Actor Aesthetic

Audition Update  used to be a free crowdsourcing website that served as an outlet for actors to anonymously share important information. The page was created by Tom Lapke  in 2010 with the "sole purpose of helping actors get through their difficult day with a little more ease and information." It is now owned and run by Backstage  and is hosted under the Backstage Community forum.  Actors typicall...

We're celebrating 2 years of the actor lifestyle blog, Actor Aesthetic! In this episode, Maggie reminisces on her early writing days, the late-night Instagram Live chats with y'all, and how her blog (and eventually the podcast) was born.  It takes a village! Special thanks to  Professor Salwa Khan of Texas State University and her incredible course on the fundamentals of Digital and Online Media....

What does "making it" mean to you? What holds you back? What keeps you going? This week I got to chat with fellow NYC-based actor, Patrick Oliver Jones. Patrick has been blessed with an incredible career thus far... traveling across the country on the national tours of THE ADDAMS FAMILY and EVITA, appearing off-Broadway, co-starring in a couple of major television shows including Law & Order and B...

RENT Live on FOX SHOULD have made TV history. Instead... it wasn't even live. Here are my thoughts on the latest televised musical, the injury that plagued the production, the producers' decision to air the dress rehearsal instead, and the future of this form of "live theatre." The show must go on... right? Here are some clips of what actually was happening live the night the performance should ha...

Don't let crazy, crowded holding rooms get in the way of doing your best at auditions. This is part of the Guided Meditation Series focusing on relieving stress from auditions. Today's episode will include a guided meditation focused on gratitude. 6 Things To Expect in an Audition Holding Room What is an Unofficial List? My #1 Secret To Staying Centered at Auditions Spread the love and don't forge...

This is part of the Guided Meditation Series focusing on relieving stress from auditions. Today's episode will include a guided meditation specifically for college auditions. You can listen to this on the way to auditions (in the car, on the plane, in a taxi, or on the subway), in the holding room before the audition, or after the audition.  Remember, you will end up at the right place. I promise...

With audition season booming, we're keeping this episode light and fun. Maggie discusses her top ten FAVORITE broadway musical scores of all time, why she loves them, and why she will fight anyone who doesn't think her #1 should be #1! Spread the love and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.  Visit actoraesthetic.com  for m...

College auditions are overwhelming. But with the effective organizational tools, time management, and a positive attitude, things will run a lot smoother! This is a podcast dedicated to all my friends and parents of students planning on pursuing a degree in musical theatre. Remember, you will end up at the right place. I promise that everything happens for a reason and you will find the program th...

When actors are waiting to audition, whether for film, television, or theatre, they are typically placed in a holding room. A holding room is where actors will sign up, sign in, and prepare for an audition. Depending on how the audition is running, you may spend hours in a holding room. So let's get to know these magical places and all they may (or may not) have to offer. If you are an actor inter...

In this episode, Maggie discusses different tactics to land an agent… including senior showcase, cold submissions, industry referrals, and more. Agents are not a necessity to be successful in the business, but they can be a huge help in opening doors and building relationships with casting directors and creative teams. On the blog: Agents vs. Managers: What's the difference? Spread the love and do...

Are you going from job to job and feeling like musical theatre is taking over your life? Are you waking up early, going to auditions, and feeling like your time is being wasted by every job you don’t get? Or are you in college pursuing a BFA and experiencing the culture shock that is studying musical theatre 24/7? This episode is for anyone who is feeling burnt out by the industry.  Maggie asks im...

As an actor, I’d argue that my audition book can be as valuable as my first born child. Our audition books hold precious sheet music that could mean the difference between callback or no callback. In this episode, we'll discuss 10 easy ways to give your audition book a facelift! Let’s get #bookedandblessed this year. On the blog: How Spotify Can Inspire Your Next Audition Song 10 Solid Audition So...

Story time! In this episode, Maggie reads the stories of 20 Broadway, Film, and TV actors and how they joined Actors’ Equity Association. Hear how Kristen Chenoweth, Harvey Fierstein, Angela Lansbury, Raul Esparza, and more earned their cards!  For more stories:  https://actorsequity.org/join/HIGMEC/ Spread the love and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitch...

In this episode, Maggie gets down and dirty about what life is like after college… and how you can make the best use of your time. Whether you have made the move yet to a big city or are still at home with your parents, here are 10 things to think about. Spread the love and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Visit actorae...

A special Thanksgiving edition of the Actor Aesthetic Podcast! In this episode, Maggie discusses the top 10 things she is most thankful for as an actor. Spread the love and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Visit actoraesthetic.com  for more information. Follow Maggie on social media Instagram:  @actoraesthetic Facebook:...

Actors' Equity Association  (AEA) is the performing arts union representing more than 51,000 professional stage actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity provides a wide range of benefits by negotiating wages, working conditions, and providing health and pension plans for its members.  Today, Maggie discusses the benefits of joining Actors' Equity Association and why you should consid...

In this episode, Maggie discusses the importance of keeping an audition journal and shares what she likes to include in hers.  Spread the love and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Visit actoraesthetic.com  for more information. Follow Maggie on social media Instagram:  @actoraesthetic Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ActorAe...

In this episode, Maggie discusses the basics of Equity Chorus Call auditions, or ECCs. This episode is geared towards new Equity members and non-union actors looking to take advantage of Equity auditions. On the blog: How To Get Seen At Equity Auditions as an EMC or Non-Equity Actor How To Sign Up For An Equity Chorus Call The Morning Of Spread the love and don't forget to rate, review, and subscr...

In this episode, Maggie discusses the foundations of Equity Principal Auditions and how to take advantage of them. Non-equity members, EMCs, and new Equity members will find this episode very valuable. On the blog: Equity Principal Auditions for Newbies How To Get Seen At Equity Auditions As An EMC or Non-Equity Actor 6 Steps To Sign Up Online for EPAs Spread the love and don't forget to rate, rev...

Introducing the Actor Aesthetic podcast, hosted by NYC based actress and blogger, Maggie Bera. Maggie starts off her first episode of the Actor Aesthetic podcast with the highly requested topic, How To Join Actors' Equity Association. Topics covered include the foundations of Actors' Equity, the Equity Membership Candidate Program, and more. Spread the love and don't forget to rate, review, and su...