what do new actors look for in their first job
what do new actors look for in their first job
222disneyland
Stand-by Joined: 9/28/17
#1what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/26/18 at 10:20pm
What do you look for as a 'green' actor for your first or second job ? is there a job that you will not look at ? why/why not?
Do you have a strategy for what shows to pick?
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
222disneyland
Stand-by Joined: 9/28/17
#3what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/26/18 at 10:26pm
when you are green actor. What shows do you pick to audition for?
#4what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/26/18 at 10:51pm
Green actors audition for Elphaba.
There isn't much of a question here. If you're new and not established, you audition for... anything you might possibly be able to book.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#5what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/26/18 at 10:53pm
You audition for everything you can. You only get to be picky once you are in demand. (or independently wealthy.)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#6what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/26/18 at 10:55pm
222disneyland said: "when you are green actor. What shows do you pick to audition for?"
The ones which will guarantee you a paycheck for a long while.
#8what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/26/18 at 11:21pm
Money, paychecks... err, if you're barely making ends meet and cater-waitering, doing anything onstage for as little money imaginable is still better since it still feels like you are building toward something in the industry in which you want to build a life. No one with no credits is holding back for some sweet ensemble role.
bwaylvsong
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
#9what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/26/18 at 11:22pm
You audition for anything you can feasibly be cast in. It's totally your call whether you audition for unpaid gigs or not. Bonus points go to shows that will give you some form of upward mobility, such as EMC points.
LaneBryant
Understudy Joined: 12/20/15
#10what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 1:32am
a paycheck. not having to strip on a pole.
Phantom4ever
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/17/07
#11what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 6:27amOn the Wicked casting thread, people were saying that new actors are not interested in being the 30th actor cast as Elphaba. But here people are saying that new actors will take any job they can get. Which is it ?
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#12what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 7:51am
If a newbie would pass up the opportunity to play a lead in ANY b'way show, they're an idiot. Period.
Established actors have no desire to play those parts, but anyone else would kill for the chance.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
wonkit
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/30/08
#13what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 8:58am
I used to think that established actors wouldn't agree to be substitutes, but Santino Fontana is willing to step into DOLLY and the great William H. Macy took over for the mercury-laced J. Piven, so there are examples of established actors agreeing to play a role they weren't originally cast in.
Newbies should audition for anything they can. Use the experience to learn how to conquer your nerves and find out what doesn't work for you. Even if you have little chance of being cast, the process of auditioning puts you in front of casting directors, writers and producers.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#14what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 10:54am
Yes, but both of those were/are unique situations -- both men "saving the day" of sorts, doing a favor. They both had plenty going on in their lives professionally.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#15what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 11:05am
Phantom4ever said: "On the Wicked casting thread, people were saying that new actors are not interested in being the 30th actor cast as Elphaba. But here people are saying that new actors will take any job they can get. Which is it ?"
You can't sort out whether a new actor would rather be in Wicked or be a waiter/unemployed?
wonkit
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/30/08
#16what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 11:50am
And, of course, the entire replacement cast of the most recent revival of LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC -
Phantom4ever
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/17/07
#17what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 12:10pm
haterobics said: "Phantom4ever said: "On the Wicked casting thread, people were saying that new actors are not interested in being the 30th actor cast as Elphaba. But here people are saying that new actors will take any job they can get. Which is it ?"
You can't sort out whether a new actor would rather be in Wicked or be a waiter/unemployed?"
No. Could you help me sort it out? And is it really a choice between being the 30th Elphaba or being a waiter?
These are the comments I was referring to from the Wicked casting thread?
Its not a new show. I also think new 'exciting' actresses' turn down the role for newer fresh jobs.
Newer talent is not as interested in older shows. Who really sets out saying they want to be the 30th actress to play a role in a 15 year old show? Not many.
I tend to agree with people who say that new actors would love to play the lead in any Broadway show even if the show is old. But I was wondering if someone could, as haterobics so gently put it, sort out for me if there are many new actors out there who would say no to an old show in the hopes of getting cast in a new show.
#18what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 3:45pm
Not sure what the conflict is.
Your one quote is about new 'exciting' actresses. So, sure, if someone has some degree of buzz, for whatever reason, then they would prefer to leverage that into doing something with a bit more prestige to it, like originating a role, or going into something established that sort of gets fanfare with every new casting (like Waitress). I don't see a new exciting actress as being unemployed, but in a position to have some bit of ability to control their trajectory (within the confines of what shows are coming in, have openings, etc.).
The other quote is that newer talent is not as interested in older shows. Again, probably true. But unless that talent has a job, then being the 18th Boq is better than waiting for a potential break that may never come their way. I don't see it as contradictory that they want to do new work, but may end up doing something else.
Also, it often isn't either/or, many people who do long-term contracts have clauses that they can book other work. So, if you book 12 months at Wicked, you can do 7 months, go do an Off-Broadway play for 2 months, and then come back and finish out your five remaining months. Although that sort of thing may not be available for someone who never performed on Broadway before.
#19what do new actors look for in their first job
Posted: 2/27/18 at 4:18pm
222disneyland said: "What do you look for as a 'green' actor for your first or second job ? is there a job that you will not look at? why/why not?
Do you have a strategy for what shows to pick?"
A contract. ANY contract.
paphillyguy
Leading Actor Joined: 1/5/05
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