Breaking into show business is tough for anybody: Whom do you talk to? What do you need to do? How much time and money should you invest? As Atlanta emerges on the world stage as a production powerhouse, it can be difficult for Georgia-based actors to know where to begin. But one thing’s for sure: A SAG-AFTRA–franchised, Atlanta-based talent agent is a great place to get your foot in the door.
There are plenty of major productions that shoot in the Peach State, and the one thing they’re missing is you. Here’s your definitive guide to submitting yourself to some of the top agencies in Atlanta.
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The breakdown: Aligned Stars represents talent of all ages for film, TV, commercial, dance, and voiceover work. It’s also one of the few Atlanta agencies with a special abilities division, which is “dedicated to inclusion and diversity of onscreen representation for those who are differently abled” and seeks to “promote a future where all talent have the opportunity to shine.”
Agent and managing partner Jessica Dockery-Talley considers herself a “professional magic maker,” and it’s clear why: She’s helped build the careers of stars such as Lily D. Moore (“Never Have I Ever,” “Single Drunk Female”), Joseph Steven Yang (“True Lies,” “Cobra Kai”), and Anya Ruoss (“Loki,” “The Resident”).
Submission policy: Email your contact information, industry referral letter, headshot, acting résumé, demo reel, and bio to agent@alignedstars.com, and note that you’re interested in representation in the Southeast.
The breakdown: Atlanta Models & Talent was the first of its kind in the Big Peach, representing—you guessed it—both models and talent. It boasts a roster of star clients, including Jodie Sweetin (“Full House”), Leon Lamar (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “American Made”), and Regina Ting Chen (“Stranger Things,” “Queen of the South”).
The agency is also known for helping early career actors grow. Of its TV and film division, the agency’s website says, “While always aiming for the sky, we’ve been successful targeting everything from series regulars to major recurring guests stars, day players, and supporting roles.”
Submission policy: While AMT isn’t currently looking for new clients, keep an eye on its submissions page to see when that changes.
The breakdown: Gill Talent is Black- and women-owned, and its agents are committed to treating clients with empathy. Its roster includes Javon Johnson (“The Oval,” “American Soul”), Julie Kendall (“Cobra Kai,” “Under the Dome”), and Amethyst Davis (“Kindred”).
The agency says it strives to be “a force in the entertainment industry as well as a voice in our community.” Along with representing actors of all abilities, ethnicities, and genders, Gill Talent is active in the Black Lives Matter movement and offers antiracist resources to its clients.
Submission policy: Email your headshot, résumé, and reel to GTGVirtual@gmail.com, and note that you’re interested in representation in Atlanta.
The breakdown: Hayes has booked more than 25 Black actors on “The Chi,” and represents performers including Corey Hendrix (“The Bear,” “Fargo,” “The Chi”), April Hale (“A League of Their Own,” “General Hospital”), and Fayna Sanchez (“Creepshow,” “Dollface”).
CEO Michelle Hayes founded the agency after getting her start at Gill Talent—then called Gill Hayes Talent in hopes of helping Black actors achieve their dreams. “I think people look at actors like Denzel Washington and Viola Davis and think they can be a star overnight,” she told N’Digo. “It’s not going [to be] that easy. I tell people all the time that you can’t wake up and play the piano just like that. You have to practice, and the same thing applies to acting—you must hone your craft.”
Submission policy: Submit your headshot and acting résumé to submissions@hayestalent.com.
The breakdown: Although Houghton mainly represents more established actors, models, and voiceover artists, it’s also open to finding newer faces. The agency has more than 30 years of experience boosting the careers of talent in the ATL. Its roster includes Artemis (“Sweet Magnolias,” “Stargirl”), Adetokumboh M’Cormack (“Blood Diamond,” “Lost”), and Kurt Yue (“Will Trent,” “Cobra Kai”).
“Your entire career is going to be built on relationships,” said Yue, who, in addition to being a Houghton client, is the founder of the Acting Career Center. “Remember, the power of your network isn’t about who you know. It’s about who they know.”
Submission policy: Houghton is currently accepting submissions for onscreen, commercial, and theatrical work by industry referral only; so if you want to work with the agency, it’s time to use those connections. If you’re interested in representation for voiceover, submit your demo to mystie@houghtontalent.com with the subject line “New VO Talent.”
The breakdown: J Pervis is a full-service agency that prides itself on “working very closely [with clients] to provide a personalized environment designed to foster long-term relationships and career-building opportunities.” Its talent has appeared in big-name projects including “The Righteous Gemstones,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Wednesday,” and “WandaVision.”
“I think the best ways to secure representation are to be well-trained and to possibly train somewhere that will have a showcase at the end of the course of some sort. That’s a great way for us agents to see talent,” Tay Smith, a former rep at J Pervis, told us.
Submission policy: The agency is currently only accepting applications for TV, film, broadcast, and Broadway through industry referrals, but submissions may open back up to the public at a later date. For voiceover work, submit your demo, résumé, website, and contact information to jpervisvo@gmail.com.
The breakdown: People Store is a major player in Atlanta’s ever-growing film industry. The agency says its team “advocates for the investment and development of storytellers from all backgrounds,” and it has the credits to prove it: Its clients have appeared in projects such as “13 Reasons Why,” “Get Out,” “Homeland,” HBO’s “Watchmen,” and—fittingly enough—“Atlanta.”
“Through my role at People Store, I hope to bring major support, compassion, and reliability to my colleagues and clients,” said TV and film agent Jacqueline Wheeler in her bio.
Submission policy: Submissions are reviewed on a referral-only basis, but keep an eye on People Store’s website and social media pages (X, Instagram, Facebook) for Atlanta-based acting opportunities that can help you catch an agent’s eye.
Whether you have representation or not, visit our comprehensive casting call database to find acting opportunities in Atlanta.
