Casting Networks is proud to announce the launch of, How We Role, a new podcast hosting interviews with actors, casting directors and insiders from across the entertainment industry giving insider tips on the business and sharing insights from their personal journeys to help actors refine their craft, nail auditions and book the role. Listeners can subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever they listen to podcasts.
Host Robert Peterpaul is an award-winning actor, writer and journalist with a passion for storytelling and spreading kindness. As host of The Art of Kindness, Robert has interviewed heavy hitters and screen legends including Jon M. Chu and Carol Burnett. A New Jersey native, he discovered his love for the arts at a young age, frequently found putting on shows in his living room and browsing the aisles at Blockbuster.
We invited Robert to sit down with us and give some insights on his journey, passion for acting and how he envisions How We Role helping actors to succeed in the entertainment industry.
How did you first get introduced to Casting Networks?
I was a Casting Networks user first and foremost! In addition to acting, I’ve always been a writer and entertainment journalist. Over the years, I’ve had the good fortune of interviewing actors whom I admire greatly. Though I may have been interviewing folks for entertainment news-style pieces, the actor in me couldn’t help but get nerdy about the craft with my questions.
I’d be on a red carpet asking people about their methods. I yearned to write for an outlet where I could share helpful tidbits like that with my fellow actors, and so I organically found a home with the Casting Networks news team. We’ve been rolling along together ever since.
What is your background in acting?
Acting is my happy place and actors are my people. I’ve always found solace in scenes. Growing up, I used to cut out fake tickets and charge my family admission to watch me do shows in the living room. Fortunately, I’ve graduated from coffee table stages to real ones.
I made my off-Broadway debut at age 9 and was then cast in the Broadway musical Seussical. Since then, I’ve been riding the acting rollercoaster, with all the ups and downs that we know so well. On stage, I’ve been fortunate to work around the country in shows like Beauty and The Beast, Newsies and Jersey Boys. I was once named “Connecticut’s Best Actor” by BroadwayWorld.
On-screen I’ve been in TV shows like CBS’s Bull, ABC’s Pan Am and comedy sketches for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and films like Netflix’s King Cobra, SONY’s What Happened Last Night, and most recently the Amazon feature Sitting in Bars With Cake alongside Yara Shahidi and Bette Midler.
Where did the inspiration for How We Role originate?
After writing for Casting Networks, I fell into making quirky videos for their social media pages. I really loved sharing informative and relatable content with my acting community in a way that brought joy. I love connecting with Casting Networks’ community of actors. I started getting messages asking me, “How do I format my resume?” or “How did you get your agent?”
It was a privilege for me to pass along any golden nuggets I had gleaned over the years, but I only know so much. I’m a huge proponent of creatives not waiting for someone to give them the permission to create, so I tried to walk that walk and pitched Casting Networks the idea for a podcast.
Starting from the beginning, How We Role will answer the “hows” every actor faces. From “how to get headshots” all the way to (one day) “how to produce your own film,” we truly want to go brick by brick down the yellow brick road of an actor’s career.
After industry strikes and other tribulations, I’m so proud that we’re able to launch the podcast this month. I produce a collection of other podcasts (like, The Art of Kindness on Broadway Podcast Network) and can’t wait to bring all of that knowledge to this journey.
What do you hope to achieve with this podcast?
I want How We Role to be a friend to all actors and creators in general. Our goal is to help actors every step of the way. We have exciting visions to expand the show and make it more interactive, but I won’t get too ahead of myself. I truly want this to be a shared space for creatives asking and relaying advice.
What would you like listeners to know about you?
That I’m one of you. I hope How We Role exists as an open mic for creatives to get their questions answered, hone their crafts and, ultimately, feel less alone in this wild business. Following a dream can be hard. My intention is that How We Role is a soft place for dreamers to land and receive inspiration along their journey.
What do you want listeners to take away from each episode?
If each episode has merely one (and I think there’ll be a lot more) tangible piece of wisdom that sticks with listeners, I’ll have done my job. I consider getting to make How We Role happen a gift, and I hope it’s just that for listeners. A gift that keeps on giving.
