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Launching an Acting Career in Thriving St. Louis Theater Scene

Dear aspiring thespian,

You may not realize it from the media bright lights perpetually shining on Los Angeles and the Great White Way, but St. Louis boasts one of the most vibrant local theater scenes nationwide. This burgeoning ecosystem has fueled increasing demand for talented actors – and enrollment growth for innovative college acting programs grooming the next generation.

In this expert guide, you‘ll discover:

  • The expanding opportunities for actors in St. Louis stage and film
  • The top acting programs delivering results for local alumni
  • Steps to build a thriving acting career rooted in midwestern soil

I‘ve synthesized insider insights from students, professors and working theater professionals across the metro area so you can make informed decisions about staking your claim here versus bigger media markets. The key? Leveraging St. Louis‘ lower cost of living and ever-growing array of acting gigs to hone your craft until ready for bright Broadway marquees or Hollywood‘s spotlight.

Surging St. Louis Arts Scene Offers Myriad Acting Opportunities

You may picture St. Louis as all gritty blues bars and baseball games thanks to media stereotypes. Yet beyond the Gateway Arch, a vibrant theater community has blossomed offering actors ever-expanding opportunities.

Over 120 professional and community theater companies now operate in the metro area showcasing dramas, comedies and musicals in traditional and found venues. The region adds 1-2 new performance spaces annually as developers tap into surging audience demand.

Attendance has skyrocketed in step. For example, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis hosted 90,000 patrons last season – over triple levels from just eight years ago. The Muny averages over 300,000 musical theater fans through its gates annually, among the highest globally.

This rising tide keeps raising existing boats while launching new companies. Kansas City Repertory Theatre unveiled a 300-seat theater complex in 2013 while New Line Theatre tripled its annual productions over the past decade. Shakespeare Festival St. Louis drew 75,000 Bard lovers in 2022 – up 50% versus 2017.

The boom extends behind the scenes too. A 2021 Economic Impact Study revealed St. Louis‘ arts scene supports over 11,000 full-time jobs while generating $580 million. Actors comprise a slice enjoying bigger paydays.

Film Incentives Attracting Productions Need Extras & Actors

While St. Louis lacks a Hollywood-scale film industry, Missouri‘s 30% tax incentive passed in 2013 has attracted major movie studios plus streaming giants. Recent high-profile films shot locally include:

  • 2022: No Hard Feelings (Sony)
  • 2021: Mississippi Masala (Focus Features)
  • 2020: Josep (hand-drawn animation feature)
  • 2019: The Devil All The Time (Netflix)

These productions hire local actors for supporting roles plus extras working background scenes. Lindenwood University senior Michaela Keesee finagled gigs as an extra on Hulu‘s The Dropout and playing a reporter in Mississippi Masala last summer through campus casting bulletins.

"The experience shadowing professional film actors showed me gaps in my training while growing my resume," Keesee said. "I‘ll exit college with on-camera experience most BFA students lack."

Additional TV films and series shoot in St. Louis annually spanning networks from ABC to The CW. Budding actors seeking exposure also find roles in indie films, commercials and web series from local production houses.

Surging College Acting Program Enrollment Reflects Growing Interest

Another gauge of St. Louis‘ rising theater prominence? Enrollment in college acting programs has accelerated sharply after years of modest interest.

Professor Mark Bacus has witnessed surging demand first-hand. When launching the BFA Acting program at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (SIUE) in 2014, initial enrollment tallied just 10 students.

"Now the program fills all 24 slots annually through auditions and turns away qualified young talent because of capacity constraints," Bacus said.

What changed in just eight years? SIUE acting graduates landing roles at regional theaters is convincing more local high school students to answer the call of the stage. Meanwhile, Illinois‘ own 30% film tax credit fuels demand for actors with on-camera experience.

"When our acting alumni share stories getting cast in movies shooting just across the river in St. Louis, it definitely buoys enrollment," Bacus explained.

Similar patterns emerge at institutions profiled in this guide:

  • Maryville University – 110+ BA & BFA Acting students
  • COCA Community School for the Arts – 500+ youth & adult acting students
  • Lindenwood University – 200+ undergraduate acting majors

I‘ll next showcase specific programs gaining notice for preparing actors to capitalize on St. Louis‘ bourgeoning opportunities.

Spotlight: Leading St. Louis Acting Programs Delivering Results

While Chicago‘s arts pedigree overshadows St. Louis nationally, local acting programs boast compelling success stories that capture students‘ attention.

The region now offers over a dozen higher education options spanning conservatory-style BFAs to continuing education in stage and film acting. I spotlight some standouts below along with commentary from students, faculty and notable alumni.

Maryville University

This small private college offers comprehensive BA and BFA degrees integrating acting fundamentals with liberal arts exploration. Hallmarks include:

  • 110+ students pursuing Acting and Musical Theatre
  • Emphasis on developing and staging contemporary works
  • Brand new black box theater space for experimental performances

Senior BFA student Dominic Major praises the creative freedom Maryville provides through original productions written or directed by students.

"The collaborative, risk-taking culture here lets us find our artistic voices and stretch different creative muscles before hitting the real world," Major said.

Recent musical theater graduates like Alicia Revé landed roles in national touring productions of Kinky Boots and A Chorus Line thanks to the well-rounded foundation Maryville provided.

"Maryville acting instructors emphasized not just talents, but developing minds and spirit," said Revé. "I left skilled yet humble, and those qualities help me maintain sanity amidst the auditioning grind."

COCA – Center of Creative Arts

This community arts education hub offers acting classes for students of all ages at its state-of-the-art facility near University City. Notable aspects include:

  • 500+ youth & adult acting students annually
  • Focus on staging full theatrical productions
  • Public performances in COCA‘s new theater space

"COCA instruction shaped me as both an actor and theater maker," said NYC-based actress Steph DeFerie, who still uses the collaboration skills first honed at COCA. "Their students just have that undeniable spark casting directors instantly spot."

Many alumni like DeFerie return to COCA as teaching artists, providing apprentice paths for aspiring actors needing income between gigs.

Saint Louis University

While better known for science and pre-med programs, Saint Louis University (SLU) offers an excellent theater education at its Midtown St. Louis campus. Standouts include:

  • Recently revived Theater major plus minor available
  • Study acting while earning a well-rounded liberal arts degree
  • Frequent student acting opportunities at the on-campus Sheldon Concert Hall

"Jesuit education focuses on developing the whole person – mind, body and spirit," said Fr. Chris Collins, S.J., head of SLU‘s Department of Fine and Performing Arts. "We believe this holistic program yields nuanced actors equipped to sustain lifelong careers."

John Goodman seems proof of the concept. The award-winning film and TV actor earned his BFA here in 1975. Current students act in 20+ campus theater productions annually alongside coursework to build artistic and personal wisdom in equal measure.

If the success stories above inspire your inner thespian, it‘s realistic to build an acting career from St. Louis roots before heading to brighter lights and bigger budgets abroad. How?

I distilled insights from working actors, producers and university career center advisors on proven steps to join the professional performer ranks in St. Louis and leverage it as a national launching pad.

Quick Tips Building an Acting Career Rooted in St. Louis

* Start by involvement with a community theater company while working a flexible day job
* Build stage credits via supporting roles, understudy assignments, assisting backstage  
* Enroll in acting classes through a college, studio or arts education center to keep honing skills
* Research options to join the Actors‘ Equity Association to access more professional productions 
* Consider a certificate or second bachelor‘s program to expand artistic range and opportunities 
* Network relentlessly while making no role feel too small - access is the name of the game initially

I‘ll next unpack these tips more fully so you understand paths current working actors took finding their footing.

Community Theater Gateway for Aspiring Performers

Almost all artists getting paid to act around St. Louis took early steps volunteering at community theaters. These networks of non-profit performance venues prove an ideal gateway for amateurs to gain initial experience.

Operating budgets depend upon ticket sales, donor support and volunteers instead of public funds. Rehearsal and performance facilities range from rented elementary school gyms and auditoriums to church basements to professional theaters‘ side stages.

Common entry points for those seeking acting exposure include:

Supporting Actor Roles

Community theaters commonly hold open auditions even for starring parts seeking performers beyond the regular troupe. Understudies positions provide another pathway to find the stage eventually.

Backstage Assistance

If acting a stretch initially, volunteers can build credibility assisting directors and crews handling tasks like:

  • Set construction
  • Costume design
  • Running lights/sound
  • Stage management

Improv Troupes

Aspiring comedic actors often flex creative muscles initially through improvisational troupes performing original unscripted skits. This requires quick thinking and dynamic audience interaction.

Whatever the first role, community theater teaches neophyte actors vital lessons regarding stage presence, memorizing lines, collaborating with casts/crews and reacting to audiences.

Actress Rachel Sullivan performed children’s theater growing up, but didn’t consider professional acting until college. Starting as an improv troupe member led to bigger comedic parts until Sullivan landed a lead role through Kirkwood Theatre Guild auditions.

“That community theater break out performance showed me I had talent worth developing,” Sullivan said. “I enrolled in more advanced acting classes while working days waiting tables until gradually progressing to paid acting gigs."

Taking Steps to Join Actors‘ Equity Association Opens Doors

Think of joining Actors‘ Equity Association (AEA) as earning a theater performer‘s union card. The organization dates back to 1913 and now represents over 51,000 professional actors and stage managers nationwide.

While not technically mandatory for most regional theater roles outside Broadway, Actors‘ Equity boosts job access and earning potential exponentially. Why? Its contracts guarantee members higher wages, safer working conditions, health/pension benefits and stronger professional development opportunities.

The downside? Actors‘ Equity operates stringent admissions selectively welcoming just 15-20% of applicants annually from its 160 U.S. auditions. This keeps roster talent high while preventing wage suppression from oversupply.

Fortunately regional theaters provide common stepping stones meeting the rigorous requirements:

30 Weeks of Stage Work

Actors‘ Equity requires either 30 weeks of paid acting employment or earning a specific annual income from acting work based on market tiers. One year with a full-time professional regional company often suffices.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants submit references from directors, actors or crew attesting to their professionalism and abilities. Actors‘ Equity seeks candidates likely succeeding long-term.

Stage Resume & Headshots

Like any professional actors, an Equity application requires a detailed resume of theater experiences and industry-standard headshots.

Landing those initial 30 weeks of paid theater acting experience still proves challenging, right? Not necessarily in bustling St. Louis. Numerous professional theaters help aspiring union actors check this box:

  • The Black Rep
  • The Midnight Company
  • New Jewish Theatre
  • Repertory Theatre St. Louis
  • Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
  • Slightly Askew Theatre
  • Stray Dog Theatre
  • Upstream Theater
  • West End Players Guild

So set sights on an Actors‘ Equity audition once securing a full season with one or more of these companies.

Acting Skill Building – Continuing Education Opportunities

Even while actively performing, ongoing acting education proves essential for skill development. Consider these convenient local options that mirror top national programs in key ways:

Degree Pathways

Those seeking maximal acting immersion can pursue a full undergraduate or graduate acting specialization locally through BA, BFA or MFA programs at schools like Lindenwood University and UMSL.

Conservatory Programs

Intensive training modeled after Juilliard and Carnegie Mellon is accessible through COCA (Center of Creative Arts) in University City and CAP21 Conservatory housed at Maryville University.

Private Acting Studios

Numerous St. Louis acting studios offer evening/weekend class series tailored to various specialties like musical theater, Shakespeare, on-camera acting and more. This makes continuing education affordable even for those working full-time arts jobs.

No excuse exists for not continually strengthening skills through one or more of these options.

"I still take acting classes when I can even 20 years into my career," said Steph DeFerie, a working film and stage actress in NYC/LA. "There‘s always a new method to explore that may unlock exciting creative or career doors."

Staking Your Claim as Next St. Louis Talent Powerhouse

The sheer breadth of St. Louis‘ theater landscape may seem dizzying at first glance. Yet as explored in this guide, burgeoning opportunities exist for actors at any experience level – especially those strategic in seeking out the first open door.

Leverage the abundant ensemble roles, backstage assignments and workshops facilitative theaters and acting programs offer early. Build stage-readiness through repetitive practice while making vital connections for paying work later.

Once securing those initial roles or credibility-enhancing training credentials, doors start opening easier over time. Eventually even Actors‘ Equity Association may come calling – the professional heights so many St. Louis talents now reach thanks to the elevated theater ecosystem blossoming here.

Why not stake your claim to this momentum too? I hope this intel gives confidence that a thriving acting career sprouting Midwestern roots can absolutely soar from here.

Break legs – as us theater folk say – pursing your performer destiny!

Sincerely,
[Your Name] Education Reform Expert & Arts Advocate