Olivia Oguma (she/her): is an NYC based actress whose credits include – Broadway: Yellow Face, Mamma Mia!, A Christmas Carol, Les Miserables, Disney’s High School Musical (1st National). Off-Broadway: Letters of Suresh (Second Stage), Addressless (Rattlestick), Hello From… (Playwrights Realm), Luce (LCT3) Emotional Creature (Signature), The Imaginary Cuckold (Moliere in the Park), BFE (Playwrights Horizons), The Dispute (NAATCO). Regional: Vietgone (Cincinnati Playhouse), Brightest Thing in the World (Yale Rep), Miss You Like Hell (LaJolla Playhouse), Emotional Creature (Berkeley Rep), Snow Falling on Cedars (Portland CenterStage), Spelling Bee..(Philadelphia Theater Co & Papermill Playhouse) HAIR (Two River Theater), Miss Saigon (NCTheater). Film & TV: This is Where I Leave You, Strangers with Candy, Like Father, “Instinct”, “FBI” “Odd Mom Out”, “Younger”,“Law & Order”, “The Good Wife” “The Big C,” “Great News”, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”. Olivia is the co creator/writer/host of DisOrientalism, an Asian American variety show which has a residency at Joe’s Pub. Olivia is on faculty at A CLASS ACT studios in NYC and has also been on faculty at Abron Art's Center. She has guest taught at the POLK County High Schools in Florida, Random Farm Kids, Hoboken Dance Academy and Broadway Training Camps of Sonoma, to name a few.
Business of Acting with Olivia Oguma
Begins January 26th
Ready to level up in your acting career? This course gives actors the insider knowledge and practical tools to navigate the professional worlds of theatre, film, and television with confidence. You’ll learn how the business really works—what casting directors, agents, and producers are looking for—and how to position yourself for success in an ever-evolving industry.
Each week, we’ll dive into a new aspect of the actor’s professional toolkit: crafting the perfect headshot and résumé, preparing standout audition materials, understanding type and branding, getting an agent, joining unions, and making the most of your training and experience. The class will be tailored to the unique goals of each student, creating space for personalized guidance and real-world Q&A.
By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to market yourself, navigate opportunities across mediums, and confidently take your next step from the stage to the screen.
WHEN and HOW: This collaboration will run for six weeks meeting on Zoom.
DATES: Six Mondays beginning January 26th at 7pm EST/4pm PST.
1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2
Classes run Mondays 7-10pm EST/4-7pm PST
COST: $300-500 (sliding scale—please read below)
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Suggested Cost:
To create intentional space and support for BIPOC attendees, we ask that you pay in light of your financial privileges and with a JEDI spirit (!)
Here are a few guidelines:
$500 – you have reliable sources of food, shelter, and transportation; are employed or financially secure; have regular access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally at your discretion (e.g. enjoy a concert, new clothes, a great meal). Paying the full amount also means you are able to support a BIPOC actor with limited resources who would like to join this course.
$400– you have debt that sometimes compromises stability with food, shelter, and/or transportation; are employed; have some access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally.
$300 – you are under- or unemployed and/or for other reasons (e.g. healthcare, shelter expenses), you have very limited resources.
Contact us anya@weareurbanhaiku.com if you cannot afford to pay full price but would like to discuss payment plans, work-exchange/trade opportunities, or other options.