

In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast
Backstage
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, Senior Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 14, 2019 • 27min
The 2019–20 Awards Season Preview
We’re back for another deep dive into Hollywood’s awards races! Jack Smart and Kasey Howe of Backstage’s awards team highlight this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, Emmy results, and performances to keep an eye on during this 2019–20 film and guild awards season. Who will emerge as frontrunners at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globes, Academy Awards, and more...?
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
Listen and subscribe to “In the Envelope” on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and “In the Envelope” on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media Manager: Katie Minard
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Samantha Sherlock and Kasey Howe

Aug 27, 2019 • 52min
Jonathan Van Ness
Growing up in rural Illinois with dreams of launching an empire as a hairdresser, Jonathan Van Ness has achieved that goal and then some. He left the midwest for Los Angeles and broke into the online comedy world with the now Emmy-nominated Funny or Die web series “Gay of Thrones,” a recap of “Game of Thrones” filmed in his hair salon. He produces the interview podcast “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness,” has dabbled in writing, stand-up comedy, ice skating, and gymanstics, all while experiencing the whirlwind rise to reality TV fame as the grooming expert on “Queer Eye,” Netflix’s award-winning reboot of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” Looking for fabulous inspiration? Jonathan has advice for aspiring entertainers, content creators, and pretty much everyone. Brought to you by HBO.
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media: Francis Ramos and Katie Minard
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock

Aug 22, 2019 • 1h 20min
Laverne Cox
Award-winning triple threat, producer, and activist Laverne Cox has earned three guest actress Emmy nods for Jenji Kohan’s Netflix prison drama “Orange Is the New Black.” As the first openly transgender performer to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy, the first openly trans woman to win a Daytime Emmy for her special “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” and broadcast TV’s first trans lead in CBS’ “Doubt,” Laverne has been blazing trails since her early days dancing in Mobile, Alabama and studying acting in New York City. She played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again,” and can be seen on “The Mindy Project,” “Dear White People,” and countless upcoming projects. Special thanks to Oriella St. Louis!
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media: Francis Ramos and Katie Minard
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock

Aug 20, 2019 • 1h 2min
Anna Chlumsky
Anna Chlumsky has received six consecutive supporting comedy actress Emmy nominations as Amy Brookheimer on HBO’s award-dominating political satire “Veep,” from Armando Iannucci, David Mandel, and producer-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Breaking into the industry as a child star in “My Girl,” Anna didn’t come around to the idea of pursuing acting passionately until after a much-needed hiatus at the University of Chicago and in the publishing industry. Then she was inspired by Mercedes Ruehl onstage and eventually began training, working off-off-Broadway, and appearing on camera again. Her number one piece of advice, in acting or in life: tell the truth. Brought to you by HBO.
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media: Francis Ramos and Katie Minard
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock

Aug 13, 2019 • 32min
The 2019 Emmy Awards
Join us for another deep-dive episode of “In the Envelope,” this time with an eye on the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards! Jack Smart is joined by Backstage senior editor and fellow TV fanatic Elyse Roth for a dissection of all things 2019 Emmys: Which TV industry trends might affect the race? Which of our favorite series and performances deserve attention from the Television Academy? And which will win...?
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media: Francis Ramos
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock

Jun 20, 2019 • 52min
Seth Meyers
A fixture of late-night TV, specifically at the headquarters of NBC, Seth Meyers is the host of the acclaimed “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” With roots in Illinois, Michigan, and New Hampshire, Seth studied comedy in Chicago and Amsterdam before auditioning for “Saturday Night Live” in 2001, where he worked for 13 years as a performer, head writer, and “Weekend Update” host. Aspiring comedians, writers, hosts, and actors alike should not miss this interview—recorded in Seth’s “Late Night” offices on the eighth floor of 30 Rockefeller Center.
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock

Jun 18, 2019 • 1h 3min
Debra Messing
A reigning member of TV royalty, Debra Messing is a leading comedy actress Primetime Emmy Award winner for NBC’s “Will and Grace.” Her performance as Grace Adler, from 1998 to 2006 and now in its revival since 2017, has also earned her Golden Globe, SAG, and other nominations aplenty. Known also for “Ned and Stacey,” “The Starter Wife,” “Smash,” “The Mysteries of Laura,” and her work in feature films and on New York stages, Debra has valuable advice for actors looking to advocate for themselves—as she has done from the very beginning of her fabulous career.
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock

Jun 13, 2019 • 1h 1min
Heléne Yorke
Heléne Yorke (pronounced “huh-LAY-nuh york”) is well known to Broadway audiences for “Bullets Over Broadway” and “American Psycho,” and is now cracking up TV audiences in her breakout TV role: as the aimless Brooke Dubek in Comedy Central’s “The Other Two,” from Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider. She joins us to talk about her post-audition routines, living in the moment, and her hard-won ability to embrace the rejection and uncertainty in her profession.
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock

Jun 11, 2019 • 52min
William Jackson Harper
Actor William Jackson Harper went from his native Dallas to Santa Fe to the stages of New York City, following his passion for playing fascinating, sometimes oddball, characters. Just before catching his big break in TV, he was reevaluating his career, weighing its many rejections against that passion. Then he joined NBC’s inventive Michael Schur comedy about the afterlife, “The Good Place,” as the neurotic Chidi Anagonye, a performance that has earned him a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination and Emmy buzz.
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock

Jun 6, 2019 • 27min
The 2019 Tony Awards
Join us for an “In the Envelope” first: our in-depth look at awards contenders! Jack Smart is joined by Backstage senior staff writer Casey Mink for a discussion on everything you need to know about the 2019 Tony Awards and what’s on Broadway today: Which productions and performances are the favorites (and our personal favorites) at the upcoming ceremony? And what do this year’s Tony nominations say about the state of theater today? Tune in for the full scoop.
--
For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals to find the right performers for their projects. “In the Envelope: An Awards Podcast” features interviews with some of the most exciting actors and storytellers working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
SUBSCRIBE and listen to In the Envelope on:
- iTunes: https://apple.co/2rs0llz
- Google Play: https://bit.ly/2DHkPwt
- Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QNmu6C
- Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2DJv6bD
- Overcast: https://bit.ly/2OJvWGk
- SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2jUpnnw
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social Media: Francis Ramos and Lauren Routt
- Design: Mark Stinson and Caitlin Watkins
- Additional Support: Kasey Howe and Samantha Sherlock