# HOW TO: Self-Start as an Actor (w/ Natalie Ortega)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-50-50-podcast-7299121/how-to-self-start-as-an-actor-w-natalie-ortega
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-50-50-podcast-7299121/how-to-self-start-as-an-actor-w-natalie-ortega.md
Podcast: [The 50/50 Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-50-50-podcast-7299121)
Published: 2026-03-17T14:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://the-5050-podcast.castos.com/episodes/how-to-w-natalie-ortega
Audio file: https://episodes.castos.com/67e9c4924ee350-83326482/2397682/c1e-5w5k1b7md6dhn2xgr-dm1gzd9ph4jk-sljffd.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-50-50-podcast-7299121/episodes/how-to-self-start-as-an-actor-w-natalie-ortega
Duration seconds: 4338

## Resource

This week, we sit down with actor/comedian Natalie Ortega to talk about carving out your own lane in an industry that rarely hands you one. Natalie shares how she found her niche in musical comedy (and why it’s not just because the bar is low), her complicated relationship with stand-up, and why she believes actors shouldn’t sit around waiting for the next audition. We get into her time performing in Wicked on Broadway — including the unspoken rules of the Broadway social scene — and what she learned on set alongside Brett Goldstein and J.Lo, where stand-up unexpectedly became her greatest asset. Natalie also opens up about her evolving relationship with agents and managers, and how taking initiative in your own career changes everything: do more for yourself, and your reps will too. Plus, we dive into her creative partnership with Cam Gavinski on PARTNERS, what’s next for the project, and some exciting TV development news on the horizon. NATALIE'S INSTA (Watch PARTNERS HERE TOO!) Submit Your Comedy Short

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## Transcript

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