The Business of Acting: A Beginner & Refresher Intensive
(Virtual 1-day Workshop)
$150 Sunday, January 11th, 2025 - 10:30am - 12:30P
Industry Foundations from a Casting Director’s Perspective
Led by Thea Washington, CSA
Who This Is For
Brand-new actors with little to no industry experience
Actors returning after time away who want a clear reset
Creatives transitioning from theater, social media, or modeling into on-camera work
Adults and teens seeking to understand how the business actually functions
Anyone confused about submissions, auditions, or next steps
No prior training required. This is not an acting technique class.
What You’ll Learn
1. How the Industry Actually Works
The difference between film, television, commercials, and new media
The roles of Casting Directors, Agents, and Managers — and how they interact
How projects move from breakdown to booking
What beginners and returning actors realistically book first
2. Getting Started the Right Way (Without Wasting Money)
What you need now vs. what can wait
Headshots, resumes, and training — when they matter and when they don’t
Common financial and strategic mistakes new actors make
How to avoid spending money in the wrong places
3. Where to Find Legit Acting Opportunities
Trusted casting platforms beginners and returners actually use
How to identify real casting notices vs. fake ones
Open calls vs. agent submissions
What types of projects make sense at each stage of your journey
How to build experience without putting yourself at risk
4. Submissions, Auditions & Self-Tapes (From Casting’s View)
How submissions really work behind the scenes
What a self-tape is — and what casting is looking for
Beginner-friendly audition expectations
Common mistakes casting notices immediatel
5. How Not to Get Scammed in the Industry
How legitimate casting communicates
What real offers look like
Red flags: fees, fake checks, urgency, off-platform messaging
Common scams targeting new and returning actors
What to do when something feels “off”
6. On-Set Basics & Professional Etiquette
What actually happens on set, step-by-step
Set vocabulary every actor should know
Professional behavior that gets you rehired
Why reliability and preparation matter more than talent early on
7. Building a Sustainable Actor Mindset
Managing nerves, rejection, and expectations
Understanding timing and patience in this business
Creating momentum without burnout
How to grow responsibly and realistically
What You’ll Walk Away With
A clear understanding of the business of acting
Knowledge of where to find legitimate opportunities
Tools to protect yourself from scams and bad actors
Confidence to submit and audition responsibly
A realistic roadmap for starting or re-entering the industry
Details
Virtual, live instruction
One-day intensive (2–3 hours)
Investment: $150
Includes live Q&A