The Showstopper Blog

Theatre blog for the StageAgent community including audition tips, acting and singing advice, interviews with theatre industry experts and career advice.

Theatre for Young Audiences: An Enchanting Genre

Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) is making waves, breaking molds, and giving artists creative opportunities fostering the future of theatre. Read how.

The National Tour: Casting

StageAgent interviews casting director, Bob Kale, on his perspective with casting national tours. Read the informative and somewhat surprising interview.

Auditioning: The Actual Job of an Actor

When it comes to being an actor, auditioning is the real work. Read how to approach auditions as a unique opportunity to perform for a crowd of few.

Who Made That? A Look Behind the Scenes

Each show is the culmination of a million little pieces made by many hands the audience will never meet. Read more about some key players behind the scenes.

National Tours: The Major Players

StageAgent takes an inside look at the National Tours market with a brief review of the major producers and presenters. Read more on Who's Who in touring.

Barrels, Blankets, and Beyond: Life in Props

There are many avenues theatre artists can take behind the scenes, but one profession in technical theater rarely comes up: props design and technology.

How to Prepare Your Music and Talk to an Accompanist

When you’re auditioning for a musical, you must be able to prepare your sheet music and speak confidently to an accompanist. Read some expert tips here.

Keep Calm and Embrace Your Type

To know your type as an actor is to understand your strengths and how others perceive them. Read more about one actor's challenge to embrace his type.

Costume Fittings: Where Character Meets Design

A costume fitting is a step in character development, but it can be challenging for an actor as you meet your design team and mold a character together.

The National Tour: A Beginning Guide

StageAgent is beginning a multi-part series examining life on a National Tour. Join us as we explore the many aspects of living, and working, on the road.

I Left My Heart in Summer Stock

Summer stock theatre can fuel a career faster than any class, seminar, or resume credit. Read about summer stock from the design point of view.

Auditions: How to Behave in "The Room"

You’re here at last to audition. You got up at 5:00AM, showered, dressed, warmed up. Now, you are waiting to go into "the room". Find out what to do next.