

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

Aug 22, 2017 • 58min
Regina King
Backstage’s favorite Emmy-winning acting guru, Regina King is one of the greatest on-camera performers working today. She traces her trajectory from child star to actor-director with serious chops, and reveals the intricacies of the techniques that led to her three consecutive Emmy nominations (and two wins) for John Ridley’s ABC anthology drama “American Crime.”
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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting

Aug 18, 2017 • 1h 52min
Judith Light & Kathryn Hahn
In this extra-special, extra-long episode, we are joined by two Emmy-nominated stars from Jill Soloway’s groundbreaking Amazon dramedy “Transparent.” Judith Light, a Tony- and Daytime Emmy-winning legend who keeps breaking our hearts as Shelly Pfefferman, draws inspiration from the LGBTQ community and advises actors to seize the opportunity to serve. Kathryn Hahn, a longtime scene-stealer whose shattering performance as Rabbi Raquel Fein differs from her work on Soloway’s other Amazon series, “I Love Dick,” gives a hilarious interview covering everything from the nuances of religion to survival jobs.
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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting

Aug 15, 2017 • 1h 5min
Carrie Coon
This interview with Carrie Coon covers both how to act in the present moment and the practicalities of budgeting and cooking. The star of HBO’s “The Leftovers,” now receiving her first (of many!) Emmy nominations for Season 3 of FX’s “Fargo,” shares the techniques and philosophies that launched her from regional repertory theater to Broadway to critical darling.
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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting

Aug 11, 2017 • 52min
Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright—Emmy and Tony winner for “Angels in America,” currently Emmy-nominated for HBO’s sci-fi western “Westworld,” and guru of stage and screen techniques—stops by the studio to share his wisdom on auditioning, stage fright, the importance of listening, loss, 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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting

Aug 8, 2017 • 54min
Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk, the renowned writer, producer, comedian, and 12-time Emmy nominee, stars in AMC’s drama “Better Call Saul,” Peter Gould and Vince Gilligan’s sequel to “Breaking Bad.” He joined us to shed light on his many successes, various influences, and how writing inspires his transformation into Saul.
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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting

Aug 4, 2017 • 43min
Jackie Hoffman
Jackie Hoffman is a theater and comedy legend (and hilarious interview)! Now TV fans are appreciating her talents too: On FX’s fabulous limited series “Feud: Bette and Joan,” the Emmy nominee plays Mamacita, housekeeper to Jessica Lange’s Joan Crawford. You’ll never guess what inspires her acting....
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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting

Aug 1, 2017 • 56min
Ann Dowd
Backstage has returned with another run of episodes featuring contenders in the 2017 Emmy race! Ann Dowd, a first-time—and two-time—Emmy nominee for her roles on eerie, disturbing, but wildly imaginative TV dramas, Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and HBO’s “The Leftovers,” has wisdom to spare for early-career actors.
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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting

Jul 11, 2017 • 52min
BONUS: How to Become an Emmy-Winning Actor
This extra special bonus episode of Backstage’s “In the Envelope” gathers never-before-heard career advice from Bryan Cranston, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria, casting director Amanda Lenker Doyle, and more. It’s the podcast version of a how-to guide on becoming a better, more successful actor!
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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting

Jun 23, 2017 • 1h 7min
Freida Pinto, Amy Brenneman, & Jay Duplass
As Emmy nomination voting closes, Backstage interviews three of this year’s talented awards contenders: Freida Pinto of Showtime’s politically charged mini-series “Guerilla,” Amy Brenneman of HBO’s masterfully mysterious drama “The Leftovers,” and Jay Duplass of Amazon’s revelatory comedy “Transparent.” 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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting

Jun 22, 2017 • 54min
Carly Chaikin & Thandie Newton
This week’s (extra fabulous) episode features actors from two of the grittiest and most riveting series on the small screen. Thandie Newton is an award-winning actor and activist, always on the lookout for on-camera roles that enable her to merge those two identities. Little did she know HBO’s cowboys-and-robots drama “Westworld” would provide such an opportunity. Carly Chaikin of USA’s award-winning “Mr. Robot” also joins us for a candid discussion of the nuances of casting, auditioning, and navigating the TV industry. 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 intimate, inspirational interviews with some of the most exciting actors and awards contenders working today. Check out more here: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
In the Envelope Twitter: twitter.com/InTheEnvelope
Backstage Twitter: twitter.com/backstage
Facebook: facebook.com/backstage
Instagram: instagram.com/backstagecast
YouTube: youtube.com/user/backstagecasting