Backstage

I have gotten a few jobs from Backstage, but definitely not enough to warrant paying the same fee as those in a larger market. However, I have been able to grow my resume a little from the jobs I've booked. I think if a person lives in an area outside of LA, NY, ATL, they should pay much less because they are definitely going to get many, many less opportunities and almost NO RETURN at all. Fortunately we have hooked up with an Agent in LA and NY and I've learned from them as well as many industry workshops, that not many individuals use Backstage as a primary tool for booking talent. I say if you use Backstage, just know this is more of an industry resource and not a way to be discovered in the industry.

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.

Posted a casting call for my play NURSERY RHYMES to be produced as part of the NYWinterFest 2019 at the Hudson Guild Theater in January. Got almost 300 submissions and cast four very talented actors with a minimum of angst and wasted time. CVs and film clips were readily available, and it was effortless to contact the candidates. Did all of the initial interviews on Skype or FaceTime, then followed up with face-to-face group readings. The Backstage software made it easy; a far cry from the days of lining up around the corner and wasting an entire day waiting for a three minute interview. Next time I do a play, I'll turn to the Backstage Website first.

THIS COMPANY I WILL BE REPORTING TO AUTHORITIES DUE TO THE FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY TAKEN PLACE, CANCELLED AND RECEIVED CONFIRMATION OF CANCELLATION AFTER A £2 TRIAL AND EXTRA FREE MONTHS AND THEY THEN KEPT HOLD MY DETAILS AND STARTED TO TAKE MONEY OUT MY ACCOUNT SEVERAL MONTHS LATER CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT MY CONSENT OR AUTHORISATION, IT WASN'T UNTIL MY BANK FLAGGED AND I WENT ON APP TO FIND THEY HAVE BEEN TAKING MULTIPLE PAYMENTS WITHOUT ME CONFIRMING ANY RENEWAL, THEY COMPLETELY IGNORE EMAILS BUT RECENTLY SENT ME YOUR SUB IS NOW CANCELLED BUT NOT RESPONDED TO THE FACT THEY HAVE BROKEN PRIVACY LAWS? RETURN ME MY MONEY YOU HAVE STOLEN? LOOK AT TRUSTPILOT THE REAL REVIEWS OF THIS SCAMMER WEBSITE AND ACTION FRAUD WILL ALSO BE IN TOUCH!

I HAVE ALL PROOF OLD EMAILS WHICH I SENT TO CANCELLED MONTHS BEFORE ANY RENEWAL AS NEVER WANTED TO SUBSCRIBE ONLY THE TRIAL BUT YOU STILL PROCEEDED TO COMMIT FRAUD!

Don't waste your time or money. You can't reach a human being. The chat is bogus, they change up names. As soon as your click a link through a "special" page you get charged, and then they send you an email offering a free month but NOT for you - for new customers. They can't get it together, they are just collecting money off of people desperate for casting calls. You'll find this to be huge waste of time, some of the listings are fake, and they will go away/be filled weeks before the date ends - actually conveniently after you apply. Don't bother! Get a good agent, and do it the right way. NO FAMOUS PEOPLE USED THIS TO GET ANY NOTEABLE ACTING JOB!