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
22 episodes
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...
June Yoon - Voice Actor, Vox Inc.
On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with June Yoon, a Los Angeles-based Korean bilingual voice actor whose work spans major franchises like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Genshin Impact, Sol...
Fred Zara – Producer, Director, Editor & Founder, Sketchbook Productions
What does it really take to build a creative life that lasts?In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with filmmaker and storyteller Fred Zara to unpack a journey that spans punk rock stages, indie film set...
Nick Blanchette – Emmy Award-Winning Videographer & Editor, Chaos & Kindness
What happens when your entire career gets pulled out from under you overnight?In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Emmy Award-winning videographer and editor Nick Blanchette shares his unconventional journey from sudd...
Ken Harris – Award-Winning Actor, Playwright & AARP Digital Fraud Fighter, Scriptropolis
In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, we speak with Ken Harris, the multi-talented actor, playwright, puppeteer, and AARP Digital Fraud Fighter. Ken shares the story behind his award-winning one-man play, Foes of a Minimu...
Angela M Grout - Author, Podcast Host, Producer, yWrite and BAM Productions
In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Angela Grout - author, podcast host, producer, and lifelong storyteller whose creative path has taken her from decades in floristry to books, plays, podcasti...
Lukas Hassel - Award-Winning Actor, Writer, and Filmmaker
In this captivating episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, host Jeff Ornstein sits down with Lukas Hassel, an award-winning actor, writer, and filmmaker based in New York City. Lukas shares his journey from formal acting training at T...
Shannon K. Dunn – Award winning Actor, Writer, Producer
On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, we sit down with Shannon K. Dunn, a multi-talented actor, writer, and producer with over 35 years in the entertainment industry. From performing in classic films and TV shows like Bac...
Douglas Chang – Emmy Award-Winning Producer & Director, PEAK Performances
Douglas Chang has spent over two decades bringing the performing arts to millions, from Emmy-winning productions like Live from Lincoln Center’s Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson to PBS specials and cutting-edge dance perfor...
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