These days there are a gazillion sites offering casting and audition info and tantalizing promises to those chasing stardom. But how do you know if a site is legit and whether a casting will result in a booking…or maybe a terrifying encounter with a weirdo in a deserted hotel room?

Your best bet is to go with the tried-and-true websites that have been around for years—or decades—and have a solid reputation. Backstage.com is the gold standard, offering verified casting calls, as well as a talent database, forums, news, and great articles. You might be interested in 7 Signs of a Casting Scam, for one. I have a membership to Backstage—it’s pretty much a must if you want to research upcoming auditions and be on top of the biz (non-members can view basic info but not the details of auditions). This definitely applies if you are working as a freelancer, but even if you have a manager/agent, you may catch a casting that slipped through the cracks in their busy schedules. Several of my son’s recent Billy Elliot runs are the result of me setting up a Billy Elliot alert on Backstage. The people over at Backstage lay out the difference between their site and others this way: “Backstage.com is the only casting website that updates and verifies each and every casting notice before it’s posted, offering a level of confidence and security that no other website can match.” Backstage caters to actors, models, singers, dancers, and comedians.

Casting Networks is another credible site that established talent and agencies depend upon. It is easy to set up an account and post your photo, resume, stats, special skills, etc. If you are represented, an account is free; if you do not have an agency representing you, the cost is $25 annually.

Actors Access also provides essential services to both talent and casting directors. Setting up an account is free.

Combing through the castings and creating and updating your profile on these three sites will keep you plenty busy, so I’ll stop there for now.

Have a casting site or resource you love? Let us know!

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The #1 Broadway Kids’ Coach You Gotta Know!

It’s time for… Tap with Thommie! If you haven’t heard of Thommie Retter yet, you are not reading my blog very carefully. He is the kids’ coach to know if Broadway is the goal OR if just having a fantastic time with a bunch of great kids is what you have in mind. If you live in the tri-state area, hop on a train and join Thommie for his fall drop-in classes on Fridays at Ripley Grier Studios, 520 8th Avenue.

Here are descriptions of Thommie’s Classes, right from the man himself!

Fun Tap – 4:30 to 5:30

This class is easier, though all of the kids take it. In this class, we work specifically on the fundamentals of tap dance.

Broadway Tap – 5:30 to 6:30

This class is more advanced and will prepare kids for tap auditions they have coming up!

Jazz 4 Theatre Kids – 6:30 to 7:30

Here I work on flexibility, strength and basic technique that will assist kids when executing dance steps including turns, jumps and combinations they will come across in future auditions.

Everything I work on with the kids on Fun Friday is aimed at getting them on Broadway by showing up at auditions with confidence and talent.

$40 for 1 class, $50 for two, $60 for all three

Sign up on Thommie Retter’s Site to receive updates on audition workshops and fabulous guests, like…

Jamie & Original Billy Elliot Trent Kowalik!

Trent Kowalik, one of the original Billy Elliots on Broadway, who popped into Thommie’s tap classes last week. (This stuff happens all the time, so come to class and get some autographs!)

Tap Class With Thommie and Trent

Laugh Attacks Encouraged

Stay tuned for news on an exciting project Thommie has in the works. You are going to love it!

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