The ActorZilla Podcast

Click here to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Brian Kurtas, the Associate Artistic Director of the Walnut Street Theatre, shares his journey in the theater industry and his role at the theater. He also discusses his freelancing business, Kurtas Creative, and the importance of being an informed actor. Brian provides insights into auditioning, developing relationships in the industry, and the future of the Walnut Street Theatre. He emphasizes the value of the people and the high production values at the theater. In this conversation, Brian Kurtas, the Casting Director and Associate Artistic Director of The Walnut Street Theatre, discusses [...]

Click here to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Jim Johnson, founder of AccentHelp.com and professor of voice and dialects, shares his journey and expertise in teaching accents and dialects. He discusses the importance of authenticity and cultural awareness when learning and performing accents. Jim also emphasizes the integration of accents with acting and the need for trust and collaboration between actors, directors, and dialect coaches. He provides tips for beginners learning accents and highlights the significance of phonetics in accent work. Jim addresses the ethical considerations of accent representation and the responsibility of actors to make informed choices. He [...]

RJ Magee, a casting director, talent manager, director, actor, and educator, shares his journey and experiences in the entertainment industry. He discusses his interest in casting and how he started as a casting intern at the Arden Theatre Company. RJ also talks about his work as a talent manager and freelance casting director. RJ provides insights into the auditioning process and the qualities that make an actor stand out. He also discusses the significance of networking and the difference between auditioning and performing. The conversation explores the synergy that happens when you show up to auditions, and the importance of getting representation, and of course, much more!

00:00 Introduction and Background
00:51 Interest in Casting
02:50 Partnership with Manager
04:17 Freelance Casting Office
06:12 Pursuing MFA and Teaching
09:01 Current Work at Longwood University
11:07 Motivation for Pursuing Multiple Roles
13:52 Transition from Actor to Casting Director
15:38 Challenges and Saturation in the Industry
16:53 Key to Longevity in the Acting Career
18:01 Importance of Having Other Skills
19:23 Getting a Degree in Business Administration
20:53 Bridging the Gap Between Graduation and Becoming a Working Actor
22:55 Changes in Auditioning Process
24:32 Standout Qualities in Auditions
32:11 Importance of Special Skills
38:02 Networking in the Industry
40:47 Auditioning as a Different Skill than Performing
43:18 Importance of Preparation and Doing Good Work in Auditions
44:50 The Synergy of Different Roles
45:08 The Importance of Having an Agent
46:52 How to Get Representation
47:28 Success Rate of Getting Representation
47:58 The Role of Agents and Managers
48:25 Tips for Getting Representation
49:46 Targeting Shows and Roles
50:42 Creating a Cover Letter
51:50 Casting a Wide Net
52:40 Building Relationships
54:11 The Difference Between Managers and Agents
54:43 The Financial Aspect of Representation
56:04 When to Get an Agent
58:09 Navigating the Non-Union World
01:01:02 The Role of EPAs and ECCs
01:02:09 Audition Opportunities Outside of New York
01:03:04 Preparing for Combined Audition Events
01:04:10 The Impact of Social Media
01:05:14 The Influence of Social Media on Casting
01:06:40 Using Social Media for Networking
01:07:50 Reaching Out to Industry Professionals on Social Media
01:08:24 The Importance of Being Social
01:09:53 The Value of In-Person Connections
01:11:18 Being Proactive in Networking
01:11:58 Balancing Multiple Interests
01:13:11 The Reality of Pursuing a Career in the Performing Arts
01:14:39 The Importance of Loving What You Do
01:15:30 Theality TV Show
01:17:20 Contact Information
01:17:53 Conclusion

James (00:00)
Hey, everyone. Welcome to the Actrazilla podcast. I’m James Larson and on the podcast today we have RJ McGee. Welcome, RJ. Thanks for joining me today.

RJ Magee (00:13)
Thank you for having me.

James (00:14)
Yeah, of course, RJ is super talented, and he is a casting director. He’s a talent manager. He’s a director. He’s a career coach, a creative producer, an educator, and I know he is a talented actor as well. Yeah, we were we were talking about how we met at auditions and I asked the question before about. Yeah.

how, you know, just about all these different roles that you do. It’s been fun to kind of see on Facebook, kind of the interplay between all of them. And I would just love to know more about your journey between them.

RJ Magee (00:50)
Yeah,

well, it’s a great question. And again, thank you for having me. So I finished my undergrad in 2012 at Temple University. And I was in a performance program. But while I was in that program, I sort of realized that I did have some interest in exploring what we call the other side of the table. I didn’t totally know what that looked like. I always knew that casting was something that interested me.

I don’t think I ever really knew what it truly meant to be a professional casting director. But while I was in school, I interned at the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia as the casting intern for the summer, which was great because a lot of people were traveling during the summer. The Arden doesn’t produce during the summer. So I was given quite a bit of responsibility on setting up casting assignments.

and auditions for their upcoming season. And actually what was interesting about it was I sort of learned that I wasn’t really ready yet to fully divest myself from performing. So when I graduated, I sort of hit the ground running and that’s where you and I met. I was sort of just doing the New York pounding the pavement thing. I actually had lived in Philadelphia. It wasn’t until much later that I lived in New York City, but I commuted from Philadelphia to New York.

James (02:14)
Wow.

RJ Mage...

Summary In this episode, James Larson discusses the seven steps to becoming a working actor. He covers topics such as training and education, gaining experience, building a professional toolkit, networking and exposure, auditioning and casting, securing representation, and professional work. Takeaways Training and education are important for actors to develop their skills and techniques.Gaining experience through student productions and community theater can help actors build their resume.Building a professional toolkit, including headshots, resumes, and reels, is essential for actors to showcase their work.Networking and exposure can help actors connect with industry professionals and create opportunities for themselves.Auditioning and casting are [...]

Click here to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Kevin R. Free, the artistic director of Mile Square Theater, shares his journey from actor to director and audiobook narrator. He discusses the difference between directing and acting, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and embracing failure as part of the creative process. Kevin also talks about his casting criteria and the need for actors to be authentic and human in the industry. He shares insights into regional productions and the challenges of set design. Finally, Kevin offers advice for early career actors, encouraging them to become part of a community and [...]