Episode 38 - Schall We Talk with Casting Director Erica A. Hart

Special episode this week of Schall We Talk as we have Casting Director, Producer, writer and friend of Robyn’s….Erica A. Hart. 

Years ago, Erica took a chance on me and cast me in my very first scripted TV role. She had no idea where my career was headed, and honestly... neither did I.

Today, Erica is one of the entertainment industry's most respected casting directors, with credits including Survival of the Thickest, The Equalizer, That Damn Michael Che, Broadway productions like Death of a Salesman, Pass Over, and Chicken & Biscuits, plus commercials for L'ORÉAL, GEICO, Quaker Oats, and so much more. 

She's a producer, writer, educator, and one of the kindest people I've met in this business.

This conversation isn't just for actors. Whether you're chasing a dream, changing careers, or just trying to figure out your next step, Erica shares advice that honestly applies to all of us. I walked away inspired, and I think you will too.

We also talk about how she cast me in my first TV role, what casting directors really notice in auditions, the biggest mistakes actors make, why getting an audition is already a huge accomplishment, and somehow... we end up talking about my unforgettable role as a dead buffalo. 😂

I can't thank Erica enough for coming on Schall We Talk. This is one of my favorite conversations we've had.

Reminder to get your tickets to the Bachelorette Comedy Show in Boston and New York - https://robynschall.com/upcoming-shows/

Totebags and prints on our Etsy Page - https://www.etsy.com/shop/RobynsBookShop

Producer shout-outs: Susan Santoro, Melissa Kirsch, Veronica and Deanna, Tamar Fix, and Dr. Piano Man

Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/SchallWeTalk

#ShallWeTalk #RobynSchall #EricaAHart #ComedyPodcast #Podcast #ActorLife #Acting #CastingDirector #AuditionTips #FilmIndustry #Television #Broadway #Entertainment #CreativeCareers #WomenInEntertainment #Comedy #BehindTheScenes #CareerAdvice #NYC #YouTubePodcast #SpotifyPodcasts #DreamBig #PerformingArts #EntertainmentIndustry #Inspiration

Transcript

unknown 0:00

Shall we talk?

SPEAKER_04 0:01

Oh, can't you see? This is where you wanna be.

SPEAKER_02 0:06

Hi everyone, welcome back to Show We Talk. We have such a great episode today. Erica A. Hart, who's a casting director, producer, writer, uh, she does it all, is coming on the episode. I'm gonna sit down with her. I have a really awesome story about how we met, which I'll get into once she's here and I sit down with her. But like she's just so, you know, people say, oh, this person's a talented actress, this person's a talented writer, this person's a talented singer. When it comes to casting, this woman is talented. And why? Because she casted me in my first acting role. No, but besides that, like she really is just one of the best. Her credits include, just to name a few, survival of the thickest, the equalizer, that damn Michael Che. As far as theater, she was the casting director for Death of a Salesman, Passover, Chicken Biscuits. She's casted commercials for L'Oreal, Quaker Oates, Geico, and so much more. Erica was named Woman to Watch on Broadway in 2025. She is a board member of the Casting Society, a member of the Television Academy, a Teamster Local 817, and part of Black Theater United Collective. She writes and produces with past development deals at BET and Wii TV. Erica also teaches at Yale University, NYU, and various institutions nationwide. I am an actor and I have self-submitted for many projects that she has done. And again, we will get into how we know each other personally when she gets here. But we and we already did the interview. And I have to say, as an actor, if you're in the arts, whether it's acting, dancing, singing, she drops so many gems. But then as a human being, a lot of these gems apply like across the board, whether it's in relationships or jobs hunting, just so much things. So really 10 out of 10 interviews. So I think you guys are really, really gonna enjoy it. And she's just like such a lovely person. Like, uh, she's just she's wonderful. You guys, I I can't say enough good things about her. But before then, ri security.

SPEAKER_04 2:15

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 2:16

We have a show next the week this airs, we have a show next week.

SPEAKER_04 2:21

Which one?

SPEAKER_02 2:22

No, we have a show yesterday. Wait, when is this airing? Two weeks from now.

SPEAKER_04 2:27

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 2:28

So you guys, uh this is Robin from the past. I guess every episode is Robin from the past. Yeah. Yeah. So I think when this airs, we just did our celiac show.

SPEAKER_03 2:38

Correct. You did a great job.

SPEAKER_02 2:39

I was gonna say I killed it.

SPEAKER_03 2:41

Great job.

SPEAKER_02 2:41

And then uh next week we have our New York Bachelorette comedy show.

SPEAKER_03 2:45

You're gonna do a great job.

SPEAKER_02 2:47

Go get your ticket, because we don't know in the future if we're sold out yet. So you get it.

SPEAKER_03 2:53

Where?

SPEAKER_02 2:54

In New York?

SPEAKER_03 2:54

Well, where can they buy things?

SPEAKER_02 2:55

Oh, city winery. Oh, down below. And if if you're watching on YouTube, oh no, anywhere, right?

SPEAKER_03 3:00

Yeah, it's down below everywhere.

SPEAKER_02 3:03

But if you are watching on YouTube, make sure you subscribe, like, and leave a comment. And then we have Boston, the Wilbur. And like a month from now. I'm just so excited for these shows.

SPEAKER_04 3:12

They're gonna be fun.

SPEAKER_02 3:13

We're gonna have so much freaking fun. I cannot wait. The the whole bridal party is coming to the New York show. And then Boston, you don't even. I'm trying to convince Richie to bring tasty Tyrone, the blowup doll, to the Boston. Oh god. Come on. You walking in with a blow-up doll with a huge, you know what?

SPEAKER_04 3:35

Can he just still be in the box?

SPEAKER_02 3:36

Nope. I need you to walk in with him blown out.

SPEAKER_04 3:40

The box the box with the plastic. Security.

SPEAKER_02 3:42

This will be your wedding gift to me. Security? Everyone right below should Richie walk in to the Wilbur, one of the most prestigious theaters in Boston, with a blow-up dough.

SPEAKER_04 3:54

With an eight-inch.

SPEAKER_02 3:56

Eight-inch?

SPEAKER_04 3:57

Yeah. I didn't go and measure it. How do you know? Who says it on the box?

SPEAKER_02 4:02

I want to know. I have some follow-up questions. You seemed a little confident with the exact inches on that one. It's on the box. Oh my gosh. All right. Should we get into the interview? I'm just so excited. Yes. All right, guys. Please enjoy my interview with producer, writer, casting director, and friend Erica A. Hart. Erica, thank you so much for coming on today.

SPEAKER_05 4:24

Well, thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_02 4:25

Oh, just so you know, she showed up in her Nick's shirt. So obviously, I quickly grabbed my Nick's hat. We had to represent. How exciting was that?

SPEAKER_05 4:33

And I went to see Every Brilliant Thing with Mariska Hargate last night. Jalen Brunson was in the audience.

SPEAKER_02 4:39

Oh my god. Did you watch him the whole time? Or did you watch him?

SPEAKER_05 4:42

I was in the dress circle, so I couldn't see, but like people started moving in a weird way. And also it started later. Because we know from the theater, it always starts like a little couple minutes late. But like around 7:15, I was with my friend Ashley, and we were like, what's happening? And then we hear this commotion, and we were like, what? And everyone's like, Jalen Vrosson here. I was like, oh, they were holding curtain for him. So yeah, it was really cool. It was really cool.

SPEAKER_02 5:03

Did that key stand up at the end at all?

SPEAKER_05 5:06

No, no. I mean, maybe he did, but I didn't, I didn't see him. I'm sure. I mean, we all gave Mershka impression. But how was it? How was it? It was so good. It was so good. She did such a great job. It was such a great show because it's so audience involved. Like the audience is so involved. Is it in the round? She's in like uh in the round, but it is regular seating.

SPEAKER_01 5:27

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 5:27

I really want to see it.

SPEAKER_01 5:28

Do you think this is too late? Like, because you think it's sold out? No, because I got tickets yesterday. Okay. And I saw some.

SPEAKER_05 5:33

And Tracy Ellis Ross starts, I think, in a cup in next week or a couple weeks.

SPEAKER_01 5:38

Although, do you know I have beef with her? Tracy? No, with Marissa. Wait, you don't know the drama? I don't know the drama. What's the drama? Rob and Shaw on Shaw Talk.

SPEAKER_02 5:48

I go viral and every celebrity starts following me. Yeah. Right. Very exciting. And then I even make a, and I love Marissa. I mean, I know it was on the old list. I mean, like 100%. We're New York. SEU. I can't explain the love I have for this woman. Yeah. So I make an Insta story. Now, I granted I wasn't following her, right? But I see. Well, I love a lot of celebrities. I don't follow any of them until they follow me. Because like I don't really care. Because most celebrities are just posting like very curated stuff. So like not only that. But once I see a celebrity following me, I quickly go follow them before they notice. Yeah. Support the small creators, right? And so I do a whole video, like, guys, Marishka's follow me. Let's audition for I make a whole video, blah, blah. And I quickly follow her back. Then about like six months later, I go and check and she unfollowed me. But now here's the thing. When she was following me from the screenshot, she was following like 4,000 people. And then she went down to like 300. So she did like a mass unfollowing, and I didn't make the cut.

SPEAKER_05 6:52

You didn't make the cut. You didn't make the pyramid. No. So you know what I did? You unfollowed her. Damn sure. But are you still watching SVU? Of course. I mean, we gotta get some. And I'm sorry. You know what? I'm gonna go to her shop and everyone fancy.

SPEAKER_02 7:03

Yeah, but it's the little thing. But the proof is in the pudding. I know I unfollowed her. Dun done. One day I'm gonna meet her and I'm gonna be like, what? But you know what's so funny? I guarantee you she doesn't run her account. And whoever did did a maths unfollowing, kept her like 300 closest. Yeah. And then got the cut. I didn't make the cut.

SPEAKER_05 7:23

But you know what? There's always room to grow. Yeah, exactly. We can always be better.

SPEAKER_02 7:26

And I keep checking to see if she refolls.

SPEAKER_05 7:29

One day we'll not today, but one day. One day.

SPEAKER_02 7:34

Did you see? I posted the other day my little clip of me on Law and Order.

unknown 7:38

No.

SPEAKER_05 7:38

I'm so behind. Like I I watch a Law and Order SVU or even like old school Law and Order marathon every week just to keep fresh and like see what's out there. But like the new SVU, I'm I'm so behind.

SPEAKER_02 7:51

So I was cast as the court clerk. Of course. Right? No lines, just like what was that process? Oh, no process. One of my followers, like cousin, was a casting person on the show. Okay. And like there was no like a it was because it wasn't a real role. They were like, Yeah, yeah. They saw it was on the goals list. It was getting the very end of the year. It was like it was like November. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they're like, Do you want to just be the court clerk? The guy, the casting director. He's like, Do you want to be the court clerk? Like, there's no lines of scene, but we can get you on this week. So it was like the next day. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then on the television, it was like literally a last minute, no role. Like, but you got that. Yeah. And so, but the court clerk, it's so funny because the lawyers are right in front of me the whole time because they're in between the court clerk and the jury. The court and the jury. Yeah. The jury. Yeah. So I was like getting so much camera time. And so I'm like taking notes. I'm like method action. Oh, it's a professional. Yeah. Oh, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And I was like, holy shit, this whole episode's about me, you know?

SPEAKER_05 8:50

Take your moment.

SPEAKER_02 8:51

Exactly. The episode airs, and the entire time I'm blurred. Like, because it's like focused on them and they blurred. Like, so there's about 10 minutes of me, but completely. But she's blurry. But she's there. And we crossed it off the goals level.

SPEAKER_05 9:08

But she's there. That's what matters.

SPEAKER_02 9:10

You might be blurred, but she's there. Exactly. Okay. So I uh teased this in the beginning. Okay. But I want to give the full story of how we met because I uh like, oh my gosh. Okay. It's the pandemic. I'm a working comedian. Well, not a working comedian because all the comedy clubs are shut down, but I'm still a working actor. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And there's a website called Actors Connection. I'm constantly trying to get auditions, blah, blah. Erica called uh giz well, first off, I actually think you had called me for a few things.

SPEAKER_01 9:47

You then? Yeah. When was that? I want to say like 2015.

SPEAKER_05 9:53

2015. Yeah. I went to an open mic or one of the APM Caroline shows. And you were you were one of the people up. Wow. Yeah, and we talked afterwards because I think you had just come in to that's when I was at ABC. I think you had just come into ABC, or maybe we met prior, but I remember you were the the bar. Remember the bar? You were like standing right next to the bar and we made eyes and we were like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Or maybe I saw you at the stand. I don't know, but there was a connection before I actually left Caroline.

SPEAKER_02 10:25

Because that was like my home club. Like I was there like two or three times times a week. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 10:29

I was so funny. Yeah. That's what that's when I first met you.

SPEAKER_02 10:33

Wow. Okay. I didn't even remember that. Wow. Okay. So wow, we've known each other for a long time. Yeah, yeah. Oh my gosh. So then during the pandemic, you were casting for the was it called Dan Michael Ch? Damn Michael Michael Show. And you call me in for a bunch of like little roles. And then one of the roles was like white woman number two, four, and seven. You called me in. You called me in for all of all of them. Pick a number. Pick a number. Nowadays, like you, it's on audition tape, especially for these like the smaller roles. And actually, not even. All of them.

SPEAKER_05 11:07

All the roles.

SPEAKER_02 11:08

Again, pandemic time, like masking everything. I'm in the supermarket in front of the tuna fish aisle. I'll remember it, like it was yesterday, because I hadn't had a every TV role I had up until then was playing Robin. I had not booked a scripted thing. I was like, I was on the little couple. Yeah. Yeah, you had the Bethany show. Like I've done a bunch of stuff, but as Robin. But as a Robin number four. You know, I have my acting degree. I studied Shakespeare and the Greeks. Like all I wanted was, you know, to break it to be Robin. Exactly. And I get a call and she's like, Hi, this is Erica Hart. And she's like, I would just like to tell you that you are because at first maybe I got an email from you like pinning this. Yeah. And then you're like, we would like you to offer you the role of white woman number two. And I was like, oh my God. I was like, I'm so excited.

SPEAKER_05 11:59

And I think you said like you were like, I'm in the tuna visual.

SPEAKER_02 12:02

I was I was I was just so excited. And I couldn't believe like that was where I was getting the call, which was like all that perfect. And again, like just to make this very clear, this is before going viral. This is before, like, this was in I think this was like on the precipice, though.

SPEAKER_05 12:16

Like I think like the the show aired once the viral hit.

SPEAKER_02 12:20

And I but I filmed it after. So but but like because what happens? I was like later in the season and you casted most of this up top. Yeah. And so I got cast, and then like a month later, I went viral. And then like a month after that, no, I just checked it on November 28th. So I posted my viral video on November 12th or 10th. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then I had an Insta story about something. Yeah. And you on November 28th wrote on my Insta stories like, congratulations. And then I wrote to you, I was like, forgive me if you're not the Erica Hart, who's the casting director.

SPEAKER_05 12:56

And there are a couple. There are a couple. There's one, and so I'm Erica A. Hart, and there's an Erica M. Hart who's a producer in New York. Oh, really? And sometimes I'll get her emails. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 13:06

And just because you're both in the arts, I can see that happening. But I was like, forgive me, but like, are you the one who gave me my first TV? And then uh you're like, yeah, that's me. And so I don't know, it's because I scrolled back. I told you because you were able to book me before I had a follow-up, you were able to like see something. So when I do get my sitcom, you're gonna be the casting director. Since I know the talent you're able to spot.

SPEAKER_05 13:29

Oh, 100%. No, I appreciate it. But no, I I before we get into anything, I just want to say like how amazing it's just to see everything go, not even just viral. Like I hear like that's such a like a word, but to just see you like in your moment and not only see you in your moment, but like bringing the kids with you in your moment and spreading so much joy and love and like manifestation. And I just bow down.

SPEAKER_02 13:55

Thank you. Um, I feel like the kids and my fam, like it really is like a group project. Yeah, like I used to always say, like, especially when we raise money for stuff, like I get I'm like the lucky one that gets the hand in the check, and I get to be the face of it, but it's thousands of people writing that check, and it's thousands of people coming up with the ideas.

SPEAKER_05 14:14

Like it's the tip to tip, like that. That was all you, girl. Like, that was like you doing that, the triathlon, like there was work to the raising of the money, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02 14:25

It really works, but it's such a group effort. Like, yeah, one, I'm the list has come up with the people, like they come up with the list. Yeah, yeah. I mean, I picked the 20, but they write the thousands.

SPEAKER_05 14:36

I'm in there, I'm in there, I'm in there suggesting some things. I'm in there, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 14:40

And then like with the tip to tips specifically, I remember there were so many times like I was like, I don't think I could do it, but then like more money was coming. I was like, all right, I gotta do a little further. It's so much stuff. Yeah, it is really cool. All right, so I have some questions. Let's let's be professional. Okay. So, well, first off, did you always want to be in casting? I know you also write and produce, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 15:04

That's a really good question. I went to film school at NYU and went in thinking I was gonna be a music video director because I did like I played instruments, I danced, and I loved film and TV, and like music videos I thought was the thing to connect everything. And so I came in thinking I was gonna be the next Hype Williams. And when I was a freshman, a friend of mine wanted to do a film outside of the curriculum, and she was very adamant on having everyone do their own specific jobs. And so she was the director, she only directed, the writers only wrote, the producers only produced, and we were 18 and we knew what we were doing, but we didn't know what we were doing. So we printed out a crew list, and the second to last thing was casting, director. I'd never heard of a casting director, but a lot of my, if not all of my career has been looking things up and being like, oh, so I know that word, so that means I can read the whole dictionary. And the word that I connected with was audition. And because I was a dancer, I'd been like, Oh, I've been on audition, so that means I can do this job, and that job was casting. And I cast the film, I had no idea what I was doing, but I did it. And while everyone was trying to be the best director, the best writer, I was in the corner doing that thing, and that thing was casting. And so no one saw me as a threat, they saw me as an asset, and they said, Hey, you did that thing for that film, it looked very helpful. Can you do that thing for my film? I said, sure. And so I literally did it freshman, sophomore, junior, senior year. And so junior year, when I got back from Dublin, I thought, hmm, I think that's gonna be your career. And so I interned at NBC casting my senior year, and that was really cool because I got to see what studio network casting was, but I also got to see what independent casting was because they were doing 30 Rock season five out of house. And so I was the intern for both the studio and network, but also for 30 Rock, and so that was really cool. And then I was at ABC for seven years, and then I worked for different offices when I wasn't working full-time at ABC, so I was working with Cody B and so I played on Abroad City. I was working on Jody Collins with Jody Collins for an NBC like sketch show that they were trying to do. And then I left ABC and then went to Mayor the Tucker's office and worked on Ray Donathan, the Godfather of Harlem, the Bull type, sort of things like that. And then in 2020, I officially started hardcasting and it started with that day of Michael J. Was that your first that was my first big job. That was my first like you can pay the bills by yourself job.

SPEAKER_02 17:24

But like that was the first because you have your own casting company. Yeah. That was your first as the your own casting company.

SPEAKER_05 17:28

I had I hard casting had been an had been a thing since 2008 when I was in school. Okay. And I had been casting everybody's short films, feature films, commercials, but it wasn't enough to pay the bills. Right. But I was very lucky that the thing to pay the bills was still casting. I was just someone's casting assistant or a casting coordinator, an associate casting director. And then 2020, when I got the call from Che was the first thing to be like, I can pay my bills. I don't have to be anybody else's second or third in command. I can pay my bills. And so for the past six years, I've been very lucky that I can pay my bills.

SPEAKER_02 18:02

Congratulations. Like being in the arts and it being the thing that pays your bill. Yeah. To me, like, and I'm not putting down anyone who who not doing anything. It's a step and surprise. And also it's also a roller coaster. Yes. I mean, I have to do it. And we all have to do certain things, we all have to do different things. Exactly. But like, it is such an accomplishment. Like, you should be so proud of yourself. Like it's so huge, you know. I remember when I was doing I was You wanna hold?

SPEAKER_05 18:29

You want to hold?

SPEAKER_02 18:31

Yeah. By the way, I have a cleaning lady here right now. So if you're hearing Vacuum it up.

SPEAKER_05 18:37

Vacuum it up.

SPEAKER_02 18:38

Really upping the production value for season two.

SPEAKER_05 18:41

Listen, it's all about the ambience, you know? We're getting digetic sound, we're getting, we're getting it all.

SPEAKER_02 18:46

Oh my gosh. I always say it is security because like we always joke that like the production value is the production value is top notch, y'all.

SPEAKER_05 18:55

Y'all don't, you're not, you're looking at it from one or three angles, technically. This is a full production. We did a sound test. We both said the alphabet. This is very, this is I'm I'm not getting this is top notch. Thank you. This is so good.

SPEAKER_02 19:08

We always, I mean, things always go wrong. Like, we're you're gonna leave here, I'm gonna call you and be like, oh, he never pressed record on any of the cameras. Like that has happened, you know? So I always, and I say Jim because I'm always like, one day Jennifer Gardner's gonna agree to do this podcast.

SPEAKER_05 19:23

We need to get it right before the no, no, uh Jennifer Gardner is in it to win it. If she's gonna do it, she's gonna do it the right way.

SPEAKER_02 19:31

And Jennifer Gardner's gonna be like, do you mind holding till my cleaning ladies' vacuum stops?

SPEAKER_05 19:38

Listen, I don't know. Girls gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

SPEAKER_02 19:40

Out of everyone who I'm friends with that's like a famous person, she's probably the one that wouldn't like she's oh my god, she's very down to her. But actually, anyone who I'm friends with, like any, like if you follow me and you always see like random celebrities I hang out with, it means they're so chill. I have no friends in the entertainment business that isn't. But who would want that? Who wants that? Yeah, and I don't think they would like me.

SPEAKER_05 20:04

Do you know what I mean? Okay, first of all, they would not you're right, they wouldn't like you, they would love you. Let's get that right.

SPEAKER_02 20:11

I think high maintenance people who are type like, you know, very fancy, like but who wants to be a part of it? Not me, but I'm saying they don't want to be a part of this either. They're missing out. I think they're missing out.

SPEAKER_05 20:24

So if you don't like watermelon, you're not gonna work. You're not gonna work.

SPEAKER_02 20:28

Exactly, exactly, exactly.

SPEAKER_05 20:29

It's not gonna happen.

SPEAKER_02 20:30

Okay, the vacuum stuff. Okay, so as a casting director, yeah, can you uh tell us what is something actors do that is just no? Like as soon as you see it on a tape or an audition, you're like, what are you doing?

SPEAKER_05 20:46

I think you know, I the I always say there's no right choice, there's no wrong choice, it's just a choice. And at the same time, I was I was talking to a group of students yesterday. If you're just doing something for shock value, you're probably not leaning into the true, authentic, natural piece of what you're trying to tap into. So if you're like, you know what's gonna shock her, I'm gonna do a cartwheel into the scene. It's like, okay, if you're like auditioning for stumble, or if you're auditioning for like bring it on, okay. But like this is the equalizer, you know, like why are you doing all of that? It makes it makes no sense, right? So I think because like you were saying, everything is on tape and everyone's trying to connect to casting or connect to producers or connect to directors or studio execs, they're trying to stand out. And what I always say is that there are eight billion people on this planet and counting, and there's only one you, so you're already gonna stand out innately. There's no need to push the thought of like being unique and trying to stand out and trying to to you know be the front of the line, the the the craft will show, and that's that's all we're really looking for.

SPEAKER_02 21:57

To that point, I always say the best way of being the Best is being you because there's no one who can be better at being you than you. Want to be the best, just be you, and I guess it applies the same thing to auditions. You don't need to be something crazy, like bring you to it or your point of view, or your that's a great that's so smart. What's something that, like, if you could give a tip to actors that's like a really good and like you see it done in audition, whether they get it or not, you'll remember them.

SPEAKER_05 22:22

Just remember that who you are playing is most likely a human, you know? And so we never meet someone in complete, like you never meet the bank teller just like standing there, unless that's part of the character. They're either finishing up with a customer, they're either counting the money, they're either typing away at their computer. So there is a life that happened right before this scene that you're putting down started, and there's gonna be a life that happens right after the scene ends that's written. So don't forget those little moments. Now don't make a meal out of it. You know, we don't need the pancakes and the bacon and the eggs, but there is something to be said about the five seconds before the scene. Right. The five seconds after the scene.

SPEAKER_02 23:04

I took um an like some private acting lessons like a year or two ago, and that was one of the biggest takeaways I got from her. She was like, because I would just jump into auditions, and she's like, no, no, no, like what let's start 30 seconds back. What were you doing? Yeah. Even if you start the audition tape, you know, correct for the line, but like, what were you coming from?

SPEAKER_05 23:24

What was the breath beforehand, you know? Yes, exactly. Or if it's like Erica, my first moments are listening. Great. How are you digesting information? How are you listening to your scene partner? You know, how are you reacting? Acting is reacting. And so not taking anything for granted, because the camera picks up anything. You leaning to your left, you leaning to your right, you moving up, moving back, whatever it may be, those are choices. And there's a reason why, even if you're conscious or not conscious of doing them, it's it's a choice all the time.

SPEAKER_01 23:56

Is it such a high getting to be the one to tell an actor they book something? Most of the time we don't get to do that.

SPEAKER_05 24:01

No. Most of the time we don't get to do that because sometimes it goes through the agents. Oh, that's right. And so and like for the bigger roles, it it goes through BA and things like that. But what I when I what I try to do, like if I if I know someone or something after the deal was closed, I'll message them personally. But like I didn't have an agent back then, so you got to just like call me in the tuna fish eye.

SPEAKER_02 24:20

I can't believe that was seven. I wouldn't say that was my big job because like white woman number two, but it was our first job, and it was your biggest.

SPEAKER_05 24:29

But but that was that was a beautiful, I mean, the the pandemic, you know, we we both you know went through some things, but I think a beautiful thing during that time of casting and and being the entertainment industry was like getting the emails or getting the calls or getting the texts or getting the messages of like you were my first audition back, or like you were my first booking back in the pandemic, or like you were my first recur, you're my first like that was that was really fulfilling. Yeah and beautiful.

SPEAKER_02 24:54

Well, you were my first, not even just pandemic, first scripted role. Well, I'm honored. Yeah, honored to be, I'm honored to be the first. I will forever be grateful. I will forever be grateful. Thank really. Like that was especially because it was such a dark time. Yeah, yeah. Look, I would have been thrilled even if it wasn't the pandemic, because like I want to be an actress, you know, but it was also a dark time again before going viral. So it was like some like really exciting news. Like so, okay, you've cast everything from commercials, music videos, TV, Broadway, everything. What's your favorite? And what's like the difference between casting for like different things?

SPEAKER_05 25:33

The main difference between all mediums is time and money. And what I usually say is like, look at how long like an episode is, look how long a commercial is, look how long a play is or a musical, and that can give you the comparison of like how much time we have to cast sometimes. So a television show like The Equalizer, we had eight days to cast, regardless if we had two roles or thirty roles. Like it the time doesn't change. You get just for an episode or a season, how does it be a good one? For an episode. So you'll get the the script first day and you'll open it, and you're like, okay, three day three roles an episode, cool. That I could do that in three in eight days. But then you'll open up an episode and you're like, oh wow, 30 roles in eight days. It doesn't change. And like that was such a great experience working on that show with Joe Wilson and Deborah Martin Chase. And then I co-cast it with Julie Tucker and Kim Krakower and Kendra Kirby. And that was just such a really good experience because I'd never I'd never done a procedure role before. And meeting all those actors in that way was such a beautiful thing. So that's television. And then with commercials, because it's 30 seconds, 15 seconds, I can be hired for a commercial that morning and be cast by that afternoon. Like it's just so so quick. Then with theater, it can be years, especially with a Broadway show. Because it's rotation, they're getting to learn the play or the musical, they're getting to learn the music, especially especially musicals, because there's so many elements to it. You have, of course, your principles, but then you also have your ensemble. And so you might do a workshop that's just based off of the book, which is the spoken word of the musical. And then you might do another workshop that's just based off the dance, that's just a dance workshop. And then you'll might do like a music thing where it's just the songs. And so you could be on a musical for like 10 to 15 years, you know. And then film is kind of in the middle between theater and television. So if you have the money, then usually you can be on one film for like 10 weeks, maybe 12 weeks. For a television series, it's sometimes between 10 and 12 weeks for the full situation. But then you on indie film, if you're packaging, which means you know, trying to find named casts to to be in your film so that you could raise money. I've been on films for like four years, five years, six years, because you're trying to attach people and the producers then are trying to get the money.

SPEAKER_02 27:49

But you wrote uh and I took a screenshot of it and I sent it to my brother because it really was motivating for me. You wrote it like two or three years ago in your Insta stories about like, no, if you get an audition, you have a lottery. 100%. 100%. So no, already like you won just because out of thousands of people you got the audition.

SPEAKER_05 28:11

Yes, I'm working on a show right now and we were looking for the two leads, and we had 10,000 submissions for each lead.

SPEAKER_01 28:16

Wow.

SPEAKER_05 28:17

And I'm not bringing in or requesting self-takes from 10,000 people.

SPEAKER_01 28:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 28:20

We saw maybe 200, you know? So like to be in that 200, or if you know, I'm casting cop number seven, I could get anywhere between 700 and like 2,000 submissions. I'm not calling in 2,000 people for cop number one or anybody really. I might be calling in 30. So to be in the 30 from the 2000, there are 19, there are what 1,970 people that didn't get that opportunity. But you got that opportunity.

SPEAKER_02 28:50

Something about you made the cut made the cut. Right. So, like just even getting an audition. Yeah. Even just if you're a working actor, singer, or dancer, getting an audition is like an accomplishment. Do you remember writing this? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 29:03

And I just talked about it yesterday with a group of students. Any any piece, any portion along the journey is doing something that someone else probably hasn't reached yet. You know? And so it's it's it's it's a blessing, it's a privilege to be able to say, like, yeah, I auditioned for whatever. It means that someone saw something in you and said yes. Yeah. And the more yeses you get along the way, the more things you will get. Exactly. But that first yes is the most important. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 29:32

And just know like that really res when you wrote that. So you you you teach at Yale?

SPEAKER_05 29:36

I do. I teach at Yale and NYU. Those are like the the big classes, and then I do some other classes. With actors or with future casting directors? Like with actors primarily. NYU. Sometimes I'll do like a like a one-off, like this is what a casting director is to some of their Phil students, but it's mostly an audition techniques for the grad students at Yale and NY.

SPEAKER_02 29:58

All right, so you've already dropped so many gems in this episode, but uh when you're in these class, what's like the thing you always like? This is my number one piece of advice.

SPEAKER_05 30:07

I call it the Wizard of Oz rule, and it's similar to what we were talking about before, but uh you had it in you the whole time. But you know, I think a lot of people, especially in this business, worry about the people on the other side of the camera, and they they want to please and they want to do such great work. But at the end of the day, similar to what we were just saying, if you got the audition, there is something already that resonates with somebody, and they just want to see it again, or they just want to see you again, or they want to see you in a different light. And so it's releasing yourself of the thought, well, what do they want? How do they want it? How should I do it for them? versus well, how do I want it? What can I do? How do I see this character? How can I see myself in this character? And taking this art form and being more selfish with it, I think selfish gets a bad rap, you know, because a lot of selfish people do a lot of bad things. Yeah, but being selfish isn't bad if it's for you and if it's for good.

SPEAKER_02 31:04

Oh my gosh, I feel like you could apply what you just said to literally everything, like dating too. 100%. You know, so many times when you're dating, you're thinking, okay, how can I date for them to like me? And it's like, no, if you be your best self and you look for people that will make you happy, you're gonna find a better partner and you'll be a better partner. And I I bet you this applies to so many careers too.

SPEAKER_05 31:24

Oh, yeah, any, I mean, the baseline of everything is good for any career or any or any aspect of life. Because that's what I tell people all the time like acting is being a human, you know? Like you're you're tapping into the most human self so that when I'm watching a show, it's like, oh, I want to be at that coffee shop.

SPEAKER_02 31:40

Although I was in an off-off off off off Broadway play where I played a dead buffalo.

SPEAKER_05 31:45

And that's why I said, for the most part, you'll be playing a human. And then you'll have the option and the opportunity and the privilege to play. Yeah, a dead buffalo. A dead buffalo.

SPEAKER_02 31:54

Um, but no, and I was also a monkey. It was junk, it was um like an urban jungle book. It was called Jungal Book. When I say it was anything, and I remember it was at the Producer's Club. You know the producer's club? I know it very well. For non-New Yorkers, it's like this building has like four very rundown theaters, and all like low-budget shows, we've produced shows, many uh many shows there. But like every actor has done something there in the beginning of their career. It's so good.

SPEAKER_05 32:25

I mean, the fact that it's still there is a testament. Because every actor books it. I mean just physically. Yeah, I mean it's run down. It is physical space is is pretty like if you when you think of like a New York moment, it is the producer's club on West 44th Street.

SPEAKER_02 32:41

Okay, so think of one of the smaller theaters, right? And we did Jung Gal book, right? I was, I don't know, like 23. But those were the best. And I'm currently dating a guy who is who's like 14 years older than me. So I was like, so no, no, I was 22, he was like 30 50. I don't know. So he comes to the show with my parents, and this is like the first thing I booked after college. And I don't know why I was not embarrassed previously in the audience.

SPEAKER_05 33:13

Good. You booked it, yeah. You were proud of what you did for it.

SPEAKER_02 33:16

But I remember then the scene where I was in Dead Buffalo and I made eye contact with my current boyfriend at the time, and I just remember being like, oh, this is embarrassing. I should not have invited him to this.

SPEAKER_05 33:29

But you did it.

SPEAKER_02 33:30

But I did, but then clear? Yeah, oh, I wasn't getting paid for that. I paid them. Getting paid. You do a lot of love of art. In the beginning, you do a lot of free.

SPEAKER_05 33:43

You gotta, you gotta put down the bricks.

SPEAKER_02 33:46

I would say up until Michael J, anything that was on my resume. Because I actually said that was my first scripted, but I did actually a lot of like, because I did independent films and like, but my that was my first like legit thing. Like I was on a few student films that I hope never see the light of day. You gotta do what you gotta do. Yeah, you gotta do what you gotta do. Those will all come out one day. Um it's not that they were like inappropriate, it's just the acting and like production value.

SPEAKER_05 34:14

Listen, we all gotta start somewhere.

SPEAKER_02 34:16

Yeah, we all gotta start somewhere off topic, but on topic, the producer's club. So when my uncle passed away, we knew he liked he wouldn't want a funeral, but he was an actor, and so we're like, let's rent up the producer's club, and we did like a family talent show as his funeral. I that's a and I hosted it 100%, and like security made like videos of his acting work. My aunt played the piano, but that's what he would have wanted. Oh, that's what he would want, but he wouldn't want us crying, but then it's so beautiful though. We invited his best friend, yeah, and his best friend had asked, like, can I say a few words? I was like, Of course. Of course, take the words. But like my dad spoke, but everyone knew like we only had the theater for an hour, right? Like this was like a tight hour shot. And then we're gonna go into the bar. Yeah. So the friend goes, Oh, I'm the host, right? So I'm like hosting, and then all of a sudden the friend goes up. He does two minutes, five minutes, seven minutes, and now we had 10 minutes. And remember, I'm a comic, so I'm in the back and give him the light. I give him the light, but he's not an he doesn't know what the light means. I'm like, Todd, we're gonna have to wrap it up. And so my whole family jokes like I'm the only person who gives at a like a eulogy gives the light. Like But that was that was the setting we were in. And that's the producer's club.

SPEAKER_05 35:32

That's the producer's club.

SPEAKER_02 35:33

Um so I thought I would we would do a rapid uh questions for you. Some of it is like more longer answers, and we could give fast. Okay. Worst audition myth.

SPEAKER_05 35:46

Worst audition myth that uploading your tape s fast means that you're gonna be booked. That is not true. Oh, so like the first it's not like if you're one of the first, you have better odds. No, it's not true. It doesn't matter where you fall in the lineup, you think? I mean, I watch them on a rolling basis. So if I give you the deadline of Tuesday at 3 p.m., that's the deadline. The only good thing about if you, you know, submit it on a Monday, if it's due on a Tuesday, is because I personally watch them on a rolling basis. If I see something that's not right, whatever that means, maybe you mispronounced a word, or maybe, you know, the you didn't understand the tone, whatever that may be. I now have time to call you and say, like, hey Robin, you mispronounced a word, or like maybe like lean more into the drama than the comedy of this one, versus if you submitted a Tuesday at three, you did your job, A plus, but I might not have time to give you that adjustment because I might have to send a client at six, and I don't have time to give you that adjustment. So that's the only thing. But otherwise, otherwise being the first doesn't being the first does not give you a gold star in your homework.

SPEAKER_02 36:52

Okay, most overrated acting advice.

SPEAKER_05 36:55

Most overrated acting advice, I think, is that you have to pay so so so so so so so so so much money on your camera, on your backdrop, on your microphones, in order to have the best self-tape.

SPEAKER_02 37:10

Oh, that's good. That's good. Okay. Hardest entertainment to break into Broadway, TV, or social media?

SPEAKER_01 37:17

I'd say all of them.

SPEAKER_05 37:18

I think anything, anything right now or before is is always hard to break into. And so that's why, similar to what we were saying, if you can get an audition, if you can be seen, if you can go viral, even if like and viral, what does that mean? Like if you have someone that like watches your videos constantly, like good job. Yeah you know, you are doing something really, really well. Like, sure, if you have something that has a million views, great. But if you have something that has 30 views, would we want 30 people right now in this room? I don't know. That might be a little daunting. So if you have some, if you're putting something up and you have 30 views, you might be like, oh, that's that's terrible. But I'm like, again, you open your house to 30 people, that's scary.

SPEAKER_02 38:00

Yeah, you know, I know because sometimes myself included, yeah, but uh you actors or or social media people will say, Oh, I only got 300 views, but it's like three hundred. That's an off-Broadway house, right? Or it has a sold-out comedy show.

SPEAKER_05 38:15

Like, yeah. So I think once you put it into that perspective, you know, I I think that is, but any anything is hard. Anything is hard, anything is hard.

SPEAKER_02 38:23

Not only is breaking into anything's hard, but staying in it.

SPEAKER_05 38:26

And and I will always, I will always tip my hat and I will always bow down to people who say, you know what, this is not for me. Right. And I will always bow and I will always bow to the people who are like, no, we're gonna keep pushing.

SPEAKER_02 38:37

Oh well, my manager knows I quit on a daily basis. Like every whenever he calls me, he's like, Are we doing stand-up or no?

SPEAKER_05 38:42

And I'm like, But what does your mom say?

SPEAKER_02 38:45

No quitting, not today. But let me tell you something. It's always tomorrow in this household because I quit literally every freaking done. Every freaking day. I am so done. Like sometimes I'll say to Dr. Pyama, and I'm like, you know what? Let's just get a house in like like Mississippi the other day.

SPEAKER_05 39:09

No, no, no, no, no. My friend, we're going way up and talk about it. But a friend of mine left a thing she bought downtown on the train because she saw a man doing things and she was so shocked that she had to leave and she left her her jersey on the on the train.

SPEAKER_02 39:28

People always say, like, New Yorkers think they're superior. No, we don't. We know how gross it is.

SPEAKER_05 39:33

We are not superior.

SPEAKER_02 39:35

We know it's disgusting. We just we we torture ourselves, and I love it. New York or nowhere. New York is the best. Nixon five. No Sam Morrell, he's a comedian. So this is a hundred years ago. We were in the green room at Caroline's, and he said, the biggest difference between LA comedians and New York comedians is LA comedians will brag about how well they're doing. New York comedians brag how bad they're doing. And it's that he said this off the whip. Like if we were just we were just chatting, and he was, I was like, so true. Like so many places minus New York brag, like, oh, I'm making so much look at my house, look at my New Yorkers will brag. Oh, I saw a guy pooping, so my friend saw one too. Like, it's almost like a bed bond of what crazy thing have we seen today? Totally. Because I'm only asking questions I need answers, so sorry.

SPEAKER_05 40:23

Take it itself.

SPEAKER_02 40:27

We had an opportunity to sit. Like, usually for hanging out, we're gonna talk talk of business. So this is like, I'm like, oh none of these are recording, it's just like questions I needed answers to. Just audio. Okay, the last two are Robin centered. Okay.

SPEAKER_05 40:41

10 out of 10.

SPEAKER_02 40:41

If you had to make up a role right now for me where you're typecasting me, what's the role? The funniest woman in the world.

SPEAKER_05 40:50

The funniest woman in the world.

SPEAKER_02 40:51

Like a funny neighbor, funny lead, like just the funniest doesn't matter.

SPEAKER_05 40:55

Put in the noun.

SPEAKER_02 40:56

It doesn't matter.

SPEAKER_05 40:59

Yeah, the funniest woman in the world. I think that's the name of your pilot.

SPEAKER_02 41:02

There we go. You know what? I think it's not me getting questions. This is actually us trying to pitch a show. All right, Erica, thank you so much for coming on Show We Talk.

SPEAKER_05 41:17

Show we talk.

SPEAKER_02 41:19

And thank you for casting me in the damn Michael Che show.

SPEAKER_05 41:22

Thanks, security.

SPEAKER_02 41:23

Hold it down.

unknown 41:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 41:25

He wasn't paying attention the whole time. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Hey, crash. All right. Should we call Mama Shaw for producer shout-outs and motherly advice? Oh my gosh. Erica just texted me. She's walking by the producer's club. I don't know if they can see. She's real. God bless the producer's club. This is so funny. I love her. What the producer. Oh, it's in the middle of calling. Well, I have can't multitask. All right. Let's get our producer shout outs and motherly advice. Hi. Welcome to the pod. Okay. This episode is definitely gonna be one of my faves.

SPEAKER_00 42:20

Oh, good.

SPEAKER_02 42:21

Yeah, we sat down with Erica and like some of the advice she gave, it was just so good to hear as an actor, but just like as a person out there hustling. Like it was just so much good info.

SPEAKER_00 42:35

I think we might even have a few things in common. You know, advice.

SPEAKER_02 42:42

All right. Well, first let's do our producer shout-outs.

SPEAKER_00 42:45

Okay. We want to thank all the Patreons.

SPEAKER_02 42:49

Can you can you were you sleeping?

SPEAKER_04 42:52

No. I'm resting my own. I was resting my arm.

SPEAKER_02 42:56

Mom, Richie just went to sleep. You got is the camera working on you? Is the camera on? Richie just security just went to sleep mid-podcast. And I just looked over and he was sleeping. And the computer's off. And the computer's off. Okay, but we're working right now. He gets $18 an episode.

SPEAKER_00 43:21

$18 an episode?

SPEAKER_02 43:23

Wait, was that in last week's episode or was that in Patreon?

SPEAKER_04 43:27

I think it was in Patreon.

SPEAKER_02 43:28

I think it was in Patreon. Can you insert it right here?

SPEAKER_04 43:31

Sure.

SPEAKER_02 43:32

Why can't we get sponsors? I have a question.

SPEAKER_03 43:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 43:36

I listen to the podcast. Usually I watch it. And there's ads. Yeah. So that means there's m money? So we hold on. I need to know. We have made money off of the podcast. Yes, we have. Well, this is exciting news.

SPEAKER_03 43:51

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 43:52

Where is this money?

SPEAKER_03 43:54

It's what?

SPEAKER_02 43:56

Does it go straight to you?

SPEAKER_04 43:57

Robin? What? It's eighteen dollars. Sometimes we make it to like 1850. We're lucky, we'll hit nineteen.

SPEAKER_02 44:10

What is it like a penny, a commercial, or a listen, or something like that?

SPEAKER_04 44:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 44:17

Oh, but we're making about eighteen dollars an episode. Yeah. So it's like okay. You know what? I'm glad you're keeping it. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. All right, mom, let's do our producer shout-out so that we can break $18.

SPEAKER_00 44:38

We want to thank all the Patreons, and I want to give a shout out to those in the producer tier. We have Susan Santoro, Melissa Kirsch, Veronica, Deanna, and Tamar Fix and Dr. Piano Man. And I want to thank all the Patreons for their support for Robin and the arts.

SPEAKER_02 45:01

Ah, thank you. And thank you, all the producers and all the Patreons and everyone watching. Thank you so much. We love having you here. All right, now let's do our motherly advice.

SPEAKER_00 45:15

Yeah, because I was thinking about whether someone is going on an interview for a job or an audition. Some things that they might consider or think about. And one is always be prepared. Whether know exactly what you what you're going for, which role or exactly what position you're there for. Be on time. Dress appropriately. I agree. Also sound confident.

SPEAKER_02 45:49

Yeah. Fake it till you make it.

SPEAKER_00 45:52

Well, let's say no quitting today. Maybe tomorrow, but not today.

SPEAKER_02 45:59

I love you, Mom.

SPEAKER_00 46:01

Well, I got some more. Stay calm. So if you know any breathing techniques or exercises.

SPEAKER_02 46:12

And now we're doing multiple advice per episode?

SPEAKER_00 46:16

Yes. No, well, just what is it? This will help you when you go in that you're calm. Okay. And another good thing is sometimes connect with the person that's doing the interview, like eye contact. Yeah. Or eye smile. And another thing. One more thing. No, that's it. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 46:46

Those were that was good, Mom. Thank you for your motherly.

SPEAKER_00 46:53

You well, any one of my children and any one of my kids tomorrow or the next day, you could be going on an interview or an audition. Right. And this might help you.

SPEAKER_02 47:05

No, I I agree. This was great motherly advice. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 47:09

Oh, you're welcome. And another thing. Do you want me to go with a good saying that sentence?

SPEAKER_02 47:21

Oh my god, Mother. I love you.

SPEAKER_00 47:25

I love you.

SPEAKER_02 47:26

Okay. Thank you. Goodbye.

SPEAKER_00 47:29

Bye, everybody. Have a good day. Bye. And another thing.

SPEAKER_02 47:37

All right, love you, bye. Anyway. All right, bye.

unknown 47:43

Bye.

SPEAKER_02 47:46

All right, guys. Thank you so much for watching. Erica Ahart, thank you so much for coming on the podcast. I love you so much. Thank you for giving me my first scripted TV acting job. Guys, I will see you next week when we have no clue what's gonna happen. Not even me.

SPEAKER_04 48:01

Shall we taco? Can you see? This is where you wanna be.