Onstage and Off, Whitney White Is Everywhere This Spring
During the song 'Reach for It,' White, who plays a version of Lady Macbeth, took the lead. 'Power's not supposed to look like me,' she sang into a microphone.
Maybe it should.
A multidisciplinary artist with an unusual number of hyphens, White, 39, is an actor, a musician, a writer for theater and television (the Amazon series 'I'm a Virgo') and an increasingly in-demand, Tony-nominated stage director. Her current projects, White observed during a rehearsal break, are all about ambitious women. 'I'm weirdly one of them,' she said.
White grew up in Chicago, in a one-bedroom apartment with her working single mother. Her first exposure to theater was at her grandfather's church, the Apostolic Church of God, which boasted a 50-person choir. A visit to Cirque du Soleil was another formative experience.
At Northwestern, White took theater classes, but she found the scene there cliquey, exclusionary, so she majored in political science instead. While interning for Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2008, she realized that she had to be an artist after all.
'There's nothing else that I can really wholeheartedly do with myself,' she said. With Nygel D. Robinson at the piano, the cast of 'Macbeth in Stride' in rehearsal, from left: Charlie Thurston, White, Holli' Conway, Phoenix Best and Ciara Alyse Harris. Credit... Elias Williams for The New York Times
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Los Angeles Times
9 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
This book teaches you how to break into Hollywood
This week, we are chatting with Ada Tseng and Jon Healey about their new book, 'Breaking Into New Hollywood.' We also take a look at what our critics read, and visit a bookstore that has become a social beehive in Culver City. The entertainment industry is experiencing a massive transformation, as traditional jobs are vanishing and artificial intelligence increasingly upends the way media is created. Thankfully, former L.A. Times editors Ada Tseng and Jon Healey are here to help. The duo, with extensive experience covering show business, have written a new book for anyone who's ever dreamed of working in Hollywood. Tseng and Healey interviewed hundreds of insiders who work in front of and behind the camera to provide a thorough look at how to break in, and what it's like when you do find that dream job. I sat down with authors to discuss 'Breaking Into New Hollywood.' (Please note: The Times may earn a commission through links to whose fees support independent bookstores.) This is the most comprehensive how-to guide for Hollywood careers I've ever read. Where did the impetus for the book come from? Ada: The book started as a Hollywood careers series at the Los Angeles Times, when Jon and I were editors on a team that specialized in writing guides and explainers. As we were thinking about how to be useful to L.A. Times readers, I pitched a project to help people who were interested in getting a job in Hollywood. A lot of people come to L.A. starry-eyed with big dreams, but the film and TV industry can be pretty brutal. As journalists, we're Hollywood outsiders, but we had access to hundreds of professionals who were generous enough to share what they wished they knew when they were starting out. We see it like this: On behalf of the people who don't have connections in the industry, we cold-emailed people, asked for informational interviews, picked their brains, listened to stories of what they did to build a career — and did our best to consolidate their most practical pieces of advice into an actionable guide. Jon: A lot of folks I interviewed had similar origin stories in this respect: They knew that they wanted to work in the industry in some capacity, but they didn't know what exactly they could do. So it made sense to do a book for that sort of person — a guide that would show an array of possible career paths to people who didn't know what role they wanted to fill. I feel like 'How to Break into the Business' books in the past have tended to focus on positive outcomes rather than the struggle. Did you want to temper expectations, or at least make sure people think things through very thoroughly before jumping in? Ada: We just wanted to be honest. The glamorous fantasy of Hollywood is so intoxicating. But if you're going to work in the industry, you need to navigate the day-to-day reality of it. I don't think we were trying to encourage or discourage anyone. I'd hope that some people would read the chapters and think, 'This seems doable, and now I can make a plan,' while others would read it and think, 'If I'm honest with myself, I'm someone who needs more stability in my life.' Because it's not just a career choice. It's a lifestyle choice. Jon: Right, this was about expectation-setting and reality-checking. The very first interviews I did in this project were of Foley artists. An expert I interviewed said there were 40 to 50 established Foley practitioners in the U.S., and 100 to 200 folks trying to get into the field. That's a very tough nut to crack. Then there are the Hollywood unions, which present a catch-22 to anyone trying to join their ranks — they have to do a certain number of hours in jobs covered by union contracts, but union members get first crack at all those gigs. Your book also covers jobs above and below the line. I think many people don't even realize how many different career opportunities exist. Ada: There are two things we heard over and over again. People would say, 'It's incredibly important to understand what all the different departments do.' And they'd also say, 'So many people — even our own colleagues in the industry — don't understand what we do.' So we wanted to encourage newcomers to learn about all different types of jobs in Hollywood and how they work together. Jon: Talking about the emotional components is about setting expectations too. The vast majority of people who work in Hollywood, from A-list actors to entry-level grips, are freelancers. 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Emma Sloley's novel 'The Island of Last Things' envisions a future where animal life, and then entire ecosystems, are wiped out, but Ilana Masad writes that Sloley also highlights 'the small moments of beauty, joy and care that emerge even during … horrible times.' And Paula L. Woods has a chat with master thriller novelist Karin Slaughter about her new book, 'We Are All Guilty Here,' and TV series. Four years after it opened its doors to the public, Village Well Books & Coffee has become a community locus in its Culver City neighborhood. Owner Jennifer Caspar has created a vibrant space with a full-service cafe, allowing her customers to linger for as long as they please while perusing Caspar's ample and well-curated selection of new books. I chatted with Caspar about her store and what's selling right now. Why did you open the store? I wanted a place where people can facilitate connections with others, because I think that's what people need. Everyone is so overwhelmed by their phones and technology, and we tend to take the easy path, which is to not get out and see people. What's selling right now? 'Atmosphere,' Taylor Jenkins Reid; 'Martyr,' Kaveh Akbar; 'The Emperor of Gladness,' Ocean Vuong; 'All Fours,' Miranda July. There's been a real increase in books about activism and the Middle East situation. We're launching an activism book club here, starting with 'Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next)' by Dean Spade. It will be interesting to see who comes out for that. Why books now? Why not the Substack, social media, etc.? Books are an antidote to the constant distractions in our lives. People need to connect offline, and books give us a chance to settle down and focus. Studies show that what we learn from books stays with us longer. You can read a Kindle, and I do, but there is something about sitting down with words on paper. For me, it's great physical therapy for my emotional state. 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Business Insider
15 hours ago
- Business Insider
Successful men say they can't start their mornings without exercise. Their essentials include lots of Nike gear and ChatGPT.
No matter the industries they work in, successful men like to start their days with workouts. While exercising, many of them opt for Nike clothes and accessories, as they told Business Insider. Some also use technology like ChatGPT and Whoop wristbands to enhance their regimens. Mark Wahlberg works out in gym sneakers that he designed. Lenny Kravitz opts for leather pants while lifting. The rest of us stick with Nike shoes and Lululemon shorts. That includes successful men across tech, finance, and other industries, who told Business Insider that they can't start their days without exercise. Here's a look at their gym essentials, from popular clothes to expensive tech. Antonio White, 38, uses technology to his advantage while exercising. White is the founder of 480 Advisors, an executive brand development agency. He previously worked as a deputy assistant secretary of community engagement at the US Treasury Department. Most days, he wakes up around 5 a.m. and makes time for a morning workout. With the help of ChatGPT, he combines strength training, walking, and yoga. "People may laugh at it, but it gives me an opportunity to track my progress," White told Business Insider. "Instead of using a notebook like most people who go to the gym, I log it right into ChatGPT. I look at it as a virtual personal trainer." He pays $20 a month for a subscription to the app and said he mainly uses it at the gym. He also uses YouTube for free workout videos. "I finish my workouts with a core exercise," he said. "I usually find an influencer on YouTube who has a 10-minute video, and I'll put it on my phone and prop it up on a stand in the corner of the gym." While working out, he wears a mix of Converse and Nike pieces. White said he typically pairs an old concert T-shirt with $55 mesh Nike shorts to exercise. "It's so basic, but I love Nike. It's my absolute favorite," he said. "The message of victory really appeals to me." He also wears various Nike sneakers for some exercises, but swaps them out during strength training. He prefers Converse's $110 Run Star Hike platform sneakers. "The shoes have made a big difference in my strength development," he said. White uses Nike's $70 Elite Pro Basketball backpack to carry his sneaker options and other gear. Bobby Mollins, 35, is loyal to Lululemon. Mollins, a former Business Insider rising star in equity research, is the director of internet research at Gordon Haskett. He exercises six days a week with routines that include stretching, cycling, strength training, and running. No matter the exercise, though, he sports $78 Lululemon Metal Vent Tech T-shirts. He said they're more comfortable than any he's tried from competitors like Adidas and Ten Thousand. For shorts, he alternates between two Lululemon options: the $78 lined Pace Breaker shorts for the gym and cycling, and the $68 unlined Pace Breaker shorts for running. "I like the fit and various length options," Mollins said of the bottoms. "The lined shorts have a phone pocket, which keeps my phone from bouncing around, and it's also useful when walking my dog at night." His exercise accessories include sunglasses, sneakers, and a running vest. Mollins recently relocated to Miami, which led to some changes in his exercise gear. Namely, he added the $145 Salomon vest. "I never had to use a hydration vest while living in New York City or Boston," he said. "But with the heat and humidity in Miami, the vest makes marathon training a little bit easier — especially on 20-mile days." His $210 SR-1x glasses from Roka have become another staple. He said the shades are ideal for running and cycling, as they don't need much adjusting while on the move. He also appreciates the brand's customization options on its website. Mollins uses a Peloton bike and a Garmin watch to guide and track his exercise. Mollins often cycles on his $4,499 SuperSix EVO 3 bike. However, he prefers not to use it when it's icy in New York or on sandy roads in Miami. That's where his $1,445 Peloton bike comes in. The device allows him to cycle indoors, while the companion app provides guided workouts. "I use it all the time," he said of the latter, noting that he has a 129-week streak. "I frequently take stretching and yoga classes, and have done a lot of the meditations offered." Additionally, Mollins likes to wear Garmin's $599 Forerunner 965 watch during all exercises. He uses it to track his workouts, heart rate, sleep, and more. Samuel Garcia, 31, said he hasn't looked back after trying Hoka sneakers. Samuel Garcia was named a Business Insider rising star of venture capital last year for his work as a partner at Amplo. The first thing he prioritizes each morning is aerobic exercise, like biking, swimming, using an elliptical, or running. If doing the latter, he always wears a $30 Nike Dri-Fit top. "I'm typically running five or six miles, and normal cotton shirts feel like they sometimes rub my skin raw," he said. "My Nike shirts have been pretty gentle on the skin, so I've appreciated that." Another exercise essential he swears by is the $155 Clifton 10 Hoka sneaker. A doctor recommended the shoes to Garcia after he broke a toe, and he's been "extremely loyal" to the brand ever since. "It was the first time I'd had a doctor recommend me any type of shoe, and I haven't had any issues since," he said. "I tried walking in other shoes and it was decently painful. But when I put the Hokas on, I felt little to no pain. So now I've been wearing them for years, kind of religiously." Brannon Jones, 31, pairs his Lululemon athletic clothes with wearable tech. Brannon Jones, another Business Insider rising star of venture capital, works at AlleyCorp. He usually wakes up around 5:15 a.m. and hits the gym by 6:30 a.m. While there, he opts for high-intensity training that he's modified from his college football days — or he takes a CrossFit class. "Even though I lift a lot, I like to wear a lot of running gear. I find that it's very light and I feel super mobile," he said, adding that Lululemon makes his favorite shorts and tank tops. He also brings his Hydro Flask water bottle (with a $13 Wide Mouth Flex Chug Cap) to each workout, and wears his Whoop wristband and Apple Watch. "The Apple Watch is so functional for workouts," he said. "You can time yourself, see your heart rate, all of that. The Whoop goes a little bit deeper in terms of helping me understand my longer-term strain and recovery." Chase Dwyer, 28, prefers to keep his gym outfits simple. Chase Dwyer founded Carbon Ridge, a company that develops carbon capture technology for the maritime shipping industry. Speaking with Business Insider, he said fitness is a core part of his morning routine. Whether cycling, running, or visiting the gym, he often wears a $58 Tuvalu tee from Vuori with $75 Nike Dri-Fit shorts. "It's simple," he said of his gym wardrobe. "Generally, when it comes to what I wear these days, I've reverted to things that take as little time as possible to think about, but still match my style and look good." He also said he's "run through a number" of $220 4T2 weekdays sneakers, and carries any extra supplies — like his black Owala water bottle — in his $219 Db Journey backpack. Modi Oyewole, 38, swears by Nike. Modi Oyewole has spent his career working for athletic brands and record labels. Now, though, he's the founder of the golf community Swang. He works out multiple times each week, spending three days with a trainer and using ClassPass options in between. He told Business Insider that he wears a lot of Lululemon while exercising, but is an even bigger fan of Nike. He uses an oversize tote from the brand to carry his protein shake, water, and Crocs, and he wears Nike Metcons, which range between $155 and $175 per pair.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Tristan Rogers, who played dashing spy Robert Scorpio in 'General Hospital,' dies at 79
Tristan Rogers, the Australian actor behind the magnetic Robert Scorpio on 'General Hospital,' died Friday after a battle with lung cancer, according to his manager. He was 79. In an email to The Times, Rogers' manager Meryl Soodak said his client was 'a family man' who is survived by his wife, two children and a grandson. '[He was] loyal, kind and loved his role of Scorpio,' Soodak said. Rogers' signature commanding voice and poised bravado made Scorpio a fan favorite on the long-running soap opera, and became his most recognizable role. As the enemy-turned-close-friend of star character Luke Spencer (played by Anthony Geary), Rogers appeared in some of the most memorable moments of the show's run. Read more: 10 long-running soap operas In November 1981, Scorpio stood by as Luke and fellow star character Laura wed in front of 30 million viewers, still the highest-rated hour in American soap opera history. In true soap opera fashion, Scorpio would allegedly die a dramatic and fiery death in an explosion in South America in 1992, only to return alive for a short stint in 2006. Through every iteration of his "General Hospital" career, Rogers embraced Scorpio's status as an '80s TV icon. "I think this character will follow me to my grave," Rogers told the New York Times in 2006. Read more: Crying shame for fans of soaps Rogers was born June 3, 1946, in Melbourne, Australia. Out of high school, he played in a rock band with friends and began taking up modeling roles, he recalled in an interview. For 'extra money,' he acted in small TV and soap opera roles in Australia in the late '60s and '70s, including stints in the shows 'Bellbird,' 'Number 96' and 'The Box.' Early in his career, his Australian accent deterred casting directors from booking him for American shows, Rogers recalled in a 2022 interview. However, in 1980, he found himself auditioning for what was supposed to be a small, single-episode role on "General Hospital." This caught the eye of Gloria Monty, the show's visionary producer, who asked Rogers to stay on as a recurring character. Rogers was key to shaping the character of Scorpio, from his name to his risk-taking bravery, on what would eventually become the longest-running daytime soap opera in American television history, according to Guinness World Records. Read more: Reviving canceled ABC soap operas becomes a real-life drama 'I started in earnest, I had a feeling that I had done something right. I had evolved into the character. [Scorpio] took everyone by surprise, he looked different, he sounded different, he conducted himself in a different way and the public latched onto this right away. And so all of a sudden, away we went,' Rogers said in a radio interview earlier this year. While the show was set in a New York hospital, the late 80s saw it shift focus into an action adventure storyline that heavily featured Scorpio as an agent of the fictional World Security Bureau, or WSB. Broadcaster ABC notes that the change kept the attention of viewers and contributed to the continuation of the show's success, as spies and agents created complex and popular mystery storylines within the "General Hospital" universe. According to the New York Times, the second week after Rogers' character was revived in 2006, 'General Hospital' was the No. 1 daytime drama among young women, drawing larger-than-average audiences back to the show. Rogers also acted in the series "The Young and the Restless," "The Bay," and "Studio City," as well as voice-acting in the Disney animated film "The Rescuers Down Under." Genie Francis, who played Laura Spencer in 'General Hospital,' said of Rogers on X, 'My heart is heavy. Goodbye my spectacular friend. My deepest condolences to his wife Teresa and their children. Tristan Rogers was a very bright light, as an actor and a person. I was so lucky to have known him.' Kin Shriner, also an actor on the show, added in a video posted on X, 'I met Tristan 44 years ago at the Luke and Laura wedding. We were stashed in a trailer and I was taken by his Australian charm. Over the years we've worked together … we always had fun. I will miss Tristan very much.' In one of his last interviews, Rogers reflected on the joy of his acting career. 'I've had a good time of it,' he said. Sign up for Screen Gab, a free newsletter about the TV and movies everyone's talking about from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Solve the daily Crossword
