Behind the Curtain: Acting, Auditions & The Entertainment Industry

What does it really take to build a lasting acting career—and what can you learn from an actor who has spent 20 years navigating the entertainment industry?

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, I’m joined by Tanisha to talk about her acting journey, what she has learned throughout two decades in the industry, and how she landed a lead role in a Lifetime movie. We get into the realities of buildi...

Think TIFF is just red carpets, celebrities and movie premieres? Think again. For Canadian actors and creatives, the Toronto International Film Festival can be an opportunity to learn, connect, build relationships and better understand the industry—but knowing how to actually use TIFF to your advantage is a different story.

In this solo episode of Behind the Curtain, I break down what TIFF is, why it matters to C...

What happens when you’ve already built a career in Canada — and decide it’s time to take the leap to LA?

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, I sit down with Canadian Screen Award-nominated actor and comedian Clare McConnell for an honest conversation about her career, from Toronto’s comedy and theatre scene to working in television and ultimately making the move to Los Angeles.

Clare shares wha...

If you’re building an acting career while juggling multiple creative paths, it can be difficult to know how all of your skills fit together. In this episode of Behind the Curtain, we explore how music, acting, and the entertainment industry can intersect—and how those different skills can ultimately strengthen your career as an artist.

Nck Name is an actor, musician, music producer, audio engineer, and composer....

What does an entertainment publicist actually do—and does every actor need one?

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, I sit down with entertainment publicist Brittany Bell for an honest conversation about publicity, media, personal branding, and what happens behind the scenes of building a career in the entertainment industry.

We discuss how actors can approach PR, when it makes sense to work with a publ...

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, I sit down with Amanda Rosenthal, agent and owner of ART Agency Inc, for an inside look at the world of talent representation.

Amanda shares her journey into becoming an agent, what she looks for when signing actors, and the realities of navigating auditions and building a sustainable career in the entertainment industry. We discuss the actor-agent relationship, common misconceptions about ...

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, I sit down with award-winning playwright, director, actor, and Artistic Director of Project: Humanity, Andrew Kushnir.

We explore Andrew's journey into theatre, what first inspired him to become a storyteller, and how he's built a career creating socially engaged work that resonates with audiences across Canada and beyond.

Our conversation dives into Canadian theatre, documentary storyte...

Are you an actor, filmmaker, or creative waiting for the perfect opportunity, bigger budget, or industry connection before pursuing your goals? In this episode of Behind the Curtain, we explore why success often comes from creating your own opportunities and how adopting a resourceful mindset can help you move your career forward, no matter where you're starting.

Joining me is Taz Garcia—actor, writer, director, martial ar...

If you're an actor, filmmaker, creator, or creative entrepreneur trying to understand how PR and media actually work in the entertainment industry, this episode is for you. Public relations can make or break a project, but knowing when to hire a PR firm, how media coverage really works, and what makes a story worth pitching is something most creatives are never taught.

This week on Behind the Curtain, entertainment publicist And...

Getting an agent is one of the most searched questions in the acting industry, and most of the advice out there is vague, outdated, or written by people who have never actually signed an actor. This episode gives performers at every stage an honest, inside look at what representation actually requires and what most actors are getting wrong.

Talent agent Warren Belle of Henharp Management joins me to talk about the biggest miscon...

Rejection is part of the acting industry, but nobody prepares you for how heavy it really gets. This episode gives actors an honest, unfiltered look at the experiences that rarely get talked about and the mindset it takes to keep going.

Actor Pony Nicole Herauf joins me for one of the most open conversations I've had on this show, covering the rejections, the resilience, and the quiet moments that remind you why you started in t...

Most actors underestimate their voice, and it's costing them in the audition room. This episode gives actors practical tools to build vocal confidence, approach dialect work, and use their instrument as the powerful asset it actually is.

Voice and dialect coach Joy Juckes joins me to break down how to find your authentic voice, build confidence as a performer, and use dialect training to expand your range in ways that make a rea...

If you're an actor wondering whether the sacrifices are worth it, you're not alone, and nobody talks about that part enough. This episode gives working and emerging actors a real look at what pursuing this career actually costs, and what keeps you going anyway.

Actor Samantha Brown joins me to share the unglamorous truth about what the pursuit really looks like, the pivots, the moments of doubt, and the experiences that almost m...

Trying to build an acting career without a clear roadmap is exhausting, and most training programs won't tell you what they're actually preparing you for. This episode gives emerging actors an honest breakdown of what training is really worth and how to build something that lasts.

Acting coach and industry veteran Jeff Clarke joins me to talk about what acting training actually prepares you for, how to reframe rejection so it no...

If you're an actor feeling stuck, overwhelmed by auditions, or unsure how to actually build a sustainable acting career, you're not alone. So many performers struggle in silence because the entertainment industry often feels confusing, competitive, and hard to navigate without real guidance or honest conversations.

In this first episode of Behind the Curtain, I’m introducing the intention behind this podcast and why these ...

If you're an actor or creative who's tired of highlight reels and wants honest conversations about what the entertainment industry actually looks like, you just found your podcast. This show exists to give you the real picture, the wins, the hard parts, and the stories nobody else is telling.

I'm Anastasia Pioro, and every episode I sit down with actors, casting directors, voice coaches, headshot photographers, and industry insi...