Years ago, When I first graduated from acting school I paid to be in an acting showcase.
I
was fresh from conservatory and a director I had worked with was the
organizer, so I assumed it was good. Part of the package was working on
the scene with the director for a certain amount of hours and 3
performances. It was not cheap to be in it!! Overall I enjoyed the
experience, and got some good feedback from the scene I had selected,
but ultimately I didn't get what I wanted from it- auditions or work!
This was not the showcase nor was it the director I worked with; I just
had different expectations from the showcase than what it would really
be able to deliver.
When do Casting Directors and Talent Agents attend showcases?
Agents and Casting Directors get A LOT of showcase invitations. Our time is precious and as a consequence, the showcases that we are likely to attend are the school programs.
Showcase season for the MFA and conservatory programs start around February/March time every year. If there course has more than one showcase, i.e. work throughout the year that is open to the public, Casting Directors are likely to attend just one showcase from the school per year. Basically, we want to see the talent, get the package with your headshot/resumes, take notes on you, and keep you in mind for projects.
Talent Agents want to sign the best talent, first. So, for the most respected schools and courses (think Julliard, Yale School of Drama etc) they will send their assistants or attend themselves to try to spot the talent with the most potential and sign them first. They will attend shows for schools multiple times in the year.
I'm not at school, what can i do?
A great way to meet agents and casting directors is to take their classes and seminars. I know why you might be cautious about that, and you should be, but take classes at the reputable places like The Network, One on One Studios or Actors Connection to name a few.
Court relationships with agents and casting directors that you would actually want to work with. Trust me- just because they are talent agents does not mean you should sign with them, and not all casting directors will respond to your brand. For example, I work primarily in Theater casting right now, I am not interested in meeting models.
How should I try to attract Casting Directors and talent agents to attend my showcase?
Establishing a relationship with an agent or casting director and cultivating it is key. Do you have a director or producer that you have both worked for? Would they be a reference for you?
What are they expecting?
Professionalism. Simple as that. You to feel and look like a professional ready to be hired. That you can carry their play or film of tv series. Be Smart. Invite professionals to professional work only.
I know Casting Directors and Talent Agents attended- What should I do next?
Keep in touch! Send a thank you note! A smart way to build a relationship with casting director that doesn't know your work is to offer to be a reader.
Agents and Casting Directors get A LOT of showcase invitations. Our time is precious and as a consequence, the showcases that we are likely to attend are the school programs.
Showcase season for the MFA and conservatory programs start around February/March time every year. If there course has more than one showcase, i.e. work throughout the year that is open to the public, Casting Directors are likely to attend just one showcase from the school per year. Basically, we want to see the talent, get the package with your headshot/resumes, take notes on you, and keep you in mind for projects.
Talent Agents want to sign the best talent, first. So, for the most respected schools and courses (think Julliard, Yale School of Drama etc) they will send their assistants or attend themselves to try to spot the talent with the most potential and sign them first. They will attend shows for schools multiple times in the year.
I'm not at school, what can i do?
A great way to meet agents and casting directors is to take their classes and seminars. I know why you might be cautious about that, and you should be, but take classes at the reputable places like The Network, One on One Studios or Actors Connection to name a few.
Court relationships with agents and casting directors that you would actually want to work with. Trust me- just because they are talent agents does not mean you should sign with them, and not all casting directors will respond to your brand. For example, I work primarily in Theater casting right now, I am not interested in meeting models.
How should I try to attract Casting Directors and talent agents to attend my showcase?
Establishing a relationship with an agent or casting director and cultivating it is key. Do you have a director or producer that you have both worked for? Would they be a reference for you?
What are they expecting?
Professionalism. Simple as that. You to feel and look like a professional ready to be hired. That you can carry their play or film of tv series. Be Smart. Invite professionals to professional work only.
I know Casting Directors and Talent Agents attended- What should I do next?
Keep in touch! Send a thank you note! A smart way to build a relationship with casting director that doesn't know your work is to offer to be a reader.
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