Phae Lewis used Backstage to get cast as a schoolteacher in the project “Little Apple.” Here, she divulges the secret tip she abides by to make sure her profile stands out from the pack.
She has a secret method when using Backstage.
“What I do, and maybe this is cheating, is go to [the] ‘Find Talent’ [tab on backstage.com], put in my stats, and find out what other actors who look like me have on their profiles. That way, I know what I am up against and what else I need for my profile.”
Multidimensional roles are a must.
“I play strong, independent female characters. I tend to stay away from roles that are only love interest roles because women are so much more than that…. I was trying to apply to everything when I first started and found I was auditioning for roles and projects I did not want.”
Optimize all your resources.
“My advice is to hit the market from all angles. Social media, submission sites, classes—you should be doing all of these, all at the same time. It’s exhausting, but it pays off. Use filters and be selective. Having everything filled out is a must.”
Backstage has been fruitful on many levels.
“My closest friends are actors and directors I’ve met through being cast in a project listed on Backstage. It’s very beneficial, because we swap strategies and talk about what aspects draw us to projects and all that…. [With Backstage], I can filter my results to what I am looking for and what roles I am good for. I don’t have to waste my time looking through roles that aren’t right for me.”
Make home your sanctuary—wherever it may be.
“I’ve lived all over New York City: Harlem, Inwood, Upper East Side, Riverdale, Bed-Stuy, and Bushwick. Finding a place, no matter where it is, that brings you peace is the most important [thing], so when you are home, you leave the stresses of NYC behind and can focus on your craft.”
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