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This Week in the Biz: Manifesting a Strong Finish - Production & Tax Incentives - Mergers & Acquisitions

By Abigail Hardin, November 06, 2025

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In this week's entertainment industry update, we discuss Production Momentum; AI Buzz; Changing Content Trends & Media Formats; Broadway Strike Averted; Film & TV Business; Audition Tips & Technique; Theatre Talk; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Festivals & Cinema; Actors on Acting; Quick Bites

Planting the Seeds for 2026

By The Up-To-Date Actor, November 05, 2025

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Why November Is the Real Start of Your New Year

As the year winds down and the days grow shorter, November quietly calls us inward. It’s a month of reflection and realignment — the in-between moment when we’re no longer in the full rush of the year, but not yet at the fresh start of January.

For actors, this is the time to plant seeds — not to wait until the new year to start dreaming. The choices you make now, however small, will determine the creative growth you’ll see in 2026.

If you’ve been feeling that gentle nudge to update your materials, refocus your goals, or reconnect with your artistic “why,” you’re right on time. This is the perfect season to take small, strategic steps that set the stage for big movement ahead.

Theatre Audition Rooms Post-2020:
What’s Changed, What Hasn’t

By The Up-To-Date Actor, November 03, 2025

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A 2025 guide to navigating fall EPAs and regional theatre auditions

Every actor who lived through 2020 remembers how the world — and the audition room — changed overnight. The shutdown forced the theatre industry to rebuild its casting infrastructure, and even now, the aftershocks continue to shape how actors audition, connect, and book work.

As the fall 2025 Equity Principal Audition (EPA) season kicks off and regional theatres announce their new 2025/2026 or 2026 lineups, it’s worth taking a close look at what’s different in today’s audition landscape — and what remains timeless.

At Up-To-Date Actor, we’ve been tracking these shifts since day one. From the rise of self-taping to the hybrid callback process to new expectations for professionalism, here’s what actors need to know to walk into (or log into) the audition room ready to thrive.

On-Set Survival Guide: Professional Etiquette & Insider Tips

By The Up-To-Date Actor, October 31, 2025

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Stepping onto a film, TV, or commercial set for the first—or fiftieth—time can feel like entering a different world. The pace is fast, the stakes are high, and every person has a role to play in bringing the project to life. Whether you’re background, a day player, or in a recurring role, your professionalism and conduct on set are just as important as your talent.

This guide will walk you through the essentials of on-set etiquette — the unspoken rules that can make or break your reputation — and provide insider tips to help you thrive in any production environment.

The 2026 Artios Awards Nominations: A Hidden Gold Mine for Actors

By The Up-To-Date Actor, October 14, 2025

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The 2026 (41st) Artios Awards nominations are here — or at least, part one of them. On October 8, 2025, the Casting Society of America (CSA) announced the first wave of nominations, celebrating excellence in television, theatre, commercials, short films, and short-form series.

(Phase 2 — including theatrical film and London theatre — will be announced later this season, so keep your radar on.)

For most people, the Artios Awards are industry headlines that pass by quickly. But for actors who treat their careers like a business, these nominations are a strategic opportunity — a time to connect, observe, and align yourself with the casting directors shaping today’s storytelling.

If you haven’t yet, read our earlier post, “Artios Awards: An Opportunity to Evolve Your Relationship with Casting Directors”, where we outlined how this season offers a perfect excuse to strengthen professional relationships. This post builds on that idea — with fresh examples from the 2026 nominees.

This Week in the Biz: Free Workshop, Artios Noms, AI Buzz & Film/TV Momentum

By Abigail Hardin, October 14, 2025

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In this week's entertainment industry update, we discuss Potential Broadway Strike; AI Buzz; Production Momentum; Casting Commentary & Nominations; Film & TV Business; Theatre Talk; Opportunities & Development

13 Essential Marketing Tools Every Actor Needs to Build a Professional Career

By Annie Chadwick, October 11, 2025

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The performing arts industry has changed dramatically. Gone are the days when a headshot and résumé alone were enough. Today’s actor must treat their career like a small business—with clear branding, strong marketing materials, and a digital presence that matches the pace of the industry.

Here are the 13 essential marketing tools every professional actor should have in place to build credibility, secure auditions, and position themselves as a serious contender.

Should You Self-Submit a Specific General Submission When You Already Have Representation?

By The Up-To-Date Actor, October 11, 2025

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Landing an agent or manager is a huge milestone — validation that your work is marketable and that someone is out there pitching you. But even with strong representation, one big question often arises:

Should you still self-submit a Specific General Submission to casting directors or production offices?

The short answer: Yes — if done professionally, with purpose, and in partnership with your rep.

The Most Produced Plays & Musicals of the 2025/2026 Regional Theatre Season

By The Up-To-Date Actor, October 10, 2025

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Every year, the most produced plays and musicals across professional regional theatres give us a snapshot of the American theatre landscape—what audiences are connecting with, what theatres feel confident producing, and which playwrights’ voices are resonating across the country.

For the 2025/2026 season, the lineup is a vibrant mix of contemporary storytelling, beloved classics, and bold reinterpretations. If you’re an actor, dramaturg, or theatre-lover, this list offers insight into where the artistic energy is flowing—and where opportunities might be waiting.

One-Sheet vs. Pitch Deck: Two PR Tools Every Actor Should Have in Their Career Toolkit

By Annie Chadwick, October 08, 2025

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As an actor, you are not just a performer—you’re also the CEO of your own small business. That means marketing yourself with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Two of the most powerful tools to help you do that are the One-Sheet PR Document and the Pitch Deck. While they share some overlap, each serves a different purpose in telling your story, and knowing when and how to use them can open doors for your career.