Download Article
Download Article
Many people aspire to make it on Broadway. The steps to get there can seem long and hard, but if you are willing to put in the work, you just may see your name in lights. Train hard, work hard and put your name out there at auditions and on the stage in New York City.
Steps
-
Take acting classes. Even if you think you are born with the natural talent to be an actor, you will need some legitimate training to list on your resume and help you get jobs. [1] X Expert Source Lesly Kahn, MFA
Acting Teacher & Coach Expert Interview. 12 May 2020. Find classes in your area to increase and practice your skills. This is also a great way to meet other professionals and aspiring actors. [2] X Research source- Consider a degree in theater (like a BFA or MFA) from an accredited college or seek out classes at your local theater. [3]
X
Expert Source
Lesly Kahn, MFA
Acting Teacher & Coach Expert Interview. 12 May 2020. - Colleges with highly respected acting programs in New York include Juilliard, Columbia and NYU.
- Training programs are also available throughout New York City. Some respected companies are HB Studios and Atlantic Theater Company School.
- Consider a degree in theater (like a BFA or MFA) from an accredited college or seek out classes at your local theater. [3]
X
Expert Source
Lesly Kahn, MFA
-
Learn to dance. Most of the shows on Broadway are musicals. This means that not only must you be a good actor, but you will need skills in singing and dancing. Find a dance school which offers training in all of the different styles of dance used on Broadway, including ballet, tap, and jazz.
- The more well-rounded your dance abilities are, the better you will be able to adapt to the style of any show.
- Keep up with your dance practice. You can begin to lose strength and flexibility if you don’t dance and stretch regularly.
Advertisement -
Find a voice coach. Once you can sing, dance and act, the theater world will deem you a “triple threat.” You will be able to provide everything required of a Broadway actor. The best way to train your voice is the personal attention of a vocal coach, who can find your range and fine tune your skills.
- Look for coaches at your local colleges.
- Consider asking a music director to work with you personally.
-
Perform at your local theaters before moving to New York. This will help you gain experience and build your resume. Gaining experience onstage is important to growing as a performer, as well as creating a name for yourself. If you are available for a role, take it and perform to the best of your ability, no matter the size of the part. [4] X Expert Source Lesly Kahn, MFA
Acting Teacher & Coach Expert Interview. 12 May 2020. -
Take direction well. The director is there to help you and the other actors come together to tell the story. Listen to what the director says and perform your part. Learn from every experience no matter how small the role may be.
- If the director is not giving much feedback on your performance. Ask specifically for input. Explore your role and ask questions about your character and performance.
Advertisement
-
Buy professional headshots. Headshots are photographs of your head and shoulders. Actors are required to have both a headshot and resume when submitting for a role. Headshot used to be black and white, but the current expectation is that headshots are full-color.
- Make sure the picture is current and looks like you. If you age or change your hairstyle, you will need to get new headshots. [5] X Research source
- Bring several different clothing options to the photoshoot and have pictures taken wearing different shirts. Don’t wear distracting patterns or colors. Keep your outfit simple so the focus is on your face. [6] X Research source
-
Build an acting resume. [7] X Expert Source Lesly Kahn, MFA
Acting Teacher & Coach Expert Interview. 12 May 2020. An acting resume should include your contact information, body specifications, experience, training, and special skills. List your most recent roles first and work your way backward. [8] X Research source- Your name should be at the top of the resume and in the largest font.
- If you are a member of an acting union list the abbreviation for the union after your name.
- If you have an agent, they will give you a stamp to add to your resume to replace your personal contact information.
- List your height, weight, hair and eye color, and make sure that it is accurate.
- Never lie on your resume. Only list work you have actually completed.
-
Go to auditions. Find the auditions in your area and go to any which are offering a role you would fit. Auditioning itself is a good way to continue working on your skills. It is an opportunity to perform for influential casting directors and artistic directors. You can find auditions through postings like backstage.com, on the “call board” at the AEA office, or your agent can search and submit on your behalf.
- Be prepared to deal with a lot of rejection. There are any number of reasons you may not be the best fit for a particular role, and there are a lot of other actors looking to make it on Broadway. The competition is abundant and you will audition many times without being offered a role. [9] X Research source
- Treat every audition seriously. Even if you are not a perfect match for this role you are auditioning for, you can impress the casting agent or artistic director who may then call you in for another role in the future.
-
Perform in plays and musicals. The best way for Broadway producers to see what you are capable of is to see you in action. Perform onstage off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway on your way to Broadway. Start making a name for yourself as a performer to get closer to Broadway.
-
Write a bio for play programs. A bio, or biography, should consist of about four of five sentences and highlight your past work as an actor. It is a little blurb which allows the audience to learn more about you and your career. If you have a lot of acting credits, choose four or five of the top performances or roles, and mention that the ones listed are some of your favorite roles to date. [10] X Research source
- Although you will be writing the bio yourself, you should use third person vernacular like “he” and “she.”
- List your achievements, credits and performance history using full sentences rather than a literal list.
- You can include your training, and some personal information to endear yourself to the reader.
- You can also list film and television credits in a theatrical bio.
Advertisement
-
Make the move to New York City. You may be able to audition for a Broadway show if you live in a major city which is hosting auditions, but if you really want to make it on Broadway, you should live in New York. You will be more available to your agent and have many more auditions available to you. [11] X Expert Source Lesly Kahn, MFA
Acting Teacher & Coach Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.- New York can be very expensive. Be sure that you have savings to last you for several months once you arrive. The average monthly rent on a 900 square foot unit in New York City is $2815. Add utilities and the higher cost of food, and you can plan on needing at least $3500 per month.
- Many people live on the outskirts of the city in Queens or Brooklyn, and some even live across the river in New Jersey. These can be cheaper options than living in Manhattan, and the public transit system makes the commute quick, easy and cheap.
-
Join Actor’s Equity Association. Actor’s Equity Association, also referred to as Equity and AEA, is a union for actors in America. It’s purpose is to provide protection for the professional actor and enforce guidelines regarding pay, breaks, insurance and other professional needs. On the other hand, many professional theater companies will only use Equity actors, especially in leading roles, as a way to weed out actors with less experience. [12] X Research source
- In order to join you must first be eligible. You may be able to join if you are cast in a production under an Equity contract.
- You may be allowed to join Equity if you are a member of one of their sister unions, SAG-AFTRA, AGMA, AGVA, or GIAA. You must have been a member for at least a year, remain in good standing and have performed a significant role under their jurisdiction.
- You can register as an Equity Membership Candidate, or EMC, to earn credit toward membership by working at an Equity theater. The cost to register is $100, and you must work at least 50 weeks in an Equity house to become eligible to apply for membership.
-
Acquire a talent agent. Broadway stages often only work with talent agencies when they are looking to cast important roles for a Broadway show. Using a talent agent helps streamline their process, since the agent will knows their actors and can submit only the people who they know could fit the role. Having a talent agent is going to be necessary to getting in the door of a Broadway audition if you want a lead role.
- Submit your headshot and resume to agents in New York City along with a cover letter.
- Ask other actors which agent they use and if you can use that actor as a reference in your cover letter.
- Invite agents to come see you perform when you are in a show.
-
Work hard and get along with your directors and fellow actors. Your performance onstage is very important, but your behavior off-stage is just as important if not more important. Broadway professionals and casting agents all work in the same circles. It is likely that someone who has not worked with you will consult others asking about their experience working with you before they offer you a role. [13] X Research source
- Protect your reputation by being on time, following direction, and being respectful to everyone on the cast and crew.
- Emotions are a large part of theatrical work. Do your best to keep the emotions in the performance and stay logical and collected when you are dealing with others off-stage.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search
-
QuestionHow do i become a Broadway actor?Lesly Kahn is an acting teacher and coach based in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder and owner of Lesly Kahn & Company, Actor Training, which focuses on preparing actors for employment in film, television and theatre. With well over 30 years of experience, Ms. Kahn has coached hundreds of actors who have become household names. She also ran the BFA Program in Acting at Marymount Manhattan College, and worked in television as well as New York and regional theatre. Lesly holds a BFA from New York University and an MFA from The Yale School of Drama.The most important step is moving to New York so you can be close to the production and theater scene. You might also consider getting an MFA from a really good school but it's not necessary. Finally, get acting experience by performing in regional theater productions.
-
QuestionWill Broadway hire me if I am 13?Community AnswerIt really depends. If you are auditioning for a role in your age group, then yes. If you are auditioning for an adult role, it is less likely, yet not impossible. If you look older than you are, then maybe.
-
QuestionHow do I get a talent agent when I'm only 13?Community AnswerTalk to your parents about getting involved. Do research on good agencies and try to contact them and set up a meeting.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- When in doubt, always prepare a song and monologue for an audition.Thanks
- Dress professionally when going to rehearsals/auditionsThanks
- If you have any connections with Broadway, say, your aunt's sister-in-law is a Broadway producer, by all means, get in touch! She may be able to help you along the way.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Always be overly prepared! If they ask for three songs and a monologue for your audition, have six songs and four monologues ready! It sounds like a lot, but you never know what you'll be asked to do during an audition.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
References
- ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/great-new-york-acting-schools-universities-12826/
- ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
- ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/agent-makes-great-headshot-7169/
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/agent-makes-great-headshot-7169/
- ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
- ↑ https://www.ace-your-audition.com/acting-resume-samples.html
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/tips-handle-rejection-12983/
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/steps-writing-great-bio-13225/
- ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
- ↑ https://www.actorsequity.org/join/
- ↑ https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/07/22/what-does-it-mean-to-be-professional-at-work
About This Article
Article Summary
X
If you’re dreaming of becoming a Broadway actor, you can get started with some formal training and meeting people in the industry. Look for local performing arts classes and apply to acting schools. Grasp any opportunity you have to sing, dance, and perform to practice your craft. Once you’re confident performing, start auditioning for productions. Don’t worry if you don’t live in New York, since you can still get valuable experience in your local theaters. Listen to any feedback you get from your coaches and directors and always strive to improve your skills. After you've got a few productions under your belt, take the dive and move to New York. Look for a talent agent and apply to as many Broadway shows as you can. For more tips, including how to write an acting resume, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 149,550 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I'm 55 and still dream of starring in a Broadway play. I have some experience in theatre and film work. I dance, I sing and act. I would need to brush up on my skills, but feel like may age is working against me sometimes. I now know it's not." ..." more
Advertisement
88%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I'm 55 and still dream of starring in a Broadway play. I have some experience in theatre and film work. I dance, I sing and act. I would need to brush up on my skills, but feel like may age is working against me sometimes. I now know it's not."
..."
more
"This article really packs a punch, and covers a lot of ground. It also maintains an honest and positive approach about how to break into acting as a vocation. I strongly recommend this reading to anyone who wants to do just that."
..."
more
"I am so famous. Now I became the best and most talented Broadway actor ever."
"Taught me many things in a field that I already knew quite a bit about."
"It was very helpful. I will use every one of these steps. Thanks!"
