In The Envelope: An Awards Podcast

It was a rejection, following a promising audition, that pushed Charlotte Nicdao to pursue the life of an actor. “I was devastated,” she remembers. “I was like, how am I this upset about this thing that’s not even my job?” In her native Australia and stateside, she has committed to the highs and lows of an on-camera career: weathering auditions of all kinds, growing her skillset as a comedic performer, and holding onto that early passion. After starring in “A gURLs wURLd” as a teenager, Charlotte appeared on the series “Camp,” “Please Like Me,” “Content,” and in short films, voiceover animation, and “Thor: Ragnarok.” The actor-musician-podcaster now stars as video game engineer Poppy Li opposite Rob McElhenney on his hit Apple TV+ workplace comedy “Mythic Quest.” Watch our recent panel featuring the cast of “Mythic Quest,” part of the first-ever BackstageFest, here: https://bit.ly/3ywejkr Stay tuned for tips and leads for Australian actors looking to break through, and check out advice on backstage.com by s

Riley Keough could be considered an authority on how actors can avoid judging their characters. The indie film star, who has held onto a lifelong dream of playing fascinating, liberated women on camera, reveals the different creative processes she uses to connect with such roles: “I don’t know if you need to love your character.” But, she adds, “When you’re playing somebody, you have to try and find empathy for them.” Growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by entertainers (including her mother Lisa Marie Presley), Riley worked as a model before debuting in “The Runaways” and breaking out in “Mad Max: Fury Road.” She’s starred in “It Comes at Night,” “The Lodge,” “The Devil All the Time,” worked with Steven Soderbergh in “Magic Mike,” “Logan Lucky,” and Season 1 of “The Girlfriend Experience,” and earned a Spirit Award nomination for “American Honey.” Riley now plays Stefani, a chaotic stripper, in A24’s Sundance hit “Zola,” adapted by writer-director Janicza Bravo and writer Jeremy O. Harris from an infamous T

How has Neil Patrick Harris been able to thrive in so many areas of the entertainment biz? “I don’t like resting on my laurels,” he tells Backstage, detailing the twists and turns of a career that has enabled him to consistently surprise audiences. Those hoping to avoid pigeonholing and play a variety of roles should listen closely to Neil’s advice, both practical and philosophical. “Being able to challenge myself, and keep growing in different ways.... It’s a long game.” Since his early breakout as a child actor in “Clara’s Heart” and leading the medical dramedy “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” Neil has become a producer, author, awards ceremony host, and activist (and magician!). The New Mexico native has nailed comedies including the “Harold & Kumar” films, “How I Met Your Mother,” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” musicals including “Rent,” “Company,” and “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” and darker fare including “Gone Girl” and Russell T. Davies’ recent Channel 4 and HBO Max limited series “It’s a Sin.” He’s

Someone as prolific and consistently stellar as Queen Latifah needs no introduction. At every surprising turn of her career as an actor, musician, and producer, she’s used an exacting work ethic and irrepressible enthusiasm to inspire women like her. “There were no blueprints for a lot of what I was doing,” she says of her beginnings in the music and filmmaking industries. How has she persevered for so long? “You have to fail,” she advises. “I, luckily, was thrown out there in enough things to fail and cry and get up and fail and cry.” After blazing trails as one of the first women in jazz-rap at age 17, Queen Latifah refused pigeonholing in the biz, getting her start onscreen in Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” and Will Smith’s “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” She’s since starred in “Living Single,” “Set It Off,” “Bringing Down the House,” “Chicago,” “Last Holiday,” “Hairspray,” “Bessie,” “The Wiz Live,” “Girls Trip,” “Star,” “Flint,” “The Little Mermaid Live,” and “Hollywood,” earning an Emmy Award, three SAG Awar

Despite their distinct training backgrounds and character construction techniques, “Bridgerton” stars Nicola Coughlan and Phoebe Dynevor agree on plenty when it comes to acting. It’s a fickle business, for one, and no matter where an actor is in their career trajectory, self-doubt remains part of the journey. “You have that fear where you go, I don’t think I know how to act anymore!” says Nicola of each new job. “You’ve got to make bold, interesting choices,” advises Phoebe. “Be bold!” Nicola studied at drama and improv schools in England and her native Ireland before getting her big break onstage in “Jess and Joe Forever,” followed by ITV Encore and Hulu’s drama “Harlots” and the hit Channel 4 and Netflix comedy “Derry Girls.” Phoebe began as a child actor on the drama “Waterloo Road,” then starred on “Dickensian,” “Snatch,” and now TV Land and Paramount+’s “Younger.” As Penelope Featherington and Daphne Bridgerton, respectively, Nicola and Phoebe are part of the SAG Award–nominated ensemble of Netflix’s pe

Writer-actors always make for insightful interviews, but that’s particularly true for Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, who write, produce, edit, and star as middle school–aged versions of themselves on Hulu’s Emmy-nominated cringe comedy “Pen15.” Together they shed light on their “creative ESP” as collaborators, their distinct page-to-screen process alongside director Sam Zvibleman, and how to overcome the self-doubt inherent in a Hollywood career—especially for women onscreen. “I have permission to be free and wild and sort of unapologetic,” says Maya of playing a 13-year-old. Anna agrees: “I’m so grateful that we got the opportunity to just be characters with zero sex appeal. Zero!” After meeting at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Maya and Anna set out to create their own opportunities in the biz, starting with the web series “Project Reality.” Maya also stars in ""Plus One,"" “Betas,” “Casual,” “Wine Country,” and the upcoming “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” while Anna has appeared in “Rosewood,” “Baskets,

What makes for an ideal collaboration between actors and behind-the-camera talent? Misha Green and Jurnee Smollett, the respective creator-showrunner and star of HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” have plenty of insights into maximizing creativity and trust on set. “You gotta have an environment in which the ‘captain’ has created a level of safety, a level for you to fail big,” says Jurnee. “We’re going towards the same goal, which is the truth of this character,” adds Misha. “And we’re both fearless in that.” Before “Lovecraft Country,” the supernatural horror drama adapted from novelist Matt Ruff’s riff on H. P. Lovecraft, Misha and Jurnee worked together on the hit WGN thriller “Underground.” As a writer-director-producer, Misha is also the creative force behind “Helix” and the upcoming “Cleopatra Jones” and “Tomb Raider 2.” For more insight into her craft, check out Misha’s Meet the Maker feature: https://bit.ly/3hSEXiE Jurnee began her career as a child actor, on “On Our Own” and “Full House,” then broke out i

Ryan O’Connell and Punam Patel join the podcast together this week to discuss advocating for oneself as an artist, giving voice to communities underrepresented in entertainment, and their hit Netflix comedy, “Special,” which just premiered its second season. The two Emmy-nominated actors provide relatable advice to performers and writers looking to make their mark in Hollywood—confidently. “You can trust your own instincts no matter where you are in your career,” says Punam. “Just [believe] that you deserve to be there,” adds Ryan. Chasing a childhood dream of becoming a TV writer, the California-born Ryan turned the blog writing of his 20s into a memoir, “I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves,” which Jim Parsons optioned through That’s Wonderful Productions. “Special,” which premiered as a 15-minute Emmy-nominated sitcom inspired by Ryan’s life as a gay man with mild cerebral palsy, made its way through development as Ryan wrote for the series “Awkward,” “Daytime Divas,” and “Will & Grace.” Punam, w

Actor, writer, director, and all-around storyteller Ethan Hawke is an advocate for truthfulness in both art and life. Although wary of giving advice, he provides plenty in his thoughtful “In the Envelope” interview: get out of your head and into your gut, study the work of artists you admire, use auditions as opportunities to exceed your comfort zone, and more. The more holistically one approaches a career in the arts, he says, the better. “But more essential to that is, most of us are only as good as our opportunities. And when the opportunities aren’t there, you have to search for ways to articulate your love...to make your imagination manifest.” Born in Texas and raised in New York and New Jersey, Ethan has been producing intensely honest work since his teenaged breakout roles in “Explorers” and “Dead Poets Society.” He’s appeared before or behind the camera in “Reality Bites,” “Gattaca,” “The Hottest State,” Blumhouse Productions films, “First Reformed,” “Blaze,” and “Tesla,” to name a few. One of the fe

While best known for her Tony Award–winning Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway musical “Hamilton” and its Disney+ filmed version, Renée Elise Goldsberry has played a significant array of roles across screen, stage, and music industries. “I’ve been around long enough to have had so many versions of my career,” she tells Backstage, providing key advice on how artists—particularly women—can truly have it all. “You just have to have the audacity to show up and try some of these things.” Raised in Texas and Michigan and trained in first theater at Carnegie Mellon University, then in jazz studies at USC’s Thornton School of Music, Renée got her start in the biz on “Ally McBeal” and as musician-star of the film “All About You,” followed by a two-time Daytime Emmy–nominated run on “One Life to Live.” Since landing on Broadway in “The Lion King,” she’s lived in New York City, working onstage in Shakespeare productions, “The Color Purple,” “Rent,” “Good People,” and “Hamilton,” onscreen in indie films, “The Good Wife,”

Today’s “In the Envelope” episode takes an in-depth look at safety and parity in the entertainment industry, and in particular an organization leading that conversation. We’re honored to be joined by Tina Tchen, president and CEO of TIME’S UP: https://timesupnow.org Created in 2018 partly in response to sexual assault allegations in Hollywood and its resulting #MeToo movement, TIME’S UP Now and the TIME’S UP Foundation advocate for “a society free of gender-based discrimination in the workplace and beyond.” Amid our country’s ongoing reckoning of discrimination and systemic inequity within multiple industries, TIME’S UP has partnered with other causes and charities to dismantle what are essentially interconnected issues: workplace harassment and abuse, pay disparities, employee rights, and more. Donate or get involved here: https://timesupnow.org/take-action “The real goal here is to create workplaces where [sexual harrassment or discrimination] doesn’t happen in the first place...to really work for safe, f

Now is a particularly exciting time to talk to Amber Ruffin, an improvisation-trained comedy performer and writer whose talent, perseverance, and upbeat charm have led to her own late night variety series. Peacock’s “The Amber Ruffin Show” allows the multihyphenate host to both indulge in the silliest comedic premises and cover current events with a refreshing directness otherwise rare in late night television. Her advice to fellow creators and comedians is to take risks, have no shame, and be prolific. “You have to have a pile of work that you can point to and go, ‘I can do this and here’s the proof.’ ” Amber grew up a theater kid in Omaha, Nebraska, before training in improv and sketch comedy at Boom Chicago Amsterdam, the iO Theater, and the Second City. She’s appeared on Comedy Central’s “Drunk History,” written for awards show specials and series including “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” and in 2014 became the first Black woman to write for a network talk show on NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” which h

As this year’s film awards season nears its conclusion, we’re diving deep into one of its most fabulous, and essential, ceremonies: the Film Independent Spirit Awards! Founded in the 1980s as the Independent Feature Project/West by producers looking to foster cinematic visions outside of Hollywood’s traditional studio system, Film Independent offers year-round resources, programming, and events—all for filmmakers, by filmmakers. The Spirit Awards honoring small-budget indie artistry, usually held each year just before the Oscars on the beach at Santa Monica, will air its 34th ceremony April 22 in a special virtual presentation hosted by Melissa Villaseñor: https://bit.ly/3sm8UsL “Our mission is quite simple,” Film Independent president Josh Welsh tells Backstage. “We champion creative independence in visual storytelling. We support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision.” A former actor who began at the organization as a volunteer, Josh is the perfect guide to all t

Singer-songwriter-turned-award-winning actor Cassandra Monique Batie goes by Andra Day—a stage name inspired by one of her biggest influences, Billie Holiday. It feels meant to be, then, that Andra’s recent Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination are for her portrayal of the iconic musician in Hulu’s “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” adapted for the screen by Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Lee Daniels. From singing and dancing as a child in San Diego to being discovered by Stevie Wonder and collaborating with Spike Lee and Common, the Grammy- and Daytime Emmy–nominated Andra has now joined the ranks of musical leading ladies with Academy Award nods for their feature film debuts (including Julie Andrews, Barbra Streisand, and Diana Ross—also as Billie Holiday in “Lady Sings the Blues”). “It is okay that feelings will come up,” she says to her fellow artists. “Show up anyway in the midst of those feelings.” Read more about “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” here: https://bit.ly/31SdhRN Stay tuned as

Attention, SAG-AFTRA members! We’re dedicating this episode to a deep dive on the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, your guild’s 501(c) non-profit organization. Board members Sharon Lawrence and Jason George are here to check in on the state of the biz in 2021, offer advice to their fellow working actors, and remind union and non-union artists alike of the resources, programming, and aid the Foundation offers. From the award-winning children’s literacy series Storyline Online to over $6 million and counting in COVID-19 relief, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation “is dedicated to helping performers reach their highest heights while always landing firmly on their feet,” per their official site: https://sagaftra.foundation. Sharon Lawrence, Second Vice President of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, is a SAG Award winner and four-time Primetime Emmy nominee, for “NYPD Blue” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” and has starred on “The Ranch,” “Shameless,” “Dynasty,” and the upcoming series “Rebel.” Jason George, a Foundation board member and chair of the di

Often referred to as one of the best “character” actors around, Bill Camp memorably appears—or often disappears—into countless supporting roles, and can be counted on to give a truthful, compelling performance each time. His “In the Envelope” interview sheds light on how to do so, from heightening material onstage or onscreen to harnessing the power of imagination and sense memory. “I’m recalling from memories all the time,” Bill says of his character work. “I am content.” Raised in Massachusetts and eventually trained at regional theaters and the Juilliard School, Bill has worked for years on New York City stages, garnering an Obie Award for “Homebody/Kabul” and Tony nomination for “The Crucible.” Within the last decade, he’s built a prolific body of screen work, including on series “Manhattan,” “The Leftovers,” “The Looming Tower,” and an Emmy nod for “The Night Of,” as well as films “Lincoln,” “12 Years a Slave,” “Birdman,” “Love & Mercy,” “Jason Bourne,” “Molly’s Game,” “Wildlife,” “Vice,” “Joker,” “News

Daniel Kaluuya is now a two-time Academy Award–nominated actor, in 2018 for his breakout in “Get Out” and this year for playing the assassinated Black Panther Chairman Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which has also earned him SAG Award, BAFTA film, and Golden Globe recognition. The electrifying stage and screen star takes us into the depths of his subconsciousness, describing the process that goes into building such characters: “I’m using who I am to show you who I’m not.” Born in London and trained in theater improvisation since childhood, Daniel starred on, and wrote two episodes of, the U.K. hit teen series “Skins.” Working his way up from sketch comedy and short films to “Sucker Punch” on the West End to Channel 4 and Netflix’s “Black Mirror,” Daniel has now worked with the likes of Jordan Peele in “Get Out,” Ryan Coogler in “Black Panther,” Steve McQueen in “Widows,” and Melina Matsoukas and Lena Waithe in “Queen & Slim.” This episode is brought to you by Warner Bros.’ “Judas and the Blac

Daveed Diggs is best known for his Tony Award–winning portrayals of Marquis de Lafayette and President Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway musical “Hamilton,” released last year as a TV film on Disney+ and garnering Daveed a SAG Award nomination. Here, the singer-rapper-songwriter and actor-writer-producer reveals much of his creative philosophy to Backstage—a publication he used to read in the early, blissfully uncertain days of his career. His advice: “Be fully creative and really experiment with things, and then learn what your process is.” Born in Oakland, California, and studying theater at Brown University, Daveed joined early versions of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” after scraping by with regional stage gigs and Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s choreopoem “Word Becomes Flesh.” He’s collaborated with an eclectic array of musicians, including his experimental hip-hop group Clipping, and writer-performer Rafael Casal, with whom he wrote, produced, and co-starred in the award-winning 2018 film “Blindspotting.” Davee

With the entertainment industry still in flux due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we at Backstage want to keep actors and storytellers informed on the latest trends—and how they can best pursue their craft in 2021. Our ""In the Envelope"" casting insider Christine McKenna-Tirella has assembled an international panel of experts from the Backstage casting team to do just that. Joined by Backstage’s vice president of casting Luke Crowe, voiceover casting specialist Sonja Smith, UK casting specialist Hannah Williams, and L.A. casting specialist Christina Kleppinger, Christine leads a deep-dive discussion on the latest Backstage updates, audition trends as evidenced by our casting notices, and advice for artists at all career levels. “We all feel passionate about giving as much opportunity and information to both creators and actors as possible,” Christine says. If you’re navigating a life in the arts amid this uncertain time, let this conversation guide and inspire you. To read more about the pandemic and help

In both navigating her impressive career and approaching the acting craft, Nicole Beharie has never given less than 100%. In this fun and forthright conversation, she delves into her artistic process, which differs from role to role but ultimately entails an earnest examination of her proximity to a character. And through it all, Nicole advises, you have to love acting and be clear on why you love acting. “Sometimes you end up with a few scratches and bruises,” she says of life in the biz. “But when you’re on an adventure in your life, and you’re ready for it, then that is what it is.” A South Carolina native and Juilliard School graduate, Nicole broke into Hollywood with a starring role in the film “American Violet,” going on to lead the network drama “Sleepy Hollow” and appear in “Shame” and “42,” and on “Black Mirror” and “Monsterland.” Her work as Turquoise Jones in last year’s indie from Channing Godfrey Peoples, “Miss Juneteenth,” earned Nicole a Gotham Independent Film Award and Spirit Award nominatio