It’s a thrill to see a new performer come into a role, no matter the size, and embody a character convincingly enough to leave a lasting impression. The actors featured in our 2022 Emerging Talent Portfolio have given standout performances in TV, theater, film, and video games—often alongside A-listers with decades of experience. We reached out to them to talk about everything from their first big breaks to their upcoming projects. Here are the performers to keep an eye out for in 2023 and beyond.
Sekai Abenì (“Paper Girls”)
This Portland, Oregon, native shines in her first major onscreen role as the adult Tiffany in Stephany Folsom’s time-traveling adventure show “Paper Girls” on Prime Video, based on the comic book series by Brian K. Vaughan. The Juilliard graduate also recently premiered “Winter Citrus,” a short film and installation which she co-created with visual artist Devin T. Mays at Ars Nova in New York City.
What advice would you give to someone who’s about to step on set for the first time?
Be prepared at the level that will make you feel comfortable and nerve-proof. Remember to enjoy the little moments. You’ll never forget the firsts in your life, and at some point, they will become precious memories.
What do you love most about being an actor?
Feeling absolutely present. Being present with another person, present with the material, present with myself. I find it hard to mimic this type of presence outside of performance.
How do you keep yourself motivated between gigs?
Ridding myself of ever being in the “in-between.” Having faith that the moments of silence and stillness are equally as fruitful as the moments that are filled with outside stimulation and excitement. And coming back to my practice as an artist when I’m not working with other people.
Diego Calva (“Babylon”)
Ever since he won the best actor award at the Havana Film Festival in 2015, Calva’s career has risen steadily. He landed a role on the last season of popular Netflix series “Narcos: Mexico” and will star in Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon” opposite Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt, which premieres Dec. 23.
Which director gave you your first big break?
Julio Hernández Cordón gave me my first lead in a feature film [called] “I Promise You Anarchy,” which is a beautiful story about Mexico City, skateboarding, love, and blood. But the first time I worked in front of the camera was way before that. An actor didn’t show up for a short film by the director Diego Lomelin where I was a gaffer, and he asked me to step in.
What do you love most about being an actor?
Working with creative people and being able to see and witness their process. Learning is essential. I feel that I grow with each new project.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started?
Be more curious. Acting, it’s about curiosity, about trying and finding. There’s no correct way to play any character or any scene. Have fun, do your thing, and after that, go to the next thing. Never get stuck.
Jack Champion (“Avatar: The Way of Water”)
This young actor’s career is skyrocketing. Between a leading role in all three of James Cameron’s upcoming “Avatar” sequels, starring opposite Liam Neeson in Nimród Antal’s “Retribution,” and joining the cast of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s “Scream 6,” this small-town kid is about to make a big splash in the industry.
Which casting director gave you your first big break?
The “Avatar” sequels are by far the biggest project I have worked on, and it was the great Margery Simkin who gave me that break. I worked with her multiple times over Skype during my initial callbacks, and I worked with her for each of my three screen tests before working with Jim Cameron.
What’s your No. 1 piece of acting or audition advice?
It would be to not overthink it; go with your natural instinct in a scene and it will usually come out better. My No. 1 audition advice would be, [in regard to self-tapes,] to get a good reader that won’t overshadow you; and don’t do a ton of takes. It’s really easy to keep trying the scene in order to get it “perfect,” but I think that can be overwhelming and bring less quality.
Which performances inspire you as an actor?
Edward Norton and Brad Pitt’s [performances] in “Fight Club” are some of my favorites. The symmetry and balance of how they played the counterparts of the same character were just so special.
David Dawson (“My Policeman”)
What this British actor loves most about performing is studying human behavior and stepping into someone else’s shoes. He recently starred in Janus Metz’s espionage thriller “All the Old Knives” for Prime Video. He plays young Patrick in Michael Grandage’s adaptation of Bethan Roberts’ “My Policeman” opposite Harry Styles and Emma Corrin, premiering Nov. 4.
What’s your No. 1 piece of acting advice?
Do your own research into the time period, the politics, the music, the expectations, and the society the story is set in. It can only help you inhabit the world even more.
What’s a screen performance that inspires you?
Tim Curry as Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The first time I saw it, I was 15, and I just thought, Who the hell is this? Oozing a dark charisma, he’s completely unhinged and yet weirdly vulnerable. It’s an unforgettable performance. Iconic.
What do you love most about being an actor?
Stepping into someone else’s shoes. Exploring someone else’s life, their rhythm, and their wants and needs. I’m fascinated by human behavior and its extremes. When I was a little lad, acting was the only thing I ever wanted to do, so I never forget how lucky I am to step on a stage or a set and get paid for it.
Chris Estrada (“This Fool”)
One of the most exciting up-and-coming voices in comedy, Estrada has a gift for making people laugh. He’s the co-creator and star (as well as a writer and executive producer) of Hulu’s “This Fool,” which is based on his standup act and his upbringing in South Los Angeles.
Which casting director gave you your first big break?
It wasn’t necessarily a casting director; it was showrunners Pat Bishop, Matt Ingebretson, and Jake Weisman, who I co-created “This Fool” with. When we started developing the show, I asked them, “Who should we cast as Julio?” They replied, “You.” They explained to me that since the show is inspired by my life, I would understand the role the best, and they believed that I could do it.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started?
Memorize your lines first; don’t try to act them out before you memorize them. Learn the words first so you can later convey the feeling behind the words.
What upcoming projects are you most excited about?
Performing more standup comedy and writing a feature based on a short film I recently co-wrote and shot titled “Fifth of July.”
Manon Gage (“Immortality”)
This French American actor grew up in New York and France and is a graduate of the Juilliard School. She stars in the interactive trilogy “Immortality” from Half Mermaid Productions and BAFTA-winning video game designer Sam Barlow, which was an official selection at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. In the game, Gage plays six different roles, including Marissa Marcel, the actor whose disappearance is at the center of the plot.
Which casting directors gave you your first big break?
Beth Bowling, Freya Krasnow, and Kim Miscia called me in for “Immortality” last spring, which became my first job out of school. I’m endlessly thankful to them for advocating for a newcomer and opening the door to the role of a lifetime.
How do you stay creatively fulfilled outside of acting?
I put on my wetsuit, get in the car, and sing loudly for 90 minutes until I arrive at the Pacific Ocean. Sometimes I stop at Ralph’s for sushi. Then, I put on more sunscreen than you’ve ever seen, wait 15 minutes under a sun hat, and then, finally, I find the choppiest waves I can and dive in.
What do you love most about being an actor?
The wigs.
Stephanie Hsu (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)
The recipient of the Breakthrough Artist Award at the 2022 Hamptons International Film Festival, Hsu continues to generate buzz for her star turn in Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Next, she’ll play a lead role in an as-yet-untitled Lionsgate comedy directed by Adele Lim and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Point Grey. She’ll also star on Rian Johnson’s upcoming Peacock series “Poker Face” opposite Natasha Lyonne, and will reunite with her “Everything Everywhere” co-star Michelle Yeoh on Disney+’s “American Born Chinese.”
Which casting directors gave you your first big break?
James Calleri, Paul Davis, and Erica Jensen. They saw me at the Williamstown Theatre Festival before I had any representation and put me in a table read, which would eventually lead to my Broadway debut [in “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”]. They also cast me in my first recurring TV gig, “The Path.”
What’s your No. 1 piece of acting or audition advice?
I’m a very outside-in actor, meaning that it’s helpful for me to do research before I go into an audition room or project when I can. With “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” it was so helpful to be able to watch the previous seasons to understand the world they had created and find my way in to enter and add my own spice.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started?
I wish I had been keeping a big binder or file cabinet of all the random writing or doodles I had done along the way. Everything can be inspiration, and I wish I had set up a better organization system to keep the work I was making ready at hand.
Julia Lester (“Into the Woods”)
This actor recently made her Broadway debut as Little Red Riding Hood in Lear deBessonet’s critically acclaimed revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” She’s currently filming Season 4 of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”
What’s your No. 1 piece of acting or audition advice?
Learn to fall in love with auditioning. As performers, we go through so many stretches of waiting time between jobs. Being given the opportunity to audition is extremely special, because someone out there is asking you to do the thing you’re best at, make it your own, and wow whoever is watching.
What screen performance inspires you as a performer?
In my household growing up, “The Wizard of Oz” was on a constant loop. I was so inspired by Judy Garland’s performance and gained a deep love for imagining and performing because of that movie. When I think back to my earliest memories of playing pretend, “The Wizard of Oz” was at the center of all my make-believe.
What upcoming projects are you most excited about?
I’m so excited to see what roles I’ll be able to play as I become older. Such a beautiful part of being an actor is getting to grow into yourself as a person and performer, and getting to play roles that reflect where you are in life is so rewarding.
Banks Repeta (“Armageddon Time”)
Growing up in coastal North Carolina, Repeta is a natural in the water, having learned to spear, clean, and cook his own fish. He’s also a natural at acting. He recently played escape artist Griffin in the horror film “The Black Phone” opposite Ethan Hawke. Currently, he’s starring in James Gray’s feature “Armageddon Time,” which premiered Oct. 28.
What screen performance inspires you as an actor?
I love films where I don’t notice the acting and where the talent is natural.
How do you stay creatively fulfilled outside of acting?
By being in my happy places: swimming or visiting family.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started?
I wish I’d known that when you’re acting, you should find yourself genuinely happy, and if you’re not, you shouldn’t be doing it.
Jaylin Webb (“Armageddon Time”)
This newcomer is quickly establishing himself as a highly sought-after young actor. He stars in “Armageddon Time” opposite Anthony Hopkins, Jeremy Strong, Repeta, and Anne Hathaway. Webb also just wrapped a supporting role in Chinonye Chukwu’s “Till,” starring Danielle Deadwyler and Whoopi Goldberg.
Which casting directors gave you your first big break?
Six casting directors have all been instrumental in my early success: Heather Heinz for “David Makes Man,” Mark Fincannon for “The Wonder Years,” Chase Paris and Tara Feldstein Bennett for “Till,” and of course, Tracy Kilpatrick and Doug Aibel for “Armageddon Time.”
What screen performances inspire you as an actor?
Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger in “Black Panther” and Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark in “The Help” are at the top.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started?
I wish I’d known there will always be time to grow. In the beginning, I was a little scared I would never build skills as an actor. I know now it was a silly thought. The moment I stopped thinking like that, l gained confidence in myself.
Madeline Wise (“So Help Me Todd”)
Wise stars on Scott Prendergast’s CBS comedy series “So Help Me Todd” opposite Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin. She is a scene-stealer as Allison, Todd’s successful sister. Her previous TV credits include Paramount+’s “Star Trek: Picard,” Freeform’s “Single Drunk Female,” and HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Crashing.” She recently starred in Sophia Silver’s coming-of-age indie “Over/Under” and Noah Hutton’s mystery–sci-fi feature “Lapsis.”
Which casting director gave you your first big break?
Gayle Keller cast me in “Crashing,” and it was one of the best audition experiences of my life. I really hadn’t auditioned for TV very much—that was the first TV job I ever booked, in fact—and I’d never met Gayle before; but she immediately put me at ease. She was such a cheerleader during the callback process. There was a remarkably low level of anxiety surrounding that process, and Gayle was so instrumental in establishing that vibe.
What’s your No. 1 piece of acting or audition advice?
Drive it like you stole it. Basically, don’t half-ass it; you’re here, so you might as well swing big.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started?
All of my idiosyncrasies that I felt self-conscious about are assets; those are the things that set me apart from other actors, and they make me interesting. (This is true for everybody! I am not a unicorn.)
This story originally appeared in the Nov. 3 issue of Backstage Magazine.