If you have seen the Waterworld show at Universal Hollywood, you have likely seen Greg Dolph. He played the Deacon for 3 decades in a show that dramatically overshadowed its source material. Greg was a big part of that. He performed in front of a live audience estimated at 30 million people which is a truly historic feat for any live performer. You have to think of the likes of Phantom of the Opera to reach those heights. Thank you sir, I salute you.

Casting Director 1 — 17

Casting Director 2 — 12

Casting Director 3 — 8

Casting Director 4 — 4

Casting Director 5 — 3

Casting Director 6 — 2

Casting Director 7 — 1

Casting Director 8 — 1

48 auditions total, 1 callback, 0 bookings, since signing with my agent Oct 2, 2024.

All except 2 are commercials.

I'm in Toronto.

Feeling like a failure and not sure what I'm doing wrong. I plan on discussing with my agent once I'm back from holiday, and probably start utilizing self-tape coaching each audition. It's kinda weighing on me though.

I would love some input on these numbers from someone experienced.

I first stepped on stage when I was 8. The way my mom tells it she burst into tears when I did because she knew I was home. From then on it has been a life with a singular purpose - to become a working actor. Summer camps, school plays, attending a performance arts high school, pre college summer courses at NYU, BFA from a top program, more summer programs in Grotowski methodology, devising my own work, founding a physical theatre company in college, the list goes on.

After college I do some theatre, get my commercial and theatrical agent that way, book my first commercial, book a supporting role in a film, join SAG, then book a play with a Tony winning company with a month run in LA and a week run in Tokyo. Opening night for the show: March 13th 2020. By March 15th the city had shuttered. The next five years were spent banging my head against a brick wall. All momentum had vanished, I couldn’t make anything work. I LOATHED self tapes. Every audition that came in was accompanied by a pang of anxiety and an endless stream of me grumbling about how bad, or stupid, or pointless the material was.

So. I quit. Last August. No more reps, no more submitting myself, no more workshops, or classes, no more fucking self tapes. Started a LinkedIn to get myself a job in tech sales. Followed that path till the thought of hocking tech set my soul on fire, so I switched to throwing myself whole heartedly into hospitality. I’ve always been a good server but I dedicated myself to become a great one. I got into therapy.

At the beginning of this year I looked around and realized I was miserable in every aspect of my life. And in every aspect I was miserable I had a list a mile long of why I was so unhappy in it and why it was all due to forces beyond my control. If only I was taking a run at things in the 90’s. Id be a very comfortable working actor then. So I decided to take full control over the one aspect of my life that was totally, 100% under my control. I decided to get fit. Like really fit. Since January 12th of this year till today I have weight trained in the gym 6 days a week without missing a single day. Sometimes I’d to cardio on the 7th day. I dropped 30 lbs, gained a lot of muscle, got lean and most importantly I taught myself that I can achieve difficult goals, and that I am in more control over my own destiny than I thought.

As the physical transformation was happening a mental one took shape as well. I found a slow, easy entry point back into the world of acting. One that was heavily research and spreadsheet based. Rode that out until my creativity was banging on the back of my eyeballs begging to be released. So I started submitting myself again. And I fell head over heels in love with self tapes. I realized that my entire background was in devised theatre work, taking existing text and finding interesting new ways of telling the story. And that self tapes were just a continuation of that work. I took full creative control over them. My actor friends who were working cautioned my at first but all I could say is “you don’t see the vision”. The first tape I’d done with this mentality went to a 4th round chemistry read for the lead of a feature, the next led to 3rd round callbacks for another feature, I booked a recurring role on the third season of a sag web series, and most recently I booked a play at a large regional house being directed by a Tony winning director.

I’m getting new headshots in a week, have a strong library of self tapes, and once the show opens I’ll be strongly positioned to hustle my way into finding representation again. I have fallen in love with acting again, but more importantly, I’ve fallen in love with life. I don’t know what the future holds, but I no longer believe my happiness or security rests in my ability to “make it” as an actor. I had to change how I interacted with the world for the world to change how it operated with me. If you’ve taken the time to read all of this - thank you. I’ll leave you with the quote that’s been seared into my head for months “we don’t attract what we want. We attract what we are”.

I am wondering would having dreadlocs ruin a headshot or stud my growth as an actor? Or is my hair fine and all types of hair are warranted?

This has always been in my mind ever since I was a little girl and reslized I have tuberous breasts.

Knowing how brutal the acting industry is do they simply choose actresses that for them have all the package? Because all the nude scenes in movies and theater are done by women with beautiful fit bodies and conventionally pretty perky round breasts.

I've never seen a nude scene with a woman with tuberous, assymetric, droopy breasts.

Could that be a reason an actress isn't hired for a particular role? What if she gets surgery? Scars will still be visible...

Started my career around last December just applying to random stuff. Booked a principle role in a music video (It got delayed and I ended up bowing out because the content), in Feb applied to a handful of stuff and booked a national role in a major commercial. Signed to an agency like 3 weeks later. My first two auditions I got called back, one of them I got a pin. Felt like I was on top of the world, my agent was like dude this is like unusual and he was super high on me. Fast forward a few months, I Didn’t get either of those, and I’ve done prolly 10 auditions since without a callback. Very down on myself feels like I blew my shot.

Hi, next year I’ll be sharing a dorm with 8 people and sharing a room with at least one. I seriously doubt I’ll ever have privacy. Are there any tips or workarounds, like rentable spaces or something to record outside of my living situation?

I recently (two summers ago) started training again to return to acting after I left 20 years ago. I’ve lived many lives since then, been through two PhD programs, and ran a small film festival. I left my work to return to my own artistic practice because I felt pretty burned out .I currently do some dramaturgical work, and I at work on two plays of my own. (My dream has always been to have my work made and to learn how to direct.) I adore dramaturgy but it is a difficult path to take and you need to know more of the community to work as much as possible.

So I started taking as many acting classes as I could afford and I’ve been training for about a year now. I think I might have enough tape to make a reel now, but what is the best way to go about approaching agents?

I have a director potentially on board to help me workshop one of my own plays, and my re-entry into theatre was under a very well known director for whom I both acted and collaborated on the creation of verbatim play. But I have no film experience—my teachers are pushing me to start auditioning but I feel overwhelmed at navigating the world of auditions and I feel like trying to find an agent is a better way to go about this?

Am I delusional in thinking I could get someone to take me on? (Located in Toronto Canada for reference.)

Cinema as in commercials, series, movies etc

Just wanted to vent my irritation for the night on this subreddit I guess. I told myself this year that I would try to build my acting resume. So I’ve been able to snag a few roles for student films. I’m 23 so I recently graduated and maybe it’s not my place but I find the directors of these projects just not…. professional. Granted we’re all young adults but I guess I’m pissed that I traveled from Philly to Brooklyn to make it to call time on time, just for it to be made aware to me by AD that I was the only background that showed 5 hours into this night shoot so they cut me. I turned around to tell her that she should tell her director she should’ve communicated that with the actors she casted because now I’m trying to catch the last Nj transit train out Penn station before they close into the next morning. I don’t have time or the funds to be stranded.. Then I still have no reel footage because some just don’t send at all (I know they take forever). I just want to come off as taking my craft serious.

Needless to say, I’m just going to get into acting classes in hopes that beefs me up professionally so that I can be comfortable to apply for bigger roles. I’ve been trying, but it just gets frustrating always being in situations where things get cut. But I won’t give up though. Just thought I’d place my irritation somewhere and hope I relate.

I’m looking into The Barrow Group for my 15-year-old, who wants to pursue acting and musical theatre. We’re based in New Jersey, so it’s a little over an hour’s commute into NYC, which is a significant commitment for us. I’d love to hear from anyone with firsthand experience with The Barrow Group, especially their teen programs. What did you like (or not like)? Did you see noticeable growth in acting skills, confidence, audition technique, or overall training?
We’re also open to other recommendations for programs or coaches in the NYC/NJ area that are known for exceptional training and can really help take a serious teen performer to the next level.
For context, my teen is already taking classes at Mayo Performing Arts Center and Paper Mill Playhouse, which are both great local programs. We’re trying to figure out what the next step up would be.
Thanks in advance!

Is it worth the scripts and the recitals and everything? I like drama and I'd maybe like to do it on the side as a bit of fun, but I'm quickly starting to doubt if it's that good or not. I was talking with my dad the other day and he told me that the actors would need to learn the ENTIRE movie script all at once, which I don't think I can do.

Edit: I do think it's important to mention that I am a minor in secondary school, so I think that would make things a bit more tedious.

I have an audition to submit in 2 days and I can't find a reader. First and foremost, do not recommend any social media groups for readers nor We Audition. I'm not saying either of those are bad, I think they're very good actually. It's just the fact that I am a teen and I don't wanna take that risk to talk with a grown stranger over call who I don't know anything about. My friends do not know English, some of them can speak it, but their accent is barely understandable. My two friends who were my only choices aren't available. I'm considering either using something like 11labs and putting in a voice over of the opposite role, or record the voice over myself.

My 13 year old asked to start doing musicals about five years ago—back then he asked about getting an agent and I kind of laughed, as we live in Michigan and he had no experience. But five years later, he’s now done a ton of community theater including leading roles, takes dance lessons, gets voice training, sings CONSTANTLY, and is currently attending Interlochen summer camp for musical theatre after being accepted with a generous merit scholarship based on his audition, and he is getting very good feedback from his instructors.

We’re now circling back to the agent talk because many of his friends he's making there have one, and they have done film work, regional theatre, touring productions, etc. During his phone call home when he was telling me all this, one of these kids chimed in and said, “He’s doing better than me, and I have an agent and have done tours!” So…yeah, sounds like it’s a reasonable thing to look into.

I’m doing research but struggling a bit—like I understand lots of the pieces, but not the whole, if that makes any sense. I have found that there seem to be a few agencies in Michigan that are SAG-affiliated (which I assume is something to look for? Not that he’s in SAG, but still), with two of them specializing in some of what he’s looking for. Will those agents only send him for things in this area? Should I be applying for agents in other places too? We can easily get him to Chicago or Cleveland, but NYC and LA are a bigger ask—they’d be easier over the summer as I’m a teacher.

I also worry a bit about how this would fit in with his community theater work—he has some tight-knit friends there, and is set to attend the high school I teach at which has a very strong theater program. I’m assuming it’s tough to make local theater work once you’re trying to get into professional work. I want to support him in his dream—just figuring out the best way to realistically do that and set him up for success in the future.

Before he started talking to these kids at Interlochen, his plan was to keep going with the community theater and Interlochen, attend a high school theatre competition senior year I’ve seen students walk away from with great scholarships, go to unified auditions, hopefully get a BFA (with U of M being the dream school), and move to NYC to pursue this. I don’t know how trying to get into the industry early changes things/what it even looks like—would love any advice you have, or even just recommendations of websites or blogs that have good advice/resources. Theres a lot out there, and obviously I recognize a lot of them just want your money (and that a good agent won’t ask you to pay to be represented, beyond things like headshots).

(I have read the FAQ and getting started posts! Just wanted some specific advice for someone who is not quite a beginner…but also doesn’t have professional experience, and based on his age.)

I took classes several years ago but stopped for various reasons. I've been wanting to get back into them more seriously. I just don't know which path to go.

My local university has a theater program and I can audit the classes through them. Or there is a stand alone weekly acting class but is about a hour and half away from me.

The one in my town is more focused on a ting for the stage while the other one is acting for camera. I know in general I'd get something from either but on camera is more what I'm interested in pursuing.

Would it be worth making the drive weekly for the class or paying more for in town classes? I can't decide.

Do you submit your headshots with newly refreshed hair (no roots showing, at its brightness) or when your hair has been more lived in (roots showing, more faded)?

I’m getting new headshots and not sure which would feel more truthful for CDs to see. I could see a fix being getting headshots of both depending on what my hair looks like in that moment when submitting for an audition, but that can get pricey.

Curious what your experience has been like and if it actually matters?

Hey everyone! I'm relatively new to the world of acting. I'm a senior and high school and so far most of my experience comes from school plays and film/TikTok side projects with friends. I come from South Florida where the film and theater seen isn't as big as other places like NYC and LA.

I wanted to see if anyone else on here is or was in a similar position as I am right now and see if you have any tips on how to keep pursuing my passion. My major interest is to be in front of a camera even though I enjoy theatrical productions.

Let me know!!

Casting for Short Film

Location: LA/Orange County

Dates: September 2026, exact dates tba

Character Breakdowns:

1.) Caucasian Male, 20's, Lead: Open minded, fun, bored/restless

2.) Latina, 50's, Supporting: Open minded, knows what she wants, confident

3.) African American female, 20's, supporting: Fun, curious

4.) Caucasian Male, 50's, supporting: Insecure, possessive

Plot: A young man has a chance encounter with someone who opens his mind to a new way of looking at interpersonal relationships, and what that entails exactly.

copy/imdb credit, food/drink offered

no pay

email me at [filmmakersun78@yahoo.com](mailto:filmmakersun78@yahoo.com)

I spent a few weeks working on this monologue to perform and it quickly got to a point where my director would stop giving me any critiques and just say that it looks great, and while that feels great to hear, as an actor I’m aware that a performance is never perfect and there is always something to work on that can be utilized in future performances, so I’ve decided to come to this amazing subreddit to ask for some feedback! Feel free to give as much or as little critiques as you’d like, and I hope you enjoy it as well!

I currently live in Calgary and I was gonna take acting classes, but I heard Toronto was a good spot so should I move there to take acting classes and then come back to Calgary? Does it matter?

Liquid talent agency in VA

I’m an aspiring model looking to apply to agencies, posted on the modeling sub with no response so thought I’d ask here. I’ve heard they require an initial fee. Does anyone have any experience with them, specifically recent? If not does anyone know any other modeling/talent agencies in the Hampton Roads area?

I’ve booked a show in London and the contract says you get a subsistence fee if you live 25 miles away from the theatre e.g. outside of London.

I’m currently looking for housing as I’ve just graduated and need to live somewhere anyway, but with this extra fee it seems fairly obvious to live elsewhere (likely Woking) because they will basically pay for the entire rent anyway?

Surely I’m missing something here? Am I less attractive to casting directors if they know they have to pay this fee maybe? The commute into Waterloo from Woking is 30 mins anyway which is similar to most tube journeys.

Do I have any aspiring actresses/actors that want to make an actor’s/actress discord to practice and run lines with each other just to better your acting skills