#113: Dear Julie… auditions w/o agent?
DEAR JULIE… How can I get worthwhile auditions without an agent?
I got this question this week and thought it was EXCELLENT. I have a few things to share which hopefully will be helpful!
You have to decide what “worthwhile” means to you. For me, it has to hit at least 2 of 3 “F’s”. Financial, Fit, and Feel. Financial = it’s good money and i can afford to not be home (this is an important one even moreso now that i have a space). Fit = it’s a show/role thats good for me and will be cast in again, the theatre is a theatre i want to work at, it will do something for me as a performer - like low pay but new work or new composer/director i want to work with, or just a timing fit etc. Feel = the vibe is right! It’s all adding up! Good communication with team, good pay, overall the feel is strong.
BUT before you can decide on if the job is worthwhile, you have to be in the game. That may mean showing up to auditions that you don’t even want or are right for just to get seen and get your face out there. Here are some ways to do that:
You have to go auditions whenever possible. Now, i don’t mean make yourself nuts. I’m never going to dancer calls, you know? And I’m not going to an audition for certain shows that i’m not good for. But you have to be recognizable by casting teams. Ideally, they’ll start to know you by name just for auditioning. The more you are in front of teams the more likely it is that they will start to call you in every time you show up STRONG! Appointments come from the files. PLUS, casting directors want to put GOOD PEOPLE in front of the decision makers… good auditioners who they can count on to deliver a good audition will get remembered and called in.
Check the boards regularly. Don’t check at 10am because thats when the theatre people get to work. Check AEA at 11:45 of course if in the union, check playbill after 12/1pm, check actors access after 12 as well.
You need to be find-able. Socials are free and you should use them, if you want, to put up videos of you doing what you do. Casting directors need to be able to find you!
Have a website. Now, this has a cost and upkeep, but it is a cost of doing business. If you aren’t a celebrity, you simply need a website. It has to have your name, your resume, links to video and photos, contact info (not just a “contact me” box… email and phone easily findable). Pay a college grad or student a few hundred dollars to create it for you and show you how to navigate it in the future to update. If you can make a larger investment, hire a designer to help you out. YOU ALSO CONTROL a website. You don’t control google and even some activity on socials.
STRONG reels and material. You have to have video. Ask producers from shows you’ve been for copies. If not, get into some concerts and showcases. Film yourself performing flexible and highly usable material.
Remember, and agent gets 20% of your paycheck. That means you still have to do 80% of the work even with representation.
Dreams Don’t Die
Julie