How to Find a Theatrical Agent

You have made the plunge and decided to try and make your living as an actor. One of the first things you are going to need in order to have a chance at the well-paying jobs is an agent. But how do you get one? Follow these steps and you will be signing on the dotted line in no time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Headshots
• Resume
• Audition Material
• Cover Letter
• Mailing Envelopes
• Staples
• Stamps
• Agent Listing

1. Have materials at the ready. Make sure you have all your “calling card” information set and in multiple copies. Headshots, resumes, audition material and the office supplies (listed in the Things Needed section) should all be completed to your satisfaction.
2. Know the agents. Go to your local theatrical bookstore (in New York City that is The Drama Book Shop) and get a packet of agent labels. These are pre-printed labels of the addresses and names of all the agents in the area.
3. Write a cover letter. Write out a good introductory cover letter.
4. Conduct mass mail-outs. Put your cover letter, headshot and resume in a mailing envelope and mail one to each agent you have a label for. You will only want to do this once per month or when any updates (like a showcase you are performing in) come along.
5. Keep auditioning. Agents want to see you in action more than anything else before making a decision. You want to keep auditioning and landing yourself in gigs. When you do, send the agents a flyer of the show you’re in.
6. Showcase your work. You may not always be able to land gigs at a rapid clip. In fact, I speak from experience when I say I know you won’t. But you can always get yourself into scene, or sometimes play showcases. Once you do, send the agents a flyer.
7. Stay sharp. Whether it is the aforementioned showcases, or taking classes, you want to do something that keeps your acting skills sharp in-between gigs. There is nothing worse you can do for yourself than to sit around for months on end, doing nothing but the clerical side of things (mass mail-outs), then land an opportunity for an agent to see you and not be sharp.
8. Persevere. In most cases, it will take forever to land an agent. In some cases, you never will land an agent. Don’t lose focus. Keep sending the mail-outs, keep landing gigs and letting them know about them and keep your skills sharp. That way when the opportunity does come your way, you will be in the best position to take advantage of it.

Tips & Warnings

• You can cut down on costs by entering all the names and addresses of the agents into a spreadsheet. Then print our your own address labels. That way you only have to buy the packet of labels once.
• Be creative with your cover letter. This is not the corporate world. Do something that will make it stand out when they open the envelope.
• You can switch and send postcards after you have sent a couple of headshots first. That will save you on postage.
• Be prepared for rejection. You will go through just as much of it trying to find an agent as you would auditioning for roles.

Who Can Help:

• Find Home Theater Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.