Showcase Season

In previous blogs I have discussed how to pick the right material and how to make a showcase experience as valuable as possible. I am currently mid-way through what is known in the business as 'showcase season'. This is the time of year when every conservatory, MFA, BFA acting and musical theater program bring their graduating classes to New York and invite industry professionals to attend their showcase of the new talent.

If you are currently looking into an acting school or program and trying to decide where to apply, looking at what showcase the school offers it's graduates is a very good place to start. Graduates from respected acting programs may not have any resume to speak of outside their school experience, but industry professionals like talent agents and casting directors will respect your training. If you don't get a showcase, you will graduate without the advantage of industry seeing your work.

If you are just graduating from a program and have a showcase coming up- congratulations!
*All industry will sign in at a showcase and receive a packet of information from the school about the students showcasing. Sometimes this includes headshot/resumes and sometimes it does not. All schools include a form to request additional information on students a casting director or agent  wants to call you in for an interview or audition. 

*Have Professional headshots done and organize your resume before the showcase. A great shot and a good resume will help you stand out, and sends the message "I am ready to work TODAY".

*Your email and your phone number should be ones that you will be using for a few years- as a casting director I may not call you until I think of something you would be good in. That could be a year down the line. 

*After a showcase there is often a reception where industry nibbles on some cheese/crackers and beverages. This is meant to help the students and the audience mingle post show. This is not my favorite part. Mostly I want to have a quick bite and go, because I'm not looking to sign anyone. Agents, however, probably want to chat to you, get a handle on your personality- see if you are a fit for their office. Go in with a few conversation ideas, and an exit strategy. Not everyone will want to talk to you. Agents and managers can be strange folk! I get it, it can feel strange to network in a room full of people that just saw you perform- but welcome to your new profession. This is something you have to get used to.

*If you have ever read my blog before I have emphasized that you should ALWAYS follow up with a thank you note. Email is fine, but I personally think a note is better. For Showcase season the most successful thank-yous are the ones that include what school you are from and what scene or song you performed. I see a lot of showcases and a little memory jog goes a long way!

*Do not be offended if you don't hear anything straight away. There are a lot of showcases happening right now. You may not get a phone call from an agent for a while- follow up with agents and managers that attended that you would like to work with. (again, if you have read my blog before I advocate RESEARCH!)