After graduating from a drama program, the following logical transfer is, effectively, to maneuver. Nonetheless, selecting the place to stay as an actor is an age-old question.
For many years, the plenty have pointed to 2 areas in the event you needed to be a profitable actor: LA for TV and movie actors and New York Metropolis for stage actors. That being mentioned, the reply has now turn out to be extra nuanced than ever earlier than.
Funneling down from the obvious selections to smaller ponds chances are you’ll not have thought of, listed here are eight fantastic cities in America to stay as an actor.
New York Metropolis, NY
Picture Credit score: spyarm / Shutterstock.com
“N.Y.C.! Simply obtained right here this morning…Three bucks. Two baggage. One me.”
Although the music of Annie was written within the Nineteen Seventies, the dreamy really feel of its hovering solo from N.Y.C. nonetheless rings true immediately. New York Metropolis is extra viable for entertainers than ever, not solely touting Broadway and Off-Broadway alternatives, however a glittering listing of TV and movie productions as effectively for NYC-based actors.
The underside line:
In case your final purpose is theater and also you benefit from the hustle and bustle of a giant metropolis, New York Metropolis is the right possibility. There are many world-class arts to take in in your downtime, and lots of lessons and performing workshops to take to brush up in your craft and join with fellow actors.
Simply do not forget that whenever you take your performing profession to New York Metropolis, you’ll be diving into a really crowded pool head-first. Like its West Coast leisure hub cousin, Los Angeles, the price of residing in New York is pricey, however it can save you slightly by residing in surrounding areas resembling Astoria, Queens or Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey.
Be taught extra about performing in NYC.
Los Angeles, CA
Picture Credit score: Chones / Shutterstock.com.
LA is one other metropolis synonymous with skilled actors — particularly these within the film business. When you could also be prepared to present Mr. DeMille that close-up, there are numerous issues to contemplate earlier than shifting to the world’s leisure hub.
To start with, Cecil B. DeMille has handed away. Second, what are your targets? Figuring out what space(s) of the leisure business you wish to work in will preserve your profession centered.
The underside line:
Though TV and movie productions at the moment are solid and shot everywhere in the world, Hollywood remains to be the Mecca of showbiz.
In case you’re particularly seeking to break in as a TV day participant or enter the sitcom world, extra alternatives will likely be provided in LA. In fact, like its East Coast sibling, the market is extremely saturated. You received’t have the ability to throw a stone with out hitting a fellow actor (however by no means throw stones).
When scuffling with the continuing debate between New York and LA, a easy decision-maker is evaluating the vastly completely different environments along with your preferences (e.g., Do you wish to be a part of the tv business or the film world? Or are business productions and theatrical roles extra your fashion?).
Like New York, you’ll have the ability to make extra business connections and have entry to extra business occasions in Los Angeles than you’d in one of many different cities on this listing, however that doesn’t imply you might have any much less of an opportunity at making it in showbiz.
Be taught extra about performing in LA.
Las Vegas, NV
Picture Credit score: f11photo / Shutterstock.com
Viva las actors! Las Vegas is an iconic metropolis that boasts all types of performing alternatives. Whereas many consider the casino-littered strip as touristy glitz and glamor, Las Vegas is a world-class leisure vacation spot at its coronary heart.
The underside line:
Las Vegas provides a barely smaller pond for actors to get work, from stay reveals to movie productions. The world’s residing bills are way more reasonably priced than New York or LA and provides quite a lot of enjoyable survival jobs like working at a on line casino. Speak about residing in leisure!
That mentioned, Las Vegas is within the desert, so be sure to like the warmth!
Be taught extra about performing in Las Vegas.
Atlanta, GA
Picture Credit score: Kevin Ruck / Shutterstock.com
One other unsurprising possibility, the TV and movie business has been booming in Atlanta due to tax incentives. From Marvel movies to Netflix reveals, this state has some peachy alternatives for creatives.
The underside line:
Atlanta is one other barely smaller pond, with a extra reasonably priced housing market. When you’ll get to see and really feel modifications within the seasons right here, bear in mind that summers are usually very muggy!
Be taught extra about performing in Atlanta.
San Francisco, CA
Picture credit score: Rudy Balasko / Shutterstock.com
San Francisco doesn’t all the time get the golden acclaim it deserves for its arts. Slightly below a six-hour drive to LA, this distinctive metropolis provides slightly little bit of the whole lot, together with a thriving arts and performing scene.
The underside line:
There’s a big community of actors to attach with within the Bay Space. Whereas the town itself is pricey, yow will discover extra reasonably priced surrounding neighborhoods. As with many of the cities on this listing, tradition and nightlife are pulsing, and the climate stays gentle for many of the 12 months.
Be taught extra about performing in San Francisco.
Chicago, IL
Picture Credit score: Luis Boucault / Shutterstock.com
All proper, humorous folks! It’s your time to shine. If improv and comedy are your calling, Chicago might be an exquisite possibility to contemplate.
Chicago is house to a number of the most well-regarded comedy golf equipment and faculties on this planet, together with the enduring Second Metropolis, which has cranked out a few of Saturday Evening Stay’s most memorable solid members. Chicago has provided stars like Melissa McCarthy and Tina Fey fertile floor to develop. There’s additionally a serious TV/movie presence.
The underside line:
That is the much less widespread sibling of New York and LA, with many contemplating it a smaller pool. That mentioned, you’ll have entry to a variety of alternatives, a top-notch performing scene and a thriving tv business.
With tons of artwork to absorb and be part of, actors definitely received’t lack alternatives right here. In fact, there’s a motive why it’s dubbed the “Windy Metropolis,” so watch out for chilly gusts!
Be taught extra about performing in Chicago.
Stamford, CT
Picture Credit score: barbsimages / Shutterstock.com
Venturing into our extra off-the-beaten-path strategies, Stamford is a fast 45-minute prepare trip into NYC’s glittering Grand Central Station.
Connecticut has quietly maintained a flourishing arts scene for years, with a number of the world’s most prolific actors making a house for themselves there. In recent times, it’s turn out to be a mini Hollywood of types, with main productions filming all through the state.
The underside line:
In case you’re not a fan of the concrete jungle and searching for barely cheaper choices, Stamford and its surrounding cities have gotten you lined.
The native theater scene is hopping with historic levels just like the Westport Nation Playhouse (everybody from Paul Newman to Liza Minnelli has carried out right here) and the Downtown Cabaret Theatre (the place Kelli O’Hara obtained her fairness card). Plus, TV and movie initiatives are getting an increasing number of frequent due to manufacturing firm Artificial Cinema Worldwide.
Austin, TX
Picture Credit score: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
If New York and LA are too costly, and Chicago is simply too dang windy, Austin might be your blissful place.
They are saying the whole lot is greater in Texas, however that’s merely not true with regards to the performing pool. For that reason, a metropolis like Austin might be a great place to begin your performing profession. Often known as a vibrant artist’s hub with main annual business occasions like SXSW, alternatives are there throughout varied mediums, together with unbiased movies.
The underside line:
In case you’re seeking to break into commercials, this might be a smaller market to begin in.
Business alternatives are probably the most bountiful Texas enterprise, in addition to a revolving door of TV and movie productions. This might be thought of extra of a coaching wheels spot for actors seeking to construct their resumes earlier than attempting a bigger market, and because of its main universities, actors will discover they’ll additionally reduce their enamel on numerous pupil movies and low-budget initiatives.
You could even fall in love with the standard of life, which has so much to supply exterior of leisure alternatives.
Be taught extra about performing in Austin.
When selecting the place you’d prefer to take your performing profession, your location to nonetheless issues, however not as a lot anymore. The present leisure business is a double-edged sword in that an aggressive transfer towards self tapes provides casting administrators entry to a wider pool of expertise than ever earlier than.
In fact, for theater and the fast-paced world of tv manufacturing —which provides co-star and smaller roles for the silver display— your location might make or break your contract.
Take into consideration your targets and what location would permit you the very best likelihood at attaining them. In case you’re capable of, check out varied cities till you uncover the very best one for you. In the long run, it’s about discovering a spot that provides alternatives, means that you can create an artist’s community and most significantly, makes you’re feeling at house.
This text initially appeared on Casting Networks.
Wish to get your performing profession began? Join or log in to Casting Frontier and begin auditioning immediately!
You may additionally like:
Submit Views: 55
Written by Robert Peterpaul
