It's Not NOT A Meisner Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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In the inaugural episode of It’s Not NOT A Meisner Podcast, acting teacher & director Kevin Kittle teams up with his student, Carson S. Davis, to kick things off with a candid, teacher-to-student conversation about Sanford Meisner's legendary acting technique.

Kevin & Carson introduce themselves, talk about their shared history, and dive into the heart of the Meisner Technique — starting with Sanford’s genius definition of Acting.  What does it really mean to “live truthfully under imaginary circumstances”?  And why is that definition so often misunderstood?

Let's get to work.

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In this episode of It’s Not NOT a Meisner Podcast, hosts Kevin Kittle and Carson S. Davis unpack the mind of acting legend Konstantin Stanislavski and his powerful writings on Artistic Truth and Natural Beauty.

What does it mean to make fiction feel real? Why is emotional honesty more important than surface-level realism? Kevin and Carson explore how actors can access truth, return to a childlike sense of presence, and bring authenticity to every moment on stage.

You’ll hear about:
🎭 The difference between external beauty and internal truth
🌀 Making an “untruth” feel completely truthful
🌱 Why nature and artistic truth are inseparable
🧠 How to stay present, undefended, and emotionally available

Whether you're an actor, teacher, or theater nerd, this episode is your invitation to dig deeper into the why of acting—not just the how.

Instagram & TikTok: @meisnerpodcast | Want your question answered in a future episode? Email us at [[email protected]]

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TOM PELPHREY (@tommypelphrey) is a powerhouse actor known for OZARK (Emmy nomination), BANSHEE, LOVE & DEATH, OUTER RANGE, A MAN IN FULL, and MANK. An @mgsarutgers alumnus trained in the Meisner technique, Tom’s stage credits include Broadway’s “Fool for Love” and “End of the Rainbow.” Catch him next in HBO’s TASK, starring alongside Mark Ruffalo in a gritty Philly-set crime drama from the creator of “Mare of Easttown.”

Instagram & TikTok: @meisnerpodcast | Want your question answered in a future episode? Email us at [[email protected]]

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Dive deep into the value of performance with Kevin Kittle and Carson S. Davis as they explore why theater is (arguably) humanity's most powerful art form:

• From cave paintings to modern stages, discover theater's ancient roots 🌟
• Unpack how performances challenge societal & political norms, sparking personal growth 🔍
• Hear hilarious & profound stories about the transformative power of storytelling 🤡
• Stay tuned next week for EP03, PT2 with our very special guest, Eli Pauley! 

A must-listen for actors, artists, and anyone curious about the magic of human expression! 🎭

Instagram & TikTok: @meisnerpodcast | Want your question answered in a future episode? Email us at [[email protected]]

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This week, Kevin and Carson dive even deeper with the radiant Eli Pauley 🌟—teacher, actor, director, and lifelong student of the craft.  Eli opens up about chasing this art form with hunger, heart, and humor. In this interview you will hear about:

🎓 What it really means to pursue training—and keep pursuing it 
❤️ Navigating the industry with integrity, humor, and heart 
💡 The importance of mentorship, curiosity, and showing up 
🔁 Teaching Theatre vs. Teaching Through Theatre 

ELI PAULEY is a NYC based theatre artist who teaches a lot, directs often, and acts occasionally. She currently teaches at the Yale Summer Conservatory, and the Interlochen Arts Camp and is newly on the Acting faculty at Rutgers/Mason Gross School of the Arts. Eli did a post-graduate teaching fellowship at The Juilliard School under the mentorship of Evan Yionoulis and Richard Feldman. She received her BFA in Acting from Rutgers and her MFA in Acting from the Yale School of Drama. 

To keep up with Eli or study with her, go to: www.elipauley.com

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This week, Kevin and Carson break down the three essentials every young actor should have in their toolkit:

Commitment 🎯 – Showing up fully, even when it’s hard

Concentration 🧠 – Staying present in the moment

Collaboration 🤝 – Because acting is NOT a solo sport

Kevin also invites a live classroom of students to join the conversation and ask their own questions — bringing real voices and real curiosity to the mic.

Stayed tuned next week for EP04, PT2 featuring a very special guest. Don't forget to send your questions into us via the email below!

Instagram & TikTok: @meisnerpodcast | Want your question answered in a future episode? Email us at [[email protected]]

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In this follow-up to last week’s episode on The Three C's, the wonderful Jasmine Carmichael joins Kevin & Carson for a deeper dive into what it really takes to become the artist you want to be in the modern age.

In Part 2 of Episode 04, we explore:

✨ What commitment looks like in the modern age
🧠 The role of self-care in sustaining focus and energy
🎭 How to always bring your A-game — whether you're taping at home, auditioning live, or stepping onto set.

JASMINE CARMICHAEL is a NJ based actress, director and arts educator with over a decade of experience as a professional artist. Jasmine is also the Education Associate for coLAB Arts, where she has facilitated the production of socially engaged art in classrooms, community spaces and corporate entities. Jasmine is motivated by her desire to foster empathy, collaboration, and understanding through dramatic and fine art and help young artists pursue their dreams with confidence. 

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In EP05 of It's Not NOT A Meisner Podcast, Kevin & Carson open up the inbox and tackle your listener questions! 💌💭 From Suzuki 🦶 to Actioning techniques 🧠, those magical “aha” moments ✨, and what it really means to be an actor in the digital age 📱🎬 — we’re covering it all.

Got a Theatre/Acting question for next time?
📧 Email us at [email protected]

Instagram & TikTok: @meisnerpodcast | Want your question answered in a future episode? Email us at [[email protected]]

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In EP06 PT1, Kevin and Carson dive into the origin and theory behind Sanford Meisner’s landmark repetition exercise. 🔁 

They explore how and why Meisner developed it, what sets it apart from other acting techniques, and how it trains actors to respond truthfully in the moment. 🎬✨ Whether you're new to Meisner or revisiting the work, this conversation lays the foundation for a deeper understanding of the craft.  🎭🧠

👀 Stay tuned for Part 2 next week! We’ll move from theory to practice with two amazing Meisner-trained actors walking us through the exercise in action. 🎤🎭

Instagram & TikTok: @meisnerpodcast | Want your question answered in a future episode? Email us at [[email protected]]

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CLICK HERE TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE!

In EP06 PT2, Kevin & Carson hold a visual demo 🎭 of Meisner's famous (or infamous) Repetition Exercise. 🎉 They invite actors CHARLOTTE FOUNTAIN-JARDIM (DOC on Fox) & LAURA SOHN (Agent Alina Park on NBC's The Blacklist) to participate, while Kevin coaches them through the moment-to-moment work 🔁. This episode gives viewers a real-time look at an exercise that’s often misunderstood — and shows how powerful it can be when done truthfully 💥👀.
Check it out at the YouTube link above!

LAURA SOHN was born and raised in New Jersey.  She has appeared on Instinct, NCIS: New Orleans, God Friended Me and is most notably known for her role as Agent Alina Park on NBC's The Blacklist. Laura received her BFA in Acting from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts.

CHARLOTTE FOUNTAIN-JARDIM has appeared in Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Natty Knocks, and most recently as Molly Parker's daughter in DOC on Fox. BFA, Acting, Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts.

Instagram & TikTok: @meisnerpodcast | Want your question answered in a future episode? Email us at [[email protected]]