The Craft & Biz of Acting

Ishan Edwards and Drego Moore are two of the most collaborative and giving people in the industry. Together they launched the MONOLODGE in 2011 and haven’t looked back.

MONOLODGE is a live theatre experience, showcasing actors performing monologues in a nightclub lounge for an audience of actors and professionals in New York City. A grassroots movement, MONOLODGE is an arts initiative that follows its own instincts; living, breathing, and sharing a pulse with the actors at the heart of the city in which it was born. It exists in service to the craft of acting and as an entertainment experience for audiences of all ages cultures and interests. It endeavors to be an effective partner, educational tool and change agent. At MONOLODGE the actor is at home to work on their craft and share their individual talents in a safe space; connecting with an audience free of harsh judgment and negative critique. You can learn more about the Monolodge at: Monolodge.com

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Craft & Biz of Acting so that you don't miss a single episode. While you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to www.MonologuesToGo.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

I happen to live on one of the best blocks in Manhattan. We have the best neighbors anywhere! And today’s guest is my friend and neighbor, ANDREA PRESTINARIO. Andrea is an award-winning actress, singer, and activist who is NYC-based and Chicago-grown.

She’s currently working at Baltimore Center Stage in Fun Home playing Alison. She’s played this same role at Weston Playhouse. Other regional credits include: Sarah Brown in Guys & Dolls; Eliza in My Fair Lady at Asolo Rep with dir. Frank Galati; Martha in 1776 also with dir. Frank Galati at A.C.T. San Francisco; Maureen in RENT and Eliza in My Fair Lady at Paramount Theatre Aurora; Gertie in Oklahoma! at Lyric Opera Chicago; Louise in Gypsy, Curtains, Sugar, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Drury Lane Oakbrook; Oh, Coward! at Writers’ Theatre; and Violet in Side Show at Boho Theatre Company where she won the Jeff Award for Leading Actress.

Andrea has performed her Solo show – sMOkeyTOWN: The Songs of Smokey Robinson at Laurie Beechman, Mayne Stage Chicago and Feinstein’s/54 Below and will have upcoming performances at: Beverly Arts Center Chicago and Metropolis (Arlington Heights) Arts Center.

She is Co-founder of Ring of Keys, a national network of queer women and TGNC artists working in musical theatre.

You can find out more about Andrea at: www.andreaprestinario.com or @andreaprestinario

Today’s guest actress and professor Deborah White. Deb has been a professional actress for decades, working in television, theatre and film in both New York and Los Angeles. She made her mark in television on shows like Laverne & Shirley, The Waltons, Colombo, Murder She Wrote, Maude, St. Elsewhere and Law & Order. She has appeared in films such as Oh God, Stir Crazy, and Ten. She’s done numerous commercials and is one of the founding members of the improvisational troupe War Babies, performing with them on both coasts. In New York, she has appeared at Playwrights Horizons, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The New Dramatists, and The American Playhouse. She understudied Bernadette Peters on Broadway and was seen in Key Exchange at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. Deb most recently appeared on The Americans on FX. She is also a professor of American History at Hostos College in the Bronx, New York.

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Craft & Biz of Acting so that you don't miss a single episode. While you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to www.MonologuesToGo.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Today’s guest is Robert C. Kirk. A born and Bred New Yorker, Bob found his way to acting a little later in life than most. Actually having been tricked into it, he came into the business with a passion and desire. After taking classes for two years at H.B. Studios, he officially started his professional career in 2002. Since then he has amassed 57 IMDB credits, split evenly between film and TV. He can be seen in the upcoming 2019 release of Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” and the recently released “Wonder Wheel” by Woody Allen. He can currently be seen in a 7-episode recurring role on “Ray Donovan” as “Lou” the bartender. When not on set working, he spends his time writing and teaching. He works as a private acting coach, with clients at all levels, from entering the business to actually booking work. Bringing his insights and working knowledge of the business to his clients.

You can find him online at robertckirk.com where it shows his film clips and resume.

If you’d like a private coaching session, you can email him at [email protected]

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Craft & Biz of Acting so that you don't miss a single episode. While you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to www.MonologuesToGo.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

• Hi everyone. I’m Joyce Storey, founder of MonologuesToGo.com. Welcome to the inaugural voyage of our podcast “The Craft & Biz of Acting.” I’m so glad you could come along for the ride.
• This podcast was born from the seeds of acting tips I’d written for young actors. When I first started MtG, I was basically using it as a filing cabinet for monologues I’d written. I challenged myself to write a monologue a day for 30 days while I commuted to work. I got so into it that I kept writing even after a month was up. It was a great creative burst of energy to start my day and I really liked the feeling.
• Then once the site was up and running, I started to add tips for actors. They were largely short blogs for the search engines. I didn’t expect anyone to actually read them, but I found that I really enjoyed giving advice to my “virtual bots”. The more I wrote, the more I realized how much I’d learned about the business and how much I had to offer. I’d spent years as an actor/writer/producer/director/casting director and teacher and I hadn’t realized how much knowledge I’d acquired throughout my journey.
• I’m here to share not only my knowledge, but that of my friends and colleagues so you, my fellow thespian, can have these insights from the get-go to kick start your career. I only dreamed of having someone like that to help me when I was coming up.
• Every actor needs support and we’re here to offer just that. You’ll learn insights into the business of acting, tips about preparing for a role, how to choose material that’s right for you, how to deliver successful auditions, how to hone your craft, the dos and don’ts and highs and lows of auditioning, the sky’s the limit.
• Each of my expert guests will bring their own brand of perspective into this exciting and sometimes nerve-racking industry.
• Occasionally, I’ll have actors performing monologues to give you a flavor and feel for how it can be done.
• Sometimes I’ll interview guests, and sometimes it will just be me giving your tips and advice.
• A new episode will drop each Monday, so make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any. I’ll keep them short – from 30 to 45 minutes, so you have time to catch them all. It’s a perfect length to listen to while you’re commuting. Whether you’re on your way to work or to an audition, what better way to spend your commute?
• Do me a favor and give us a rating and review on iTunes. I want your feedback so I can tailor our show to meet your needs.
• Hey, if you think this sounds cool share the podcast with your actor friends. We’re building a supportive and educational community and we want you to be part of it.
• And if you sign up for my mailing list, I’ll send you my TEN MOST CRUCIAL Audition Tips from TODAY’S TOP Casting Directors absolutely free as my personal thank you.
• It’s going to be an interesting and entertaining ride, so hold onto your shoes, Dorothy. We’re not in Kansas anymore.

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Craft & Biz of Acting so that you don't miss a single episode. While you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!

To learn more about our previous guests, listen to past episodes, and get to know your host, go to www.MonologuesToGo.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.