theatre career plan Archives - Dramatics Magazine Online

The Art of Casting

Natalie Clare — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 18:15:49 +0000

Any given production of theatre is brimming with different artistic talents. Lighting design, choreography, costume design, performance — and even casting. That’s how Stephanie Klapper views her role as a casting director for theatre, film, television, orchestras, and other streaming media.

“We’re a designer of the cast,” she says. “Our artistry is a little different to nail down, but I think that’s what we have. That’s our secret.”

Klapper and her team at Stephanie Klapper Casting (SKC) work with directors and producers to connect performers with artistic opportunities. On new pieces and musicals, her team also works closely with the playwright, composer, lyricist, and book writer. As Klapper describes, they develop a deep understanding of the stories and characters in the script, interpret the directors’ wants and needs, and locate opportunities for actors and performers to bring roles to life.

Just like the designers on any given production, their work comes to fruition on opening night when the house lights dim, and the cast takes the stage. Dramatics chatted with Klapper to explore her views on the craft, how she works with her team, and what makes her job so creatively satisfying.

The Process of Casting a Show

SKC is based in New York City. They partner with theatre artists to cast productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at regional theatres across the country, on stages abroad, for television and films, for web-based projects, and for audio streaming works.

When asked how many projects she and her team at SKC cast every year, Klapper says simply, “I don’t count. It’s a lot. We’re very, very fortunate, and it’s rare we’re not doing something.”

No two projects are exactly alike when it comes to casting. Sometimes the SKC team has a few months to cast and other times they have to cast on the fly if a production needs to fill or replace a role immediately. Klapper can recall many times when an actor needed to leave a production due to illness or family emergency, but the show was already running and needed a new performer to step in ASAP. She can also recall a few times when an actor was presented with another opportunity and the SKC team had mere hours left to fill the role.

Nevertheless, Klapper says their process typically unfolds as follows: a director or producer sends Klapper the script, she and the SKC team read and discuss it, they receive character descriptions and character breakdowns from the director, and they bring in actors to audition for the director.

“It’s important to know what directors are looking for, and our job is really to get inside their heads,” Klapper says. “We translate what they say and begin to understand aesthetically where they’re coming from and what the larger project is going to be like. That helps us in terms of the actors we bring in for them.”

Klapper says SKC funnels the input and character breakdown they receive from the creative team into their casting process. They consider people who they have previously worked with as well as people who are recommended by the creative team, people who are both represented and unrepresented by agents, and people whose work has been submitted to them. They keep and reference a list of actors who have auditioned for them and actors who they have been following.

SKC’s relationships with managers and agents are also instrumental to their casting process. Additionally, Klapper watches shows in New York City and around the country and works as a teaching artist and guest lecturer, helping to meet and identify emerging talent and broaden the actor pool to choose from.

Depending on the theatre and the client they’re working with, they’ll hold preliminary auditions in person or virtually, then they’ll coordinate schedules with the director for in-person callback sessions, after which the director makes the final casting choices.

Giving Performers Opportunities to Shine

Klapper says there are a few misconceptions about casting and the culture surrounding it. In particular, she says casting directors are often thought of as “the gatekeepers of the world and the people who prevent people from moving forward.” That’s not how she sees herself, her team, or her professional peers.

“I think, almost unilaterally, casting [directors] get great joy from giving people opportunities. It happens in different ways and everybody’s different in how they do that,” Klapper says. “For me, I just really love giving people the opportunity to shine.”

Being insightful is also a big part of their job. They may spot an opportunity an actor might overlook, based on their skills and talents.

“Sometimes productions are about giving people opportunities to find their talent within a role,” she says. “Maybe we’ve seen something in a performer they don’t even know yet, but they have some special ‘Spidey skill’ that we know this part will help them to shine in.”

Klapper describes the SKC team as bright, caring, respectful, and kind people who care deeply about what they do and about giving people opportunities. It’s an open-minded environment that welcomes different perspectives.

“We have great conversations about not just our profession but the world at large and what’s going on right now. I think we all come from different places of thinking, and I think we’re all very respectful of each other and we share what our insights are,” she says. “Every project we talk about, we each bring something different to the table, and I think that’s what makes us so special in what we do — there’s a lot of perspectives.”

3 Tips for a Career in Casting

We asked Klapper to offer pearls of wisdom to students and young performers. She pulled from 25+ years of experience in the industry and offered this guidance:

1. “There’s no such thing as limits.”

Especially at this time in your life—don’t limit yourself, and know that you’re invited to the table. She says, “What’s great right now, in the culture of casting, is that we’re interested in everybody, in everything, and in great discoveries. We talk more about ethnicity up front now. We talk about abilities and actors who have disabilities and how important it is that everybody’s represented on stage. It’s not just a select group of people.”

2. “Never stop learning.”

Don’t limit your potential in exploring new and different skills. Klapper says, “It only makes you a more interesting person, and ultimately, we’re casting the person — not just the best actor.”

3. “Be kind to other people, be polite, be respectful, and never be faultless.”

It’s important to remember you never know who’s going to be in your life for a very long time. You want to make sure you treat people the way you would want to be treated.

While there are plenty of theatre careers to choose from, casting director are the best of both worlds. The role allows artists an opportunity to have a meaningful impact and closeness to a production, while doing so behind the scenes. It requires fundamental theatre skills, like script analysis, but offers you the freedom to go with your gut and give your fellow actors an opportunity to find their dream roles.

Natalie Clare is a regular contributor to Dramatics, a freelance arts and culture reporter in Cincinnati, and an arts and education marketer. She has a handsome husband, an adorable baby boy, a mischievous cat, and far too many plants.

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What to Know About Theatre Fellowships

Natalie Clare — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 16:42:22 +0000

If you’re planning to pursue a career in theatre, you’ll want to know all about theatre fellowships. These professional opportunities can provide a gateway to where you want to be and are most often awarded to theatre artists who have obtained a degree or have some professional experience. Aspiring playwrights, directors, choreographers, actors, and designers alike will want to keep fellowships on their radar.

What is a Theatre Fellowship?

Generally speaking, a fellowship is a structured professional opportunity to deepen your training in a specific skill set, craft, or area of study. They’re held within a professional environment so recipients (fellows) gain in-depth, hands-on training. Fellows typically receive funding to support themselves and/or their work fully for a certain period of time.

It’s important to note: the competition for securing a fellowship is tough! ProFellow, a resource for students and professionals seeking fellowships, writes, “We define a fellowship as a short-term, funded, merit-based opportunity to do something exceptional. … Fellowships are competitive and provide an opportunity to do or create something with the financial support, resources and freedom that a typical job cannot offer. Fellowships enhance your resume and provide networking opportunities with leaders in your career field.”

In the performing arts, theatre fellowships offer the opportunity to train more intently on your artistic expertise. You may seek one out to help you develop a script, train as a director, learn from artistic leaders, or continue your training in a specialty.

Some theatre fellowships are designed for specific groups—including, but not limited to, women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community—to increase diversity and equity within the theatre industry. The Miranda Family Fellowship, for example, aims to “support emerging artists and arts administrators from underrepresented communities” through education, long-term support, and partnerships with industry institutions.

How Are They Different from Internships?

To the layperson, fellowship and internship may seem like interchangeable terms—but there are unique differences that set them apart.

If you’re a student or a recent graduate, you’ll want to look at an internship as a way to break into the industry. You’ll gain firsthand experience with and perspective of day-to-day life in a certain role or with a certain company. These programs or roles sometimes lead to permanent positions, but not necessarily always. An internship will give you general exposure to professional culture that you can apply to several different opportunities. Many internships in the theatre profession offer some form of compensation, but it likely won’t be enough to sustain a living. As such, many internships are structured for a finite number of hours per week (say, 20) and for a finite amount of time (a semester or 3-6 months, for instance).

If you’ve already been working in the industry and you want to go further, you may look for a fellowship so that you can focus more deeply on a subject or skill set. Let’s say you’re an emerging director and you’ve gained a few years of professional experience. A directing fellowship with a theatre company whose work you admire would accelerate your career goals. You’d widen your network, deepen your knowledge, and keep your directing chops sharp.

How Can a Theatre Fellowship Influence Your Career?

Many artists would agree in the theatre industry, training never stops. There are always more skills you can obtain, perspectives you can develop, and techniques you can master. A theatre fellowship supports these goals by immersing artists in professional spaces where “real-world” work is being created.

Similarly, in the entertainment industry at large, it’s “all about who you know.” Fellowships offer invaluable access to networking. By working directly with theatrical peers and leaders, you have the opportunity to meet many different people regularly during rehearsals, workshops, performances, and relevant events. This exposure can connect you to potential collaborators, producers, artists, leaders, and other folks in the industry who can make a big difference in your career decisions.

Having a fellowship to list on your resume really boosts your credentials, too. The application process is rigorous and competitive, and being selected as a fellow is a huge achievement. When an institution hires you as a fellow, it’s a strong vote of confidence that they believe in your work and want to support your goals.

Theatre Fellowship Examples

As you consider the many directions your theatre path may take, keep fellowships top-of-mind as an important step. You can obtain more than one fellowship, too, so don’t limit your choices! Here’s a look at some of the industry’s top programs to give you an idea what’s in store:

When looking to apply for a program, be sure to research the fellowships that pique your interest or speak to you as an artist. Even if you’re not ready to apply, it’s ideal to keep your eyes on your future and to keep yourself motivated in your goals. Finally, be sure to follow the careers of artists who have completed theatre fellowships. Many fellowship programs will list past recipients on their websites. And the next time you’re at a performance, scan the artist bios in the program or online and see if any of them have fellowship accolades. You’ll be surprised how many working professionals got their start with a well-timed fellowship!

Natalie Clare is a freelance writer and content marketer. She works with brands of all kinds to amplify their messaging and digital presence, and she writes articles about the arts and culture scene in Cincinnati, Ohio. You can view her work at nataliecwrites.com.

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2023 College Guide

Jose Triana — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 21:03:33 +0000

Getting ready for college might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re a student exploring your options or a theatre educator looking to give your Thespians a leg up, EdTA is here to help.

Explore our 2023 College Guide for tons of helpful resources including tips to make the most of your college visits, a helpful college application timeline, and college listings for schools looking for students just like you!

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Your Theatrical Resume Needs These 3 Things

Laura Enstall — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 18:08:49 +0000

If you’re an actor, you most certainly need a theatrical resume. It’s different from a business resume for job applications, and it’s different from an educational resume for college applications. Here are three things your resume needs, along with a free theatrical resume template to help you get started.

1. Your Contact Information

Directors need to be able to reach you to let you know, “Hey, we want you in our show.” Provide a phone number that you answer regularly, and it’s even better if you have a voice-messaging system or voicemail set up.

If you’ve been using your school email address—or your original email from middle school—make sure it’s easily recognizable. I recommend using your first name and last name (or, in reverse order, last name and first name) @ domain.com. Try to avoid using lots of numbers, or fun names like “Broadwaybaby1234” (which may or may not have been my first email address).

Having a silly or fun email address, or one with lots of numbers and random letters, is great for personal use—but it’s not great for auditions. It leaves so much room for error if someone is manually typing it in. It’s easier to see your name on your resume, audition form, headshot and email address if they’re all the same—less room for error.

When it’s time to apply for colleges, you definitely want to have a professional email address. The only exception here is if you’re a child actor and your parent(s) want to use his/her/their email address.

You can include a social media handle as well if it’s appropriate. Some actors have their Instagram or TikTok ready for public viewing. You could also create an account where you post updates and performance videos. Some people like to put a small thumbnail headshot in the header of their resume. It’s not required but it’s an option.

2. Your Experience

You should include an accurate portrayal of your theatrical experience. Do not lie or embellish facts on your resume. The theatre community is small, and it can be figured out quickly if you haven’t told the truth about a role you’ve played or a show you’ve listed.

It should also be easy to read. Format your resume so important information is easily seen. While it can be tempting, you don’t need to get fancy with various font colors—black text is sufficient.

Here are key experiences to include:

Title of the show, the role you played, and where you performed the show. Place this in three columns (see the template for an example).
Training in dance, voice, and/or acting. If you’re a dancer, you should include classes you’ve taken. If you’re a singer, include voice lessons and choir. If you’ve taken acting classes, list them as well.
Masterclasses or workshops.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a large theatrical resume. Remember, everyone starts somewhere. If you do have a large resume with much experience, make sure it all fits on one page.

3. Special Skills

This section is fun because it gives the auditors and directors an idea of who you are as a person. Include info that helps you stand out or makes you unique. Can you juggle, whistle, make animal noises, yodel, roller skate, or skateboard? Can you do a handstand, or are you a tumbler? Do you have a driver’s license? Do you play an instrument? Give this some thought, and be ready to do any of these things in the audition room or provide supplemental material if asked.

The PDF link above should help guide you as you create or tweak your own theatrical resume. There isn’t one perfect way to do a theatrical resume, but it should be clean and easy to read.

One other thing to remember: You’ll want to staple your resume to the other side of your headshot, which should be 8×10 inches in size, so you’ll want to trim accordingly. Have fun putting together your resume!

Laura Enstall is the owner and founder of Audition Well. She helps students conquer audition fears, stand out in the audition room, and find the theatre program that’s a perfect fit. Follow Audition Well on Instagram for audition tips @auditionwell.

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Plan a Theatre Career

Natalie Clare — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 19:41:52 +0000

You’re passionate about productions and you need to plan a theatre career. There are people in your life who worry that making a living isn’t feasible (you know who they are!). And yet, the industry offers several opportunities to pursue your passion. So whether your dream role is on the stage, behind the scenes, or writing stories, you can earn a living by doing what you love. A solid plan helps you navigate forward!

But how do you get started? And how do you forge that path forward? Let’s take a look at how to plan a theatre career that lets you love what you do and pay the bills. (Maybe this story’s photo makes you chuckle, but remember that this is your business plan. It’s important! Input from trusted, knowledgeable people is a huge help. You can connect with so many theatre pros and peers at the International Thespian Festival.)

Plan a Theatre Career by Learning

Apply to internships, fellowships, or apprenticeships in any part of the theatre business wherever you can find them. Learning up close in a professional environment is not only an ideal way to polish your craft, but it’s a great way to get in front of theatre artists who can help launch your career.

When you work on contract with a theatre company or organization, you’ll interact with the many visiting artists who bring productions to their feet. Remember that this industry is fueled by personal recommendations and exposure. Having direct contact with the people who may one day hire you is a massive opportunity.

Don’t be afraid to diversify your skill sets, too, by applying to different theatrical disciplines. If you’re an actor, you can still benefit from working with a nonprofit theatre’s marketing department. If you’re a director, you can find your way to opportunities through internships at casting agencies. This is a creative field so go beyond the usual boundary lines you’ve drawn.

Network to Get Work

The theatre industry exists in a sort of bubble. From the outside looking in, it’s hard to understand how it all works, and it can be even harder to break into if you’re unfamiliar. That’s why it’s so important to strengthen your networking skills and keep yourself open to making new connections and creating lasting impressions. There are lots of ways you can do it, too:

Professional Networking: Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to folks who are associated with theatre companies, or to casting directors, agents and theatre instructors. You can also reach out to professionals whose work you admire and ask questions. How did they get started? What resources do they use for their skills? What are the most important lessons they’ve learned? Most people are happy to share their stories and insights about their careers when given the chance.

Find interest-based networking groups that allow you to connect with others through commonalities and shared experiences. Some of these include Black Theatre Network, La Gente: The Latinx Theatre Design Network and The Magdalena Project.

Peer Networking: Make friends with your peers rather than treat them as competition. Whether you’re at an audition, attending a conference, or sitting (or performing) in class, view the artists around you as acquaintances and stay connected with them. You may find out about job opportunities before they’re published, giving you a leg-up on making a good impression. Think of your fellow emerging artists as part of a community — you’re all supporting one another.

Digital Networking: It’s so important to make yourself visible in your chosen profession through social media these days. A clear and solid social presence impresses employers in this industry and can make or break casting decisions. Show your skills and your personality at the same time by engaging in viral trends. Keep the “social” in social networking by following, commenting and messaging industry peers. Stay consistent with your content to maximize visibility.

Go Pro — With or Without a Union

You should consider yourself a theatre professional whenever you receive financial compensation for your work. That being said, not all theatre professionals have the same structure with their careers. Some professional artists pursue union memberships and enjoy benefits like workplace protection regulations, health insurance, access to legal help, pension contributions and others. Membership often requires that you meet eligibility requirements — that generally means proof that you’ve performed professionally and qualify as a working artist.

Some artists prefer to work without union association. Without it, they have the flexibility to work more fluidly between projects and employers, and they don’t owe any membership fees or dues. It can be less expensive for a theatre to hire a non-union professional actor, which can influence casting choices in a non-union actor’s favor. Memberships with certain unions can also prohibit its members from working for employers who aren’t affiliated with the union itself.

Live in an Industry Town

Emerging actors may set their sights squarely on New York City, but ever since the 1960s, theatre industry towns have flourished in cities all over the U.S. Many of them boast reputable theatres that form a pipeline directly to Broadway or film and television, too. Cities where you can make a full-time career in film and theatre outside of New York include Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Louisville, Kentucky — just to name a few!

Never Stop Learning While You Plan a Theatre Career

Theatrical and performing arts are never set in stone. They change and adapt with the times, ushering in new approaches, styles, and technology. Keep your skills fresh and embrace every opportunity to constantly hone your craft!

Natalie Clare is a Cincinnati-based writer who composes original content for brands, organizations, and publications. As a storyteller, she writes fiction and nonfiction, and she directs and produces works of film. Visit her at nataliecwrites.com.

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