#363 From the Stage to the Screen: Niki J. Borger on Storytelling, Resilience, and NFTease

In this episode, Roy sits down with award-winning actor, writer, and producer Niki J. Borger, creator and star of the upcoming sitcom NFTease. Niki traces her path from growing up in Germany with only 10% depth perception, to becoming a musical theatre performer, to transitioning into Hollywood film and eventually producing her own work — including a five-minute short film shot for $367 on two iPhones that went on to earn 20 festival selections, 7 nominations, and 4 awards. As a performer who’s worked everything from musical theatre stages to documentary theatre in active conflict zones, Niki speaks candidly about the craft behind holding an audience, adapting to wildly different performance environments, and turning setbacks into her strongest material. They dig into NFTease itself: the premise of three insecure NFT-startup founders forced to partner with a group of ”influencers” who turn out to be something else entirely, and the investor structure behind it. Niki also opens up about the realities of the acting industry — vanishing residuals, non-union commercial rates, and her strong stance on AI, consent, and protecting an artist’s likeness — before closing with a full cast rundown for the show’s eight core characters.