The Working Actor's Journey

Nathan Agin

In The Working Actor's Journey, hear from amazing teachers, role models, and mentors about their lifelong careers. Learn from those who have been acting professionally for decades—to see exactly how they approach the work, what decisions and resources have made the biggest impacts on their artistic lives, and to hear their struggles and successes in the business. How do great actors work? What do they actually do? Let's find out. These conversations are a virtual toolbox for actors, full of techniques, advice, and lessons learned.

  1. 1d ago

    "Love and Madness" in HAMLET: Act 2, Scenes 1-2(a). Week 2 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room

    Welcome back to The Rehearsal Room for this season (10!) as we continue our HAMLET Project. --- 🏁 In this session, highlights include: ➤ Diving deeper into the relationships introduced in Act 1 ➤ Exploring Polonius' nature as he instructs Reynaldo to spy on Laertes ➤ Ophelia's emotional turmoil as she describes her encounter with Hamlet cover photo: Sharon McCune --- 🛑 SUBSCRIBE to get notified of our next rehearsal session. *** These sessions are free for all to enjoy; your support helps us keep this space creative, accessible, and high-quality.*** 🙌 Many thanks to our recent supporters! Help us continue our work in the Rehearsal Room through a ONE-TIME DONATION: 💰 PayPal: https://paypal.me/nathanagin81 🤑 Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nathanagin 💳 Credit card: http://workingactorsjourney.com/donation-checkout 🤗 Or become a MONTHLY PATRON with additional benefits (starting at $5/month) with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wajpodcast Get early access to sessions (before they go public on YouTube and the podcast), priority with asking questions, and more! 🙏 THANK YOU to our patrons at the Co-Star level and higher: Sandy, Joan, Michele, Jim, Magdalen, Claudia, Clif, and Jeff!  --- 🎭 CREATIVE TEAM for this month: DIRECTOR: Annie Occhiogrosso ACTORS: Randall Duk Kim, Benjamin Reigel, Nick Bettens, Michele Schultz, Liz Swain, Sarah Mabes, Jim Stubbs, Terry Kerr, Steven Helmeke and Sharon McCune AUDIENCE: Sandy Robbins, Sandy Ernst, Laurie Strother, Doug Strother, Charles Stransky, Frank Tobin, Cindy Griffith, Rebecca Oettinger, Alexandra Mitchell, Roseann Sheridan, Val Lantz-Gefroh, Chris Chinn, Robert Duerr, Celine Noguiera, Adriana Roze, Ben Farrow, Jessica Gibbons, Aaron Mendelson and Sara Giacomini. A big welcome to the many new participants with this project! --- We explore... Act 2, Scene 1: Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo to Paris to question Laertes's acquaintances. Ophelia enters, deeply disturbed about a visit she has just had from an apparently mad Hamlet. Act 2, Scene 2: Claudius and Gertrude set Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two boyhood friends of Hamlet, to spy on him. As Hamlet and his "friends" talk, a company of touring actors enters and Hamlet persuades one of them to deliver a speech. Hamlet hopes that when the players stage their show for the court, he can determine whether Claudius is guilty of King Hamlet's death. The links above will take you to the Folio version, which we use heavily here.   #hamlet #workingactor #rehearsal #shakespeare #textwork #acting #actor #director

    "Love and Madness" in HAMLET: Act 2, Scenes 1-2(a). Week 2 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room
  2. Jul 7

    "From Grief to Action" in HAMLET: Act 2, Scenes 1-2(a). Week 1 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room

    Welcome back to The Rehearsal Room as we kick off Act 2 of our HAMLET Project in SEASON 10 🙌, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. New sessions are still being produced; we recently crossed one year working on this play and are about to begin Act 4. Yes, a LOT happens in Acts 2 and 3. 😉 For this month, we'll look at Act 2, Sc 1, and then Act 2, Sc 2 (descriptions below) - and scene 2 has so much going on, we spent multiple months on it, hence the "part a". --- 🏁 In this session, highlights include: ➤ The transition into Act 2 as we reflect on the journey so far (by reading ALL of Act 1!) ➤ A deep dive into Polonius' approach and the implications of his nature ➤ Exploring the complex dynamics between Hamlet and Ophelia cover photo: actress Terry Kerr --- 🛑 SUBSCRIBE to get notified of our next rehearsal session. *** These sessions are free for all to enjoy; your support helps us keep this space creative, accessible, and high-quality.*** 🙌 Many thanks to our recent supporters! Help us continue our work in the Rehearsal Room through a ONE-TIME DONATION: 💰 PayPal: https://paypal.me/nathanagin81 🤑 Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nathanagin 💳 Credit card: http://workingactorsjourney.com/donation-checkout 🤗 Or become a MONTHLY PATRON with additional benefits (starting at $5/month) with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wajpodcast Get early access to sessions (before they go public on YouTube and the podcast), priority with asking questions, and more! 🙏 THANK YOU to our patrons at the Co-Star level and higher: Sandy, Joan, Michele, Jim, Magdalen, Claudia, Clif, and Jeff!  --- 🎭 CREATIVE TEAM for this month: DIRECTOR: Annie Occhiogrosso ACTORS: Randall Duk Kim, Benjamin Reigel, Nick Bettens, Michele Schultz, Liz Swain, Sarah Mabes, Jim Stubbs, Terry Kerr, Steven Helmeke and Sharon McCune AUDIENCE: Sandy Robbins, Sandy Ernst, Laurie Strother, Doug Strother, Charles Stransky, Frank Tobin, Cindy Griffith, Rebecca Oettinger, Alexandra Mitchell, Roseann Sheridan, Val Lantz-Gefroh, Chris Chinn, Robert Duerr, Celine Noguiera, Adriana Roze, Ben Farrow, Jessica Gibbons, Aaron Mendelson and Sara Giacomini. A big welcome to the many new participants with this project! --- We explore... Act 2, Scene 1: Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo to Paris to question Laertes's acquaintances. Ophelia enters, deeply disturbed about a visit she has just had from an apparently mad Hamlet. Act 2, Scene 2: Claudius and Gertrude set Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two boyhood friends of Hamlet, to spy on him. As Hamlet and his "friends" talk, a company of touring actors enters and Hamlet persuades one of them to deliver a speech. Hamlet hopes that when the players stage their show for the court, he can determine whether Claudius is guilty of King Hamlet's death. The links above will take you to the Folio version, which we use heavily here.   #hamlet #workingactor #rehearsal #shakespeare #textwork #acting #actor #director

    "From Grief to Action" in HAMLET: Act 2, Scenes 1-2(a). Week 1 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room
  3. Apr 21

    "Sworn to Silence" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 5. Final Session - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room

    🏁 In this session, highlights include: ➤ The tension and intrigue that fill Hamlet's encounter with the Ghost ➤ Exploring the themes of secrecy and trust as Hamlet asks his friends to swear silence ➤ Hamlet's emotional journey as he grapples with these revelations We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare. 😁 *** These sessions are free for all to enjoy; your support helps us keep this space creative, accessible, and high-quality. (See below for options) *** --- 🙌 Many thanks to our recent supporters! Help us continue our work in the Rehearsal Room through a ONE-TIME DONATION: 💰 PayPal: https://paypal.me/nathanagin81 🤑 Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nathanagin 💳 Credit card: http://workingactorsjourney.com/donation-checkout 🤗 Or become a MONTHLY PATRON with additional benefits (starting at $5/month) with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wajpodcast Get early access to sessions (before they go public on YouTube and the podcast), priority with asking questions, and more! 🙏 THANK YOU to our patrons at the Co-Star level and higher: Ivar, Joan, Michele, Jim, Magdalen, Claudia, Clif and Jeff! --- 🎭 CREATIVE TEAM for this month: DIRECTOR: Annie Occhiogrosso ACTORS: Randall Duk Kim, Lee Ernst, Benjamin Reigel, Nick Bettens, Larry Petersen, Michele Schultz, Liz Swain, Sarah Mabes, Jim Stubbs and Terry Kerr AUDIENCE: Sandy Robbins, Sandy Ernst, Laurie Strother, Doug Strother, Charles Stransky, Steven Helmeke, Frank Tobin, Cindy Griffith, Sharon McCune, Mikaela Kafka, Osborn Focht, Rebecca Oettinger, Alexandra Mitchell and Roseann Sheridan A big welcome to the many new participants with this project! --- We explore... Act 1, Scene 5: The Ghost tells Hamlet a tale of horror. Saying that he is the spirit of Hamlet's father, he demands that Hamlet avenge King Hamlet's murder at the hands of Claudius. Hamlet, horrified, vows to "remember" and swears his friends to secrecy about what they have seen. I'm excited to finally share the amazing work this groups of artists has been doing. And we're still producing new sessions! #hamlet #workingactor #rehearsal #shakespeare #textwork #acting #actor #director

    "Sworn to Silence" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 5. Final Session - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room
  4. Apr 14

    "A Son's Oath" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 5. Week 2 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room

    🏁 In this session, highlights include: ➤ Hamlet's emotional journey following his encounter with the Ghost ➤ The complexities of the Ghost's character and his impact on Hamlet ➤ Exploring how Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus navigate the revelations We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare. 😁 *** These sessions are free for all to enjoy; your support helps us keep this space creative, accessible, and high-quality. (See below for options) *** --- 🙌 Many thanks to our recent supporters! Help us continue our work in the Rehearsal Room through a ONE-TIME DONATION: 💰 PayPal: https://paypal.me/nathanagin81 🤑 Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nathanagin 💳 Credit card: http://workingactorsjourney.com/donation-checkout 🤗 Or become a MONTHLY PATRON with additional benefits (starting at $5/month) with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wajpodcast Get early access to sessions (before they go public on YouTube and the podcast), priority with asking questions, and more! 🙏 THANK YOU to our patrons at the Co-Star level and higher: Ivar, Joan, Michele, Jim, Magdalen, Claudia, Clif and Jeff! --- 🎭 CREATIVE TEAM for this month: DIRECTOR: Annie Occhiogrosso ACTORS: Randall Duk Kim, Lee Ernst, Benjamin Reigel, Nick Bettens, Larry Petersen, Michele Schultz, Liz Swain, Sarah Mabes, Jim Stubbs and Terry Kerr AUDIENCE: Sandy Robbins, Sandy Ernst, Laurie Strother, Doug Strother, Charles Stransky, Steven Helmeke, Frank Tobin, Cindy Griffith, Sharon McCune, Mikaela Kafka, Osborn Focht, Rebecca Oettinger, Alexandra Mitchell and Roseann Sheridan A big welcome to the many new participants with this project! --- We explore... Act 1, Scene 5: The Ghost tells Hamlet a tale of horror. Saying that he is the spirit of Hamlet's father, he demands that Hamlet avenge King Hamlet's murder at the hands of Claudius. Hamlet, horrified, vows to "remember" and swears his friends to secrecy about what they have seen. I'm excited to finally share the amazing work this groups of artists has been doing. And we're still producing new sessions! #hamlet #workingactor #rehearsal #shakespeare #textwork #acting #actor #director

    "A Son's Oath" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 5. Week 2 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room
  5. Apr 7

    "A Father's Plea" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 5. Week 1 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room

    🏁 In this session, highlights include: ➤ Exploring the complex relationship between Hamlet and the Ghost ➤ Insights into the Ghost's motivations and emotional turmoil ➤ The implications of revenge and Hamlet's moral dilemmas We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare. 😁 *** These sessions are free for all to enjoy; your support helps us keep this space creative, accessible, and high-quality. (See below for options) *** --- 🙌 Many thanks to our recent supporters! Help us continue our work in the Rehearsal Room through a ONE-TIME DONATION: 💰 PayPal: https://paypal.me/nathanagin81 🤑 Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nathanagin 💳 Credit card: http://workingactorsjourney.com/donation-checkout 🤗 Or become a MONTHLY PATRON with additional benefits (starting at $5/month) with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wajpodcast Get early access to sessions (before they go public on YouTube and the podcast), priority with asking questions, and more! 🙏 THANK YOU to our patrons at the Co-Star level and higher: Ivar, Joan, Michele, Jim, Magdalen, Claudia, Clif and Jeff! --- 🎭 CREATIVE TEAM for this month: DIRECTOR: Annie Occhiogrosso ACTORS: Randall Duk Kim, Lee Ernst, Benjamin Reigel, Nick Bettens, Larry Petersen, Michele Schultz, Liz Swain, Sarah Mabes, Jim Stubbs and Terry Kerr AUDIENCE: Sandy Robbins, Sandy Ernst, Laurie Strother, Doug Strother, Charles Stransky, Steven Helmeke, Frank Tobin, Cindy Griffith, Sharon McCune, Mikaela Kafka, Osborn Focht, Rebecca Oettinger, Alexandra Mitchell and Roseann Sheridan A big welcome to the many new participants with this project! --- We explore... Act 1, Scene 5: The Ghost tells Hamlet a tale of horror. Saying that he is the spirit of Hamlet's father, he demands that Hamlet avenge King Hamlet's murder at the hands of Claudius. Hamlet, horrified, vows to "remember" and swears his friends to secrecy about what they have seen. I'm excited to finally share the amazing work this groups of artists has been doing. And we're still producing new sessions! #hamlet #workingactor #rehearsal #shakespeare #textwork #acting #actor #director

    "A Father's Plea" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 5. Week 1 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room
  6. Mar 31

    "The Journey Begins" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 3-4. Final Session - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room

    🏁 In this session, highlights include: ➤ A deep examination of the dynamics between Hamlet, Horatio, and the Ghost ➤ Insights into Polonius' role and his influence on Ophelia and Laertes ➤ How Ophelia is often misrepresented in traditional interpretations We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare. 😁 *** These sessions are free for all to enjoy; your support helps us keep this space creative, accessible, and high-quality. (See below for options) *** --- 🙌 Many thanks to our recent supporters! Help us continue our work in the Rehearsal Room through a ONE-TIME DONATION: 💰 PayPal: https://paypal.me/nathanagin81 🤑 Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nathanagin 💳 Credit card: http://workingactorsjourney.com/donation-checkout 🤗 Or become a MONTHLY PATRON with additional benefits (starting at $5/month) with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wajpodcast Get early access to sessions (before they go public on YouTube and the podcast), priority with asking questions, and more! 🙏 THANK YOU to our patrons at the Co-Star level and higher: Ivar, Joan, Michele, Jim, Magdalen, Claudia, Clif and Jeff! --- 🎭 CREATIVE TEAM for this month: DIRECTOR: Annie Occhiogrosso ACTORS: Randall Duk Kim, Lee Ernst, Benjamin Reigel, Nick Bettens, Michele Schultz, Liz Swain, Sarah Mabes, Charles Stransky and Jim Stubbs AUDIENCE: Sandy Robbins, Sandy Ernst, Laurie Strother, Doug Strother, Steven Helmeke, Frank Tobin, Cindy Griffith, Sharon McCune, Mikaela Kafka, Osborn Focht, Rebecca Oettinger, Alexandra Mitchell, Terry Kerr, Gary Lowery and Steve Robinson A big welcome to the many new participants with this project! --- We explore... Act 1, Scene 3: Laertes says good-bye to his sister, Ophelia, and tells her not to trust Hamlet's promises of love. Polonius joins them, sends Laertes off, then echoes Laertes's warnings to Ophelia, finally ordering her not to see Hamlet again. Act 1, Scene 4: Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus are visited by the Ghost, who beckons for Hamlet to follow and the Prince will not be held back. I'm excited to finally share the amazing work this groups of artists has been doing. And we're still producing new sessions! #hamlet #workingactor #rehearsal #shakespeare #textwork #acting #actor #director

    "The Journey Begins" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 3-4. Final Session - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room
  7. Mar 24

    "The Ghost's Revelation" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 3-4. Week 3 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room

    🏁 In this session, highlights include: ➤ Exploring the relationship between Hamlet and the ghost, focusing on memory and loss ➤ An analysis of language and punctuation in Hamlet's initial lines ➤ Insights Marcellus' and Horatio's fears regarding the ghost's intentions We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare. 😁 *** These sessions are free for all to enjoy; your support helps us keep this space creative, accessible, and high-quality. (See below for options) *** --- 🙌 Many thanks to our recent supporters! Help us continue our work in the Rehearsal Room through a ONE-TIME DONATION: 💰 PayPal: https://paypal.me/nathanagin81 🤑 Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nathanagin 💳 Credit card: http://workingactorsjourney.com/donation-checkout 🤗 Or become a MONTHLY PATRON with additional benefits (starting at $5/month) with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wajpodcast Get early access to sessions (before they go public on YouTube and the podcast), priority with asking questions, and more! 🙏 THANK YOU to our patrons at the Co-Star level and higher: Ivar, Joan, Michele, Jim, Magdalen, Claudia, Clif and Jeff! --- 🎭 CREATIVE TEAM for this month: DIRECTOR: Annie Occhiogrosso ACTORS: Randall Duk Kim, Lee Ernst, Benjamin Reigel, Nick Bettens, Michele Schultz, Liz Swain, Sarah Mabes, Charles Stransky and Jim Stubbs AUDIENCE: Sandy Robbins, Sandy Ernst, Laurie Strother, Doug Strother, Steven Helmeke, Frank Tobin, Cindy Griffith, Sharon McCune, Mikaela Kafka, Osborn Focht, Rebecca Oettinger, Alexandra Mitchell, Terry Kerr, Gary Lowery and Steve Robinson A big welcome to the many new participants with this project! --- We explore... Act 1, Scene 3: Laertes says good-bye to his sister, Ophelia, and tells her not to trust Hamlet's promises of love. Polonius joins them, sends Laertes off, then echoes Laertes's warnings to Ophelia, finally ordering her not to see Hamlet again. Act 1, Scene 4: Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus are visited by the Ghost, who beckons for Hamlet to follow and the Prince will not be held back. I'm excited to finally share the amazing work this groups of artists has been doing. And we're still producing new sessions! #hamlet #workingactor #rehearsal #shakespeare #textwork #acting #actor #director

    "The Ghost's Revelation" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 3-4. Week 3 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room
  8. Mar 17

    "Ophelia's Strength" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 3-4. Week 2 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room

    🏁 In this session, highlights include: ➤ Reframing Ophelia as a strong, self-aware woman rather than a passive character ➤ The dynamic of Polonius' family, exploring familial duty and societal expectations ➤ How the characters' relationships influence the unfolding tragedy of the play We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare. 😁 *** These sessions are free for all to enjoy; your support helps us keep this space creative, accessible, and high-quality. (See below for options) *** --- 🙌 Many thanks to our recent supporters! Help us continue our work in the Rehearsal Room through a ONE-TIME DONATION: 💰 PayPal: https://paypal.me/nathanagin81 🤑 Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/nathanagin 💳 Credit card: http://workingactorsjourney.com/donation-checkout 🤗 Or become a MONTHLY PATRON with additional benefits (starting at $5/month) with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wajpodcast Get early access to sessions (before they go public on YouTube and the podcast), priority with asking questions, and more! 🙏 THANK YOU to our patrons at the Co-Star level and higher: Ivar, Joan, Michele, Jim, Magdalen, Claudia, Clif and Jeff! --- 🎭 CREATIVE TEAM for this month: DIRECTOR: Annie Occhiogrosso ACTORS: Randall Duk Kim, Lee Ernst, Benjamin Reigel, Nick Bettens, Michele Schultz, Liz Swain, Sarah Mabes, Charles Stransky and Jim Stubbs AUDIENCE: Sandy Robbins, Sandy Ernst, Laurie Strother, Doug Strother, Steven Helmeke, Frank Tobin, Cindy Griffith, Sharon McCune, Mikaela Kafka, Osborn Focht, Rebecca Oettinger, Alexandra Mitchell, Terry Kerr, Gary Lowery and Steve Robinson A big welcome to the many new participants with this project! --- We explore... Act 1, Scene 3: Laertes says good-bye to his sister, Ophelia, and tells her not to trust Hamlet's promises of love. Polonius joins them, sends Laertes off, then echoes Laertes's warnings to Ophelia, finally ordering her not to see Hamlet again. Act 1, Scene 4: Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus are visited by the Ghost, who beckons for Hamlet to follow and the Prince will not be held back. I'm excited to finally share the amazing work this groups of artists has been doing. And we're still producing new sessions! #hamlet #workingactor #rehearsal #shakespeare #textwork #acting #actor #director

    "Ophelia's Strength" in HAMLET: Act 1, Sc 3-4. Week 2 - Shakespeare | The Rehearsal Room

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About

In The Working Actor's Journey, hear from amazing teachers, role models, and mentors about their lifelong careers. Learn from those who have been acting professionally for decades—to see exactly how they approach the work, what decisions and resources have made the biggest impacts on their artistic lives, and to hear their struggles and successes in the business. How do great actors work? What do they actually do? Let's find out. These conversations are a virtual toolbox for actors, full of techniques, advice, and lessons learned.