The Risking Space

We'll be taking an undetermined break after this episode, so please follow us @ @theriskingspace on Twitter and Instagram to get all the latest updates! Rate, review and stay connected! Thank you for all of your support!

Keith Powell (Toofer on NBC’s “30 Rock,” “About A Boy,” “Connecting”) might be best known for his acting, but he has always considered himself to be artistically more than that. Keith graduated from NYU with a degree in directing and has never stopped using directing and writing as a way to tell the stories he wants to tell. From stage to screen, his acclaimed web series “Keith Broke His Leg” and most recently Hallmark’s “A Holiday In Harlem,” Keith is committed to expressing his creative vision authentically, no matter the container. We dive deep into rejection, playing the long game, and creating a supportive set culture. Other topics include directing your wife, the beauty of organizing, and Christmas lights. Happy Holidays!

To keep up with Keith, follow @bykeithpowell on Instagram, @KeithPowell on Twitter and check out www.powelltothepeople.net

As always, follow us @ @theriskingspace, check out www.ammunitiontheatre.com and if you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod.
Donations are graciously received via PayPal to theriskingspace@gmail.com!

Stevvi Alexander has certainly put in her 10,000 hours as a working vocalist having worked with the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand, Raphael Sadiq and currently St. Vincent and The Roots for Jimmy Fallon. Additionally, she is trained as a music therapist and was featured in the documentary “20 Feet From Stardom." But, these past three years have challenged her steady climb as she recovered from a debilitating back injury only to find live music disappear during the pandemic. We go deep with Stevvi on self worth, especially in what we have to offer as artists, the healing power of music, and excitement as she expands her artistry into acting. Other topics include releasing labels, well worn jeans, and being ok with indulgence.

To keep up with Stevvi, follow her on Instagram @stevvialexander.

And as always, follow us @ @theriskingspace, check out www.ammunitiontheatre.com and if you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod.
Donations are graciously received via PayPal to theriskingspace@gmail.com!

Leonard Robinson is most recently known for his work as Taurean on HBO’s hit “Insecure.” He also performed on every episode of the first four seasons of Nick Cannon’s Wild N’ Out, has appeared as a series regular on numerous shows, is a standup regular at The Comedy Store and a Main Company member at the Groundlings where he writes, performs and directs. We talk to Leonard about the discipline and drive it took for him to get from Howard’s school of business to Hollywood and how his martial arts training has guided him along the way. Other topics include comedy as a coping mechanism, charcuterie and the Mississippi River.

Follow Leonard Robinson on Instagram @iamleonardrobinson.

As always, follow us @ @theriskingspace, check out www.ammunitiontheatre.com and if you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod.
Donations are graciously received via PayPal to theriskingspace@gmail.com!

Just as actor/writer/creator Tommy Mejia was finding his stride in the film and TV industry, his doctor discovered a potentially life-threatening mass in his brain. Since then, Tommy has had to undergo several surgeries which have completely changed the way he lives his life. In this beautifully honest conversation, we talk to Tommy about the frustration of not being able to make the art you want to make, how it felt to watch a play inspired by him and why he's still committed to staying creative. Other topics include accepting a slower pace, identity and (on the heels of Hispanic Heritage Month) the need for more nuanced representation of the Latinx and Indigenous communities in our storytelling.

For more on Tommy, follow him on instagram @tmejia111.

As always, follow us @ @theriskingspace, check out www.ammunitiontheatre.com and if you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod.
Donations are graciously received via PayPal to theriskingspace@gmail.com!

Carla Renata is a working actor and singer...who is also a critic! As an actress, Carla currently recurs on NBC's "Superstore," starred on Broadway in "Avenue Q," and is the only actress to have recurred on four different shows during one episodic season...TWICE! But during a creative transition, Carla took a risk to follow her love of movies and began reviewing them. Since then, she has been featured in the LA Times and launched her successful YouTube show "The Curvy Critic." We talk about representation in film criticism, how NOT to be a hater, and how we can all be our own worst critics. Other topics include making each moment count, road trips and chocolate nibs.

For more on Carla Renata, check out her website https://thecurvyfilmcritic.com/, follow her on the socials @thecurvycritic and subscribe to her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlaRenata.

Connect with us @theriskingspace, check out www.ammunitiontheatre.com and if you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod! Donations are graciously received via PayPal to theriskingspace@gmail.com!

For more of Alex Hammond's art, check out https://www.alexhammondstudio.com/ and follow her on Instagram @alexhammondstudio.

As always, follow us @ @theriskingspace, check out www.ammunitiontheatre.com and if you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod. Donations are graciously received via PayPal to theriskingspace@gmail.com!

Roxana Ortega (Groundlings Sunday Company, Frida on "The Casagrandes", Moth Grandslammer, Co-Host of The Risking Space) is RISK AVERSE! And yet, she has chosen one of the most unpredictable professions. As an award winning actor, storyteller, voice over artist and producer, Roxie decides on a daily basis to run towards the things that scare her most...and she generally succeeds. On this episode, we talk about the importance of making a strong decision, following messages from the universe, and the necessity of self care. We also discuss why, in her 30s, she chose to be her mother's care taker. Other topics include pens, tweezers, and staying grateful for chaos.

This week’s episode spotlights our very own Karla Mosely! Karla is an actor, songstress, producer and activist who made history playing The Bold and The Beautiful’s Maya Avant, the first series regular transgender character in American television. We dive into her creative upbringing, her deep love of service, and the vulnerability and healing that came from playing Maya. Other topics include saying yes, self-actualization as activism and the battle for balance.

Karla is the co-creator of 1:1 productions, an award-winning production company championing women of color in front of and behind the camera. http://www.1to1productions.com/

She also helms philanthropy for Ammunition Theatre Company. https://www.ammunitiontheatre.com/

Here's a link to Janet Mock's book that Karla references called "Redefining Realness" https://amzn.to/3jkC0Xe

If you love us and want to support what we do, subscribe, rate and share this pod!

Donations are graciously received via PayPal to theriskingspace@gmail.com!

Two-time Olympian, actor, writer and producer Jamie Nieto is a case study in defying the odds. He not only went to the Olympics twice (2004/2012) as an American high jumper and jumped his personal best there, but, after suffering a severe spinal cord injury, he defied the doctor’s prognosis and walked his wife-to-be 150 steps down the aisle. Jamie takes us through his athletic journey, the accident, and the pursuit of his artistic dreams as an actor (Away, The Encounter), writer (Family Time, In the Cut) and producer (Blood Brothers). We get deep into the passion, dedication and mental toughness that it takes to be the best you can be in athletics and art. Other topics include faith, visualization and tongue twisters.

For all things Jamie Nieto, check out www.jamienieto.com and follow him on the socials @jamienieto. 

Check out his incredible foundation Helping Others Triumph https://hotleticsofficial.com/foundation

And his ESPN feature story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzpV8OLj7Tw

As always, follow us @ @theriskingspace, check out www.ammunitiontheatre.com and if you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod.

Donations are graciously received via PayPal to theriskingspace@gmail.com!

Jar Jar Binks will go down in history as the first CGI character in a motion picture. What you might not have ever thought about is the person behind Jar Jar. Our guest, Ahmed Best, provided all the movement, voice and acting that was used to create Jar Jar in the Star Wars movies. Without his contribution, CGI would not be what it is today. And yet, as a young artist, he had to endure surprising and fierce backlash for what was seen as racial stereotypes in Jar Jar’s portrayal. Ahmed talks about his incredible journey from performing in the touring company of the musical “Stomp” to landing this iconic role, the joys and challenges of being the first to do something, and how he has been able to find his artistic power and reclaim his confidence by making his own work. Other topics include play, martial arts and the future!

For more on Ahmed, follow him @bestahmed on Instagram and @ahmedbest on Twitter.
Follow us @ @theriskingspace.

And check out more about Ammunition Theatre Company @ www.ammunitiontheatre.com.

If you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod and consider making a Paypal donation to theriskingspace@gmail.com.

For Actor/Activist Scott Turner-Schofield opportunity and success in Hollywood has come as a surprise. A Transgender artist, Scott assumed there was no direct path for him and instead created a one man show “Becoming A Man in 127 EASY Steps”, which has since been made into a film and is currently enjoying its 2nd year screening at Tribeca Film Festival. Additionally, Scott has been featured as an actor on “The Bold and The Beautiful”, received an Emmy Nomination for his work on “Studio City”, and is a consultant on HBO’s “Euphoria” and “The Craft Movie”. We talk with Scott about inclusivity vs. tokenism, the importance of recognizing our own privilege, and what he's looking to create next.

For more of Scott, follow him @turnerschofield and check out: “Becoming A Man in 127 Easy Steps”
https://www.127steps.com/

Ted Talk “Ending Gender”
https://bit.ly/3gPD1WW

Speaking of Transgender
https://speakingoftransgender.com/

Janet Mock’s Book “Redefining Realness”
https://amzn.to/3h1Nhu6

The Trailer for the HBO Series - La Veneno
https://bit.ly/2SRBp6c

Follow us @ @theriskingspace & subscribe, rate and share!
And check out more about Ammunition Theatre Company @ www.ammunitiontheatre.com.

 
If you love us and want to support what we do, consider giving us a gift by clicking this Paypal link https://bit.ly/3gXUGL3 and sending your donation to theriskingspace@gmail.com.

Happy Pride!

Happy Pride! We begin the month talking to Queer, Latinx play and screenwriter Fernanda Coppel (Queen of the South, How To Get Away With Murder, Atlantic Theater Company, Second Stage). She gets real about her journey from Mazatlán to making art in commercial spaces, the pressures she feels as a woman of color and the Latinx superpowers she calls upon. Other topics include getting stuck on a professional “track,” confidence and creatively thinking about career moves.

For more on Fernanda, follow her @fer_coppel10 on Instagram.
Follow us @ @theriskingspace.
And check out more about Ammunition Theatre Company @ www.ammunitiontheatre.com.

If you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod and consider making a Paypal donation to theriskingspace@gmail.com.

Actor and voice-over artist Zehra Fazal (Halo in Young Justice, Nadia in Voltron) gets real about representation — on both the progress and the pitfalls in achieving equality in the entertainment industry. 

As the proud daughter of Pakistani & Indian Muslim doctors, Zehra shares her road from Indiana to LA, the freedom she finds in voice-over, and the stories she’d like to see told. Celebrate AAPI heritage month with us and this multi-faceted bad ass! 

For more on Zehra, follow her @zehrafazal on the socials.

Follow us @ @theriskingspace.

And check out more about Ammunition Theatre Company @ www.ammunitiontheatre.com.

If you love us and want to support what we do, please subscribe, rate and share this pod and consider making a Paypal donation to theriskingspace@gmail.com.

Thank you and happy risking!

When Ginger Gonzaga "came out" publicly about her bipolar 2 diagnosis in a Medium article, some close to her feared she might be stigmatized, but it’s Ginger’s mission to chip away at the shame associated with mental health diagnoses. In addition to being an incredibly successful actor, writer and director (Togetherness, Kidding, Space Force, I'm Dying Up Here, Your Day), she is a fierce mental health advocate. We talk trauma, the outrageous double standards around mental health and creative expression for men vs. women, and how, for her, art is the answer, the escape and her soul's purpose.

Michael Feldman is an incredibly successful comedic writer who has written for television's Kevin From Work, The Neighbors, Deadbeat and is currently staffed on AP Bio. He's also the writer, creator and producer of the wildly popular “Fairytale Theater: 18 and Over” which traveled to Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has been enjoying sold out audiences in LA for over 10 years. AND YET he still feels anxious about money. Roxie and Karla talk to Michael about his personal pitfalls with money and the business, his inherited beliefs and why choosing joy over profits works for him. Other topics include faith, heat lamps and stuffies.

If you love our pod and want to support what we do, you can send us a donation via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/us/home to theriskingspace@gmail.com.

Follow us @theriskingspace on Twitter & Instagram.

Check out more about Ammunition Theatre Company,www.ammunitiontheatre.com

South African comedian, actor, writer, mom and all-around super star Tumi Morake joins us to talk about her wild success and the decision to leave it all for America. As the first African woman to have a Netflix stand up special and host a late night talk show, Tumi shares the importance of living her truth, her drive for artistic expression and her commitment to living a life with no regrets. Enjoy this powerful conversation with this super mom and super wife who deeply believes that risk-taking breeds joy and success.

For more of Tumi, check out her comedy on Netflix and follow her on the socials @tumi_morake.

To hear Tumi storytelling, check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnbiGSjKrrY

For more on her book "And Then Mama Said," check out:
https://amzn.to/3mKEA9Z

Follow @theriskingspace on Twitter and Instagram and rate us wherever you get your podcasts.

The Risking Space is produced by Karla Mosely and Roxana Ortega in conjunction with Ammunition Theatre Company. For more on the company, check out https://www.ammunitiontheatre.com/.

Elna Baker is a master storyteller, comedian and producer for This American Life. We talk to Elna about her current journey back to self through ayahuasca therapy, her willingness to rewrite narratives about her body, her family, the Mormon faith she grew up with and why she chooses to walk the Fool’s path. Other topics include gas lighting yourself, embarrassing moments in the boudoir and breathable fabrics.

Here's a link to Elna's book "The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance" https://bit.ly/3sH65U7

We also discuss "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield and "The Denial of Death" by Ernest Becker.

Join our community @theriskingspace on Twitter and Instagram and please rate us wherever you get your podcasts.

The Risking Space is produced by Karla Mosely and Roxana Ortega in conjunction with Ammunition Theatre Company. For more on the company, check out https://www.ammunitiontheatre.com/