Austin Hayden:
Austin is an actor, writer, producer, and director. Born in LA, he has been part of the entertainment industry, in one form or another, the majority of his life. But it wasn't until a detour through the world of philosophy that his love for this artform truly began to blossom. Through obtaining a PhD in philosophy and art, the value of, and depth of meaning in, performance as the most fundamental expression of storytelling has enflamed a passion for acting that has the capacity to enrich society as we tell the stories about ourselves that matter most. The pursuit of truth and beauty are what drive this approach, and what has brought him to the AMAW community.
Austin has performed in numerous theatre, TV, film, commercial, and online projects over the decades. He is the former host of the number #1 film podcast in America, Wisecrack's "Show Me the Meaning" (RIP), and has recently started a new film podcast project called "Cinemythology." He has conceived, packaged, and sold TV shows and films as a producer, with his most recent feature Inventing the Future having been heralded as one of the best experimental/avant-garde films of the decade. Bringing all of this together into an artistic stew, Austin relishes the opportunity to foster an environment where the actor can explore and create without fear of judgment. The world outside the halls of the studio is harsh and judgmental; but inside we are building joyous, infectious, and transformative story. Come play!