Next Act with Jeff Ornstein
A designer exploring a new path in acting and Hollywood. Join Jeff Ornstein as he shares personal experiences, lessons learned, and conversations with others making big career shifts in the entertainment industry. Practical insights, honest stories, no fluff, just the journey of breaking into a new world.
Episodes
33 episodes
Darwin Shaw - Actor, Producer, Screenwriter & Director, Kindred Films
What happens when you walk away from a career you spent years building to pursue something you can’t ignore?On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor, producer, screenwriter and director Darwin Shaw to exp...
Stephen Butchko – Co-Founder, Ferryman Collective
What happens when years of creating, experimenting, and hearing “no” suddenly lead to the opportunity you’ve been waiting for?On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Stephen Butchko, award-winnin...
Sam Humphrey - Actor, Producer & Motivational Speaker, The Little Guy Collective
What happens when achieving one of your biggest dreams still leaves you searching for who you really are?On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Sam Humphrey, the actor best known for playing Tom Thum...
Steve Lichtenstein – Actor, Producer & Writer, Baby Boo Boo Productions
What if the dream you’ve been putting off isn’t behind you - it’s your next act?In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Steve Lichtenstein, actor, writer, producer, and founder of Baby Boo Boo Product...
Mike Enright - SAG-AFTRA Actor, TV & Film Performer
What happens when you walk away from a successful 30-year corporate career and decide to chase a dream you never thought was possible?On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Mike Enright, a SAG-A...
Ernest Chan - Animation Supervisor, DreamWorks Animation
In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Emmy-nominated animation supervisor Ernest Chan to explore what more than two decades inside the animation industry have taught him about creativity, leadership, and s...
Christopher Gaunt - Actor, Producer, Director & Writer, Chazy Lake Productions
After 32 years at Procter & Gamble, Christopher Gaunt walked away from a successful corporate career to pursue an entirely different path: film and television.In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Chris shares what g...
Lauren Sowa - Actor, Filmmaker & Co-Founder, Form & Pressure Films
What happens when an actor decides that performing isn't enough and starts creating the stories she wants to see in the world?In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor, filmmaker, and producer Lauren Sowa ...
Emmitt H. Thrower – Founder & CEO, Wabi Sabi Productions Inc.
What happens when life forces you to reinvent yourself?In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with award-winning filmmaker, actor, former NYPD officer, and stroke survivor Emmitt H. Thrower to discus...
Stewart Lewis – Singer-Songwriter, Novelist & Filmmaker
What happens when one creative career evolves into another, and then another?In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriter, bestselling novelist, filmmaker, and creative writing pr...
Bert Rotundo – Actor, Producer & Voice Artist, The Traveling Lantern Company
Success in acting isn't about avoiding rejection - it's about showing up anyway.In this episode of Next Act, Jeff Ornstein sits down with actor, producer, and voice artist Bert Rotundo to explore the realities of building a...
Paul Sinacore – Casting Director, Producer & Director, Paul Sinacore Casting
On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with award-winning casting director, producer, director, and former musician Paul Sinacore to explore a career defined by reinvention, curiosity, and passion.Paul's ...
Till Wolter – Actor, Producer & Voice Artist, Engage Artists Agency
On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor and producer Till Wolter to explore a creative journey that spans theater, film, television, motion capture, voice acting, and producing.Till shares how s...
Marc Baron – Award-Winning Screenwriter, Producer & SAG-AFTRA National Board Member
On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with award-winning actor, screenwriter, director, producer, and longtime SAG-AFTRA leader Marc Baron.Marc shares the remarkable story of how encouragement from Dusti...
Michael "Buster" McMahon – Creative Director / Playwright / Producer, West Side Dance Center
In this episode of Next Act, Jeff Ornstein sits down with Michael "Buster" McMahon, Creative Director, Playwright, and Producer at West Side Dance Center, whose creative journey has taken him from stand-up comedy stages to community theatre pro...
Steve Maiselson – Founder, YADDA Productions
What does it mean to keep creating when success doesn't arrive on someone else's timeline?In this episode of Next Act, Jeff Ornstein sits down with Steve Maiselson, founder of YADDA Productions, whose career has spanned acting, writing, ...
Aaron Marcus - Full-time actor, model, mentor, author, lecturer and webinar host
What does it really take to build a successful acting career?In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Aaron Marcus, a full-time actor, author, mentor, and commercial model who has booked nearly 1,300 a...
Tom McElroy - Actor, Chicago Freelance
In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor Tom McElroy to talk about a life shaped by faith, storytelling, theater, film, and unexpected turns.Tom shares how he moved from ministry into acting, wha...
Luis Berrio – Actor, SAG-AFTRA
In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor Luis Berrio to talk about his unexpected transition from a 24-year career as an NYC detective to building a second act in film and television.Luis shares ...
Michelle Falanga – Emmy-Winning Voice Actor, Writer & Storyteller
In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Emmy-winning voice actor, actor, and writer Michelle Falanga for an honest conversation about creativity, reinvention, and building a career from unexpected opportunit...
Jessica O'Donnell – Screenwriter, Actor & Comedian
What does it really take to walk away from a stable career and step into a creative life?In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Jessica O’Donnell - screenwriter, actor, comedian, and story analyst - ...
Tim Eliot – Actor, Producer, Teacher, Krymov Lab NYC
What does it take to bring centuries-old stories to life in a way that still moves modern audiences?In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Tim Eliot, an actor, producer, and educator whose work spans...
Alfred Lawrie - BAFTA-Winning TV Executive, Showrunner, THE JURY: MURDER TRIAL
What does it take to create television that captures millions of viewers and stands the test of time?On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Alfred Lawrie, the creative force behind groundbreaking UK ...
Joe Kowalski - Documentary Filmmaker and Editor, Substance
On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with documentary filmmaker and editor Joe Kowalski to explore the art of storytelling through film. Joe shares the journey from making YouTube videos as a teenager to direc...
