cover story

Jessica Williams Is Done Keeping Quiet About What She Wants

With her first leading role in a film, the comedian is flipping conventional film wisdom on its head.

Jessica Chastain Works Harder Than You

The star of Niki Caro’s WWII drama “The Zookeeper’s Wife”—and “The Help,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” and most of this decade’s most prestigious films—is shifting Hollywood’s status quo.

Barry Sloane’s ‘Six’ Is Made for a Divided America

Previously of “Revenge” and Broadway, English actor Barry Sloane breaks down his Joe “Bear” Graves on History’s “Six” and the grueling physical and emotional training that went into the role.

The Continued Education of Viola Davis and Denzel Washington

Entering the awards season race with their finest work yet in “Fences,” the stage-to-screen adaptation of August Wilson’s classic play, Washington and Davis have one thing on their mind: craft.

All 46 of Backstage’s 2016 Covers in 1 Place!

From the well-established Judith Light, Forest Whitaker, and Carol Burnett, to breakouts Sterling K. Brown, Abbi Jacobson, and Naomie Harris, some of the year’s biggest film, television, and theater talents have offered our readers their top acting tips. Here’s the complete list of all the working actors who ...

Why Annette Bening Uses ‘Talismans’ in Her Character Work

The four-time Oscar nominee discusses the items she used to craft her character in “20th Century Women,” playing a role based on Mike Mills’ mother, and still getting nervous before beginning a new film.

Alfonso Herrera on Finding Your Character’s Intention

Alfonso Herrera, star of Fox’s “The Exorcist,” talks approaching scripts, his telenovela roots, and his philosophy on acting.

The Art of Seizing Opportunity

“Hairspray Live!” star Derek Hough tells Backstage readers how he answered the bell when luck came along, the current state of dance in the performing arts world, and how he’s protecting his future career.

Emma Stone Speaks on the Movie Musical of the Decade

The “La La Land” star never thought she’d be doing a film musical after deciding to focus exclusively on acting. She talks to Backstage about what convinced her to take the role of Mia, her early career, and how TED Talks influence her perceptions of the business.

‘Moonlight’ Star Naomie Harris Has the Answers Actors Need

Naomie Harris is getting major awards buzz for her performance as a crack-addicted mother in Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight.” This is how she did it.