Where Working Actors Talk

In this episode, award-winning Afro-Latina actress and filmmaker Loren Escandón shares her inspiring journey from Cali, Colombia, to Hollywood. Growing up surrounded by cartel violence, Loren’s mother enrolled her in ballet to keep her safe, which sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling. She shares how her early training in ballet, tango, and jazz eventually led her to theater and television, as well as the challenges of navigating cultural shifts and learning to embrace her accent. Loren has appeared in hit series including Gentefied, 9-1-1, S.W.A.T., Selena: The Series, Truth Be Told, and Freevee’s Casa Grande. She is best known for her breakout role as Marisol in Netflix’s Purple Hearts. Beyond acting, Loren is an accomplished director and writer. Her debut, Phone Tales, premiered at multiple festivals, and her latest short, Los Patines, has won numerous awards including Best Short at the San Pedro International Film Festival and Best Latino Short and Director at the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival. Throughout the conversation, Loren emphasizes resilience, self-acceptance, and the importance of representation in storytelling. She offers insights into her creative process, her experiences navigating multiple cities and cultures, and her vision for what’s coming next.

00:00 Introduction and Early Life 

00:25 Discovering Ballet and Storytelling 

01:32 Transition to Acting and Moving to the US 

02:27 Navigating the Acting Industry 

03:48 First TV Role and Learning the Ropes 

05:49 Settling in LA and Finding Representation 

11:24 Audition Challenges and Self-Acceptance 

16:59 The Importance of Training and Comedy 

25:17 Wardrobe and Character Embodiment 

26:50 Collaborative Costume Design 

27:22 Realism in Acting 

28:57 Transition to Directing 

31:57 Creating Los Patina 

34:50 Challenges and Triumphs 

39:34 Future Projects and Aspirations 

46:44 Reflections and Inspirations 

49:46 Inside the Actor's Studio Questions

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A.J. Castro was born in Costa Rica and raised in Miami, where he quickly found his love of acting. He sits down with host Colleen Foy to talk about his journey in the industry and finding his place as a Latino in Hollywood. From studying at CSULA to booking Will & Grace and 9-1-1, A.J.’s journey has now led him to becoming a coach at SKS. He shares his early career struggles, his entry into Hollywood through perseverance and community support, living a lifelong career with shifting goals over time, finding writing, and how being a father has shaped his stories. A.J. also shares insights about adapting to the industry’s demands, and how he found Stan Kirsch Studios right when he needed it. You’ll learn the importance of having a process, finding joy in the creative journey, and giving yourself grace in your creative process. 

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:09 AJ's Journey to the Studio 

01:22 Moving to LA: The Early Years 

02:34 Finding Footing in LA 

02:49 Acting Beginnings in Miami

 06:25 Challenges and Growth in Acting 

07:50 The Importance of Goals and Consistency 

14:48 Navigating the Acting Industry 

30:00 Booking 911 & The Payoff of Consistency

 30:56 Overcoming Intimidation and Self-Doubt 

33:19 The Importance of Casting and Perseverance 

35:06 Branding and Marketing as an Actor 

36:54 Discovering and Embracing Your Type 

43:15 Writing as a Creative Outlet

46:54 Balancing Acting and Writing

52:51 Inside the Actor's Studio Questions 

57:12 Final Thoughts and Aspirations

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Allen Rowe (FBI Most Wanted, The Last Ship, Hawaii Five-0, ) has been a long time student of Stan Kirsch Studios. In this episode, he joins his mentor Colleen Foy to look back on his unique journey as an actor. Allen shares his early struggles, including flying between San Francisco and Los Angeles for auditions and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Born in Taipei, Taiwan and being of Chinese descent meant that Allen had to deal with a lack of roles that he saw himself in early on. It was because of his community and classes at studios like SKS that kept him going and allowed him to craft his iconic, memorable auditions that led to roles on shows like 'Monk' and 'CSI Cyber.' Allen also discusses his experience working in Asia as a series regular on Tou Du (Wei Xian lu Cheng) and what he’s hoping for in the future. If you’ve been looking for motivation to keep going and remain resilient, this is the episode for you.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Allen

00:24 Early Acting Struggles and Auditions 

01:15 Breakthrough and Career Milestones 

02:04 Challenges and Learning in Acting Classes 

06:04 Memorable Audition Stories 

07:29 Dealing with Rejection and Staying Active 

10:58 Script Analysis and Preparation Techniques 

20:17 On-Set Experiences and Networking

24:09 Reflecting on Early Career Experiences 

24:25 Navigating the One-Hour Drama Auditions 

25:43 Transitioning to Acting in Asia 

27:36 Challenges and Successes in China

28:37 Returning to the US and Building Connections 

31:06 Aspirations for a Series Regular Role 

33:41 Exploring Different Genres and Roles 

34:25 Portraying My Grandfather 

36:40 Representation and Diversity in Acting 

41:30 The Art of Self-Taping

 43:44 Inside the Actor's Studio Questions

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Audrey Helps Actors meets the Working Actor Podcast. This week actress Audrey Moore takes a look back on her career, how she navigates acting as a lifestyle, and the magical thinking to burnout loop that every actor faces. As she and host Colleen Foy  dive into the intricacies of Audrey's career and her experiences in the acting industry, they discuss what it was like to being Emmy-nominated to the daily realities and challenges actors face. Audrey shares valuable insights into the audition process, leveraging relationships in the industry, and managing the highs and lows of the profession. You will leave this episode knowing the importance of sustaining your  passion, dealing with rejection, and navigating the fine line between fantasy and reality throughout your entire career. 

00:00 — Introduction and Welcoming Audrey 

00:45 — Audrey's Emmy Experience 

04:54 — Audition Stories and Acting Insights 

11:38 — The Reality of Acting Careers 

17:54 — Magical Thinking to Burnout 

26:35 — The “Fantasy of the Dress” Metaphor

27:10 — The Reality Check 

27:35 — Emotional Experiences and Self-Worth 

28:47 — Magical Thinking in Careers 

29:57 — Live Tweeting and Fan Connection 

30:53 — Navigating Industry Expectations 

35:03 — The Green Light Game 

39:58 — Career Levels and Networking 

43:40 — Balancing Information and Burnout 

44:20 — Maintaining Relationships with Reps 

50:47 — Final Thoughts and Gratitude

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