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Question:

Hi. I have some questions about acting showcases. First, what exactly is the point of an acting showcase? What can an actor gain from it? Second, what goes on at an actor showcase? Do the actors there read monologues in front of audiences or what? And third, how can one sign up for a showcase or find some more info on them? I am a 17 year old female actress from Massachusetts and I am just seeking some info about showcases, as I have heard they can open doors and that some agents go to them. Thanks very much!

Response:

Hi. I have some questions about acting showcases. First, what exactly is the point of an acting showcase? What can an actor gain from it?

A showcase is precisely what the name implies, Mer: a way for actors to showcase their talent. Not every actor is able to be working in (even non-paying) roles every day. The catch 22 of the biz is, if you ain’t working, you ain’t going to get work. A showcase is a structure for actors to present themselves in a piece and invite casting people and agents to come and see them perform, and hopefully help them find more work. Other things a young actor can gain: experience in performance in a less-threatening environment (as opposed to a play), valuable tips on the technical performance aspect of the theatre (you’d be surprised how many times I’ve had to help an actor understand "stage left, right, upstage, downstage"), stuff like this. Second, what goes on at an actor showcase? Do the actors there read monologues in front of audiences or what?

Usually, a group of actors will perform scenes from plays or short plays themselves, depending on the structure of the show. There are some monolog showcases, but thankfully very few, because there’s very little dramatic tension for an audience when there is a series of individuals presenting monologues. There are monologue showcases done for specific agents or casting directors, who are paid to pay attention, but these will cost you money to be in. Avoid them. And third, how can one sign up for a showcase or find some more info on them?

Your best bet is to go find the drama department of the local college. Usually there are notices for showcases interested in presenting actors. Alternatively, if you take a class, sometimes the class itself might put together a showcase periodically. Or…you can make one yourself! Carl — I promise to change my sig lines as often as I change my underwear. – CASalonen

Response:

Hi. I have some questions about acting showcases. First, what exactly is the point of an acting showcase? What can an actor gain from it?

The first acting showcases I spotted were in L.A. during the mid-70s.  Until then, the "way to get seen" by an LA agent or CD was to get cast in an Equity Waiver production which rents one of those many under-99 seat theatres.  Then a few clever entrepreneurs realized that there were sooooo many thousands of actors who didn’t want to do a full-length show (or just couldn’t get cast.)  And thus they created actor showcases.  For $25 (probably $35-$50 today) an actor gets to show his/her stuff, sometimes in cold readings, sometimes with a prepared monologue during the noon hour.  The assumption was that agents and CDs would see your work and, if they liked you, would give a business card and invite you to arrange an interview/audition. And for a while, this worked.  But within a few years, it became apparent that many of the "auditors" were coming for a free lunch and their cut of the financial pie. Then it became apparent that some of the agents or CD’s who were coming were receptionists, secretaries and gophers for agencies, but not the real agents. Every once in a while, a poster on alt.acting will mention that they made a valuable connection from an acting workshop, and then it’s pointed out that for every one actor who was seen and signed, there were thousands of others who paid their money and never got even a nibble. There are a series of articles called "Scamwatch" that discuss this and related issues.  Take a look at: http://www.Eperformer.com Second, what goes on at an actor showcase? Do the actors there read monologues in front of audiences or what?

Some showcases (of the variety you’re talking about) ask for monologues, while others have you do cold copy readings, solo or with a scene partner. The variation on this theme is literally imported from L.A. or N.Y. — a group of TA’s and CD’s will come to your home town for a weekend, charging rates like $750-$1200.  The sad thing is that CD’s of the calibre of Mike Fenton (CSA) do this… and they do it for the bucks and first class accommodations.  Nobody gets "discovered" in a weekend acting showcase in Des Moines, Iowa (even though there are marvellous actors who ply their livelihood in that fair city.) And third, how can one sign up for a showcase or find some more info on them? I am a 17 year old female actress from Massachusetts and I am just seeking some info about showcases, as I have heard they can open doors and that some agents go to them. Thanks very much!

Start with the Boston market, call SAG/AFTRA local and ask for information on publications (general press or speciality) that deal with acting for stage and camera.  There’s a good change that you’ll find with a bit of web searching websites like EPerformer (which I mentioned earlier) that include audition notices, interviews and articles about the local market and links to agencies, acting coaches, etc. There is another kind of actor’s showcase…. what is commonly called a theatre showcase.  These usually are found in major marketplaces and are the extension of a professional actor’s workshop…. the best of the best might take workshops/classes for 3-4 months focusing on specific projects (scenes, monologues).  The end result is a theatre showcase…. a sample of actor’s best work.  The usual audience is fof:  friends and family.  The focus is on the stretch, the growth and putting all that to the test of a friendly, receptive audience.  I do these at my own Studio, and once in a while, I’ll invite an agent when I know that a particular actor needs to be seen. Break a leg, Bill — THE ACTING STUDIO http://gvtg.com/theactingstudio

Response:

http://www.Eperformer.com

What a nice little site.  Thanks for introducing it to me.  Are you affiliated with it, or what?  Anyhow, I’ll be sure and direct traffic there if I have the chance.  How handy, especially for the newcomers. Lisa

Response:

http://www.Eperformer.com What a nice little site.  Thanks for introducing it to me.  Are you affiliated with it, or what?  Anyhow, I’ll be sure and direct traffic there if I have the chance.  How handy, especially for the newcomers. Lisa

and to tag on to Lisa’s comments, it is now on my list o’ links. —

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