That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

Tom was born and raised in New Jersey. He grew up in the town of Howell, where he attended the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Howell High School. Upon graduation, he attended Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University (obtaining a BFA in acting), where he also had the opportunity to study Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre in London, England. Tom's first professional job was on the long-running CBS daytime show Guiding Light. During the two and a half years he was on the show, he was nominated for four consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards, winning twice (in 2006 and 2008). Having worked in theater, television, and independent film, he eventually became a series regular on the hit Cinemax show Banshee, playing former neo-Nazi Kurt Bunker.
Tom is a founding member and the current Artistic Director of the Apothecary Theatre Company—a NYC-based non-profit that develops and produces world premieres of new plays by up-and-coming playwrights. He made his Broadway debut in 2012 as Judy Garland's last husband, Mickey Deans, in the critically acclaimed End of the Rainbow, directed by Tony Award Winner Terry Johnson. Since his breakout in Ozark and David Fincher's Mank, he has gone on to star in Outer Range, Love and Death, She Said, and HBO's Task.
Considering that this interview was done via Zoom (a TOA first), as a means of moving forward in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is befitting that this episode of That One Audition retells the stories of adaptation and triumph that landed Tom Pelphrey right here.
Credits:
Task
Ozark
Banshee
Outer Range
Mank
Love and Death
She Said
Iron Fist
Guiding Light
Guest Links:
IMDB: Tom Pelphrey, actor
Instagram: @tommypelphrey
THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS:
For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com. And don't forget to snap and post a photo while listening to the show and tag me: @alyshiaochse & @thatoneaudition
THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR (50% off special)
THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly
CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse
COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role
INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse
INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition
WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com
APPLE PODCASTS: Subscribe to That One Audition on Apple Podcasts
SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify
STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher
EPISODE CREDITS:
HOST/PRODUCER: Alyshia Ochse
WRITER: Maddie McCormick
WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
SOCIAL: Alara Cerikcioglu

Monica Barbaro can soon be seen starring opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Netflix's global spy-adventure/comedy series, FUBAR, out May 25th. The duo play a father and daughter who, after learning the other has secretly been working as a CIA operative for years, are forced to team up and tackle some difficult family dynamics.
Barbaro recently gained recognition for her role as 'Phoenix' in Paramount's blockbuster sequel, TOP GUN: MAVERICK, which was awarded Best Picture by the National Board of Review and nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture.
She also recently starred in Ricky D'Ambrose's critically-acclaimed drama, THE CATHEDRAL, which premiered at the 2021 Venice Film Festival and later went on to claim the John Cassavetes Award at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
In today's episode, Monica discusses the benefits of starting a career in a smaller market, how to navigate director meetings, and reminds listeners that as actors, our learning is never done. These are the unforgettable stories that landed Monica Barbaro right here.
Credits:
A Complete Unknown
Crime 101
FUBAR
Top Gun: Maverick
Splitting Up Together
The Good Cop
UnREAL
The Cathedral
Stumptown
Chicago P.D.
Chicago Justice
At Midnight
Hawaii Five-0
Guest Links:
IMDB: Monica Barbaro, actor
Instagram: @monicabarbaro
THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS:
For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com. And don't forget to snap and post a photo while listening to the show and tag me: @alyshiaochse & @thatoneaudition
THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR (50% off special)
THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly
CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse
COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role
INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse
INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition
WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com
APPLE PODCASTS: Subscribe to That One Audition on Apple Podcasts
SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify
STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher
EPISODE CREDITS:
HOST/PRODUCER: Alyshia Ochse
WRITER: Maddie McCormick
WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
SOCIAL: Alara Cerikcioglu

For seven seasons Patrick J. Adams has charmed audiences worldwide, as Mike Ross in USA's hit drama, "Suits," a role which garnered him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. Adams took on the role of Major John Glenn in the Nat Geo/Disney + original series, "The Right Stuff."
With Zoe Saldana & Jason Isaacs, Adams starred in the 2014 television miniseries "Rosemary's Baby" directed by Agnieska Holland. Additional television credits include Michael Mann and David Milch's acclaimed series "Luck" opposite Dustin Hoffman and Michael Gambon, season two of the hit series "Orphan Black" opposite Tatiana Maslany, "Lost," "Friday Night Lights," "Pretty Little Liars," "N.C.I.S.," "Lie To Me" and "Flash Forward." Additionally, Adams starred in indie films such as, "The Waterhole," 2009 Slamdance entry "Weather Girl," "6 Month Rule" directed by Blayne Weaver and "Car Dogs" opposite Academy Award winning actress Octavia Spencer.
He is a member of the Ojai Playwrights Conference, starring in new works by established and developing playwrights.
Credits:
Suits
Plan B
The Swearing Jar
A League of Their Own
Sneaky Pete
The Right Stuff
Rosemary's Baby
Luck
Pretty Little Liars
Flashforward
Friday Night Lights
Old School
Guest Links:
IMDB: Patrick Adams, actor
Instagram: @halfadams
Kim Gillingham Creative Dream Work: creativedreamwork.com
THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS:
For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com. And don't forget to snap and post a photo while listening to the show and tag me: @alyshiaochse & @thatoneaudition
SELF TAPE SORTED WORKSHOP: LONDON - June 20th (in person)
THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR (50% off special)
THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly
CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse
COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role
INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse
INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition
WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com
APPLE PODCASTS: Subscribe to That One Audition on Apple Podcasts
SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify
STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher
EPISODE CREDITS:
HOST/PRODUCER: Alyshia Ochse
WRITER: Maddie McCormick
WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
SOCIAL: Alara Cerikcioglu

Today, we're diving into the incredible journey of Abubakar Salim, an actor who at just 16, gave himself a life-altering ultimatum: break into the National Youth Theatre or join the Army. From that high-stakes beginning, Abubakar has navigated the industry by constantly chasing the raw, unpolished instinct of his younger self. He shares how this philosophy carried him through a grueling nine-round audition process for Ridley Scott's Raised by Wolves and eventually into the world of House of the Dragon. We explore how he transitioned from a "performer for hire" to a visionary storyteller by founding Surgent Studios, where he now creates video games like Tales of Kenzera: ZAU to process deeply personal themes of grief and loss. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about the power of "just being," the importance of kindness in a brutal industry, and why the most successful auditions are often the ones where you stop trying to have a plan and start seeking discovery.
These are the unforgettable stories that landed Abubakar Salim right here.
Credits:
House of the Dragon
First Day on Earth
Assassin's Creed: Origins
Raised by Wolves
Napoleon
Black Mirror
PH-1
Informer
Jamestown
24: Live Another Day
Guest Links:
IMDB: Abubakar Salim, actor, producer, director
THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS:
For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com. And don't forget to snap and post a photo while listening to the show and tag me: @alyshiaochse & @thatoneaudition
SELF TAPE SORTED WORKSHOP: LONDON - June 20th (in person)
SELF-TAPE MAY CLASS: STM REPLAY
THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR (50% off special)
THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly
PATREON: @thatoneaudition
CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse
COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role
INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse
INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition
WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com
ITUNES: Subscribe to That One Audition on iTunes
SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify
STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher
EPISODE CREDITS:
HOST/PRODUCER: Alyshia Ochse
WRITER: Maddie McCormick
WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
SOCIAL: Alara Cerikcioglu

Today we're diving into the incredible journey of Johnny Coyne, an actor who traveled from the rugged mountains of Cyprus to the legendary sets of the Star Wars universe. Known for his "great face" and iconic turns as authoritarian villains in The Blacklist, Preacher, and Alcatraz, Johnny pulls back the curtain on the "panic" and imposter syndrome that still fuel his craft today. We explore how a RADA-trained talent who once packed shelves at Toys "R" Us transitioned from "unconsciously unskilled" to landing direct offers from Jon Favreau and sharing the screen with legends like Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Whether he's a mysterious warden or finding the vulnerable lost boy inside a master villain, Johnny's story is a raw, hilarious, and inspiring masterclass in resilience and the power of simply keeping the motor going.
These are the unforgettable stories that landed Jonny Coyne right here.
Credits:
Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Alcatraz
The Blacklist
For All Mankind
The Hangover Part III
Gangster Squad
Nightcrawler
The Family Plan
MOM
Preacher
The Toxic Avenger
Guest Links:
IMDB: Jonny Coyne, Actor
THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS:
For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com. And don't forget to snap and post a photo while listening to the show and tag me: @alyshiaochse & @thatoneaudition
SELF TAPE SORTED WORKSHOP: LONDON - June 20th (in person)
SELF-TAPE MAY CLASS: STM REPLAY
THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR (50% off special)
THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly
PATREON: @thatoneaudition
CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse
COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role
INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse
INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition
WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com
ITUNES: Subscribe to That One Audition on iTunes
SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify
STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher
EPISODE CREDITS:
HOST/PRODUCER: Alyshia Ochse
WRITER: Maddie McCormick
WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
SOCIAL: Alara Cerikcioglu