Leave it to former actors to be at the top of the casting game in Phoenix. Husband and wife Garth and Jan Williams made the transition to CDs when a well-established casting department in their region announced it would shutter its business; seeing a gap to fill, the couple seized the opportunity.
“When we first started dating, we joked about having our own theater company together or something like that,” says Garth Williams. “Because we were so fortunate to be successful actors in Chicago and L.A., and the people we got to work with and train with and were directed by taught us so much, we were able to give back to the actors here.”
In addition to running and casting their theater company, Almost Famous, the couple has taken on projects for major brands such as Gillette Fusion and Nissan, which turn to the sunny city for a solid bet on nice weather.
While commercial work is common, the CDs say there’s plenty of diversity for actors hoping to settle in Phoenix; regardless of the project, though, the approach should be the same: prepare, prepare, prepare.
“Ongoing training is a must,” says Williams. “The actors that always have something going on are hands above everybody else.” And the more skills actors possess, from singing and dancing to playing musical instruments, the more marketable they are. Factor in a smaller population where the competition isn’t as stiff as it would be in L.A. or New York, and hardworking actors in the Grand Canyon State are well poised to land work.
“Have an updated résumé,” Williams says to those thinking of taking the leap and moving. “Have a picture that looks like you; go on auditions; Google acting coaches and classes. We always tell people to audition for as many theater projects as they can because they’ll find somebody they click with, and get an idea of where they can go.”
Inspired by this post? Check out our audition listings!
