EP 207: Laurel Ash DeHaan: Auditor Turned Actor

In this episode, Dr. Janet McMordie speaks with Toronto casting director Hannah Antaki about how casting actually works day to day, what actors often misunderstand, and why the best casting relationships are collaborative rather than adversarial. Hannah also shares her unusual path from theatre and law school into talent agency work and then casting, plus the projects she is most excited about right now, including Slo Pitch.We discuss the realities of casting as contract work, how self-tapes have changed the audition process, and what actors can do to make the process easier and more effective. Hannah is candid, practical, and very clear about one core idea: casting is on your side.Action items for actorsTake a class before trying to pursue acting seriously.Do community theatre or small projects to confirm you love the work.Label self-tapes clearly with your name.Read every instruction in the audition materials.Watch the show or genre you’re auditioning for so you understand the tone.Make a thoughtful choice in your performance, even if it is subtle.Build relationships by meeting people, taking general meetings, and staying connected to the community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Second Act Actors: Where Are They Now series, host Dr. Janet McMordie revisits past guests to see how their journeys have evolved since their original episodes. From career pivots and creative breakthroughs to pauses, setbacks, and unexpected turns, these conversations explore what a “second act” really looks like over time.This series shines a light on resilience, reinvention, and the realities of building a creative life at any age. Our story didn't end when the episode did. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover how Laurel Ash DeHaan transitioned from a 35-year career as a CRA auditor to pursuing her passion in acting. In this episode, she shares her journey, lessons learned, and her inspiring pursuit of a second act in the entertainment industry.Main Topics Covered:Laurel’s transition from government work to acting after retirementThe influence of her daughter Lauren Ash’s career on her journeyBuilding an acting career later in life: training, headshots, and finding an agentNavigating auditions, callbacks, and dealing with industry challengesInsights into union vs. non-union work and making decisions around union membershipThe emotional and personal fulfillment of pursuing acting as a second actTips for late bloomers considering a career switch into actingThe importance of passion, perseverance, and staying open to opportunities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blythe (she/her) holds her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Alberta, but calls Toronto home, where she is an active member of the community. For Gangway she is currently working on their play Digital Divergence, a design first creation process centring on who we are in different mediums. For her solo projects, Blythe is developing her play Uplifting Stories for Seniors, which won Second Place Winner of the Toronto Fringe 2025 24 hour Playwriting Contest. An active member of Showing Up For Racial Justice, her art practice has come to involve work with grassroots community advocacy, melding together direct action and art; she was a co-producer/performer of the political play reading community event 8 Men Speak (The Theatre Centre, 2024); Favourite performances: The Drowning Girls (Guild Festival Theatre), An Acorn: a text for performance (impel Theatre/Oldham Coliseum) and the play-turned-short film & Other Concerns (dir. Sabina Olivia Lambert), which debuted at the Big Apple Film Festival (NYC) and the Female Eye Film Festival (Toronto) in 2024, and Available Now on CBC Gem. Honourable mentions: She has had the opportunity to work on two Thomas McKechnie projects - 12 Letters from Your Lover, Lost at Sea (zietpunktheatre), and was an anti-capitalist worm in Life and death and life and death and life (dir. Steven Hao).Blythe is an AMY Project Board Member, and also works with the project Anchoring Accessibility (with lead artist Leslie Ting, Dr. Jessica Watkin and Macy Siu) - which “works to find ways through practice-based research to support artists in the sector to develop relational and pragmatic approaches to accessibility and confidence by creating creative tools (the protocol) and educational materials.”Instagram: @blythe_haynes@and_other_concerns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, seasoned actors Janet McMordie and Dale share candid insights into their careers, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, soft skills, and strategic relationship management in the entertainment industry. They discuss how embracing who you are, creating your own work, and navigating industry challenges can lead to greater success and fulfillment.Key Topics:The reality of the grind and underestimated effort in podcasting and actingThe power of creating your own content and opportunitiesHow coming into your face—owning your unique look and voice—can propel your careerNavigating age and appearance shifts, including embracing gray hair and changing industry standardsThe significance of professionalism and soft skills in building industry relationshipsStrategies for approaching high-profile colleagues and handling set dynamics with respectThe impact of social media on an actor’s career and maintaining appropriate conduct onlineThe value of authenticity, self-awareness, and being true to yourself in your career journey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's industry guest is Meg McGuire, a Toronto-based talent agent who transitioned from stage management and acting to representing some of Canada's top comedic talents. Learn about her insights into the industry, managing comedians, and advice for actors navigating their careers.In this episode:Meg's unique path to becoming a talent agentThe skills she applied from stage management and theater to her role as an agentHow to effectively communicate with your agent for better opportunitiesThe challenges and rewards of working with comedians versus dramatic actorsTips for actors on preparing self-tapes and maintaining motivationNavigating career changes and the importance of mentorship and ongoing learningThe importance of love for the craft over fame in acting careersTimestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Meg McGuire, talent agent at Baxter Agency 02:06 - Meg's journey from community theater to agency work 03:32 - Transition from stage management to talent representation 08:01 - Skills from stage management that help in talent agency work 10:48 - A typical day in the life of a talent agent 13:30 - How actors can support their agents through communication 15:07 - The nuances of working with comedians and comedy acting 17:07 - The skills inherent in comedy and how actors can hone them 19:02 - The impact of live energy versus self-tapes in comedy 22:24 - The emotional highs and lows of talent management 23:02 - Advice for actors entering the industry later in life 24:53 - The role of patience, persistence, and understanding industry dynamics 25:11 - When and why actors might consider changing agents 28:49 - Building long-term relationships with agents 31:55 - Memorable moments and success stories in Meg’s career 33:07 - Upcoming projects and personal milestones 35:03 - Final words of wisdom for aspiring actorsResources & Links:The Baxter AgencySecond CityToronto's Comedy Scene Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Second Act Actors: Where Are They Now series, host Dr. Janet McMordie revisits past guests to see how their journeys have evolved since their original episodes. From career pivots and creative breakthroughs to pauses, setbacks, and unexpected turns, these conversations explore what a “second act” really looks like over time.This series shines a light on resilience, reinvention, and the realities of building a creative life at any age. Our story didn't end when the episode did. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Second Act Actors: Where Are They Now series, host Dr. Janet McMordie revisits past guests to see how their journeys have evolved since their original episodes. From career pivots and creative breakthroughs to pauses, setbacks, and unexpected turns, these conversations explore what a “second act” really looks like over time.This series shines a light on resilience, reinvention, and the realities of building a creative life at any age. Our story didn't end when the episode did. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Second Act Actors: Where Are They Now series, host Dr. Janet McMordie revisits past guests to see how their journeys have evolved since their original episodes. From career pivots and creative breakthroughs to pauses, setbacks, and unexpected turns, these conversations explore what a “second act” really looks like over time.This series shines a light on resilience, reinvention, and the realities of building a creative life at any age. Our story didn't end when the episode did. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She's BAAAAAAACK!!!Settle in, get yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy the longest episode of Second Act Actors to date. Kathleen Munroe has an amazing story to tell and this episode is everything you need to hear in this dumpster fire world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.