Editorial Intern - Fall 2019

Meet the Woman Behind Melissa McCarthy’s Stunts

You’ve seen Melissa McCarthy get thrown through windows, hang from helicopters, run into walls—even get set on fire—in films like 'Spy' and 'The Boss.' But like so many of Hollywood’s A-listers, she’s (understandably) not actually performing the amazing and hilarious stunts you see on screen. That credit belongs to Luci Romberg, McCarthy’s stunt double since 2013. (She’s also the woman behind the stunts of actors like Anna Kendrick, Jane Levy, Drew Barrymore, and Paula Pell.)

How Karen Pittman Got Cast on Apple TV+ #MeToo Series, ‘The Morning Show’

Theater vet Karen Pittman is no stranger to the small screen. Fresh off of Netflix series 'Luke Cage' and 'Living With Yourself' and horror series like AMC’s 'NOS4A2' and CBS’ 'Evil,' Pittman has stepped into the world of 'The Morning Show' on Apple TV+. She plays Mia Jordan, producer to firecracker news anchor Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon). Read on to hear how Skype helped Pittman land her biggest gig yet and more!

The 6 Movies You Should See This Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving is upon us and, if you’re lucky, that means you may have a few days off. Obviously, there’s no better way to recover from your inevitable food coma than catching a movie (not to mention sitting in a dark theater is a great way to avoid having to talk to your relatives for a few hours). This time of year is also one of the best for new releases, with both an onslaught of awards contenders and box office heavyweights heading to theaters. Here are some of the new releases you should have on your radar heading into the long weekend—you can thanks us later!

Charlie Cox on His ‘Betrayal’ Broadway Debut + His Most Embarrassing Audition

Charlie Cox’s career spans both sides of the pond and screens big and small, but prior to this year, he still had yet to conquer Broadway. However, with 'Betrayal,' the British actor can now check that box, too. The Harold Pinter revival, which also stars Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton and which transferred from the West End, runs through Dec. 8. In the show’s homestretch, Cox, who’s best-known for his title role on Marvel’s Netflix series 'Daredevil,' hopped on the phone with Backstage to talk big breaks, his Broadway debut, and making his mark on the industry—even if he was once mistaken for a different Charlie at an audition.

Why Eliza Scanlen Loved Greta Gerwig’s Unconventional Audition for ‘Little Women’

After her intense breakout role as Amma on HBO’s 'Sharp Objects,' Eliza Scanlen has become one of the industry’s buzziest up-and-comers with no signs of slowing down. She made her Broadway debut earlier this month as Mayella in Aaron Sorkin’s 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' and she’ll next be seen on the big screen as Beth March in Greta Gerwig’s awards-caliber 'Little Women' remake. She sat down with Backstage to talk about it all.

Visually Impaired + Blind Actors Can Access Free Training Through This New Program

Actors with visual impairments often don’t have as many opportunities to receive quality acting training to practice their skills and hone their craft in a way specifically designed for them. This is the goal of the Access Acting Academy: to offer tuition-free inclusive and accessible training programs to visually impaired actors. The Academy’s new no-cost five-week Professional Actor Training Program...

Brand Ambassadors: Kickoff The Holiday Season With These Festive Gigs

Halloween is officially over, which for some means that the winter holiday season has begun! While not everyone may be ready to put up their trees and turn on holiday tunes, now is the perfect chance to snag the seasonal side gig you’ve been searching for. But if holiday season is not your thing, there are gigs for you, too! Check out this mix of festive (and some not!) side gigs that need actors this upcoming season.

‘American Housewife’ Star Katy Mixon Knows How to Get the Perfect Take

After her hilarious turn as Victoria on the sitcom 'Mike & Molly' with Melissa McCarthy, Katy Mixon has for four seasons strong lit up the screen as Katie Otto on ABC’s 'American Housewife.' Even on a long-running comedy, Mixon knows exactly how to keep her performance fresh and exciting—and here, she shares her best tips with us! Sitting for a recent Backstage Live interview, the actor talked 'Housewife,' her early trials and triumphs, and how her education prepared her for every curve ball thrown her way.

How Brittany Snow Pushed Back + Got Cast as the Lead on ‘Almost Family’

You may be used to seeing Brittany Snow belt her heart out in the 'Pitch Perfect' movies, but now she’s back on the small screen and giving one of the year’s standout dramatic performances on 'Almost Family.' Snow is heartbreaking on the Fox series as Julia Bechley, a woman who discovers her father has illegally used his own genetic material with female patients throughout his career as a fertility doctor. The 'Someone Great' and 'Hairspray' actor recently sat with Backstage to discuss her career onscreen, to offer advice on how she memorizes scripts, and more.

Talent Managers Association’s Heller Awards Honor Top CDs and Agents With Nominations

They say it takes a village, and the Talent Managers Association likes to recognize their Hollywood-specific village with awards, back this year after a hiatus! The 15th Annual Heller Awards, which will be held on Nov. 7 at the Taglyan Center in Los Angeles, will honor individuals in the field of talent representation and casting for their contributions to the year’s greatest projects and work with top talent. Based on this year’s ceremony’s theme of Unity, nominees include several duos of casting directors and agents who collaborated on projects together, 'in unison.'

How Paola Núñez Made the Jump From Telenovelas to USA’s ‘The Purge’

Paola Núñez was a star in her native Mexico long before her recent turn as Esme Carmona on USA Network’s 'The Purge.' But, like most actors, Núñez had her fair share of struggles when starting out in Hollywood, even with an established career abroad. She recently sat down with Backstage to discuss her road to acting both in Mexico and the United States, and how 'The Purge' Season 2 brings something new to the well-known horror franchise.

For Laura Dreyfuss, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ + ‘The Politician’ Are Just the Beginning

Having risen to fame on 'Glee' and in the Broadway smash hit 'Dear Evan Hansen,' Laura Dreyfuss makes a scene-stealing return to the small screen as McAfee Westbrook on Ryan Murphy’s new Netflix series 'The Politician.' Despite having previously worked with Murphy and 'Evan Hansen' Tony winner-turned-'Politician' star Ben Platt, this high school-set​ streaming series proved to be a whole new adventure for Dreyfuss. She sat down with Backstage to discuss the show, the differences between acting for screen versus stage, and how her musical theater training gave her the tools she needed to thrive in her career.

Apply to These Futuristic Gigs in Celebration of the New ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel

'The Hunger Games' series is back! The new prequel book finally has a title, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” It will take place decades before Katniss competed in the Hunger Games and has the potential to follow in the original book series’ footsteps to become its own movie. With this news, there’s no better time to find your dream dystopian-set project! Here are a few futuristic, adventure gigs casting now.

Sasheer Zamata Got Her First Agent by Sticking to Improv

'Saturday Night Live' alum Sasheer Zamata is switching things up from her improv and sketch comedy past with writer-director Stella Meghie’s low-key rom-com 'The Weekend.' For the first time, Zamata steps into the leading lady spotlight as Zadie, a cynical standup comedian who invites her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend to her mother’s bed-and-breakfast—only to stir up drama and find new love along the way. Zamata sat down with Backstage to discuss the new film, how she’s expanding her career past her comedy roots, and how anyone can successfully jump-start their acting dreams.

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ With These Voiceover Auditions

Two decades after the premiere of 'SpongeBob SquarePants,' SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends are still entertaining people of all ages. Has the show inspired you to dive into the world of animation and voiceover? Well, there’s no better way to celebrate that this year marks the 20th anniversary of 'SpongeBob SquarePants' than by auditioning for these gigs. Channel your inner aspiring artist just like Squidward and don’t forget to use your imagination for these opportunities!

This Was Kate Baldwin’s Big Break—and This Is How She Nearly Missed it

Kate Baldwin is a two-time Tony nominee and most recently starred opposite the divine Miss Bette Midler herself in Broadway’s 'Hello, Dolly!' Still, the triple threat is preparing to go where she has never before: a solo musical. Before heading up Jenny Giering and Sean Barry’s 'What We Leave Behind,' debuting at Theatre Aspen’s inaugural Solo Flights Festival (Sept. 18–21), Baldwin hopped on the phone with Backstage to talk career misses, mishaps, and masterful performances, and advice for anyone to make their mark as leading lady—even when they encounter a little car trouble along the way.