Welcome back to The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by the award-wining headshot photographer, Leslie Hassler! Leslie Hassler is one of the industry’s premiere headshot photographers - having photographed celebrities such as Idris Elba, Jason Sudekis, and Greta Gerwig! You may also recognize her work as she photographed Hassiem in the cover art for The Actor’s Instrument!

Leslie and Hassiem discuss what makes a headshot stand out to casting directors and agents, the importance of investing in your career, and why headshots are so damn expensive!

To see more of Leslie's work or to book a session, visit LeslieHassler.com.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment.

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.

Inquires: contact@actorsinstrument.com

www.actorsinstrument.com

Welcome back to The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode, Hassiem is joined by the incredible Traci Elaine Lee, currently dazzling audiences in the Broadway sensation The Great Gatsby!

Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Traci brings her immense talent to the stage as both an ensemble member and understudy for Broadway stars Eva Noblezada and Samantha Pauly. Before joining Gatsby, Traci performed in the original Broadway cast of Shucked and earned acclaim in national tours of Beautiful and Ain’t Too Proud, as well as a variety of celebrated regional productions.

In this conversation, Hassiem and Traci dive into the art of being a swing versus an understudy, the thrill (and pressure) of stepping into a role at a moment's notice, and the invaluable lessons Traci has learned over her inspiring 10-year journey to the bright lights of Broadway.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment.

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.

Inquires: contact@actorsinstrument.com

www.actorsinstrument.com

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem is joined by Ana Yi Puig, star of the Disney+ series Goosebumps!

While Ana is known for her role in the Netflix feature Senior Year and for her work on Bull, FBI: International, and the 2021 reboot of Gossip Girl, Goosebumps marked Ana’s first outing as a series regular, starring alongside Justin Long, Isa Briones, and Rachael Harris. She currently voices "Pearl" in the animated series JADE ARMOR and will star opposite Lily James in the upcoming 20th Century Studios feature SWIPED, premiering in 2025 on Hulu.

Ana and Hassiem discuss the importance of being a leader on set, the responsibilities of playing high school characters as an adult actor, and why she's empowered by never getting off book before an audition.

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment.

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.

www.actorsinstrument.com

Happy New Year and welcome back to another episode of The Actor’s Instrument! On this episode Hassiem is joined by Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy to uncover why so many artists struggle to set and achieve their goals every year.

The group discuss the strategies needed to shift your mindset, build practical systems, and create actionable steps to achieve your goals on and through 2025. By embracing the role of the artist-entrepreneur, the conversation will help you rethink how you approach your career in the new year.

Use code ACTORSINSTRUMENT for 25% off Artist Strategy services - https://www.artists-strategy.com/free-consultation

Check out the Creative Risks Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@creativeriskpod/videos

Use code ACTORSINSTRUMENT for 25% off Artist Strategy services - https://www.artists-strategy.com/free-consultation

Check out the Creative Risks Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@creativeriskpod/videos

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment.

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.

www.actorsinstrument.com

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem welcomes Tony Award-winning producer Jordan C. Medley for a discussion on the challenges and triumphs of life in the producing world. As a producer, Jordan recently won a Tony Award as part of the producing team for Broadway’s Merrily We Roll Along with Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez. Additionally, he is the Principal Consultant at Medley of Moves Consulting and the author of the “Comments on Arts Culture” Substack Newsletter.

Jordan and Hassiem dive into the differences between producers, how networking can change your career, and why it’s so important to stay curious.

Check out Jordan’s Substack: https://commentsonartsculture.substack.com

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment.

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.

www.actorsinstrument.com

On this episode of The Actor's Instrument, we welcome actor Kevin Kilner, whose career has taken him from regional theater stages to iconic Hollywood sets. With credits like Home Alone 3, Smart House, and House of Cards, Kevin reflects on nearly 40 years in the business, offering a candid look at the highs and lows of a life acting.

We explore his thoughts on the evolution of the entertainment industry, the rise of self-taped auditions, and the challenges of staying true to one's craft in a changing landscape. Kevin opens up about the roles that have defined his career, his perspective on being typecast, and the role of the actor as an “emotional firefighter.”

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment.

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.

www.actorsinstrument.com

On this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem sits down with triple-threat performer Kylie Victoria Edwards, whose career has been soaring post-strike. From guest-starring on FBI: Most Wanted and FX’s American Sports Story to pursuing her education in Paris, Kylie shares her inspiring journey of choosing herself, balancing her ambitions, and embracing a “no regrets” mindset.

They discuss how Kylie’s dance background influences her acting, the power of letting go and trusting the process, and why living a full life makes her a better storyteller. This episode is packed with insights on career strategy, self-belief, and finding success on your own terms!

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment.

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.

www.actorsinstrument.com

On this episode of The Actor's Instrument, Hassiem sits down with the talented Louis Cancelmi, known for his roles in series like Billions, A Murder at the End of the World, and most recently in HBO’s The Penguin, where he played Gotham mob boss Rex Calabrese. Considered “one of the best crime figure actors in recent memory,” according to Men’s Health, Louis is also celebrated for his film work in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and The Irishman. During the conversation, Louis delves into his approach to playing complex characters, the secrecy surrounding DC Studios projects, and how his work in avant-garde theater shaped his career outlook.

The Invisible Actor Book - https://shorturl.at/b2oct

New Episodes drop every Tuesday!

The Actor’s Instrument is a presentation of Red Letter Entertainment.

Executive Producers: Adam Jellicorse, Cyrena Esposito, and Hassiem Muhammad.

www.actorsinstrument.com