If you’re having hard time finding acting gigs in New York City, you may discover that the grass is greener, and offers more room to grow, in regional theater. Many actors are drawn to New York by the bright lights of Broadway, but the lights can burn just as bright in regional theaters, found in every state and in most major cities, where numerous opportunities await. Regional theater is the birthplace of many new works that find their way to New York, both on and off-Broadway. At the same time, regional theater can showcase New York’s best work in theaters across the country.
Build Your Resume, Gain Experience
While there is only so much work available locally, the regional arena is an often-untapped market. For many actors, the most difficult aspect of working in regional theater is making the decision to leave New York. For Dani Super of Super/Capes Casting, the choice is clear: Working in a theater regionally beats not working in a theater locally.
“Why cut yourself out of working that market?” asked Super. “As an actor, it’s a numbers game. Keep yourself open to all these opportunities and you never know.”
Many young actors come to New York with visions of instant success, but they shouldn't overlook the process of building a solid career. When it comes time for the big gigs, casting professionals will notice your smaller credits.
“Regional theater is a great steppingstone for bigger and better places,” Super said. “You have to get your start somewhere, and it’s a great place to shine and get your chops.”
Regional theater is all about resume building, gaining valuable life experience and racking up stage time, according to Tony Nation of the Actors Connection, a networking center for actors. “The pros definitely outweigh the cons,” Nation said. “It’s a great opportunity to build your resume in everything from supporting roles to leading roles and work on a wide variety of stages around the country.”
While many actors struggle with the idea of leaving New York for fear of stepping out of the view of casting directors and agents, Nation said not to worry. Many Broadway directors work regionally as well and keep an eye out for what is happening elsewhere.
“Regional theater is so fantastic because there’s the opportunity to work on new pieces or revisit classic pieces with top-level actors, designers and directors,” Nation said. “When you work with these fantastic people in regional theater, they come back to New York and may want you to be in their New York production.”
Quality of Life, Cost of Living
For many New Yorkers, the quality of life in any other city can be less than desirable when compared with all the amenities available in the Big Apple. But according to Nation, who has worked in over 20 cities across the country, despite the occasional drawback, working regional theaters has many advantages as well.
“The only bad thing I can say about regional theater is that the housing isn’t always the best,” said Nation, who recalled once being put up in a shoddy college campus apartment that was neither tidy nor comfortable. On the other hand, “food is so much cheaper, along with going to the movies and day-to-day expenses. Things in general outside of New York are cheaper.”
Regional theaters typically pay better than most off-off-Broadway shows of comparable size. Generally, the bigger the theater, the more money is paid to the actors. The key to success is being a great negotiator and using your agent.
“When you’re being offered certain things, realize what you will and will not work for,” said Nation. “I have worked for less at some of the bigger theaters due to the fact that they were flat rates and no amount of negotiation was possible. I did it because of the opportunity.”
“People have a hard time getting in, but once you get in, it really pays off,” says actor George Dvorsky, who has appeared in numerous regional theater productions. “It’s all about networking. If they like you, you’ll be asked to do more shows. I’ve done four shows for Theater Under the Stars in Houston, and I only auditioned once.”
Those who do get work in regional theater can expect a fast-paced lifestyle — much more so than when putting on a show in New York. Most regional actors make their living by doing several shows a year, meaning they’re likely to be working at several different theaters across the country that year. With rehearsal periods for each theater ranging from two to five weeks, and the runs of shows ranging between one and two months, they’re looking at a three-month commitment at the most.
“You pick up your life and put it in a trunk. You move from one place to another, sometimes living in hotel rooms,” says Maria Somma, a spokesperson for the Actors’ Equity Association. “It is difficult, but if you get a job you really love, it’s easy to do. Actors really love acting and being part of a show. The fact that they’re doing something they love really sustains them. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a way of life.”
Show business is a business and needs to be treated as such. There are other opportunities out there, but sometimes it’s a gamble. “In some of the regional theaters you make less money, but you still are getting paid,” said Super. “It’s better than sitting on your couch and watching Oprah. Personally I feel like it’s a bird in the hand if you have a gig set regionally. Why wait around for one you don’t have locally?”
The biggest drawback for many actors is leaving home. “Lots of people want to set down roots and stay in town,” said Super. “But when you’re an actor, you’ve chosen the life of a gypsy. Regional theater is a part of that. So is touring.”
The Bigger Picture
In addition to finding the next gig, actors also need to develop a personal career plan for the future. “There’s a point when an actor needs to make a decision that it’s time to stay in one place,” said Nation. “When do I have enough regional credits and when do I need more New York credits? When do I want to be working off-Broadway and on Broadway? There comes a time when every actor needs to make these decisions.”
At the same time, actors can always bounce back into regional theater if they decide they settled down too soon and they want to try out elsewhere. You’re still a New York actor, even if you’re away in regional theaters. This means keeping in contact with those you work with in the city.
“For the New York or L.A. actor, regional theater takes you out of those loops, especially if you’ve been pursuing commercial work, because this is such a business of out of sight out of mind,” said Nation. “Sometimes when you’re out of town, it’s easy to get lazy and not do the homework. It’s very important to maintain relationships with casting directors and agents you work with. Let them know where you’re going, what you’re doing and when you’ll be back. The best way to do this is with postcards.”
Even though actors may leave New York for months at a time, they still need to think about making themselves available for auditions and screenings. “You can always put yourself on tape and send it in for film and television auditions,” said Super. “With stage, you need to be flexible with getting back to town for auditions.”
