My D starts her senior MT year next week and is getting ready for showcase auditions. In their program outside auditors are brought in to audition the kids, and those who make it then do the shows. My question for the veterans out there is what you see as the value of showcases in terms of actual employment in the industry. Do many kids get signed based on them, is it a good venue to get your name out there? Just wondering what the experiences of folks was.
My D did get her initial agent via showcase. She met with whichever agents expressed interest and then signed with one (but that is not her current agent). Showcases are not the only chance or way to ever obtain representation, but it is one way that could work. Having an agent is beneficial. You asked about showcases in terms of actual employment…I would say showcase is more about exposure to agents than leading to employment. Having an agent is one step, but it doesn’t mean you will be employed! An agent is helpful is securing auditions that you might not otherwise be seen for, which hopefully will lead to employment. Keep in mind that employment is an ongoing process as most “jobs” don’t last that long in this field. I will add that someone should not rely just on agents or auditions to find work in this field. It’s one great thing to be doing, but find work in other ways too…and make work too for yourself.
Here are the stats for my son’s class from 2015:
Class Size: 16 (9 Males, 7 Females)
Location: NYC
Date: 1st week of April
Results:
2 Equity Tours
1 Non-Equity North American Tour
1 Non-Equity International Tour
2 Non-Equity Regional Show (4-month Contract)
15 of 16 received at least 1 (if not multiple agent inquiries)
16 of 16 signed with an agent before the end of April.
16 months later: Two of the tour people are still touring, the other two tours ended.
Lots of regional theatre work, an NYC cabaret performances for the rest.
However:
There are 4 from the class who didn’t seem to pursue anything after showcase.
My Point:
Showcase can jump-start your career. It is very important on the short-term.
Remember, “It’s not just about getting the job, it’s also about getting the next job.”
@ManVan - and any others with experience, I’m curious about something that may “skew” the success rate of some showcase attendees. Aren’t some of these “hires” already in the works BEFORE the showcase? Are some of the students perhaps attending other prior auditions/workshops/vettings that may culminate in a job or agent representation during - or just after - the showcase? Is it JUST the showcase that triggers the hiring/representation? Or is it weeks/months/years of prior exposure that have brought these students to the attention of agents and casting directors and then the “machine” of showcase in the NYC locale just provides a convenient time and place to put ink to paper? Please don’t think I’m contesting the value of showcases, I’m just curious if the showcase is a “stand-alone” entity that leads to job success (with level of talent/skill and desirability of type factored in). There are many wonderful reasons for students to participate in NYC/LA/Chicago showcases. I just have to wonder if “first viewing of brilliant talent/type at showcase = job”? Or is it that “brilliant talent has been actively pursuing many opportunities” that directly influences “showcase = job” or “showcase = outstanding job”?
This is an important point. It is not a good measure really as to who got a job immediately after graduating. It takes time to build a professional career. One job can lead to another. And so on. I’m more interested in seeing how the kids do over a period of time and a few years after graduation. That first job is just ONE job (and short term). My D would say it takes time to build things up. She did get cast immediately following graduation and got her Equity card from that. And she has been working in this field and earning her entire income from this field since graduation day. But it can take several years to really be doing well and getting more known and so on. So, what happens those first few months after graduating really doesn’t tell the story.
@mom4bwayboy, yes, there are definitely people who are in Showcase who already have representation, and/or already have extensive professional credits. It’s hard to say whether Showcase has anything to do with their subsequent placement success.
On the other hand, Showcase definitely has led to agent contracts for students with no prior representation. My D’s friend at NU, who had no professional credits and no industry connections, landed a Chicago agent from her Chicago showcase, and then landed an equity role immediately upon graduation.
Regardless, showcase can’t possibly hurt. It’s exposure, and exposure is always good, if not for that moment, than for later on. Remember, as other experienced parents like @soozievt say, it’s all about the marathon, not the sprint out of the gates. If I can use her highly talented D as an example, she could have sat on her laurels when she was placed in an equity show on graduation–but she didn’t. She explored multiple venues for her talents, and created her own work, and this was critical to her long term success.
So Showcase is an opportunity, but it’s one opportunity among many. If nothing comes out of it, it’s still exposure, and if something comes out of it - i.e. representation - that’s wonderful, but there’s still the same long slog ahead!
Thanks @ManVan, @soozievt, @connections for sharing your “down-the-road” experiences. I get where all of you are coming from and totally understand the career our kids are signing up for is really “auditioning”, “networking”, and “forever-expanding-your-skillset”, rather than “being a performer in the show of shows for the foreseeable future”. I just think that some students/parents place too-heavy an emphasis on whether, or not a program has a NYC/Chicago/LA showcase. Yes, I’m sure that lighting does strike on that showcase stage, but in reality, how often is that single bolt from the sky what made the difference?
Last winter, my S took the opportunity to audition for some very “prestigious” summer stock venues and learned a ton from the experience. One thing he heard repeatedly was that it often takes “multiple exposures” for a casting directer to “notice” you and that it’s only after you’ve been in front of them a few times that they truly begin to consider you. Just wondering for what percentage of those who get “signed” at a showcase, is that showcase a second, or third or seventh “exposure” in front of the casting director/agent? Aren’t at least some of the attendees at a school’s showcase the same people who have been conducting workshops at the school? Or casting directors who have seen these kids audition in the past for Straw Hats, SETC, regional theater, summer stock, etc? Have they previously viewed video submissions from the students? Have they, or a close contact, worked with the student in the past? Again, just wondering if it’s the single “exposure” at the showcase that gets the ball rolling? Or was the ball already rolling and gaining momentum before the showcase? Was the “networking” already in existence prior to the showcase? (And of course this can lead to the never-ending discussion of, “How important is a program’s alumni network?” We will all have our own answers to that question. That’s not what I’m wondering about.)
I’ve been wondering about that “multiple exposures” factor, too. My S has been jumping into some EPAs with, so far, not much to show for it, but I wonder if it will pay off later.
@mom4bwayboy Picking up on your post #6…for my D, and I imagine for most in her cohort at showcase, they didn’t really have prior exposure to the agents who attended the showcase. I know my D didn’t. Several agents then expressed interest and she went to appointments and signed with one. She had an audition via the agent, her first one, immediately following graduation and booked it. But actually, the agent didn’t send her out much after that and wasn’t really all that good. Eventually, I think maybe around two years later, my D had her first original musical staged professionally in NYC and she was starring in it. Her former classmate directed it and he had an acting agent who attended my D’s show. The friend told his agent that my D was interested in a new agent and my D ended up signing with this agent. So, even if you do get an agent out of showcase, it doesn’t necessarily mean everything is going to be positive going ahead. It is just an agent, not work. My D is now still with the second agent. She has booked many things during this time.
There were no former connections for my kid prior to graduating college. However, her network grew and grew the more she worked in the field. Plus just her peers from college alone have figured into work opportunities among themselves (she has gotten them jobs and vice versa). But the more work you do, the more people you meet. The more people become familiar with your work. Exposure really helps. Go out and make work to get yourself seen more.
Anyway, I think showcases can help with exposure to agents, but are not the only chance to ever get an agent. It doesn’t necessarily lead to a job. But having an agent helps. With an agent, you don’t have to go to open calls. You are sent to auditions via appointment. You don’t have to be Equity (though my D is).
Showcases are not the end all and be all. In fact, when my D attended NYU/Tisch, there were two showcases at the time (this has changed since then). One was through CAP21, the then MT studio. Every CAP21 student could be in that. So, it was a guaranteed showcase. There was also a Tisch wide MT showcase (and an Acting one too) by audition only (just 15 students got into it out of a very large program from all studios). In my D’s case, she was in ETW studio in her senior year (formerly in CAP21 studio). CAP21 studio invited her back for showcase semester but she opted to not do that (and thus gave up a guarantee of being in a showcase) because she wanted to do what is called “independent projects” in her spring of her senior year at ETW, which in her case, was to write her first musical and stage it (and star in it). That was more important to her than being in showcase. However, she did audition for the Tisch wide MT showcase and got into it and so that led to an agent signing. But just sharing this to say that she would have given up a showcase opportunity. As it turns out, that original musical senior year led to sooooo much more that happened afterward (which also eventually led to a second agent she has for that kind of work).
Showcases are one helpful thing in terms of exposure and possible chances at an agent signing. But they really are not the end all and be all. And what job you get or even do not get right out of the gate is not really the whole story. It takes time to build a career in this field. To build contacts. To network. To be seen by those in the industry. To get jobs that may lead to further work. My D would say it has taken several years for that to really develop (even though she has worked steadily and fully supported herself in the field of theater/music since her graduation day). She is in a much more developed phase now seven years out. I will add that she rarely auditions and has not put all her stock into auditioning (but that is another topic).
College is a front-end extension of a performer’s career, so getting exposure and multiple looks during college is smart (if not essential.) The days of walking off the bus and getting discovered is all but statistically impossible. If a program is committed to getting their graduates work, then they will arrange a wide range of auditions and master classes throughout their curriculum. However, the performer must take ownership of putting themselves in front of artistic/casting people as often as it makes sense to do so. My son got on the mega-bus from Cincy to NYC for a weekend Les Mis open call, and he paid his own way to Chicago for an Equity call for Mormon, and he went to Pittsburg, and St. Louis, and Wichita, and he submitted a lot of videos and he road-tripped often. He put himself in front of the Mormon folk 5 times before he started getting called-back. That was three solid-years of professional and regional auditions. To be honest, those actors who kept saying, “I’m not ready yet…I’m just not comfortable yet…I’m just concentrating on my craft now and will work on that later…” are the ones not working now. Auditioning is it’s own unique skill. Showcase is a tool within the overall audition skill set.
Thanks @soozievt and @ManVan. It sounds like both your kids - in different ways - were doing way more than preparing and showing up for a showcase.
This is so true. Also, not all agents are created equal! It’s sometimes tough for some students to discern this but prior to signing, it is wise to do some research, speak to actor friends, etc., especially if more than one offer is extended. A showcase can be a first step but it is not an essential step. No student (or parent!) should be relying on a showcase opportunity to be more than it is.
You’ve already gotten lots of great advice but I can add some additional thoughts. Our D’s agent contacted her the summer before her senior year after seeing her in a regional equity production, so keep in mind that in some cases professional work preceeds getting an agent. D has a friend who spent a year on the BOM tour before bothering to sign with anyone (remember your agent gets a cut of your salary).
From what I’ve seen in the past couple years of watching how D finds work I agree with the common wisdom that casting folks often need to see an actor several times before they start to notice and/or remember them, but I think agents are a bit different. In D’s case I think they’d only seen her once when they invited her for a meeting (much as happens at a Showcase), but during the meeting she met with and performed for all the agents in the office since at her agency the decision to sign new talent had to be unanimous, so by the time they signed her she had had multiple “touches”. I think that’s fairly typical, but hope pthers will chime in if not.
The key reason an agent is nice is to get in the room via a submission, which typically places you in the process with first callbacks, and a Showcase is a great way for many seniors to get broad exposure to agencies, but as has been said niether a Showcase nor an agent will make or break a career.
Want to walk the fine line here and not offend.
I think now (not 5-10 years ago but now) for the most part senior showcases should be looked at as graduation ceremonies you get to attend rather than something that is expected to provide one the keys to the kingdom.
My daughter’s former school doesn’t do showcases. (It’s the 8,000 lb gorilla and it’s not practical). They have showcase performances and some people get representation from them.
I have many friends with INCREDIBLY talented kids whose much smaller schools with respected programs do haul the kids to NYC to do showcases, Unless you are really lucky or an under represented type, you need to be realistic about what can come from it. And if I were a casting goddess, I’d happily cast any show with some of the recent grads I know who got no representation out of a showcase. Times a factor of 10. So keep it real.
I’d embrace senior showcases as a chance for YOU to see your kid as sort of graduation ceremony. If it is something beyond that – pinch yourself.
@halflokum - that’s kind of what I’ve been thinking. From social media postings this past spring about the senior NYC visit/showcase for my S’s program, it looks like there were lots of wonderful experiences that included the typical wish list items of any MT nut in NYC. But they also had some unique opportunities, like panel discussions with alumni and professionals in the business, masterclasses/workshops, some behind-the-scenes looks at theaters, etc. And of course, the showcase. Based on the public “hoopla” posted (S is not very helpful on this front and I do my best not to snoop where my nose doesn’t belong), several of the seniors got some kind of call back(s), but there appeared to be only a few signings (S’s program is pretty private about blowing it’s own horn). It looked like the graduates had a wonderful time, were warmly welcomed by the “local” alumni network, and learned some stuff along the way - all very worthwhile - but hanging your hat on the outcome of the showcase alone does not seem like something that should be of primary importance. So when comparing programs, one can say, “yes, my kid’s program has an NYC senior showcase”, but other than a fun, educational “graduation treat” - with the possibility of lucky surprise inside the box - it should be taken for what it is. Fun and educational. And expensive I’m guessing.
I think at D’s school the Showcases are much more than just fun and educational, but as has been said they aren’t the only way to launch a career.
@mom4bwayboy, I think you’ve actually described what senior showcases look like for many of the programs that build a NYC component into their senior year. My daughter’s senior year (and she was already in NYC) has a built in component that includes those workshops with the professionals and semester long classes with them with as part of the senior year curriculum. Luckily it was not a “thing” that felt like all of the eggs in a basket event but rather just part of the day to day over a semester or two but that was only because it was logistically possible. Despite the ease of access, there were many extremely talented kids that didn’t gain representation from the exposure but at least they came out of it with a sense of what chasing the work looked like and relationships were established. To this day and as recently as last week there is outreach for various casting opportunities that come out of these connections.
That said, I’d really urge no one to assume that the preparation that leads up to the showcase to do anything other than provide a framework for what it takes to secure work. We can all point to people from various programs that get representation immediately and seem to have the yellow brick road rolled out in front of them with silicon spray. There will always be those stories. And then there will be plenty more stories that can’t be explained by thinking about it as talent this and and not that. Again, I’d could easily cast a show (except it’s not the business that I’m in), with the people I know that graduate without an agent - showcase or not. And it would be a hell of a show as there would not be a weak link ANYWHERE. And yeah… I’m talking about many of your kids even though I don’t know most of them but I know enough of them from the friends I made here to be sure it would be hell of a show.
@momcares, I doubt anyone would voluntarily describe the build up to showcase as fun and educational. But if you have fun and learn something from participating in one, you are ahead of the game. It’s not an experience that is school specific It’s about the launch. It’s also a moment in time which for most people will have nothing to do with what happens next but for some it might.
I’m fully aware that there are programs whose showcases are better attended by people that actually matter than maybe others are. I still maintain it has nothing to do with anything where the rubber hits the road.
To raise another 1000 lb gorilla, not everyone at Northwestern gets to go to NYC showcases, and this is also true of some other schools. At NU, they are audition-only, and my own D didn’t get to go. (The Chicago Showcases are available for all) She isn’t MT, and I think your chances are lower if you’re not, as it is easier to cast a 22 year old in MT and/or with singing/dancing/instrumental skills on top of acting–there are just far more roles. My D was a bit disappointed, but ok with not going, and she’s very happy with her excellent education at NU – she just graduated magna cum laude 
And she’s on her way to an MA at LAMDA.
I should add she also interned the year before with a NYC casting agency, which sent her on a few MFA Showcases as their rep. It was interesting to see it from the other side. She recommended only a small number of MFA students as the casting person was looking for specific types/skills, and also, some ‘popped out’ to her more than others. And of these she has no idea how many (if any) the casting agent ultimately contacted.
There is a common ‘wisdom,’ and I’m not sure what the stats are, that agents are saturated with Showcases and that the chances of landing good representation are low. That said, I do hear of students landing representation, and subsequent roles, upon graduation. But as folks are saying, this is only the first step. And while it is important to land an agent, you can get seen by them in other ways besides Showcase if you want to.
So I’d definitely view Showcases exactly as @halflokum says, a fun educational experience. Or try to! If something comes out of it, wonderful, but if it doesn’t, or you can’t go to them, that is ok too. There are many paths, but all of them involve the long haul.
Thanks to all. My D’s class is going through the angst right now of picking what monologues, songs, etc to use for showcase auditions. Comments here will help me provide some perspective to her.