How to sign with an agent without really stressing.

For the last two months I have had one goal: GET MYSELF A THEATRICAL AGENT! Since I live in California, it isn’t necessary, but  I’ve gotten to the point where 90% of my competition for roles is from girls who are being sent by agents. I would attend the open calls, they would attend the agency calls, but in the end we would all be in the callback room. Then I built a good relationship with a casting director and got an appointment time for her next project. It was such a breath of fresh air to show up to my time, with the casting director expecting and WANTING to see me, instead of trying my luck and spending hours of time in the waiting room.

So when I closed my 4 month gig and found myself back in the city with no projects on the horizon, I took the time (and trust me, I had wayyy too much of it) to do extensive research on agencies. (I’ve been signed with a commercial agent for 2 years; that story is here and here.) Then I gathered all the video footage I had of shows I’ve done in the past few years and spent a week making a kickass theatrical highlights reel! A few emails and texts later and I had 8 directors/producers/casting directors willing to be my “industry references”. I was ready!

I took my list of agencies and started submitting. We live in this really cool era called the 21st Century where you can submit yourself for stuff online and believe me, I took advantage of it! I submitted for at least 6 agencies, I can’t remember exactly. But what I did do was WRITE IT DOWN. Everything. When I submitted, who I emailed, when they responded, if I followed up the submission with an email, if I called the office to see if they were actively accepting submissions. One agency asked me to come in for a dance audition. Then another agency scheduled me to come in and sing. After I sang for that one, they asked me to come back to dance. Which I did, for 3 different dance combos.

Then I let it go. I honestly believed I didn’t get picked up. There were a ton of really great dancers in the dance combos, and I’m sure the same was true for everyone’s singing. But this week I received an email from an agency saying they wanted to sign me! Not only for theatrical, but also for commercial representation! (my previous commercial contract ends this month and I’m ready for an upgrade – talk about perfect timing!) I’ve since gone in to their office to ask all my questions and get a good feel for what our relationship will be. From the beginning of our meeting I felt like family, and I know I will be happy with having these agents represent me as I continue my performing journey. The first question they asked me was “Where do you see yourself being successful?” When I told them my answer, they said “yes! We can see that and we can get you there”. Stay tuned, Green Room Blog — there’s a whole lot of bookings in my future!