Writer-actors always make for insightful interviews, but that’s particularly true for Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, who write, produce, edit, and star as middle school–aged versions of themselves on Hulu’s Emmy-nominated cringe comedy “Pen15.” Together they shed light on their “creative ESP” as collaborators, their distinct page-to-screen process alongside director Sam Zvibleman, and how to overcome the self-doubt inherent in a Hollywood career—especially for women onscreen. “I have permission to be free and wild and sort of unapologetic,” says Maya of playing a 13-year-old. Anna agrees: “I’m so grateful that we got the opportunity to just be characters with zero sex appeal. Zero!”

After meeting at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Maya and Anna set out to create their own opportunities in the biz, starting with the web series “Project Reality.” Maya also stars in ""Plus One,"" “Betas,” “Casual,” “Wine Country,” and the upcoming “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” while Anna has appeared in “Rosewood,” “Baskets,” and “Together Together.” Read more about the Gotham Award–winning “Pen15,” which will continue its second season this fall, here: https://bit.ly/3wVEqR0

And in this week’s Backstage casting insider segment, Christine McKenna-Tirella addresses a frequently asked question: How does one pursue a career in casting?
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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

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Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis