrayal (ABC). Meredith has been a member of Chicagoʼs Steppenwolf Theatre Company for over a decade, sharing the stage with Tracy Letts, Rainn Wilson, LoisSmith, William Petersen, and Michael McKean, among others. Broadway credits include Superior Donuts and “Mafala Hatimbi” in the long-running musical Book of Mormon.
To learn more about James Vincent Meredith, visit:
https://www.instagram.com/javimere1971/
Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at:
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Special thanks to:
Henrique Lazary for editing and mixing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux.
Music by Blythe Martin Productions- erik@SoundAnswer.com
Co-Edited by Courtney Rioux
Uplevel Your Career Feat DaJuan Johnson (Bosch, Grey's Anatomy)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked.
Today Courtney sits down with DaJuan Johnson.
DaJuan is a consistently working actor, certified life coach, and the founder of Think Bigger Coaching.
Currently, you can catch him recurring as Detective Rondell Pierce on Amazon’s hit show BOSCH, which was recently renewed for its seventh season. DaJuan’s credits include his ABC-backed Emmy-campaigned performance on Grey’s Anatomy and his lead role in the Emmy-nominated YouTube Series, The New 30. Credits also include Suits, Agent Carter, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, Private Practice, 24, and Bones,
and now he is also on a mission to help actors #uplevel their careers with confidence.
His mindset strategies are grounded in real-life experience as a veteran working actor. He has helped hundreds of others break through personal blocks and integrate best audition practices so they can book more work and quickly move to the next level.
To learn more about DaJuan head on over to:
https://thinkbiggercoaching.com
https://www.instagram.com/thinkbiggercoaching/
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Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at www.courtneyrioux.com
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Special thanks to:
Henrique Lazary for editing and mixing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux.
Music by Blythe Martin Productions.
Co-Edited by Courtney Rioux
(Rerelease) Audition Psych 101 with Michael Kostroff (The Wire)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney sits down with actor and coach, Michael Kostroff, for a wide-ranging interview. They discuss changing your mindset when it comes to auditioning, Michael's classic TV role on The Wire, the need for civil discourse, and so much more!
Michael’s Free Class and Audition Psych 101 Online (https://bit.ly/3naPrsA)
MICHAEL KOSTROFF:
Formerly the world’s worst auditioner, Michael Kostroff is now an established working actor best known for his five seasons as gang attorney Maury Levy on HBO’s legendary series, The Wire, and for his dozens of other television appearances, including roles on Billions, The Blacklist, Law & Order: SVU, Luke Cage, The Deuce, Elementary, The Good Wife, Damages, Blue Bloods, Banshee, and opposite Robert De Niro in HBO Films' Wizard of Lies.
He understudied the Tony Award-winning role of Max Bialystock on the first national tour of The Producers, originated the role of "Thénardier" for the 25th Anniversary U.S. Tour of Les Misérables, and stood by on Broadway in The Nance. Regional engagements have taken him to Goodspeed, Paper Mill, Flat Rock, Theatre Aspen, Musical Theatre West, Olney Theatre, and more.
A former advice columnist for Backstage (2006-2012), Kostroff is also a director, audition coach, and frequent guest instructor at colleges, universities, and drama schools. He’s the author of Letters from Backstage, Answers from "The Working Actor," and Audition Psych 101.
Meanwhile . . . he continues to audition.
Michael's Books on Amazon:
Audition Psych 101 (https://amzn.to/2Lj21ck)
Letters from Backstage: The Adventures of a Touring Stage Actor (https://amzn.to/3oxHEGK)
Answers from "The Working Actor" (https://amzn.to/3bnr1Kd)
Find Michael On The Internet:
Audition Psych 101 on Twitter (https://twitter.com/auditionpsych)
Michael Kostroff on Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheRealKostroff)
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Thanks to Tommy Martin of Multiple Hats Productions for helping with the rerelease of this episode.
Less Struggle, More Flow: Tips for Your Most Fulfilling Year Yet Feat. Wendy Braun
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked.
The Success Breakthrough Experience: Wendy’s Free 5-Day Virtual Event:
Register http://www.Actorinspiration.com/success
Free Gifts From Wendy:
Free Guided Meditation: Easing Anxiety + Improving Well-being
De-stress in under 15 minutes. Download it here: Actorinspiration.com/ease
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Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at www.courtneyrioux.com
Special thanks to:
Henrique Lazary for editing and mixing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux.
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
Co-edited with Courtney Rioux
Michael Pressman (Exec Producer-Chicago Med) Life, Art, and Network TV
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
Courtney talks with writer, director, and executive producer of Chicago Med, Michael Pressman. Michael Pressman has been a filmmaker for decades. He directed a diverse slate of feature films, including the cult hit Boulevard Nights, which was one of twenty-five films selected in 2019 for preservation by the Library of Congress; Those Lips, Those Eyes starring Frank Langella; Doctor Detroit starring Dan Aykroyd and Some Kind of Hero starring Richard Pryor. He’s the executive producer of Chicago Med, executive producer of Blue Bloods, and directed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 - Secret Of The Ooze. He has also directed episodes of Justified, Law and Order SVU, Sneaky Pete, Damages, Chicago Med, and countless others. And he directed the Hallmark Hall Of Fame “Saint Maybe “ by Ann Tyler as well as the classic “Quicksand - No Escape “ by Peter Baloff and Dave Wollert, starring Donald Sutherland and Tim Matheson. Michael has directed many theater productions, including the highly successful Broadway revival of Comeback Little Sheba starring S. Epatha Merkerson. He graduated from the film school at Cal/Arts and also attended Carnegie-Mellon, majoring in acting and directing for the theater. He has won two Emmy Awards for executive producing and show running the acclaimed series Picket Fences and earned an Emmy nomination and a DGA nomination for his work on the hospital series Chicago Hope.
Follow Courtney Rioux online: www.courtneyrioux.com | instagram.com/courtneyrioux | Facebook.com/CourtneyRiouxOfficial | Twitter.com/CourtneyRioux
Other links:
Boulevard Nights https://g.co/kgs/afbCL7
Those Lips Those Eyes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081625/
Frankie and Johnny Are Married https://www.amazon.com/Frankie-Johnny-are-Married-Antonio/dp/B001BKH10A
Picket Fences: Season 1 Ep 22 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0674737/?ref_=ttep_ep22
St. Maybe https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168156/
Sneaky Pete "Mr. Success" episode https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5308384/
TMNT 2: Secret of the Ooze https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103060/
Lasting Looks Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lasting-looks/id1537341991
Pleasantville Accident Article http://bit.ly/3mGaNh1
SJ Article https://onechicagocenter.com/2020/03/24/chicago-fire-chicago-med-directors-interview/ Dear Hollywood Article http://bit.ly/3pfwt5t
Special thanks: Editor: Henrique Lazary Assistant: Mandy Work Wetzel Photography: Brave Lux. Music: Blythe Martin Productions
A More Joyful Actor featuring Erica Elam (Positive Psychologist, Improvisor)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked.
Today Courtney sits down with performer and positive psychology practitioner, Erica Elam, to discuss how principles from improv and positive psychology can change an actor’s (or anyone’s) sense of well-being.
Erica Elam is an actor, improviser, director, and positive psychology practitioner based in Chicago. She has performed at The Goodman (in the world premiere of Sarah Ruhl's Stage Kiss), Steppenwolf, Northlight, Court, Remy Bumppo, Peninsula Players, Chicago Shakespeare, and with The Second City at The KennedyCenter in Washington, D.C. She is an ensemble member with the critically acclaimed improv troupes BabyWants Candy and The Improvised Shakespeare Company (with whom she was the first woman ever to perform). Erica earned her Masters in Applied Positive Psychology at The University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from The University of Georgia, The Second City Conservatory, and The School at Steppenwolf.
Find Erica on Social Media
Instagram: instagram.com/ericaelam
Follow Courtney Rioux online:
Sign up for V.I.P. updates and free gifts at www.courtneyrioux.com
facebook.com/CourtneyRiouxOfficial/
Other links:
Character Strengths: https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register
Shared History Pod: https://arcadeaudio.net/shared-history/2020/10/7/037-happy-healthy-history-feat-courtney-rioux
Zoom Fatigue: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/sunday-review/zoom-video-conference.html
###
Special thanks to:
Tommy Martin for editing and mixing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
Co-Edited by Courtney Rioux
Marlyne Barrett (Chicago Med) on becoming a series regular and building relationships
Courtney chats with actor, producer, and director, Marlyne Barrett; on cultivating relationships, the illusion of fame, and how Marlyne became a series regular without auditioning for Chicago Med.
Marlyne Barrett stars as Maggie Lockwood, the charge nurse who knows the heart of the staff as well as everyone who passes through the emergency department’s doors. Maggie is recently married and is skilled and confident, but recently faced profound health issues. Before starring in the NBC drama, Barrett was known to audiences for her dynamic portrayal of Council President Nerese Campbell on the critically acclaimed HBO series “The Wire.” She was also Ian McShane’s trustworthy attaché, Tomasina, on NBC’s “Kings” and played Felicia Marquand on the popular F/X series “Damages,” opposite Glenn Close and Rose Byrne. Additionally, she appeared on John Ridley’s ABC series “American Crime.”Her feature credits include “Hitch” and the indie “Quest,” from director Santiago Rizzo.
Barrett also executive produced and starred in the award-winning, Oscar-nominated short film “NightCall”, which earned more than 40 awards in the film festival circuit, including eight best short film awards (including Cannes Film Festival), four best of best/audience awards, and three best lead actress awards. She also appears in the upcoming feature “Shotgun,” which was in competition at SXSW and recently got distribution. This season she makes her directorial film debut in her first directed, produced, and written short film titled, “Haimerican”, which will make its debut at the Cannes International Pan African FilmFestival in October 2020.
Barrett is a 2020 NAMIC Vision Award Nominee, Best Performance-Drama for “Chicago Med.” Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. but raised in Montreal by Haitian parents with her sisters and brother, she made a promise to her parents to get a degree in nursing prior to fulfilling her acting career. She now has the honor of playing one on television. Marlyne is happily married to Gavin W. Barrett.
Find Marlyne Barrett online:
www.instagram.com/barrettmarlyne/
Her podcast with her husband "Pancakes 4 Dinner" launches on January 12, 2021.
Trailer: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pancakes-4-dinner/id1540847634
###
Special thanks to:
Tommy Martin for Sound Mixing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
Edited by Courtney Rioux
Courtney Rioux is a multi-passionate creative. As an actor, you may have seen her most recently on Chicago Med or heard her voice on a Jimmy Dean commercial, but Courtney is also an advocate for actors. She does this as a host of the podcast The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux, in teaching and coaching actors, and in her role as VP of the Chicago Sag-Aftra board. With each of these, she inspires and empowers actors to create a life of joy, freedom, and abundance.
Follow her at @courtneyrioux on Insta and sign up for her V.I.P. updates and free gifts at www.CourtneyRioux.com
Letting Go featuring David Ellzey
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked.
This week, Courtney sits down with coach and author, David Ellzey, to discuss his expansion from acting into coaching and how the Sedona Method is a transformational practice, especially for actors managing anxiety.
David Ellzey has worked in the field of consciousness, emotional health, and living an awakened life for the last 30 years - as a teacher and coach for organizations and individuals. His clients range from the United Nations to the investment industry, and individuals in all challenges of life, including COVID-19. He’s one of the few global instructors of the Sedona Method, a technique for letting go and realizing our unlimited nature. He is a transformational speaker and performer at conferences and events worldwide. In addition to a thirty-year successful acting career in TV, film, and on stage, David is also an accomplished author. You can find his most recent book, The Ocean of Now, on Amazon.
COMING UP Sedona Method Immersion - Dec. 5th!
READ MORE HERE Website and Mailing List www.davidellzey.com, david@davidellzey.com
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1sjBlsU4krS3PuKsjPNsg
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/david.ellzey.3
More with Courtney and David: https://vimeo.com/405666301
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media:
Website www.courtneyrioux.com
Instagram instagram.com/courtneyrioux
Twitter twitter.com/courtneyrioux
Facebook facebook.com/courtneyrioux ###
Special thanks to:
Eric Backus for editing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Dana Black of https://iswearonmymothersgravepod.com/ for your podcast knowledge.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Theme music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
Courtney Rioux is a multi-passionate creative. As an actor, you may have seen her most recently on Chicago Med or heard her voice on a Jimmy Dean commercial, but Courtney is also an advocate for actors. She does this as a host of the podcast The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux, in teaching and coaching actors, and in her role as VP of the Chicago Sag-Aftra board. With each of these, she inspires and empowers actors to create a life of joy, freedom, and abundance. Follow her at @courtneyrioux on Insta and sign up for her V.I.P. updates at www.CourtneyRioux.com
Casting is a Party and You’re Invited feat. AJ Links (Paskal Rudnicke Casting)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness. You are so much more than the last job you booked.
This week, Courtney sits down with Casting Director, AJ Links, to discuss all things casting; the process, the relationship to the broader industry, and working in times of pandemic and growing social movements.
AJ Links is a Casting Director for Paskal Rudnicke Casting. Her credits include television, film, commercials, industrials, short films, and music videos. Her recent work includes Steve McQueen’s feature Widows, Showtime’s Work in Progress and Emmy-nominated series, Shameless, CBS’s The Red Line, Comedy Central’s South Side, and HBO’s series from JJ Abrams’ and Jordan Peele: Lovecraft Country. You can also see her work in the first season of Amazon’s Patriot, Adult Swim’s Joe Pera Talks With You, and NBC’s Shrink. After graduating with a BFA in Theatre Arts from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2011, she joined Paskal Rudnicke Casting as a Casting Assistant in 2013. Her love for actors, improvisation, and alternative story structure and style guide her casting choices and distinctive taste. Though theatre is her first love, film has captured her heart.
Find AJ Links On the Internet: www.prcasting.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexisjadelinks | https://www.instagram.com/prcasting
Follow Courtney Rioux: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Special thanks to:
Enrique Palomino for editing this episode.
Mandy Work Wetzel for all of your hard work.
Dana Black of I Swear on My Mother's Grave Podcast for your podcast knowledge.
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux.
Theme Music by Blythe Martin Productions.
For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
*******************************************************************************
Courtney Rioux is a multi-passionate creative. As an actor, you may have seen her most recently on Chicago Med or heard her voice on a Jimmy Dean commercial, but Courtney is also an advocate for actors. She does this as a host of the podcast The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux, in teaching and coaching actors, and in her role as VP of the Chicago Sag-Aftra board. With each of these, she inspires and empowers actors to create a life of joy, freedom, and abundance. Follow her at @courtneyrioux on Insta and sign up for her V.I.P. updates at www.CourtneyRioux.com.
Season Two Trailer
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
Get a sneak peek from season two guests like Michael Pressman (Chicago Med), AJ Links (PR Casting), Marlyne Barrett (Chicago Med), and Erica Elam (Positive Psychologist/Improvisor), and learn what happened to Courtney between seasons! Ouch!
Special thanks to:
Enrique Palomino for editing this trailer.
Mandy Work for all of your hard work.
Dana Black for your podcast knowledge.
Jamie and Erik Martin for the theme music. Erik@SoundAnswer.com
Joe Mazza for my photo.
***********************************************************
Courtney Rioux is a multi-passionate creative. As an actor, you may have seen her most recently on Chicago Med or heard her voice on a Jimmy Dean commercial, but Courtney is also an advocate for actors. She does this as a host of the podcast The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux, in teaching and coaching actors, and in her role as VP of the Chicago Sag-Aftra board. With each of these, she inspires and empowers actors to create a life of joy, freedom, and abundance.
Follow her at @courtneyrioux on Insta and sign up for her V.I.P. updates at www.CourtneyRioux.com.
Panic Attacks and Goals with Kelly O’Sullivan (Actor, Writer, Saint Frances)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux. Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week is the Season 1 Finale of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux! To celebrate the end of the season, Courtney speaks with actor, writer, director, and best friend, Kelly O'Sullivan, about a variety of topics including Kelly becoming a writer, Saint Frances (her multi-award-winning first screenplay), her anxiety and panic attacks on set, and shame. Seriously though, it's a fun podcast - Kelly has a special gift to make serious things funny.
Thank you for listening and we can't wait to see you in Season 2!
* As mentioned in Courtney's Intro, here is a link to Brene Brown's TED Talk, Listening to Shame (https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare)
Courtney's Book Shelf!
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
KELLY O'SULLIVAN:
Kelly O’Sullivan is an actor, writer, and director originally from North Little Rock, Arkansas. Saint Frances, her first feature screenplay which she also starred in, premiered at South by Southwest where it won a special jury award for Breakthrough Voice and the Audience Award for Narrative Feature. As an actor, she has performed at Steppenwolf Theatre, The Goodman, Writers Theatre, the Pacific Playwrights Festival, and the Ojai Playwrights Conference, among many others. Her TV and Film work includes two seasons on USA’s Sirens, and independent films Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party, Olympia, and Sleep with Me. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, The School at Steppenwolf, is a recipient of a Princess Grace Fellowship for Theatre and a 3Arts Make a Wave grantee.
Find Kelly On The Internet:
Saint Frances Movie on Twitter (twitter.com/saint_movie)
Saint Frances Movie on Instagram (instagram.com/saintfrancesmovie/)
Rent or Buy Saint Frances on iTunes!
###
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is a PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.
Make your Passion your Profession with Taylor Mallory (Singer, Actor, & Educator)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with Artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney speaks with with professional singer, songwriter, actor, educator, and looping artist, Taylor Mallory, about how his artistic statement, “my passion is my profession,” shapes his multi-faceted career; as well as creating music in the 52 Week Song Challenge, being teacher as a Black male, the importance of being on SAG-AFTRA's board, and so much more!
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
Courtney's Book Shelf!
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
TAYLOR MALLORY:
Photography: Chollette
Taylor Mallory is a professional singer, songwriter, actor, educator, and looping artist. As a music artist, he’s been featured in the Wall Street Journal, JET, Windy City Live! and nominated for Best Male Vocalist for the Chicago Music Awards.
His acting highlights include national print, radio, and commercial ads from Corona, Newport, McDonalds, Rocket Mortgage and many more. He made his television debut on NBC’s Chicago P.D., as Darius Brown. Above all, Mallory uses his artistry as an entertainer to uplift and encourage those who have experienced childhood trauma and sexual abuse; his message is simple “You are enough and your healing starts with you. Embrace all of your different “selves!”
In addition, Taylor is a proud SAG-AFTRA member and a vocal mentor for the F.A.M.E. foundation. He currently teaches a course entitled Professional Development for Vocalists at the Chicago High School of Arts and directs a 20 student rock band at the School of Rock — Oak Park.
His artistic statement is simple: “My passion is my profession.”
Find Taylor On The Internet:
Taylor's Website (taylormallorymusic.com)
The Challenge Sessions Vol. 1 (all proceeds from The Challenge Sessions Vol. 1 will be donated to @dreamoneducation — a black female led organization helping black youth in academic achievement)
Feeling Better (feat. Sam Trump, Trentino, & Budway Ferris)
Dream on Education (dreamoneducation.org)
Instagram (instagram.com/taylormallory)
Facebook
YouTube
###
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is a PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.
Manifesting a Series Regular Role with Karin Anglin (Actor, Work in Progress)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney has a great conversation with actor, Karin Anglin, about being a series regular on Showtime's Work in Progress, getting over professional heartbreak, letting go of the "how" and the "when", being a serial journaler, achieving a work-life balance, and much more!
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
KARIN ANGLIN:
Karin Anglin is thrilled to be a regular cast member of the hit TV series Work In Progress on Showtime. She has over 26 TV and film credits to her name, most recently filming her recurring role on the upcoming FOX series, neXt. She’s also guest starred on Netflix’s Soundtrack, Amazon’s Electric Dreams, NBC’s Dick Wolf creations, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD and Chicago Justice, FOX’s Proven Innocent, Empire, The Mob Doctor, The Chicago Code and Prison Break and A&E’s The Beast to name a few. Anglin is also a nationally recognized voice talent most notably voicing commercial campaigns for Always, Symbicort, Kellogg’s, Dove, and Kraft and lending her promo voice talents to networks like NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central, SyFy and ESPN. Anglin commits to being unstoppable in pursuing her craft and plans on thriving in her artistic endeavors as long as she can.
“I love breathing life into scripts and pride myself on being adept at interpreting direction so that I can bring a director and/or producer’s creative vision to fruition with ease and authenticity. I focus on delivering a performance that serves the script truthfully but is also nuanced with my own unique viewpoint and interpretation. I want the creative collaborations I am a part of to feel successful for everyone on board”.
Find Karin On The Internet:
Karin's Website (www.karinanglin.com)
Work In Progress
Instagram (instagram.com/karinanglin)
Linked In
###
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is a PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.
Be a Changemaker Online with Tony Howell (Digital Strategist)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney has a fantastic talk with digital strategist, Tony Howell. Tony is a one-stop shop for digital wellness and this week's episode is jam-packed with useful information and tips. Learn why you need to pay attention to, and take control of, your online presence through social media, brand awareness, having Email Excellence, and so much more. Be a Changemaker.
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
For more information on the contract, check out this non-partisan breakdown of the tentative agreement, presented by The Union Working Podcast
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Tony Howell:
Tony Howell is a digital strategist for Emmy, Grammy, Tony, Oscar, and Olivier award-winning artists. His work has been featured by Google, Squarespace, SAG-AFTRA, Actors' Equity Association, and more. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he was an actor for 20+ years—performing on Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, and more. In addition to weekly free content and scholarships to his quarterly programs, Tony donates a percentage of profits to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and 100% of all the profits from his book, Artists to Artist to the ACLU.
Find Tony On The Internet:
TonyHowell.me (tonyhowell.me/)
The Tony Howell Podcast: Conversations with Changemakers
Tony on Twitter (twitter.com/tonyhowell)
Tony on Instagram (instagram.com/tonyhowell/)
###
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
Create Your Own Work with Sean Ely (Number Six With Cheese)
The Myth of the Starving Artist with Miata Edoga (Financial Educator, Actor)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney sits down with financial educator and actor, Miata Edoga. One of the longest relationships we have in our life is with money, whether we know it or not. Courtney and Miata discuss the need for artists to be financially stable and educated, overcoming financial hurdles, dispelling the idea of the starving artist, and much more.
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
Courtney's Book Shelf
The Printable Debt Thermometer
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
MIATA EDOGA:
Miata Edoga is the President and Founder of the financial education company, Abundance Bound. For over two decades, she has been helping individuals of all backgrounds establish a healthier, more compassionate relationship with their money – whether they are just starting out, or starting over, or starting to wonder how they should handle their growing wealth.
Miata’s Abundance Bound curriculum has been licensed by industry-leading organizations and is currently being taught on both coasts. She also created The Artist’s Prosperity System TM, which, over the years, has provided thousands of creatives with a specific, step-by-step process to significantly improve their financial situation – giving them more time, energy, and freedom to focus on their creative careers and artistic pursuits.
Miata serves as the National Financial Wellness Consultant for The Actors Fund – a national human services non-profit for everyone in the entertainment industry. She has also led workshops and seminars on financial empowerment for a wide range of organizations including: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Writers Guild of America, The Directors Guild, The Screen Actors Guild, and The Center for Cultural Innovation.
With a strong belief that early financial education empowers young people to live their very best lives, Miata shares her signature seminars with students (and their parents) in schools around the country including: NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, USC School of Dramatic Arts, Columbia University, PACE University and the California Institute of the Arts.
Find Miata On The Internet:
Abundance Bound (https://abundancebound.com/)
Twitter (https://twitter.com/AbundanceBound)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/abundancebound/)
The Actors Fund (https://actorsfund.org/)
###
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is a PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.
The Character's Task with Michael Kostroff (The Wire, The Plot Against America)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney sits down with actor and coach, Michael Kostroff, for a wide ranging interview. They discuss changing your mindset when it comes to auditioning, Michael's classic TV role on The Wire, the need for civil discourse, and so much more!
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
MICHAEL KOSTROFF:
Formerly the world’s worst auditioner, Michael Kostroff is now an established working actor best known for his five seasons as gang attorney Maury Levy on HBO’s legendary series, The Wire, and for his dozens of other television appearances, including roles on Billions, The Blacklist, Law & Order: SVU, Luke Cage, The Deuce, Elementary, The Good Wife, Damages, Blue Bloods, Banshee, and opposite Robert De Niro in HBO Films' Wizard of Lies.
He understudied the Tony Award-winning role of Max Bialystock on the first national tour of The Producers, originated the role of "Thénardier" for the 25th Anniversary U.S. Tour of Les Misérables, and stood by on Broadway in The Nance. Regional engagements have taken him to Goodspeed, Paper Mill, Flat Rock, Theatre Aspen, Musical Theatre West, Olney Theatre, and more.
A former advice columnist for Backstage (2006-2012), Kostroff is also a director, audition coach, and frequent guest instructor at colleges, universities, and drama schools. He’s the author of Letters from Backstage, Answers from "The Working Actor," and Audition Psych 101.
Meanwhile . . . he continues to audition.
Michael's Books on Amazon:
Audition Psych 101
Letters from Backstage: The Adventures of a Touring Stage Actor
Answers from "The Working Actor"
Find Michael On The Internet:
Audition Psych 101 Website (AuditionPsych101.com)
Audition Psych 101 on Twitter (https://twitter.com/auditionpsych)
Michael Kostroff on Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheRealKostroff)
###
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to
Act like a Series Regular with Wendy Davis (Army Wives, Love Is_ )
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney sits down with actress and acting coach, Wendy Davis, to discuss Wendy's acting career, her passion for teaching, your responsibilities when you're a lead on a series, and the need to overcome our own limiting beliefs and the lies we tell ourselves that hold us back!
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Wendy Davis:
Wendy recently starred on OWN's hit series, Love Is, as Wiser Nuri, her fourth series regular role. She is widely known for her portrayal of Colonel Joan Burton for seven seasons on Lifetime Television's popular drama, Army Wives. She was nominated for several awards for her work on the show.
Wendy has been singled out for her stellar work many times. An example of this is when The Hollywood Reporter reviewed the Steven Spielberg ABC pilot, High Incident. Wendy booked a small guest-starring role on the show. The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "The large and strikingly good cast all make outstanding first impressions, and Wendy Davis is magnificent as a cop's widow. " Wendy was offered a series regular role on the ABC show.
Other recent credits include the sci-fi film, Encounter with Luke Hemsworth. Television shows include Bull, NCIS, Major Crimes, Criminal Minds, Designated Survivor, and a five-episode arc on Scandal, to name a few.
In 2010 Wendy founded ActingPros.com while shooting Army Wives on location in Charleston, South Carolina. After shooting her day's work on Army Wives, Wendy taught a group of highly motivated trained local actors Audition and Close-Up classes in the studio cafeteria on the lot. Several of them transformed from amateurs to professional working film and television actors.
Wendy continues to work professionally, and help actors reach their dream of becoming highly paid, working professionals through her free Audition Secrets, and online courses at actingpros.com!
Find Wendy On The Internet:
Acting Pros (www.actingpros.com)
How To Self Tape - Wendy's FREE Program: "How To Self-Tape Like a Series Regular Starter Kit" (https://www.howtoselftape.com)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/realwendydavis/)
###
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is a PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.
Healing the Trauma of Racism with Tania Richard (Actor, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney sits down with actress, writer and diversity & inclusion consultant, Tania Richard, to discuss the trauma of racism, the need for healing and the search for joy.
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
TANIA RICHARD:
Tania recently appeared in School Girls; or the African Mean Girls Play at The Goodman Theatre. She has performed on Broadway, with Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Court Theatre, and The Second City, among others. She is currently the producer and host of Tania’s Take: race, culture and the culture of race.
She was previously the co-host of the podcast Race Bait. Her video series A Minute on Racism is on Facebook. Her books are My So-Called Unexpected Life: The 10 Things I Did to Meet and Marry My Man, Be A Stepmom, Have Babies & Embrace the Life I Never Knew I Wanted; and Unexpected Life: Interviews About Embracing the Unexpected. She’s also an award-winning playwright. She has appeared on Chicago Fire, Chicago Justice, Chicago PD, Empire, Proven Innocent, The Chi, Work in Progress as well as multiple commercials.
Tania has been featured on NPR's All Things Considered, The Story, The John Howell show on WLS, The Chicago Tribune and on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight speaking on issues of culture, race, equity and inclusion.
Find Tania On The Internet:
Website (www.taniarichard.com)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/taniastake/)
Tania's Take Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tanias-take-race-culture-and-the-culture-of-race/id1450118710)
A Minute on Racism (https://www.facebook.com/A-Minute-on-Racism-1733338013549408/)
Tania's Books on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Tania-Richard/e/B00L4C7S80/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1)
###
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is a PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.
BLM Reflection and Loving Kindness Meditation with Courtney Rioux
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
Our regularly scheduled episode, featuring actress and acting coach, Wendy Davis, encountered some technical difficulties so stayed tuned for that interview coming in a couple of weeks. Instead, Courtney takes the opportunity this week to do a short loving kindness meditation and to reflect on the need for, and to encourage all of us to listen to, read and watch, Black stories.
Show Notes:
Hashtag Booked Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hashtagbooked/)
Tania Richard Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/taniastake/)
A Minute on Racism (https://www.facebook.com/A-Minute-on-Racism)
Acting Pros (https://www.actingpros.com/home)
Anti-Racism Resources (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR0cPU6fSENzIgTo6lnBdrpdlQW-Qj0euYbZOzz5X6ytJDn-Azbt3-FeAYg)
Media Bias/Fact Check (https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/)
Meditation from Bodhi Spiritual Center (https://bodhicenter.org/)
Music From Meditation (https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/downloads-c/peaceful-and-relaxing-music/22)
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
###
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is a PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.
Agent Wisdom with KaCee Hudson (DDO) and Artist Mission Statements with Gail Rastorfer (Actor, Coach)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney sits down to chat with the director of DDO Chicago, KaCee Hudson, about the importance of having a great agent, and with actress and acting coach, Gail Rastorfer, about making a mission statement for the business of you!
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
KaCee Hudson:
Coming from both a Casting and Performance background, KaCee transitioned to talent representation in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since.
As the Director of DDO Chicago, KaCee is fiercely passionate about cultivating Chicago’s diverse and industrious talent with an individualized approach for each performer and a deep appreciation for creation in all mediums.
When she's not advocating for artists, you can find her reading and sipping cold brew at home with her fiance, son and their new pup, Shea.
Find DDO and KaCee Hudson On The Internet:
DDO Website (http://ddoagency.com/ddo-chicago/)
Email KaCee (kacee@ddoagency.com)
Gail Rastorfer:
Gail Rastorfer has been practicing the craft of acting for over 20 years, working in theatre, commercials, TV and film. Her work on stage has taken her all over the country. After 20 years in Chicagoland, she now splits her time between the Chicago and Los Angeles markets.
Most recently, Gail has appeared in an episode 100 of AHS:1984 and will be in an episode of the upcoming Netflix series, Ratched, starring Sarah Paulson. For the past six years, she has combined her experience as an actor, her background working for a venture capitalist, a legendary Chicago casting director and her 8 years at Acting Studio Chicago to coach and consult other performing artists on how to make acting their business through her company Artistic Strategies.
Find Gail On The Internet:
Email Gail (artisticstrategies@gmail.com)
Artistic Strategies (www.artistic-strategies.com)
Gail Online (www.gailonline.net)
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Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is a PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.
Industry Update with Eric Chaudron (SAG-AFTRA) and Breathing with David Ellzey (Awakened Life Coach)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
This week, Courtney sits down to chat with Eric Chaudron, the Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA Chicago, to discuss the current state of the industry and the union's response to COVID-19, and with David Ellzey, to show us how to focus on our breathing as a way to transform our life.
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Eric Chaudron:
Eric Chaudron. Photo: SAG-AFTRA
Eric Chaudron has been the Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA Chicago since 2010. He supervises the staff in an office which covers six mid-western states. In addition, he negotiates on behalf our broadcasters in Chicago and Minneapolis. He is currently the president of the Illinois Production Alliance and the Chair of the Central Regional Advisory Council of The Actors Fund. Eric also sits as President to the Kaufherr Resource Center, a training and education center for Chicago actors, performers and Broadcasters.
Stay informed on SAG's COVID-19 response HERE.
More Information on The Kaufherr Resource Center!
Please consider donating to the Actors Fund!
David Ellzey:
David Ellzey has worked in the field of consciousness, emotional health, and living an awakened life for the last 30 years - as a teacher and coach for organizations and individuals. His clients range from the United Nations to the investment industry, and individuals in all challenges of life, including COVID-19. He’s one of the few global instructors of the Sedona Method, a technique for letting go and realizing our unlimited nature. He is a transformational speaker and performer at conferences and events worldwide. In addition to a thirty year successful acting career in TV, film, and on stage, David is also an accomplished author. You can find his most recent book, The Ocean of Now, on Amazon.
Follow David Ellzey on Social Media
Website and Mailing List | YouTube| Facebook | Email
More with Courtney and David: https://vimeo.com/405666301
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux (Trailer)
The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux: Conversations with artists about acting, purpose, and the journey to finding wholeness.
Each week, Courtney will discuss the best ways to achieve your ideal life. Focusing on topics that range from acting techniques to personal self-care, the podcast will feature a diverse array of guests, from actors and industry leaders to spiritual life coaches and financial advisors.
The aim of The Whole Artist with Courtney Rioux is to not just make you a better actor, but to help you live a more fulfilled life.
Follow Courtney Rioux on Social Media
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Credits:
Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux. For more information, go to http://bravelux.com/
Music by Blythe Martin Productions. For more info, please contact Jamie and Erik at erik@SoundAnswer.com
This is PodClubhouse original production. Produced, engineered and edited at PodClubouse Studios.