Abrams Artists NYC
Established bicoastal agency with a strong New York talent and voiceover division
Overview
Abrams Artists Agency was founded by Harry Abrams in 1977, establishing what would become one of the most respected mid-tier talent agencies in the entertainment industry. The agency was built on a philosophy of nurturing talent and providing personalized representation that larger agencies often could not match. Over the decades, Abrams Artists expanded from its New York base to establish a strong Los Angeles office, creating a bicoastal operation that could serve clients across all entertainment mediums. The agency developed particular strength in voiceover and commercial representation, becoming one of the premier agencies in those categories. Key milestones include building one of the industry's strongest voiceover rosters and establishing a reputation for developing emerging talent into working professionals.
Today, Abrams Artists is a well-respected bicoastal agency with a significant New York presence, representing actors for theater, film, television, commercials, and voiceover. The agency occupies a strong position in the mid-tier agency landscape, known for combining genuine industry reach with the personal attention that defines the best boutique agencies. Their New York office is known for a particularly strong voiceover and commercial division alongside their theatrical talent department. Agents at Abrams are experienced in building careers from the ground up, and they are known for giving emerging actors meaningful opportunities. The agency's client roster reflects their commitment to developing talent at all career stages.
How It Works
Abrams is more accessible than top-tier agencies and actively looks for new talent through showcases, referrals, and open submissions at select times. Having a polished reel and strong headshots will strengthen your chances of getting a meeting, as agents evaluate submissions based on the quality of materials presented. The agency is known for attending graduation showcases at respected MFA programs and acting schools where they scout for emerging talent. Referrals from casting directors, voiceover coaches, and industry professionals carry significant weight in the submission process. Abrams agents are also approachable at industry events and networking functions, making it possible to establish connections organically.
Abrams Artists operates through several key departments in New York, including theatrical talent (film and TV), voiceover, commercial on-camera, and print. The voiceover department is one of their signature divisions, representing talent for animation, commercials, video games, audiobooks, narration, and promo work. The theatrical department handles submissions for film, television, and theater projects, working with casting directors across all major production entities. The commercial on-camera division places talent in national and regional advertising campaigns, while the print division handles modeling and photo-based work. Abrams Artists maintains strong coordination between their New York and Los Angeles offices, ensuring that clients on either coast have access to opportunities nationwide. The agency's LA office is particularly active in animation voiceover and on-camera commercial work, while the New York office leads in theatrical voiceover, broadcasting, and East Coast production casting. While Abrams does not maintain dedicated international offices, they have working relationships with agencies in major international markets that can facilitate overseas opportunities for their clients. The agency's voiceover clients are particularly well-positioned for international work, as many global advertising campaigns and animated productions are recorded in New York or Los Angeles for worldwide distribution.
Who Uses It
Abrams Artists represents actors at various career stages who want reliable, committed representation across multiple entertainment sectors. The agency is particularly receptive to emerging talent with strong training and demonstrated potential, making them more accessible than many agencies of comparable size. Their clients include SAG-AFTRA members working across film, television, voiceover, and commercials, as well as Actors' Equity members active in theater. Abrams Artists has represented numerous successful actors, voice artists, and performers who have built substantial careers through the agency's representation. Their voiceover clients have voiced iconic animated characters, narrated award-winning documentaries, and voiced some of the most recognizable national advertising campaigns. Theater clients have performed in acclaimed Broadway and off-Broadway productions, and on-camera clients have appeared in major television series and films. Abrams Artists' industry reputation is one of professionalism, reliability, and genuine expertise in voiceover and commercial markets alongside strong theatrical representation. Casting directors and producers trust Abrams submissions because they know the agency maintains a curated roster of talented, professional performers.
Pricing & Plans
The agency charges standard industry commissions with no fees for joining their roster. Theatrical commissions are typically 10%, while commercial and voiceover commissions may be up to 20% depending on the specific contract structure. All earnings are commission-based, and union-regulated work follows SAG-AFTRA guidelines for commission calculation. There are no hidden costs, administrative charges, or any upfront fees associated with Abrams representation. Actors represented by Abrams Artists can realistically expect a steady flow of audition opportunities appropriate to their type, experience level, and skill set. The agency's strength in voiceover and commercials means clients who are capable in those areas can build significant income streams alongside their theatrical careers. The volume of submissions for film and television roles may be somewhat lower than what mega-agencies generate, but the quality and appropriateness of opportunities tends to be high. Abrams clients should expect a collaborative relationship with their agents, where ongoing communication about career goals helps shape the submission strategy.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Abrams Artists' greatest strengths include their industry-leading voiceover and commercial divisions, their genuine commitment to developing emerging talent, and their ability to provide multi-departmental representation under one agency roof. The agency excels at helping actors build diverse income streams across voiceover, commercials, and theatrical work, creating financial stability that pure acting careers often lack. Their personalized approach to client relationships means actors rarely feel like just a number on a roster. The agency's strong reputation in the casting community ensures that Abrams submissions are reviewed and respected by decision-makers across the industry.
What Could Be Better
Abrams Artists' primary limitations relate to their position in the mid-tier agency landscape, which means they lack the packaging power and institutional leverage of the mega-agencies for the most competitive film and television projects. While their theatrical department is solid, it may not have the same depth of relationships with top film directors and studio heads as agencies like WME or CAA. The agency's particular strength in voiceover and commercials, while a major asset, can sometimes overshadow their theatrical capabilities in industry perception. Actors seeking representation primarily for studio film leads or major streaming series leads may need to look at agencies with more concentrated film department resources.
Our Recommendation
Abrams Artists is a great fit for actors at various career stages who want reliable, committed representation with particular strength in voiceover and commercial work. Actors who want to build multiple income streams across voiceover, commercials, and theatrical work will benefit from the agency's multi-departmental structure. Emerging actors looking for their first significant agency representation will find Abrams more accessible and developmental than many comparable agencies. Voice actors who also want serious theatrical representation will appreciate the agency's ability to serve both areas competently. Abrams Artists may not be the ideal choice for actors who are exclusively focused on studio film or premium television and need an agency whose primary strength is in those specific areas. Performers who have already achieved substantial career success and need the maximum possible leverage for negotiating major deals should consider whether a larger agency might better serve those specific needs. Actors who have no interest in voiceover or commercial work may not fully benefit from the agency's particular strengths. Very early-career actors with no professional experience whatsoever may still need to build some foundational credits through smaller agencies or self-submissions before approaching Abrams.
Pro Tips
The most effective way to get noticed by Abrams Artists is to develop strong skills in their areas of expertise, particularly voiceover and on-camera commercial work, alongside your theatrical training. Investing in professional voiceover coaching and creating a polished demo reel can significantly strengthen your approach to the agency. Attending showcases and industry events where Abrams agents are known to scout talent provides organic connection opportunities. Referrals from voiceover coaches, commercial casting directors, and acting teachers who have relationships with Abrams agents are particularly effective. The ideal time to approach Abrams Artists is when you have developed competency in at least two of their core areas, such as theatrical acting combined with voiceover skills, or on-camera acting combined with commercial experience. Having some professional credits, even if modest, demonstrates that you are a working performer ready for agency representation. Approaching Abrams after completing voiceover training and creating a professional demo reel is a common and effective pathway. Timing your submission to follow a notable booking, a strong showcase performance, or completion of a respected training program will give your materials the most impact.