With cult favorite “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and breakout hit “Abbott Elementary” taking place in the City of Brotherly Love, it’s no wonder that more and more performers are trying to build a dynamic and sustainable career in Philadelphia. The city boasts a unique mix of gritty indie scenes, respected theaters, and a growing reputation in the streaming/TV production world—so if you’re an aspiring actor, it might be the place to make your creative home. In this guide, we present six steps to becoming a thriving actor in Philadelphia—which are 66 fewer steps than famous Philly underdog Rocky Balboa ran up on his way to glory.
1. Get to know the city.
Affordability: Philadelphia has a significantly lower cost of living than New York or D.C., while still being close enough that you get your foot in the door in these larger entertainment hubs.
Rich arts scene: Historic venues and contemporary spaces create diverse performance opportunities both onstage and onscreen. Philadelphia’s major theaters include these:
- The Wilma Theater
- Arden Theatre Company
- Theatre Exile
- InterAct Theatre Company
- 1812 Productions
It also has multiple film and TV studios:
- Philly Born Films
- Neighborhood Film Company
- All That’s Good Productions
- Maestro Filmworks
- JTWO Films
Another great way to leverage the city’s unique opportunities for actors is to regularly check the Greater Philadelphia Film Office website.
2. Train with top acting programs.
From Meisner to Stanislavsky, improv to musical theater, you’ll find multiple comprehensive training options in the Philly area—here are some of the best:
- Playhouse West
- The Philadelphia Acting Studio
- Actors Theater for Film and Television with John Pallotta
- Actors Lab Philly
- Philly Improv Theater
- Wolf Performing Arts Center
3. Prepare your materials and connect with casting directors.
Your professional headshot, acting résumé, and demo reel will help you stand out to these CDs in the Cradle of Liberty:
- Heery-Loftus Casting
- Katie Griffin Casting
- Kathy Wickline Casting
- Mike Lemon Casting
- The Philadelphia Casting Company
How to Become an Actor4. Network with other Philadelphians.
To really fly high like an Eagle, it’s vital to engage with others in the industry by attending events and joining groups like these:
- Philadelphia Film Festival
- Philadelphia Creatives Connect (Facebook)
- Philadelphia Monthly Meetup for Actors/Models/Photographers (Facebook)
- Philadelphia Performing Arts Meetup (Meetup)
- Acting, Production & Business Networking (Meetup)
5. Submit for auditions and casting calls.
Use our casting call database to find Philly-based gigs; or if you’re willing to travel, check out our more comprehensive New York listings.
6. Seek representation.
Finally, it’s time to get an agent in the city where it’s always sunny (at least according to the show). Here are some of the top acting agencies in Philadelphia and nearby:
- Actors, Models, Artists Talent Agency (Jenkintown)
- Agency Connects (New Hope)
- Plaza 7 Talent (King of Prussia)
- Reinhard Agency