No one can promise that there is an easy way to find a job—and we’re talking about both working in theatre and as a temp while you wait for your big break—but there are approaches that can help you. 

        Here you'll find web sites that can help you find information about interviews, auditions, job openings, and the like.

        Before we list those, though, we start with a message to college students about using your institution's Career Planning Office.  Then we'll describe web pages--you'll be delighted to see how many there are--for searching for a job in theatre.

        College students should contact their campus Career Planning Office. Early.  Professionals who work in such offices say that the beginning of your sophomore year is not too early.  The last semester of your senior year is woefully late.

        Career Services offers numerous valuable aids—apptitude tests that help you identify your interests, statistics about professions, a way of having them send your transcript to prospective employers, visits from companies seeking employees, and much more.

        But you think you don’t need those services because you’re going to get a theatre job?  Okay, but. . . .  That office is ideal if you’re looking for a non-theatre job to fill in while you’re auditioning and making the rounds.  Think "temp services," one of the theatre person’s best jobs because if you’re clever you can arrange for free time for that big audition or interview. 

        Ask the career personnel how to best prepare yourself for a temp job (one of the many reasons you go there early in your college career) and you may find you want to take select one of the "work-study" jobs that colleges offer students, perhaps doing word processing, computer design, or other pragmatic sorts of things that will help you get a temp job. 

       If you’re seeking a theatre job, your campus career office may not have access to all possibilities—your theatre faculty will know more about techniques to find a theatre job—but the folks who specialize in career guidance and counseling can give you valuable advice about transcripts, interviewing tactics, preparation, and much more.  Like so many aspects of campus life the career office has a great advantage:  it is free.

        If you haven't yet looked at a page on this site that describes "What Theatre Majors Learn" that makes them ideal employees, may I suggest you glance at it when you have time.  It shows you that as a theatre major, you have many advantages that employers will like.  My experience indicates that theatre majors aren’t aware of their edge.  Unfortunately, employers may not know either, so you need teach them.  That page intends to raise your consciousness. You can access it here:  "What Theatre Majors Learn."
 
 

        There are a nicely large number of sites that lead you to listings of job opportunities in theatre.  Here we briefly list those pages in alphabetical order. 

        As you explore to find what each offers, you’ll discover that often "audition" does not refer to actors only but instead can include dancers, singers, designers, and technical personnel. 

        Equally, sites may label their jobs page "technical theatre" but in fact are listings for performers.  Because most are updated frequently, it is good strategy to return often to find new information.

        Some offer you an opportunity to file your personal webpage with them.  If you’re hunting for a theatre job, you should consider seriously having an e-presence on which you show your headshot, résumé, and personality.

        Most of these sites update entries frequently.  That means you'll likely want to get into a habit of checking them regularly.

    ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION
     Site Link.
    At this site for professional actors you’ll see "Casting Call," which leads to "Audition Hotlines" of contacts in theatrical cities.  See also the long list of "Audition Notices" that are organized with pull-down menus by state, type of contract, and type of job. 

     ACTOR SITE
       Site Link.
        Scrolling down the left menu leads you to "Equity Casting Call."  A click and you find "Audition Hotlines" of phone numbers in selected cities.  Note that this site offers free webpage help, so you can post your personal e-self.

     ACTORSOURCE
       Site Link.
        This is a rich site and you can mine information about agents, casting directors, headshots, and much more.  "Resources" leads you to agents, show biz places you might get a temp job or internship, and more.  "Getting Started" and "Service" have valuable first-person advice. 

     AMERICAN THEATRE RESOURCES
       Site Link.
        On the opening page you’ll find "Job Openings" at the top of the left hand menu.  There also are files for every state where you can find details about individual theatres, although not all companies are included. 

     AMERICAN THEATRE WORKS
     Site Link
        Not everything is on the internet.  A number of books guide you to career development.  At American Theatre Works’s home page click "Theatre Directories" and you’ll find books of pragmatic advice and valuable information about regional theatres, a summer theatre directory, constructing a résumé, and even a tax record-keeping system (for those fortunate enough to have income!).  Prices are less than $20.00 each.  A secure server allows you to order online.

     ARTSLYNX—INTERNATIONAL ARTS RESOURCES--ARTS LINKS TO  THEATRE, DANCE, MUSIC, AND MORE  FROM ARTSLYNX
     Site Link
         --or take a short cut directly to the theatre location--
     ARTSLYNX INTERNATIONAL THEATRE RESOURCES
       Site Link
     ArtsLynx is a primary source for theatre and dance materials.  Follow the links to "Employment" and "Jobs."  From the homepage click "Theatre," then examine the large number of links.  "Theatre Employment Resources" is a good place to look.

     ARTS WIRE
       Site Link
        This site has announcements for job positions in all arts, not just theatre.  That said, it does contain listings for theatre management, technical directors, and the like.  It is updated weekly, and every time I've visited I've been struck by the large number of jobs available.

    BACKSTAGE.COM 
      Site Link
       This is a membership site costing $9.95 monthly or $138.00 annually, but access to basic audition information is free.  You can skip the opening page and go directly to audition information, which opens quickly ( click here ).  You’ll find casting information from Chicago, Florida, and both East and West coasts.  Click "Casting" to find listings not only for dancers, singers, and actors, but also for staff and tech.  Playwrights will want to explore "Post Your Play."

    CANADIAN ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION
     Site Link
     "Auditions" lists job openings and allows members to sign up for regular e-mail announcements of forthcoming auditions, and "Opportunities" leads to a broadly diverse number of workshops, competitions, and announcements.

   CALLBOARD
     Site Link
       When you open this site operated by the WWW Virtual Library for Theatre and Drama you'll want to use the search engine to look for "Auditions" and you'll go to "An Industry Callboard Posting Area."  Also try a search for "Callboard."

    CASTING NETWORK.COM
    Site Link
        Developed by actors for actors, Casting Network.com is a membership site that provides online databank resources for casting directors and talent agents.  It claims to have more auditions in its databank than any other site, and it offers you a chance to try out the site by paying the first month’s dues ($9.95) and looking around for 48 hours.  Note that they will extend your membership unless you specifically cancel.

    THE CASTING NETWORK
     Site Link
        Although it sounds like the site mentioned above, this is a different organization.  Based in Studio City, California, TCN says it is dedicated to providing "top quality cold reading and prepared scene showcases for professional  performers who meet our standards and are committed to career advancement."  It requires actors to audition for entry and thereafter encourages them to attend various workshops with casting directors.

    DRAMA AND THEATER CONNECTIONS
      Site Link
        Once you’ve opened the page, see "Jobs" on the left menu.  Although it had few links when I last visited, this site quite likely will grow.

    ELAC THEATRE LIBRARY—Theatre Links
      Site Link 
        This address takes you directly to "Employment" links.  You'll be lead to such categories as "Agencies," "Internships," "Job Listings," and "Training Programs."  Frequently updated, they are informational and worth investigating regularly.

    EPERFORMER.COM
      Site Link
        From the front page click "Auditions" and you’ll be taken to information about auditions divided into "Theatre," "Music," "Dance," "Film and TV," "Other," and "Tech."

    ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY ONLINE
     Site Link
        Designers, technicians, shop foremen, electricians, and the like will want to click "classified" on the left menu.  There also are listings for internships for designers.

    THE INSTITUTE OF OUTDOOR DRAMA
      Site Link
        There are some 125 outdoor theatres in almost every state, offering summer jobs for actors, dancers, singers, designers, and technicians.  This site describes them and gives you audio and video pieces of those productions.  From the home page click "Auditions" where you’ll see that a number of those companies join in one place to seek their summer staff.

     NEW ENGLAND THEATRE CONFERENCE
       Site Link
        Actors, singers, dancers, designers, technicians, and production staff may be interested in the NETC annual auditions that brings together directors, talent agents, and training institutions from the New England area to seek theatre people for positions in summer and year-around professional theatres.  From the opening page click "Auditions." 

    ONStage —The Actor’s Resource
      Site Link
        Designed for professional stage and screen actors, this site has helpful guides.  An "Auditions" section covers numerous cities, although unfortunately some services charge for what ought be free information.  "Classified" has about everything for cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago--rentals and sublets, employment, and items for sale.  See "Public Service Annoucements" for auditions.  You can view homepages of theatre folks and post your own site.

         NEW ENGLAND THEATRE CONFERENCE
     Site Link
       Actors, singers, dancers, designers, technicians, and production staff personnel may be interested in the NETC annual auditions that brings together directors, talent agents, and training institutions from the New England area to seek theatre people for positions in summer and year-around professional theatres.  From the opening page click "Auditions." 

    ONStage —The Actor’s Resource
      Site Link
        Designed for professional stage and screen actors, this site has helpful guides, although you have to register—its free—to access everything.  An "Auditions" section covers numerous cities and there are valuable links you’ll want to explore, although unfortunately some services charge for what ought be free information.  "Classified" has about everything for cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago-- rentals and sublets, employment, and items for sale.  See "Public Service Announcements" for auditions.  You can view homepages of theatre folks and post your own site

    OPEN CASTING
      Site Link
        This bulletin board—free both to those seeking information and those announcing auditions—contains casting notices, auditions, and crew calls.  Select a page to visit from the menu at the top of the opening page.  "Callboard" has literally hundreds of jobs listed for actors, dancers, tech, engineers, and production.  "Rogues" leads you to "Rogues Gallery" -- a very long list of actors on the web -- and you can post your own homepage there.

    PLAYBILL ON LINE—THE THEATRE SOURCE ON THE 
         WEB FOR BROADWAY THEATRE INFORMATION
        See Theatre Central/Playbill on Line, described below. 

    SCOTT’S THEATRE-LINK.COM
      Site Link
        On the home page scroll down to "Casting and Contract Services Link" (or go there directly with this link )  and you’re led to "Casting and Contact Services," which offers a wide variety of links.  Look for "Theatre and Technical Jobs."

   SETC—The Southeastern Theatre Conference
     Site Link
   SETC holds annual conventions which include auditions as well as seminars, workshops, and displays from a large number of theatres, publishers, and the like.  Some 100 theatre companies gather to audition actors, often as many as 900 or so.  You need be a SETC member. At the conventions, too, there is a "Job Contact Service" for staff and technical positions, and you can sign up to interview with companies.  From its opening page, click "Auditions."

   SPECIAL EFFECT SUPPLY
     Site Link
       This commercial site offers job listings, too.   On the opening page scroll down (and down) to open "Employment Opportunities" and you’ll find listings for the entertainment industry.  There are divisions for "Cable," "Feature Film," "Special Effects," and the like.

    PLAYBILL ON LINE/THEATRE CENTRAL
      Site Link
        For professional theatre notices, Theatre Central/Playbill on Line has rich materials.  On the opening page, scroll down and click "Casting and Jobs" on the left menu.  To access "Job Openings" you need to sign up for a membership—it is free—in "The Playbill Club."  Once you’re a member, on the opening page scroll down to "Job Search" on the left menu.  Clicking that, you find categories such as "Performer," "Technical," "Design," "Administrative," "Academic," and "Other."

   THEATRE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
     Site Link
       If you don't know TCG yet, you'll want to learn about it because it is a key organization for theatre in America.  For now, if you're interested in a job, see information about ArtSEARCH, a key publication which lists over 6,000 openings annually in a number of varied theatre companies, colleges and universities, summer theatres, and more.  It is not available online, so you'll want to consider ordering a subscription.  If you're a college student, check the theatre office to see if your department subscribes to ArtSEARCH.

        THE THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNICAL JOBS PAGE
     Site Link
       This is one of the better job listing pages.  Despite its title, it also lists jobs for Choreographers, Directors, Management, Box Office, Actors, and more.

   THEATREJOBS.COM
     Site Link
       Click "Guests" to enter.  Note you can post your resume here.  Annual membership costs $35 for students and $75 for other individuals.

    THE THEATRE RESOURCE
     Site Link
    Theatre Resource is a valuable site with numerous cateogires such as training institutions, theatre consultants, suppliers and vendors, and more.  Job seekers will want to see "Theatre Jobs" and "For Actors, Directors, and Playwrights" to find links to other sites.

        THEATRE SERVICES GUIDE
     Site Link
       On the bottom of the left menu click "Call Board" and you’ll find notices for actors, stage managers, technicians, and the like.

   UNIVERSITY/RESIDENT THEATRE ASSOCIATION
     Site Link
       For unified auditions—actors and directors congregate in one location— U/RTA (pronounced UR-tuh) offers jobs in universities, summer theatres, and resident professional theatres.  "Auditions" leads to another page where you’re to click a box marked "NUAI" (National Unified Auditions/Interviews) that describes the process.

        UNITED STATES INSTITUTE FOR THEATRE 
        TECHNOLOGY
     Site Link
       For designers, technicians, costume and wardrobe, makeup, and backstage folks, USITT is a major organization.  See "Classified Ads" for job openings.  You also will want to consider attending its conferences.