Bring Your Own Lunch

BYOL Episode 52 - Kevin Arbouet (Part 1)

TAKE ONE!  Dave's guest this week is director/writer/producer Kevin Arbouet (Fair Market Value, Police State, I Got a Crush on Obama)!  Originally from Hempstead on Long Island, Kevin's career has been all about working hard and taking advantage of opportunity.  He tells Dave about his experiences with Catholic and public schools (and how they each influenced his career), what got him started as a talent manager, how answering a want ad landed him a job working with Lee Daniels, how he was convinced to give directing a try, the viral hit (I Got a Crush on Obama) that landed him with a MAJOR agency, and what he looks for when meeting new actors!  Plus, Dave gives a little more detail about Indignation, and has an update on his aching spine (with some advice for anyone suffering with a bad back)!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on July 15, 2015

BYOL Episode 51 - Betsy Stover

THE FOLLOWING WAS COMPLETELY IMPROVISED  This week Dave sits and chats with actor/improvisor Betsy Stover (UCB, Del Close Marathon, Newsers)!  Betsy has spent years studying, performing, and teaching with the Upright Citizens Brigade, going back to UCB's earliest days in NYC. Now living in LA, Dave caught up with Betsy when she was in town for the Del Close Marathon. She tells Dave about her early life in Minnesota, her decision to come to NYC for college and how it shaped the rest of her life, what it was like in the early days of UCB, her groundbreaking status as a UCB trainee, and how she sees improv and comedy changing with the times.  Plus, Dave finally shares the news about his involvement in the film Indignation, working with Logan Lerman, and being directed by James Schamus!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on July 8, 2015

BYOL Episode 50 - Nora Skinner

WE MADE IT TO 50!  Dave's guest this week is Oscar-nominated executive producer Nora Skinner (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl)!  Dave and Nora met in high school, where they both took part in the vaunted Manhasset High School Theatre program. Since then, Nora has climbed the ladder of success as a film producer, working with Miramax and Scott Rudin Productions before gaining her biggest success as an Executive Producer with Indian Paintbrush.  She tells Dave what inspired her love for acting, how her college mentors steered her towards producing and directing, and how she found her footing in the business.  She also shares great stories about working with Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Hugh Jackman, and Connie Britton, and tells Dave what it's like to be nominated for an Academy Award!  Plus, Dave commemorates Episode 50 by looking ahead to Episode 51 and beyond!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on July 1, 2015

BYOL Episode 49 - Charles Gould

ALL THAT GLITTERS...  This week Dave sits down with NYC actor/writer/comedian Charles Gould (Law & Order; MTV; Charles, by the Way)!  Charles was born in Brooklyn, but spent his formative years in the Los Angeles area as part of a showbiz family before moving back to NYC after college.  He tells Dave about gang life in Santa Monica, his transition to acting while at Clark University, his early career in New York, how he got involved in comedy, the conspiracy podcast he once hosted, and his new original YouTube series, Charles, by the Way!  Plus, Dave updates his busy week and sends congratulations to Marc Maron and WTF!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on June 24, 2015

BYOL Episode 48 - Erica Tachoir

TAKE ME TO ANOTHER PLACE!  Dave's guest this week is NYC actor/writer/improvisor Erica Tachoir (UCB; Life, After)!  Born and bred in Tennessee, Erica grew up as the child of jazz musicians -- an environment that clearly set the stage for her career.  She talks with Dave about growing up in the Volunteer State, her earliest performances, her decision to study film at NYU, how she transitioned from filmmaking to acting, her training with both the Atlantic Theater Company and UCB, and her new original series Life, After!  Plus, Dave offers a tribute to a childhood hero who passed away last week.
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on June 17, 2015

BYOL Episode 47 - Gameela Wright

A NEW YORK ORIGINAL! This week Dave chats with veteran NYC actor Gameela Wright (John Wick, Blue Bloods, Daredevil)!A NYC native, Gameela has been defying assumptions her entire life. She talks to Dave about growing up in Spanish Harlem, how traveling helped her stand out among her neighbors, her original career choice, the spark that ignited her pursuit of acting, and what it's like to be recognized on the street! She also talks about her coaching efforts, and offers some tremendous advice for actors of any level!Plus, a busy Dave talks about his aching back, and gives a shout out to Karl Manhair, Postal Inspector!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on June 10, 2015

BYOL Episode 46 - Carmen Cabrera

A REAL MADRID TALENT!  This week Dave interviews bilingual actor Carmen Cabrera (Forever, Law & Order: SVU, YO, la PEOR de TODAS)!  Originally hailing from Madrid, Carmen now makes New York her home.  She tells Dave about her life growing up in Spain, how she first became interested in the arts, her intense theater training, working as an actor in Madrid, the friendly advice that led her to NYC, how a passing stranger on 23rd Street on her first day in the US later became her husband, and how she's using the skills and experience from her homeland to excel here in America.  Plus, a busy Dave talks about several new projects, including Babygirl Blues and Other Colored People!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on June 3, 2015

BYOL Episode 45 - Jay Klaitz

LOOKING BACK AT THE FUTURE (FOLK)!  This week Dave chats with actor/musician Jay Klaitz (Rock Of Ages, Lend Me A Tenor, The History of Future Folk)!  Jay is a young veteran of TV, Film, Commercials, and Broadway, and has developed a reputation as one of the funniest and most laid-back actors in New York.  He tells Dave about his southern surfer upbringing in Jacksonville, how he tried NOT to be an actor in college, what finally put him on a path to performing, his near-death encounter with the Russian mafia in Moscow, how he co-founded the band Future Folk (and talks about the film it inspired), his current gig for Burger King, and how the Squatty Potty changed his life!  Plus, Dave talks about a joke on Facebook that backfired -- painfully.
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on May 27, 2015

BYOL Episode 44 - Matthew Lawler

THE MAN BEHIND THE FELTY!  Dave's guest this week is fellow Filmic Achievement alum Matthew Lawler (The Americans, God's Pocket, The Sopranos), the associate artistic director of Mile Square Theatre in Hoboken, NJ!  Hailing from Cleveland by way of Boston, Matt has forged a successful career in film, TV, theater, and commercials.  He tells Dave about his original career choice (NOT acting), what made him switch, his experience with the MFA program at the American Conservatory Theater, getting a huge break on Broadway, co-founding the renowned rUDE mECHANICALS theater company, and how he sees the business evolving today.  Also, Dave and Matt do a TON of reminiscing about their time working on Filmic Achievement!  Plus, Dave breaks down a major challenge SAG-AFTRA actors are facing.
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on May 20, 2015

BYOL Episode 43 - Mark Farrell

ENTHUSIASM!  This week Dave's guest is director/producer Mark Farrell (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Better Than You - The Patrice O'Neal Documentary)!  Born and raised in a Hollywood showbiz family, Mark grew up in the business, meeting legendary names and hanging out on studio lots before embarking on his own career.  He tells Dave great stories about his unique childhood (meeting Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra along the way), getting his start in the business, how he manages to balance his ultra-busy career with his personal life, and what it was like working with Larry David!  Mark also gives details on his newest feature, Better Thank You - The Patrice O'Neal Documentary, about the late comedian and his influence on the comedy community.  Plus Dave reveals the nickname Patrice gave him!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on May 13, 2015

BYOL Episode 42 - J Elaine Marcos

HITTING THE BOARDS! This week Dave has a chat with Broadway/TV/Film actor J. Elaine Marcos (Miss Saigon, Annie, A Chorus Line)!Originally from the Toronto area, Elaine now makes her home in Los Angeles after a successful run on the Great White Way. She tells Dave about her childhood in Canada, how she developed a love for performing, the career she almost chose, her decision to travel to NYC to train, her first Broadway experience (a dream come true for her), her jobs in Florida for Disney and the Orlando Magic, and her transition to Hollywood!Plus Dave has updates on several BYOL alumni!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on May 6, 2015

BYOL Episode 41 - Brian Ach (Part 2)

PUNCH A HIGHER FLOOR! It's part two of Dave's sit-down chat with his old friend, celebrity photographer/actor Brian Ach (The Photographer Project)! This week we pick up the story following Dave and Brian's gig in Jamaica working for Scott Tissue. Brian explains why he began to transition from acting to photography, and how that relates to his career gameplan. He also shares some AMAZING stories about his time as the official photographer for Prince's European tour, reveals how he handles the various famous personalities he encounters every day (SPOILER: It's not always easy), and remembers his personal friend, legendary actor James Gandolfini.Plus Dave sends out huge congratulations to Geneva Carr (BYOL Ep. 21) and the entire cast and crew of Broadway's Hand To God on their Tony Award nominations!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on April 27, 2015

BYOL Episode 40 - Brian Ach (Part 1)

PICTURE PERFECT PODCAST!  In the first of a two-part interview, this week Dave catches up with his old friend, celebrity photographer/actor Brian Ach (The Photographer Project)!  Hailing from Beavercreek, OH, Brian came to New York to become an actor and has since found a second career taking pictures of the most famous people in the world -- like U2, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Prince.   We start with Brian's early life in Ohio, talking about the audition that drove him to perform, his undergraduate and graduate training, his last minute decision to choose NY over Los Angeles, and the quick start to his acting career.  Dave and Brian also reminisce about the Scott Tissue commercial they worked on that turned into a Jamaican adventure!  Plus Dave talks about how saying YES to a random opportunity allowed him to work with some amazing people (and get a bottle of wine in the process)!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on April 22, 2015

BYOL Episode 39 - Gardiner Comfort

THE ELEPHANT ON THIS PODCAST!  Dave's guest this week is actor/writer/teacher Gardiner Comfort (The Elephant In Every Room I Enter, You're Not Tough)!  A native New Yorker, Gardiner has trained in both the USA and in Russia.  He's most recently been producing his own original works, including a very personal piece about living with Tourette's Syndrome.  He tells Dave about getting his start as an actor, his unique childhood, his college and graduate experience, training in Moscow, and how he developed his writing.  He also talks about his work teaching kids, working with the Tourette Syndrome Association, and giving back.  Plus Dave recaps his appearances on The Following on FOX and Daredevil on Netflix!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on April 15, 2015

BYOL Episode 38 - Rory Scholl

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!  This week Dave's guest is actor/comedian/producer Rory Scholl (ARTprov, Peoples Improv Theater)!  Originally from Dallas, Rory has since taken the NY comedy scene by storm, performing and creating original shows.  He tells Dave about his early standup work in Texas, his first improv groups, working with Mark Cuban, his transition to NYC, how he goes about making a living as a performer, and all about his days as an airline mascot!  Plus, Dave talks about seeing Hand To God on Broadway (starring Geneva Carr - BYOL Episode 21), his recent Shakespearean pursuits, and his upcoming appearance on The Following on FOX!
Hosted by Dave T. Koenig
 
This episode premiered on April 8, 2015