Jordan Lage is an award-winning actor, writer, director and founding member of the Atlantic Theater Company, which celebrates its 41st anniversary this year. He studied acting at New York University under the tutelage of playwright David Mamet and actor William H. Macy and then taught acting and playwriting at the Atlantic Theater Acting School for nearly 30 years. Best known for his work performing the plays of David Mamet's, he has acted in multiple productions of the author's works on Broadway, off-Broadway & regionally, including "American Buffalo," "Glengarry Glen Ross," "Speed-The-Plow," and "Oleanna," among others. On this episode, he talks about how his early exposure to great films of the 70s led to a fascination with New York and a desire to be a working actor there. He breaks down the freedom Mamet's approach to acting gave him, tells a story about having to reach outside his technique to hit a moment a role required, explains why practical direction is most effective, and much more.

Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.

Follow Back To One on Instagram

Carolyn Michelle is an actress, producer, educator, and entrepreneur. Her credits include: "Brilliant Minds", "And Just Like That", "The Chi", "Russian Doll", "House of Cards", and the role of Vanessa, opposite Kathleen Chalfant's Ruth, in Sarah Friedland's celebrated indie film "Familiar Touch." On this episode she talks about her deeps roots with that project, and what she told Friendland she needed to bring that character to life. She takes us back to her earliest days as an actor, and the mentor whose influence is still felt today. Carolyn has served as Co-Director of Lena Waithe's Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab, and is a former visiting lecturer at Cornell University and Fordham University. She talks about how teaching feeds her acting, the power of sound frequencies in prep work, the importance of empowering the actor, why great production design and being able to stay in character on set are so important to her, plus much more!

Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.

Follow Back To One on Instagram

Kimball Farley is the future. His breakthrough role in "Hippo," the critically acclaimed dark comedy that RogerEbert.com called "an unholy fusion of A Clockwork Orange and Napoleon Dynamite" established him as a talented, chameleon-like actor to watch, then his performance in "The Righteous Gemstones," opposite Bradley Cooper, displayed his range. And now 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for him, with upcoming releases from filmmakers like Tim Sutton, Mark H. Rapaport, and Henry Chaisson showcasing more of what he can do. On this episode, he details his "outside-in" approach to character work, and why changing his appearance is of prime importance with each role. He talks about how writing contributes to his preparation process in beneficial ways, why he believes in the law of attraction, what makes Al Warren and Bradley Cooper great scene partners, why following in the footsteps of his heroes is so important to him, and much more.

Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast from Filmmaker Magazine. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft.

Follow Back To One on Instagram