BackstageReviews 291

I sent an inquiry through Backstage's Help page, and within a couple hours, I already had a response. Usually, other sites take a day or three days to get back to me, if even at all! I was so pleased with the speediness and the thoroughness of their reaponse. The representative that responded really helped me make a decision to stay away from a potentially fraud agent, that did, indeed, turn out to be a scammer! Thank you, Backstage.:-)

For the second time in a week I needed to clarify something on one of my backstage applications. It was a very important question regarding whether or not one If my invites for an audition was fraudulent. Stephanie my backstage customer service representative spent a long time searching the title and producer and found it even though I kept giving her the wrong spellings. She gave me spot on advice of what to do. She saved me a three hour trip, a lot of money and what would've been a horrible experience if I went on the audition. Very good customer service at Backstage.

There was a time when Backstage was THE source for audition notices, casting information, and practical insights. Today, it's the home of unpaid and background roles, self-serving advice from acting coaches, and celebrity pieces better suited to People magazine.

The daily newsletter is littered with such listings. Yet the site designers won't provide essential information in those listings, such as location, union status, and whether it's a paid role. So cast and crew hopefuls can click on an entry that sounds promising, only to find that it's 3000 miles away, the wrong union affiliation, and unpaid. It can't take that much extra effort to include NY (or LA or Chi or Atl or...), U or non-U, and $.

For anyone trying to make a living in the challenging world of theater, movies, and TV, there are now far more viable options. About the only reason to subscribe to Backstage at all is that it provides an online profile that can function almost like a personal website, letting subscribers post resumes, headshots, and both video and audio clips.

Backstage is not only a wonderful resource for artists and those working in the entertainment industry, but the organization is a great example of quality service to its members. I recently received the best customer service - they replied to my request within 2 hours as advertised and offered the best solution for me. I would highly recommend Backstage as a place for artists to thrive and dive in their career and assure anyone that Backstage has their back!

If you're looking for a confusing and inefficient web layout, beyond subpar service, and terrible customer skills, look no further than Backstage. Not only do you receive spam from "Casting directors" in your inbox, but the WORST submissions come through backstage. Half of the submissions are for National releases, which are basically one in a million for submitting for an audition. If you do narrow down the search to your local area, it sums up to gimicky song and dance roles that are nominally paid, if at all. As I tried to cancel my subscription, the method to cancel was reamarkably unclear. I was very unimpressed, disappointed, and off put with the rude customer service agent ("Stephanie") in the online chat who couldn't seem to provide me with any help other than to copy and paste full length policy articles at me. STAY AWAY FROM Backstage! Instead: ActorsAccess or LA Casting offer the best roles for actors.