APA - Agency for the Performing Arts

Agency for the Performing Arts was founded in 1962, making it one of the longest-operating talent agencies. The agency began with emphasis on live performance including music, comedy, and theater, expanding over decades to encompass film, television, literary, and digital media. APA has weathered numerous industry transformations while maintaining its core identity. Key milestones include offices in New York, Nashville, and Atlanta alongside LA headquarters, and expansion into television and film during the streaming boom.

Today, APA operates as a full-service agency with offices in LA, New York, Nashville, and Atlanta. The agency occupies a respected mid-major position combining meaningful clout with an accessible, artist-friendly culture. APA serves working actors at various career levels. The Nashville and Atlanta offices give them geographic reach that many competitors lack.

APA is more accessible than top-tier agencies and actively develops emerging talent. The agency accepts referral-based submissions and attends showcases and festivals. APA is also known for reviewing direct submissions from actors with compelling materials. The agency values training, professionalism, and genuine passion.

APA's departments include Talent, Music, Comedy, Theater, Literary, and Digital Media. The comedy department is particularly strong. The music department provides touring and recording representation. APA's literary department connects actors with projects from APA-represented writers. APA's client management emphasizes accessibility and genuine engagement. The multi-office structure provides bicoastal and regional coverage. Cross-departmental collaboration means actors with comedy or music abilities may receive submissions from multiple departments. The Atlanta and Nashville offices serve the growing Southeast production market.

APA represents actors across a wide range of career levels. The agency is welcoming to actors with live performance backgrounds building on-camera careers. SAG-AFTRA membership is expected. APA has a reputation for being inclusive and supportive of diverse talent. The willingness to develop emerging talent makes it more accessible than many comparable agencies. APA has represented talented actors throughout its history, with clients earning Emmy, Tony, and other awards. The comedy clients have included successful touring comedians who transitioned to film and television. APA has facilitated numerous crossover careers.

APA charges the standard 10% commission and follows SAG-AFTRA franchise guidelines. There are no upfront fees. The commission structure is transparent across offices. APA works collaboratively with managers. Contract terms are standard. APA offers strong value for working actors who want full-service representation with a personal, accessible culture. The multi-office geographic reach and strong comedy department create genuine advantages. For actors transitioning from theater or comedy to on-camera work, APA is particularly attractive.

APA is ideal for working actors seeking a supportive full-service agency without requiring A-list credentials. Particularly well-suited for comedy, theater, and live performance backgrounds. Actors in the Southeast will benefit from Atlanta and Nashville offices. Multi-talented performers spanning acting, comedy, and other arts will find the cross-departmental approach valuable. Actors exclusively seeking the highest echelons for major studio leads may find the Big 4 better positioned. If seeking extensive brand partnership and digital support, larger agencies with dedicated departments may serve better. Very early-career actors with no credits should focus on training first.

Showcase your versatility and commitment through strong credits and professional materials. Attending showcases and performing at comedy clubs and theaters where APA agents are present creates organic connections. Demonstrating professionalism and passion resonates with APA's culture. Highlight multi-disciplinary abilities. APA is excellent for actors at various career stages, whether as a long-term home or stepping stone. Many actors build successful careers under APA. For emerging actors, APA provides a legitimate pathway to building credits. The ideal time to approach is with some professional credits and strong training.