We have found 19,412 posts across 4 actor forums:
BFA MT grad wondering if community theatre gig is worth it for me and/or what to do with my life... by LaReinaDelMundo • last post Feb 5th
Hello! I graduated fairly recently from a top musical theater BFA program. I tried to live in NYC for a year and did work a bit (mostly tv/film + singing) but ultimately couldn't figure out how to make it happen; I could only afford to live an hour and a half out of the city and got caught up with day jobs to pay the rent (and still ended up skipping a lot of meals) that sapped me of my energy and motivation to go to ANY audition. A huge part of that was also my near complete social isolation, not being accustomed to the cold and, underlying everything, depression. Basically, I couldn't take it anymore when it started to get cold again I got a one way ticket home to my parent's house in another state many miles away. It feels like these months have been forever but by this point I do feel a lot healthier. I've been exercising 4x a week, just quit a really bad nanny job (evolved into 90% housekeeper, 10% time with the kids job) that I'd got when I first moved down here and in the past couple weeks have finally felt ready to give acting a go again. My partner and family are the best and are willing to support me financially while I try and pursue acting otherwise just working a 6\~ hour part time childcare gig on nights and weekends and doing occasional date night babysitting. Well... I got cast in a community theatre production like 1.5 hours drive away for a cool show I was really excited about. I'd auditioned and got called back for two leads and was so happy that this would give me momentum to get out of the rut, make connections and continue professionally. This theatre is known for producing really quality work and is closeish to a larger city with a considerable amount of professional acting and specifically musical theatre opportunity. If cast I was hoping to be able to invite some agents to see the show in hopes of getting signed. I heard back and was told I did a great job but they were unable to place me so I was given a role in the ensemble. I was proud of my work and accept I'm not right for it... I think my height may have been a big factor as I was taller than most all leading men called back. They kept lining people up by height in the callback and with my character heels I was nearly 6' tall. (Not wearing those again unless I have to!!). And the theatre seems to highly value whether you've worked with them before or not. Anyway... I was still excited to be in the ensemble! The show is traditionally an ensemble of only 3 women and I was still really happy because there would be tons of opportunity to be featured and lots of great singing.... UNTIL I got to the first rehearsal and realized they had decided to cast things differently... using an ensemble of FORTY (!!??!!) people. I thought I'd walked into the wrong room. Several other people also looked confused and deflated, finding out we're not so special after all. I really felt tricked and tried to contain my disappoint and anger... inflamed even more upon hearing that most featured ensemble parts had already been assigned to other people. They never mentioned they were casting like this.. I swear they even talked about how it was a small ensemble and would have to be just the most quality of singers etc... now that I've accepted the role and started rehearsals I feel like I'm going to have to drive 3 hours a day just to be a in a huge mass choir of people who aren't even trying to do this professionally (oh and we're often going to be singing from offstage only). But also, I do have lots of free time, the rehearsal schedule is not that intense until tech and this is the only thing I have going on in my life right now. Maybe I could make friends too (although they live far away). I feel like utter shit for accepting my family's enthusiastic offers to live rent free etc. while going about my days pretending to be a professional, full time actor but actually just lounging around the house, working out, occasionally driving to auditons an hour away and at night being in the ensemble of a community theatre show. Would I even put this on my resume?? Is this a waste of time? I could put on a happy face like I've done at the first few rehearsals and take the virtuous road, accepting all opportunities graciously and doing my best to be an absolute professional through the process. But also ugh.. I don't know if this is helping or hurting me professionally. Will it help or hurt psychologically? It could be good to just get me back in the mentality of being in a show after not having done a full musical in a year or so since college. Or could make me bitter. During my days I have a few other auditions lined up each week for community and professional gigs and I'm going to keep on with that regardless. I doubt myself but at the core I know I do have some talent and can work hard and it hasn't been long enough to give up. But today I'm just really disappointed. I was really excited about this opportunity and it's potential to help me put some momentum back into my life. I see my classmates on social media (ugh) doing professional musical theatre all over while I'm sitting in my bed at my parent's house, eating chocolate, feeling bad about myself and how I've never had a paid role (outside tv/film & modeling) and doubting whether it will happen for me. I really, really love this profession and want to make it work. Sorry that this is an essay... my first world problems are insignificant but it's nice to just put it all into words. Thank you!
ACTORS I NEED OF HELP by laineejentz • last post Feb 5th
I need an acting coach to have like one or two lessons with befor this Saturday! I’m willing to pay! I have a very important audition.
I'm a professional actor with stage, TV, film, and filmmaking experience... and longtime redditor AMA by WestEnd2019 • last post Feb 5th
I’ve been a longtime redditor and love to help and support anyone pursuing their crazy creative dreams. Recently, I’ve been noticing people IRL are coming to me looking for advice - and I have it! If anyone has questions about working professionally, different mediums, training & education, auditions, character work & scene study, working internationally, or anything else... shoot!
Is relocating to pursue Voice acting crazy? by ThePloetz • last post Feb 5th
I am an actor (Or like to think of myself as one even if the majority of my income doesn't reflect that) living in a small market in Alabama. I got into acting a few years ago with the intention of attempting to become a voice actor. Acting is aright but I always viewed voice acting as my ultimate goal. I became SAG eligible a few years ago (but haven't joined as it doesn't make sense given my current location but there just isn't a lot of voice work where I am. I have toyed with the idea of moving to Dallas or LA for a year or so to test the waters but the little voice in my head keeps saying "you are 34 and have a masters degree in Geography, why would you quit your job to go pursue voice acting?" Currently I have a decent job with good benefits (that I hate) and there is a part of me that will always wonder if I had what it takes to be a full-time voice actor. Advice?
StarNow.com and other voice acting charged websites by Faerie_Cat • last post Feb 5th
So I have a conundrum. I don't have any acting jobs under my belt, no voice acting training per say, but I have done some pro-bono stuff here and there on sites like [BehindTheVoiceActors.com](https://BehindTheVoiceActors.com). Is it worth jumping into sites like [StarNow](https://www.starnow.co.uk/) where you have to pay monthly to apply for voice acting gigs? My boyfriend says it's not worth doing, or is it? Any advice would be appreciated.
We need to talk by JessicaVosksNetiPot • last post Feb 4th
My fellow Future Equity Members The time has come for us to have a serious conversation about the future of our audition protocol. Lines that start forming before 5 am are unsustainable and frankly ridiculous. We deserve better for ourselves, and we should expect more from ourselves and from theatres...
SECRET AGENT MAN - Poor White Actors by SecretAgentMan • last post Feb 4th
https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/diversity-actors-complaining-reverse-racism-66938/
Monologue Help? by bytheghostlight • last post Feb 4th
Hi, ya'll. I'm a 5'3 actor and trans guy, so as you can imagine, I'm having trouble looking for a comedic monologue that I can realistically pull off. I know these are specific circumstances. The range I'm looking for is somewhere between high school and college-age, but am trying to stray away from any school scenes as my dramatic monologue takes place in a high school. I'm trying for contrast. :) I'm going to audition at an upcoming theatre festival and am looking for new material.
How should I invest in myself?? by imsoMcFly • last post Feb 4th
Hello Actors of reddit. I’d like to ask those of you who have been in this business for awhile, I’m an NYC Actor still up and coming. I’ve got my headshots (Decent) Reel (looking to get it better) and my subscriptions to Backstage and Casting Networks. I recently came into a bit of capital and I’m wondering what’s the most Efficient way I can use that to help further my career and get signed ideally. I feel ready to get these Co Star roles and really take the next step in my career. Should I get updated headshots? Get a personal coach? Attend some classes? If so, which ones? I’m definitely getting Actors Access but yes long story short what do you guys think is best?
Voice acting and gender transition by saoirsebe • last post Feb 4th
I'm wondering if anyone in here has been a voice actor in the past and went through a gender transition and how that may have impacted your job opportunities, if you trained your voice to feminize it or not, how it may or may not have impacted you and your career path if at all. It's not much of a question but if anyone has relevant experience and could talk to me about it I'd appreciate it, even in DMs if you would rather.
Pointers/thoughts on this clip I used to audition? by bLANKMOD • last post Feb 4th
About a year or two ago I auditioned to be a voice actor for SCP: Unity using [This](https://soundcloud.com/blankmod/2017-va-mgsv) clip. Looking back on it, I absolutely hate it, but it got me on the team, selected out of around 50 or 60 people. I'd like to get myself out there in the voice acting world, so of course ill need advice, which I humbly ask of all of you. Thank you all for criticism in advance!
[PAID] The Verge/Vox Media is looking for female voice actors by floatingfast77 • last post Feb 4th
Hey all, The Verge is looking to hire 1 Chinese or Taiwanese identifying female voice actor, and 1 Latinx identifying female voice actor for our new science fiction project, Better Worlds. Better Worlds is a series of bespoke short stories by science fiction writers imagining what the future might look like. 5 of these stories are being adapted for podcast and require voice talent. You can hear what they sound like [here](https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/5/18055980/better-worlds-science-fiction-short-stories-video). We’re looking to record ASAP (as early as tomorrow) at our office in NYC, though for the right person we can do a remote recording. The session should take less than an hour and will be paid. If interested, please DM me with a short description of yourself, your audio reel/samples, and an hourly rate. Thanks!
I got to do an interview with veteran voice actor Adrian Truss, thought I'd share here, he give some great incite into becoming a VA by gio_petti • last post Feb 4th
What headshot gets you called in the most? by CaliforniaStoked • last post Feb 4th
Hope this doesn't come off the wrong way. My commercial agent said that my current headshots aren't getting me in the room, and that I need to take new headshots ASAP. Honestly, I think these are my best headshots I've taken so far, but she's right, I'm not getting called in, and I have no idea why. Do you guys have a specific headshot thats your go-to, that gets you called in a lot for commercial auditions? Would you mind sharing it with me by linking it here or by sending me a dm? In return, I could share mine with you and maybe you can give me your honest opinion/thoughts? ​ I JUST got new headshots taken like a month ago, and now I have to get new headshots taken again next week. I just don't want to make the same mistake twice and waste money. I'm truly clueless and would love to see examples from commercial actors that are consistently getting called in. Please tell me what I'm doing wrong. I'm in the LA market and I'm beginning to think that my "type" just isn't "in" right now. ...Or I'm just ugly. JK. ​ ​ ​
Best acting agencies in Seattle? by galaxikk • last post Feb 4th
I’m in seattle currently and joined seattle talent two or so years ago, but have got absolutely 0 mileage out of them (through some fault of my own) but I’m not a huge fan of how they operate. Any seattle actors know the best agency to find real work that isn’t just a scam?
Becoming an Actor by mblue456 • last post Feb 4th
I have always been interested in acting, but I have always been to shy to try it out. I haven't even told anyone that I'm interested in acting because I think they'll laugh at me since I'm so quiet. I am a freshman in college right now and I'm very unhappy. When my parents ask me why, I just tell them it's because I'm homesick, even though I know that I'm not. When we talk about what job I want to do, I say I don't know because I'm too afraid to tell them the truth because it isn't something that is guaranteed and college is expensive. I know I would have to come out of my shell and I want to do that, but I just don't know where to start.
Teaser for my first feature as a director by • last post Feb 4th
This post was deleted.
Do you think it is ever appropriate for an actor of one race to play a character who belongs to another race, whether a historical figure or a fictional character, and who looks totally different than the actor playing him/her? by swengunderblum • last post Feb 4th
This is an often contentious issue today. But is this ever okay? There are many great performances of where actors of one race have played characters of another race. It happened a lot in the past, but I suspect you will not see much of it in the future as it raises controversy. But couldn't there be situations where an actor is a great fit, perhaps in height, size, bearing, countenance, or voice, and who with make up and costume would be perfect for a certain role even though they are of a different race?
How would you approach reading as a character with a lisp, without overdoing it on every ‘s’ word and make it genuinely sound as authentic as possible? by CornrowKenny100 • last post Feb 3rd
There’s a role I’m attempting to tackle where I need to speak with a lisp. For someone that doesn’t speak with a lisp, how does one go about it and make it authentic as possible as this is not in not in my nature of speech. Does anyone know any examples in movies or tv where someone has been able to do that, where they do not have a lisp in real life? I know there’s one actor here from the UK who was able to do that superbly - Kayode Ewumi in his #HoodDocumentary web series. https://youtu.be/165R9OWugAk https://youtu.be/3aKKxPBkM44 In his interviews he talks without a lisp. He did it so convincingly but I don’t know how. Any thoughts on this? Cheers.
Can't decide on my Stage Name by BrandosBytch • last post Feb 3rd
I'm trying to get myself back into college as a starting point for me going for my dreams to be an screen actress one day. I'm having a hard time deciding which of the following sounds catcher though: Arlene Anderson or Arlene Savage does anyone know which if either of these sounds like it would sell better?