To get a Broadway acting role, aspiring actors should join the Actors Equity Association and take acting classes. Along with a resume, they should also submit a musical demonstration reel.
When creating a musical theatre reel, actor Tim Grady offers several tips and tricks. A strong musical performance is essential for a demo reel. Moreover, it is essential to bring a headshot to auditions. Here are some tips to make it stand out.
Joining Actor’s Equity Association
If you are interested in becoming a Broadway actor, you should join Actor’s Equity Association (AEA). This is a U.S. labour union that represents 49,000 actors. The purpose of the AEA is to protect the rights of artists and protect them from poor working conditions. By becoming a member, you will receive many benefits and be protected from unfair industry practices.
The AEA’s monopoly on union rights has been controversial. Its founding president, Kate Shindle, criticized the association’s model of making employers the gatekeepers of membership. The result is an unfair, systemic ostracizing of marginalized artists in the entertainment industry. The AEA has a disproportionately white membership, which further perpetuates the exclusion of artists from the entertainment industry.
To become a member of Actor’s Equity, you must have a history of acting in the United States. This means that you must have worked at a minimum of 50 weeks in a theatre in order to qualify for membership. Moreover, the AEA membership is contingent on having worked at least three days as an extra in a production. You may find the audition dates at the Actor’s Equity website or a website such as Answers4Dancers.
Taking acting classes
If you’ve always dreamed of acting on Broadway, take acting classes. Acting classes give you the tools to become an effective actor. You’ll learn the right ways to approach a casting panel, how to prepare a monologue, and how to behave appropriately at auditions. But you shouldn’t only focus on the stage. There are other opportunities to get a taste of the industry on TV or film. By taking acting classes, you can get an insight into other types of shows, including television and film.
While an acting diploma isn’t necessary to book acting jobs, it does help. If you’d like to move on to other career fields, take film editing or digital video certifications. But remember, you need to choose the right kind of certificate, depending on the kind of acting you want to do. You can also find monologues for auditions on a website that provides monologues for auditions. And, if you’re an actor, join a union for actors. Its membership benefits members with a living wage, medical insurance, housing, and financial assistance.
Bringing a headshot to auditions
When you go to an audition, be sure to bring a headshot. While it may be tempting to submit one that depicts you in general, this is not a good idea. Instead, choose a headshot that will best portray your unique qualities, and bring it to every audition. Casting directors rarely ask for physical headshots anymore. However, many professional actors choose to bring a headshot with them to the auditions.
When you bring a headshot to your audition, remember to include your resume on the back as well. Make sure to cut off excess paper, as it can get in the way of your headshot. A good printing company will be able to walk you through the entire process and let you see a proof before you pay for it. When you arrive to the audition, bring a professionally formatted resume, and a headshot that shows your style.
Getting rejected for a Broadway role
Getting rejected for a Broadway role can be a humbling experience. While many rejections have nothing to do with the actor, some directors will have their own reasons for a decision. For instance, they might not have liked your style, looks, or material. In such a case, you can take the role seriously and work hard for it. You never know when you might get a second chance!
But don’t be discouraged. While rejection is a normal part of the audition process, it’s also normal to feel anxiety when you are rejected for a role. If you’re an established artist, you might experience some level of anxiety as the selection process moves forward. Often, actors attempt to protect themselves by telling themselves that they’ll never get a role, but this is not as effective as it may sound.
Henry Lawson is an experienced arts journalist specializing in music, film, and text-based art forms. His work centers on providing thoughtful analysis, artist interviews, and in-depth features that celebrate innovation and creativity across diverse mediums.