Acting Auditions in New York: What Every Actor Should Know
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Acting Auditions in New York: What Every Actor Should Know

Auditions in New York are what every actor wants to obtain, and doing them well is an important key to booking work in theater, film, TV, and commercials. From Broadway to indie films and streaming series, it’s where serious actors get the opportunity to apply their craft.


Thousands of people have aspirations and ambitions for a professional creative life. When that meets the reality of industry standards and expectations, the question becomes “Am I up for this life? Am I willing to put the hard work in?”


Preparation, professionalism, and the kind of craft that comes from the serious acting classes NYC is known for—like the ones we offer at the Maggie Flanigan Studio.


In this blog, I’ll break down exactly what every actor should know about acting auditions in NYC: where to find them, how to prepare, what to expect, and how real training can help you book the roles you deserve.

An acting coach gives direction during a mock audition on camera

Key Takeaways


  • Treat every NYC audition like a professional job, and embrace the chance to act.

  • Preparation, vivid choices, and consistency are what casting directors remember.

  • If you want to work in this city, get trained and do good work.


Understanding the Acting Scene in NYC


New York City is the greatest city in the world, and is filled with opportunities for aspiring actors and artists. Learning how to prepare for and execute a professional audition is a skill all its own.


With Broadway, Off-Broadway, experimental theater, a constant variety of film shoots, and thousands of commercials happening year-round, acting opportunities are everywhere. Casting directors are constantly looking for talent who can bring a character to life that’s grounded in truth. Opportunities come from major productions down to the smaller, non-union projects.


I believe that living in NYC gives actors an edge. You're readily available for in-person auditions, surrounded by working artists, and exposed to a steady stream of casting calls and industry events. Roles can range from indie films and network series to voiceover work and national ads. 


No matter the project, casting directors are looking for actors who are trained, focused, and capable of showing up on a professional set ready to work.


Where To Find Acting Auditions in NYC


Finding acting auditions in New York City starts with knowing where casting calls are posted and then understanding how to submit professionally. Thousands of actors are looking for their next job every day, so timing and preparation matter.


Online casting platforms


Online casting platforms are a major resource for both union and non-union projects. Websites such as Actors Access and Backstage post audition calls daily. These sites let you filter by role type, age range, union status, and even by project category. 


Once you’ve filled out your profile and uploaded your headshot and resume, you can start submitting. Just make sure your headshot, credits, and details are up to date, are easy to read, and look professional.


Social media and casting call boards


Social media is another powerful tool. Many casting calls get posted in Facebook groups and on Instagram, often with hashtags like #NYCAuditions, #CastingNYC, or #ActorsNY. Some casting teams even post directly to their stories. It’s fast, free, and can lead to real auditions, especially for smaller or independent projects.


Networking and referrals


Networking and the relationships you build are going to be instrumental in your ability to generate opportunities. This is a collaborative art form, and the more industry people you meet and work with, the more likely it is that you will be referred for something when something comes up. 


This means you need to tend to your reputation and be someone people love to work with. Many actors find out about auditions through friends, past collaborators, or referrals from acting coaches. 


Staying active in the community by attending events, classes, or readings can lead to casting opportunities you won’t find online.


Public listings and local resources


Local theater companies, film collectives, and community boards often list auditions for everything from short films to full productions. Visit their websites or stop by in person to sign up for upcoming audition calls. 


Many of these groups are open to working with well-trained actors who are starting out with a limited resume. If you have a solid technique and can create consistent good work, you can take advantage of these opportunities.


Pro Tip: Read every casting breakdown carefully. Make sure the part is something you believe you could really do, and do well. If you don’t know how to ride a horse, and that is a requirement for the role, don’t submit. The more specific your submission, the better chance you have of getting called in.


How To Prepare for an Acting Audition

Actors prepare their scenes during a script study session in class

Once you find an audition that fits your age range and type, preparation is key. Casting directors in New York City see thousands of actors, and those who stand out are the ones who have a consistent way of creating organic, vivid, fully realized human behavior. 


If you are untrained, you are going to be exposed as someone really green and inexperienced, and most likely your acting will demonstrate that.


Headshot and resume


Your headshot should be professionally done and genuinely show the essence of who you are. Your eyes should have something going on behind them, and your look should be captivating. You want to hold the casting directors’ attention. 


Your resume needs to be clean, one page, and list your most relevant credits and training. It also should be easy to read. 


Never lie on your resume. This is a small business, and more than likely, you will find yourself humiliated at some point when the lie is exposed. Just be honest about your career and what you have done up to this point.


Choosing the right material


You will more likely be given sides from the script, or sometimes be asked to prepare a monologue or two. Monologues should be short, have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and be easy to follow. They should also demonstrate your skill and your emotional range.  


Emotional prep and script work


If you don’t know how to break down a script, more than likely, your work is not going to be good. Even in short scenes, casting directors can tell who has skill and who doesn’t. They want grounded, truthful work. 


Learn how to be fully present, in the moment, truly listening, and spontaneous. I believe that the Meisner Technique is the best way to instill these fundamental acting skills.


Cold reads and improvisation


Cold reads are common in New York auditions. Many times, you will be given sides with only a few minutes to read it over and break it down. Your ability to act with a script in your hand and be able to pick the text off the page and work off another actor is a skill that you will have to master. 


You don’t want to look like an amateur who’s working through a script like English is your third language. Stay grounded, make specific choices, and let your instincts operate. Be open, listen, and stay present.


Audition Process: How to Stay Calm & Show Up Ready


Auditions in New York City can happen fast, and the process can feel overwhelming if you don’t have a technique. From the moment you get the audition, every detail counts. Knowing what to expect can help you remain centered, make smart choices, and deliver a vivid and interesting bit of acting.


Sign-in, waiting rooms, and etiquette


The majority of auditions post-pandemic are self-tapes, but in-person auditions still happen, and you need to be ready for them.


When you arrive, sign in clearly and double-check the audition date and time. Casting calls often involve long waits, especially for non-union projects, so bring water and something to focus your energy. I used to put headphones on so that no one would bother me. I wanted to focus on the work I was about to do.


Stay quiet and respectful in the waiting room. This is part of the audition. People are watching how you handle yourself. Don’t bring your pets or your small children; it’s incredibly unprofessional.


Slate and performance


Both self-tapes and in-person auditions will require a slate. Once you’re ready to go, you’ll usually start with a slate—your name, representation, height, and any details required for the role. Speak clearly, make eye contact, and be present. Then, get into the scene. 


If it's on camera, stay aware of your frame and don’t rush. Bring full commitment to the material, without forcing or pushing anything. Authenticity is everything.


Taking direction


After your first read, casting may give adjustments. This is not a bad sign—it’s an opportunity. 


Listen carefully, don’t overthink, and make the change. Being able to shift your performance without losing focus shows real craft. It tells the casting team you’re flexible and serious about the work. 


If you do not have the ability or skill to make adjustments in the moment, you are going to have a hard time establishing a career. Learn how to do it.


Filmed auditions and virtual submissions


On-camera auditions are incredibly common in NYC. Some are filmed in the room; others require you to submit a tape. 


For virtual submissions, make sure your background is clean, your lighting is even, and your sound is clear. Slate at the top unless told otherwise, and stick to the length and format asked in the casting note. 


If you're submitting a tape, make sure it's edited well, shows good work, and treat it with the same focus and clarity you'd bring to an in-person audition. 


Auditioning is its own skill. There are many talented, well-trained actors who don’t work because they don’t audition well. If you are well-trained, get good at auditions. It is teachable.


After the Audition: What Happens Next


Once the audition is over, it’s important to let it go. Actors who fixate on whether they hear back will end up doing a real number on themselves. It’s easy to second-guess yourself, but you need to develop the ability to move on to the next one.


Handling rejection with resilience


Rejection is part of the job. Even talented actors hear “no” more than “yes.” 


There are so many reasons that have to do with not getting the part, and the vast majority of them have nothing to do with you. You're too tall, too short, too old, too young, too thin, too big, not the right ethnicity, etc. You can’t control any of that shit. 


The most important thing is that you are doing good work. If you are doing that, they will not forget you. That’s what you want. Stay focused on the work and keep showing up—casting remembers consistent talent.


Callbacks and next steps


A callback is the success; booking the job is the cherry on the sundae. A callback means you did something they liked. It means something worked for them. 


Review any notes if you get any, adjust your choices, and be ready to read with another actor if needed. You may be asked to make adjustments, and you need to be able to do that. 


Follow-ups and professional courtesy


If you’re given contact info, a short thank-you note is fine. Don’t ask for feedback or follow up multiple times. If weeks pass and you don’t hear back, let it go and move on. Casting is fast, and your work might stick with them for a future role. Keep training, stay sharp, and stay ready.


Building a Career Through Consistent Auditioning


Auditioning in New York can’t just be a once-in-a-while thing—you need to continually submit yourself for everything you believe you're right for. 


The actors who work consistently aren’t sitting around waiting for their agent or manager to call. They create opportunity. Collaborate, make your own work, and audition for everything. This is how you get better.


Auditioning as a lifestyle


Casting calls come quickly, and staying ready means treating auditions like regular work. It’s also helpful to look at them as an opportunity to do what you love. 


Getting to act is what you want, right? An audition gives you that. Make the most of it. The most reliable talents in NY are well-trained, have a great sense of self, crave the work, and are not needy or desperate. 


Be a pro, and if you don’t know what that means, go to a training program that will show you how to be one.


Track your progress


Some actors like to keep a log of their auditions: project name, date, casting team, and how it felt. Over time, you’ll see patterns—who calls you in, what roles fit you best. That insight helps you improve and target future opportunities more clearly.


Build and maintain your network


This work isn’t done alone. Share, connect, and stay present in your acting community. Sometimes, a classmate, casting assistant, or even an actor walking out of the room before you end up being part of your next project. Show up fully—both in the room and in the relationships you build.


How MFS Prepares You for NYC Auditions


As Artistic Director of the Maggie Flanigan Studio, I’ve worked with countless actors who show up to auditions with raw talent but no real technique. Talent is helpful, but it's really about your technique and process. Do you have one? To have a lasting career, you need craft, discipline, and the ability to bring truthful, specific behavior into every role, especially under pressure.


That’s what we train for. Our two-year conservatory, grounded in the Meisner Technique, goes beyond the standard scene work of most bullshit acting classes. We focus on training a complete artist. 


MFS offers training in movement, voice, script analysis, cold reading, Chekhov, clown, mask & character, classical text, Shakespeare, and on-camera technique. We work with both union and non-union actors who are serious about building the skills to work consistently.


Our Professional Actor Business Program prepares students for everything an actor needs to run their business—demo reels, website, headshots, life coaching, financial coaching, the art of self-tapes, audition training, and meetings with agents and casting directors. 


We also teach our students how to create their own content, with workshops in screenwriting, editing, producing, directing, and cinematography. Our goal is simple: to produce complete artists who can sustain long, meaningful careers.


If you're ready to train with purpose and get serious about this work, we’re ready for you. Call to schedule an interview today.


Conclusion


The demands for anyone serious about pursuing a professional acting career are many. Auditions here are an opportunity, a chance to put your work out into the world—they require preparation, discipline, and the ability to bring real truth to the work, even in high-pressure moments.


If you're tired of feeling stuck or unsure in the room, it's time to commit to a process that builds consistency. Casting directors in this city remember the actors who come in ready—those who bring focus, specificity, and professionalism to every role. And back up those qualities with vivid, organic, fully realized human behavior.


Keep training. Stay sharp. When the right opportunity comes along, you won’t have to hope you're ready. You will be.


Frequently Asked Questions


How do I find auditions in NYC?


Check online casting platforms that post daily updates for union and non-union roles. Follow casting directors and local theaters on social media. Join actor-focused groups and forums where casting calls are shared regularly, and stay connected with your network for referrals.


How do I get involved in acting in NYC?


Start with solid training at a reputable studio that challenges you to grow. Take acting classes, attend open calls, and audition for student or indie films to gain experience. Building relationships with other actors, coaches, and industry professionals helps you stay active and visible.


How to get into Netflix acting?


Netflix hires professional casting directors to find actors for their shows. To be considered, you need strong training, an updated resume, and high-quality materials like a reel, headshots, resume, and a website. Focus on building credits, getting representation, and auditioning for projects handled by those casting offices.


Can non-union actors book real work in NYC?


Yes. There’s plenty of non-union work in New York, especially in indie films, commercials, theater, and web content. It’s a great way to build experience and credits. Just because it’s non-union doesn’t mean it’s not professional. You still need to show up trained and ready.


What should I do between auditions to prep for my next role?


Stay active. Take class, rehearse monologues, practice cold reads, and update your materials. When your next role shows up, you don’t want to be rusty. You want to be sharp and ready to go.


 
 
 
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