APA New York

Agency for the Performing Arts was founded in 1962 by a group of agents who saw an opportunity to create a full-service agency that would represent talent across every area of live and recorded entertainment. From its earliest days, APA distinguished itself by covering not just film and television but also theater, music, comedy, and literary talent under one roof. The agency established a significant New York presence early on, recognizing the importance of serving the theater and East Coast media markets. Over the decades, APA has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, building one of the broadest talent rosters in the mid-major agency tier. Key milestones include expanding into concert booking, developing a strong literary division, and maintaining relevance through multiple waves of industry consolidation.

Today, APA is a respected full-service talent agency with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville. The New York office serves actors, comedians, writers, directors, and musicians across theater, film, television, and live performance. APA occupies a strong position in the mid-major agency tier, offering a balance of industry reach and personal attention that appeals to actors seeking more than a boutique firm but who may not yet be ready for a mega-agency. The agency's talent division in New York is well-connected with casting directors and producers across Broadway and television, and their diverse roster includes both emerging and established performers.

APA is generally considered more accessible than the top-four agencies for actors who are building their careers. A strong recommendation from a casting director, acting teacher, or industry professional can open the door to a meeting with APA agents. The agency attends showcases, industry events, and graduation performances at respected training programs where they actively scout for new talent. Having a polished submission package with current headshots, a focused resume, and a strong demo reel will strengthen your candidacy. APA's agents are known for being approachable at industry functions, making it possible to establish personal connections that lead to representation conversations.

APA's departmental structure includes theatrical talent (film and TV), theater, literary, comedy and variety, concert and personal appearances, and digital content. The New York talent department handles submissions for film, television, and theater, working with casting directors across all major networks, studios, and production companies. The theater department maintains relationships with Broadway and off-Broadway producers and casting offices. The comedy division is one of APA's signature strengths, representing stand-up comedians and comedy actors who work across live performance, television, and film. APA maintains strong bicoastal coordination between their New York and Los Angeles offices, with the Nashville office adding capabilities in country music and southern entertainment markets. Actors signed in New York benefit from the LA office's film and television infrastructure, including pilot season submissions and studio project casting. While APA's international presence is not as extensive as the mega-agencies, they maintain working relationships with international agents and agencies that facilitate opportunities in foreign markets. The agency's concert division has connections with international promoters and venues, which can benefit actors who also perform live or have public appearance value.

APA represents actors at various career stages, from emerging performers with strong training and early credits to established professionals with extensive resumes. The agency is particularly receptive to actors who demonstrate versatility and can work across multiple entertainment mediums. Their roster includes SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity members as well as non-union talent in certain categories. APA has represented numerous notable actors, comedians, and performers throughout its history, with clients who have earned Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and other major industry honors. The agency's comedy division has been particularly successful, representing comedians who have gone on to star in hit television series and major film releases. APA's theater clients have performed in acclaimed Broadway productions, and the agency has been behind several successful stage-to-screen career transitions. APA's industry reputation is one of reliability, professionalism, and genuine talent advocacy. Casting directors and producers respect APA submissions and know that the agency carefully curates its roster to include talented, professional performers.

APA follows standard industry commission structures, typically charging 10% for theatrical bookings in film, television, and theater. There are no upfront costs to be represented, and all earnings come from commissions on work they book for their clients. Union guidelines govern rates on SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity projects, ensuring that commission structures comply with industry standards. Commercial commissions may be up to 20% depending on the deal. Actors represented by APA can realistically expect a steady pipeline of audition opportunities across film, television, theater, and commercials, with the volume and quality reflecting their current career level and market demand. The agency's manageable roster size means individual clients typically receive meaningful attention and consistent submissions. However, APA's packaging power does not match the mega-agencies, so actors should not expect the agency to create opportunities through institutional leverage alone. The value of APA representation lies in their agents' dedication, their industry relationships, and their ability to strategically position clients for the right opportunities at the right time.

APA is a solid option for actors who want full-service representation with an agency that is large enough to have industry clout but small enough to know their clients personally. The agency is particularly good for actors who work across multiple mediums and want representation that can serve their theater, film, television, and commercial careers under one roof. Comedic actors and performers with live entertainment appeal will benefit from APA's strong comedy and concert divisions. Emerging and mid-career actors who want accessible, supportive representation without the pressure of a mega-agency environment will find APA to be a comfortable and productive fit. APA may not be the ideal choice for actors who need the maximum possible packaging power and deal-making leverage for studio film leads or major franchise roles. Performers who want representation from an agency that is on the absolute cutting edge of digital innovation and emerging platform strategy may find other options more aligned with those goals. Very early-career actors with no professional credits or training should consider boutique agencies or management companies that specialize in development before approaching APA. Actors who work exclusively in highly specialized niches like voiceover or commercial print may find more focused representation elsewhere.

The most effective way to get noticed by APA is to develop solid professional credits across theater, film, or television while building relationships with industry professionals who can provide referrals. Performing in showcases and industry events where APA agents are known to attend can create organic connections that lead to representation meetings. Building a strong online presence with a professional website, current headshots, and a compelling demo reel makes it easy for agents to evaluate your work. Networking at industry functions, comedy shows, and theater events where APA agents socialize can create natural relationship-building opportunities. The ideal time to approach APA is when you have accumulated enough professional credits to demonstrate that you are a working actor with momentum and clear potential for growth. This could mean having several theater credits, a few notable on-camera bookings, or a strong showcase performance that generated industry attention. APA is receptive to actors at earlier career stages than the mega-agencies, so you do not need to wait until you have an extensive filmography to make your approach. Timing your outreach to coincide with a recent booking, a strong review, or completion of a respected training program will give your submission the most impact.