Every working actor knows the feeling: watching a truly top-level performer and thinking… “How do they do that every day?”

In this episode, Patrick Richwood and Benjamin Howes break down the real habits, routines, and rituals we’ve seen in the pros — the ones that keep them consistent, resilient, and ready, even when life throws curveballs.

We talk about things like:

🎭 Would you still show up to the theatre every day if an injury kept you offstage? Some performers do — to stay connected to the show, keep their body in therapy, listen from the wings, and remain a part of the company. That level of commitment is a habit, not an accident.

🔥 Mindset that keeps you from spiraling

🥗 Diet, hydration, and fuel that actually support performing

💪 Warm-ups and physical routines Broadway actors swear by

😂 And yes — plenty of the usual chaos and jokes you expect when Patrick and Benjamin get together

These habits aren’t about perfection. They’re about the tiny choices that keep you grounded, prepared, and professional — whether you’re on Broadway, on tour, or building momentum in your hometown.

It’s the holidays, and that means one thing: people everywhere are trying to figure out what on earth to buy the actor in their life.

So in this episode of The Working Actor NYC, Patrick and I put together the ultimate gift guide — featuring 20 actor gifts that range from genuinely helpful… to deeply questionable… to what fever dream did this Etsy creator wake up from?

We’ve got everything from:

🎭 A website promising “How To Get A Restaurant Job With Zero Experience” 🕯️ A “Smells Like World’s Best Actor” candle

🎖️ A Tony Award replica (tell me you don’t want one…)

🛋️ Your own face on street furniture (yes, really)

🔪 A Sweeney Todd straight razor (please don’t give this to method actors)

🧣 A Shakespeare throw blanket for the drama queen in your life

🧑‍🎨 And… The Working Actor NYC Merch Table, obviously. (Truly the perfect gift. I don’t make the rules.)

Some gifts are sweet. Some are ridiculous. Some are surprisingly awesome. And one of them is literally a bus stop bench with your headshot on it.

But honestly? The best gift for your actor might just be what we talk about at the end: love, support, and a soft place to land when the industry gets loud.

Happy holidays from The Working Actor NYC — now go get your theatre kid something magical.

From Broadway to birthday clowns — we’re talking every acting job out there, and why they all count.

In this episode, we take a wild ride through every corner of the acting world — from Broadway and Off-Broadway stages to national tours, regional houses, and community theatre. We break down film and TV work, commercials, and the surprising ways acting shows up in the corporate world — training videos, industrials, even tech demos and gaming voiceovers.

And of course, we couldn’t resist diving into the weird acting jobs: children’s party clown, escape-room characters, historical re-enactors, Santa stand-ins… plus a few of our own stories you’ll have to hear to believe.

Whether you’re a new actor figuring out your lane or a seasoned pro remembering your roots, this episode proves one thing: there are so many ways to make a life in this industry.

Spot the monster in your cast before opening night.

Every actor has faced them — the narcissists, the laugh snatchers, the egomaniacs who turn rehearsals into nightmares. In this Halloween-inspired episode, Benjamin Howes sits down with actor Patrick Richwood to cast these toxic colleagues as monsters of the stage and set.

Whether you’ve dealt with a Narcissactor, an Ego-Saurus Rex, or just a desperate Laugh Snatcher, this episode will help you keep your sanity, protect your craft, and remember: their monster is not your monster.

🎭 Hosted by Benjamin Howes & Patrick Richwood

The Working Actor NYC is your go-to resource for honest, real-world insight into building a career in acting. Every other Monday, catch our co-hosted Podcast episodes — packed with candid stories and laughs — and on alternating Mondays, dig into our Practical series: tactical solo episodes full of actionable tips and tools to help you work smarter, stay inspired, and build the acting career you actually want.

Visit us at https://theworkingactornyc.com/

🎭 Hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with insider intel, actor tools, and behind-the-scenes truths from the heart of the industry.

You got this. Keep going!

There's a fine line between blowing off steam - and burning the whole cast.

Every actor vents — it’s practically part of the job description. But when does a little healthy release turn into full-on toxic dumping that drags down the energy in the room? In this episode, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood dig into the fine line between blowing off steam and becoming the person everyone avoids at rehearsal. Inspired by a listener’s real-life question about a castmate who wouldn’t stop badmouthing their own show, we talk about why we vent, how it bonds us, and what happens when it starts to poison the atmosphere instead of clearing it.

With humor, empathy, and a lot of first-hand experience, Benjamin and Patrick share tools that help you stay on the healthy side of that line — from time-limiting your rants to signaling when you just need a minute to unload. They also explore how your emotional energy shapes your reputation in this small industry, and how to keep your venting productive, professional, and human. Whether you’re mid-rehearsal, mid-tour, or mid-meltdown, this episode will help you turn frustration into fuel — and remind you that venting clears the air, but dumping just clouds it.

From baby face to “dad bod” roles — the actor’s aging curve.

Getting older in the acting industry comes with its own set of challenges — and some unexpected advantages. In this episode, Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood unpack the realities of aging on stage and screen: the shifting dynamics of age in a cast, whether age brings respect or obsolescence, and how actors navigate playing older or younger than they really are.

With humor, honesty, and a lot of lived experience, we tackle the lies actors are told about age, the truths we’ve learned along the way, and why the conversation matters now more than ever. Whether you’re fresh out of school or decades into your career, this episode will make you laugh, think, and hopefully feel a little less alone in the climb.

Your type gets you in the room. Your wheelhouse books it.

Want to land more acting roles? It’s not just about “knowing your type.” In this episode of The Working Actor NYC Podcast, Benjamin and Patrick break down the secret edge that helps actors actually book the room: your wheelhouse. You’ll learn what casting type really means, how it differs from your wheelhouse, and why understanding both is essential for building a consistent, hireable brand as an actor.

We share personal examples, practical tools to discover your own type and wheelhouse, and how to strategically use them in auditions, headshots, reels, and networking. Whether you’re a student actor or a seasoned professional, this conversation will help you audition with confidence, stand out in crowded casting offices, and ultimately land more roles.

Join our community at TheWorkingActorNYC.com and let us know how we're doing!

Rejection isn’t the end — it’s part of the job.

Actors face rejection constantly — but what does it really mean, and how do you keep going when it hurts? In this episode of The Working Actor NYC, hosts Benjamin Howes and Patrick Richwood break down the truth about rejection: why it feels so personal, why it’s not a verdict on your talent or your worth, and how to shift your mindset so it doesn’t derail your career.

You’ll learn 8 practical strategies for handling rejection as an actor, from building resilience and reframing the “no,” to protecting your mental health and staying motivated between auditions.

Whether you’re a working actor in NYC, a student actor just starting out, or a performer looking to book more work, this episode will give you the tools to survive rejection and thrive in your acting career.

The Working Actor NYC is your go-to resource for honest, real-world insight into building a career in acting. Every other Monday, catch our co-hosted Podcast episodes — packed with candid stories and laughs — and on alternating Mondays, dig into our Practical series: tactical solo episodes full of actionable tips and tools to help you work smarter, stay inspired, and build the acting career you actually want.

🎭 Hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with insider intel, actor tools, and behind-the-scenes truths from the heart of the industry. You got this. Keep going!