EPS 37: Laura Niemi on Theater, Audition Craft, Reinvention, and Building a Long Acting Career

We are thrilled to welcome long time SKS’er Laura Niemi. With over 60 IMDB credits, and an extensive background in theatre (The Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Rep, The Taper just to name a few) – she knows what it takes to put in the work and navigate this wild industry. From Laura’s theater roots where she created her own theater company to her recurring role on NBC’s This is Us, they dive into every aspect of Laura’s acting journey. Laura talks about how theater strengthened her craft, her reps and rehearsal process, the value of community, rehearsal partners, and the belief that there’s no single “right” way to play a role. Laura also reflects on how pivotal Stan and SKS was in her life, and how at every turn she was able to pivot and pave her own way forward through the connections she established throughout her lifelong career.

00:00 Old Friends Reconnect
00:21 Glass Menagerie Breakthrough
01:02 Theater Pay Reality Check
01:47 Cracking Big Stages
03:00 Why Plays Level You Up
05:03 Rehearsal Builds Chemistry
06:43 Rehearsal Friendships
09:06 No One Right Take
11:12 Finding Stan’s Studio
14:17 Safe Space Culture
15:36 Audition Prep That Books
20:59 Staying Inspired Today
22:43 Hobbies Fuel The Work
25:02 Branding and Typecasting
27:40 Reinventing Through Creating
30:20 Writing Your Own Series
31:08 Stop Overbranding Yourself
32:00 Utility Actor Mindset
33:25 Stars vs Theater Casting
35:10 Frustration Into Action
38:28 This Is Us Audition Journey
42:42 Chemistry and Method Choices
45:33 Betting on Yourself
47:24 Red Carpet Reps Practice
52:20 Finding the Right Reps
55:33 Choosing Reps Authentically
59:39 Stan Legacy Farewell